Leticia Du Plessis

We are born dwellers of space, yet screens have quieted our bodies and eroded our sense of presence. This dissertation asks: how can architecture mediate between the physical and digital realms through thresholds? It explores ways to restore bodily awareness and sensory engagement in digitally mediated environments, framing thresholds as dynamic zones where body, atmosphere, and code converge. Grounded in theory and making, the research unfolds within Braamfontein’s Tshimologong Precinct—a site where heritage, innovation, and human activity intersect. Through mapping, modelling, and speculative design, a spectrum of thresholds emerged, from tactile encounters to immersive digital spaces. The architectural proposal translates this into a three-part strategy: the Cut grounds the body, the Weave connects past and present, and the Modular extends creative digital practice. These thresholds make presence tangible, offering an architecture that anchors us within a hybrid world and renews how we sense, move, and belong.