Boundary : an exploration of architecture's power to mark a boundary

Cities are no longer recognizing their boundaries beyond their legal or political implications. This thesis explored the architecture of a boundary in the design of a structure that visually and symbolically marked the current Miami-Dade County development limit along Krome Avenue. This limit ultimately separates the city from the endangered Everglades ecosystem. Through the examination of ancient boundaries such as Medieval and Renaissance Military fortifications, as well as contemporary interventions such as Steven Holl's "Edge of the City Projects", an architectural vocabulary was developed considering the Double Wall, Bastion, Rampart, and Gate principles. However, rather than considering these principles to defend the city from outside forces, the focus of this exploration is their inversion in order to contain the city by strengthening its periphery visually and symbolically. From this exploration, it was concluded that a successful boundary or limit should be visible and significant. Furthermore, it should serve as an informative and reflective landmark.