        Mikolaviciute, Ieva : AssignmentsAssignment 10.28Architecture Playback As a student majoring in Architecture, you learn to understand what distinguishes a work of Architecture from an ordinary building. The individual will begin to design certain structures, learn how to build them, and where a suitable location can be. Architecture students are given the option of working solo, working for a firm, or using their learned skills in other fields. Some important terms and concepts: Old man’s profession, Urban design, and Digital manufacturing. Look Up Old man’s profession is a term to describe the individuals that pursue an Architecture degree. While there are some occasions that a young student might make a name for themselves in this profession, a large majority only gain the fame they reach for after years of work. Great architecture comes from years of learning and experience in the same way that an individual gains wisdom as they become older. Urban design is the “arrangement, appearance and functionality of towns and cities, and in particular the shaping and uses of urban public space.”(wikipedia) Cities are especially hard to construct due to mass amount individuals and small amount of space. Urban designers are given the task of creating a natural, stress free, safe, and clean environment for the many city dwellers that are constantly on the move. Digital manufacturing is a form of technology that aids in the design process. An architect is given the ability to create a digital 3D model of their design to get a better understanding of the design’s form in real life. Speculate It seems that new forms of architecture flourish to represent the culture at that time, similar to the way Frank Lloyd Wright would build representations of society. How do architects represent society in their structures, buildings, and designs? There is a strong connection between Architecture and Engineering, could the idea of a master builder be favored again? Building Construction Playback Dr. Roozbeh Kangari introduced us to the Building Construction major available at Georgia Tech. BC students learn to have a holistic view within the design and build gap that was created after the idea of a master builder was no longer favored. Some term and concepts that influenced the lecture: Stakeholder, Procurement, and Mixed use. Look up As I understood form the lecture, stakeholders in building construction are the ones that finance and invest in the projects. Procurement is “the acquisition of goods and/or services at the best possible total cost of ownership, in the right quantity and quality, at the right time, in the right place for the direct benefit or use of governments, corporations, or individuals, generally via a contract” (wikipedia). This is important for students majoring in BC, they need to have the ability to bridge relationships with the suppliers for their projects. Mixed use is the idea of building an area that can be used for more than one purpose. One example could be a plaza, an area with cafes and stores, a place to relax, spend time with family or read a book. Another example of mixed use is apartments that use the first floor as a store while remaining floors are residential. Speculate More and more families seek to build their ‘dream’ home or hire someone to build it for them. Has this demand increased the number of building construction firms significantly? Are there many complications that come between the family and the firm based on the family’s design ideas and the firm’s capabilities? How much does a firm profit if it manages the construction for a public service such as a highway or a railroad? Industrial Design Playback The chair you sit in, the table you eat from, your cell phone, you ipod, and even your shoes are all industrial design. Abir Mullick’s introduction to Industrial Design gave us a broad and narrow understanding of this major. It is the “design of manufactured things that adds value, increases usability and simplifies life through improved human-product interaction”. Some important terms and concepts in this lecture: Good design, User centered, and Humanization. Look up Good design must overall be people focused, empowering, socio-economic focused, environment focused, future focused and inventive. Creating a design that is user centered is a “process in which the needs, wants, and limitations of the end user of an interface or document are given extensive attention at each stage of the design process” (wikipedia). The designer may understand the complexity of design’s functions but he must realize that the product must exhibit conceptual simplicity for the consumer. Humanization is a term used to describe products that are designed to be more suitable to humans. Speculate Due to the many arising environmental issues, is it possible that good design may become more environment focused? How would this change affect the idea of the product being user centered? What happens to designs that exhibit a lot of innovation but not enough humanization? Would the humanization of these designs suffer the loss of the innovation? Assignment 10.12 - Library 101 The impact of Katrina on the city and citizens of New Orleans (Bibliography) Adam Nossiter. (2006, November 26). Another Social Conflict Confronts New Orleans. New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)). p. 1.26 Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the ProQuest database. Adam Nossiter. (2007, April 10). Steering New Orleans’s Recovery With a Clinical Eye. New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)). p. A.15. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the ProQuest database. Alex Wilson. (2006, January). An ecological vision for rebuilding New Orleans: planning for a cleaner, greener Crescent City . Landscape architecture. p.64,66,68-69. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the EBSCO database. Bates, Kristin A. (2007). Through the eye of Katrina : social justice in the United. Durham. N.C. : Carolina Academic Press. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the GIL database. Brunsma, David. (2007). The sociology of Katrina : perspectives on a modern catastrophe. Lanham : Rowman & Littlefield. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the GIL database. Clark, Joshua. (2007). Heart like water : surviving Katrina and life in its disaster. New York : Free Press. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the GIL database. Errol Louis. (2007, September 2). FAILED BY THEIR OWN LEADERS. TWO YEARS ON, NEW ORLEANS IS TREADING WATER - THANKS TO CORRUPT AND INEPT POLS. Daily News (New York). p. 35. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the LexisNexis database. Giroux, Henry A. (2006). Stormy weather : Katrina and the politics of disposability. Boulder, Colo. : Paradigm Publishers. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the GIL database. Harold Ford, Jr. and Jim Hall. (2007, August 17). Lets Rebuild America Together. Wall Street Journal (Eastern edition). p. A.13. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the ProQuest database. Jayne Clark. (2007, August 24). New Orleans: 'Beautiful things' against some ugly reminders; Destruction is still a big draw as tourism rises. USA TODAY. p. 4D. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the LexisNexis database. Jennifer Zell. (2007, March). Visions of green: what role will parks and open space play in a rebuilt New Orleans? Landscape architecture. p.100-103. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the EBSCO database. Joseph Brown. (2006, November-December). New Orleans: one year after Katrina. Urban Land. P. 38, 40-43, 45. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the EBSCO database. Joshua Green. (2007, August 14). A ‘Great Society’ Conservative. New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)). p. A.21. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the ProQuest database. Kirk-Duggan, Cheryl A. (2006). The sky is crying : race, class, and natural disaster. Nashville : Abingdon Press. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the GIL database. Martin Pedersen. (2007, July-August). New Orleans tapped planner Edward J. Blakely to lead in its reconstruction. Metropolis. P. 38, 40, 42, 44. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the EBSCO database. Mary Ruffin Hanbury. (2006). New Orleans: the making of an urban landscape [by] Pierce F. Lewis . Arris. p. 67. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the EBSCO database. Max Page. (2005, December). Dreams begin responsibilities(New Orleans). Architecture. p.41-43. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the EBSCO database. Paul Krugman. (2007, August 31). Katrina All the Time. New York Times (Late Edition(East Coast)). p. A.21. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the ProQuest database. Phillip Nobel. (2005, December). Welcome restraint: in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, something strange happened: architects kept their mouths shut and their hands off their pens. Metropolis. p.64,66. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the EBSCO database. Reed, Betsy. (2006). Unnatural disaster : the nation on Hurricane Katrina. New York, N.Y. : Nation Books. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the GIL database. Richard Wolf. (2006, June 7). Races in Mich. Explore economy’s electoral impact; republicans tout national trends; democrats say most people just ‘treading water’. USA TODAY. p. A.8. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the ProQuest database. Richard Rosan. (2006, September). The path to rebuilding: one year after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, New Orleans, still lacks a coordinated plan for action. Urban land. p.58,60,62-63. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the EBSCO database. Rick Jervis. (2007, September 25). City school system is re-educated; New class of public schools in session as New Orleans tries to rebuild, overhaul troubled system. USA TODAY. p. 3A. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the LexisNexis database. Rick Lyman. (2006, June 7). Reports Reveal Hurricanes’ Impact on Human Landscape. New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)). p. A.16. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the ProQuest database. Robinson, Sharon. (2007). The children Hurricane Katrina left behind: schooling context, professional preparation, and community politics. New York : Peter Lang. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the GIL database. South End Press Collective. (2006). What lies beneath : Katrina, race, and the state of the nation. Cambridge, Mass.: South End Press. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the GIL database. Theresa Howard. (2007, July 19). Absolut's new flavor raises a glass, and cash, for New Orleans. USA TODAY. p. 3B. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the LexisNexis database. Troutt, David Dante. (2006). After the storm : Black intellectuals explore the meaning of Hurricane Katrina. New York : New Press. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the GIL database. No author…in order of most recent date. (2007, September 12). New Orleans tourism officials expect busy fall and winter. New Orleans CityBusiness (New Orleans, LA12). Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the LexisNexis database. (2007, March 31). Dividing the Future of the G.O.P. New York Times (Late Edition (east coast)). p. A.14. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the ProQuest database. (2006, August 24). Still Seeking a Voice in New Orleans. New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)). p. A.26 Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the ProQuest database. (2005, September 22). The impact of Hurricane Katrina on small businesses. United States Senate, One Hundred Ninth Congress, first session. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the EBSCO database. (2005, September 14). The impact of Hurricane Katrina on the aviation industry : hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. One Hundred Ninth Congress, first session. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the EBSCO database. Assignment 09.30 Lecture 09.17 This lecture focused on how design affects groups and how groups affect design. What I found interesting about this lecture was that it had sociology as a backbone. There are many connections between Architecture, Culture and Behavior. As Winston Churchill said, “we shape our buildings, and afterwards, our buildings shape us”. Some of the terms/concepts mentioned in this lecture are Intentional, Incidental, and Hybrid. Intentional - a type of exercise that an individual motivates themselves into. This type of exercise can be running, yoga, martial arts. I believe that gyms should be designed according to the individual’s perspective and not just a room to fit in exercise equipment. The gyms ought to be designed so that people will want to come and exercise. Incidental - this type of exercise is somewhat similar to intentional. Incidental exercise is the work out you get form lets say chores, gardening, painting. Perhaps design could be used to create easier to use tools for every day chores, and perhaps that would motivate individuals to work in the garden or at home. Hybrid - Hybrid exercise is exercise when a person decides to walk instead of taking the bus, or take the stairs instead of the elevator. If there were more pleasant paths and gardens to walk through, then more people would get out and walk. Also, stairways can be made more pleasant simply by adding color, paintings, music. 1. The public ought to be taught about the health concerns that could be eliminated through better design, what are some ways that can be done? 2. Should individuals be forced to exercise?(such as eliminating the use of elevators) 3. Are there any businesses that already promote a healthy, exercise environment at work? 4. Are there many of these exercise promoting environments emerging already, since there seems to be an organic food revolution going on in the stores today…health has become a big issue…is the environment being changed just like the food? Lecture 09.19 The focus of this lecture was the development of Atlantic Station. Our presenter showed many photos that the served a purpose of remembering the past, monitoring progression, and in some cases, seeing how a part of the past was incorporated into the design. Some terms from this lecture are Modernism, Neoclassical sculpture, and Urban renewal. Modernism can be “loosely described as the practice of sweeping away the existing world and building something perceived to be better.”(lecture) This is what happened to the site, it was all destroyed and rebuilt to bring back the life and spirit it once had. Neoclassical sculpture, are sculptures that are similar to “Roman copies of Hellenistic sculptures.”(wikipedia) A neoclassical sculpture of Peace and Justice was placed in Atlantic Station to mark the arrival of the 21st century. Urban renewal is “a process of land re-development in areas of previous moderate to high density urban land use.” (wikipedia) Atlantic Station is an example of this renewal process. 1. How can we encourage citizens to participate in such photographic memoirs? It seems that these days everyone cares more about the future… 2. Was this your first time documenting urban renewal? Do you think that Atlantic Station was a good design plan? 3. Are there any photography professions that focus on documenting the past? 4. Do you believe that Atlantic Station ought to have been designed in a different way? Lecture 09.26 This lecture focused on Palladian Architecture. The presenter displayed many Palladian styles present in the world today through a series of photographs of buildings and structures. Some relevant terms are Palladian architecture, proportions, and Villas. Palladian Architecture is “a European style of architecture derived from the designs of the Italian architect Andrea Palladio.” (wikipedia) This type of architecture can be “defined by the Roman architect Vitruvius, who adhered to principles of classical Roman architecture based on mathematical proportions rather than the rich ornamental style also characteristic of the Renaissance.” (wikipedia) Proportion is “a correspondence among the measures of the members of an entire work, and of the whole to a certain part selected as standard.” (Vitruvius) In this lecture, we gained an understanding of just how important proportion was to Palladio. Villas are “a specific type of detached suburban dwelling.” (wikipedia) Villas were originally an upper-class country home, but over the years they have changed in meaning. Palladian architecture can be seen in many of the villas in Venice. 1. Besides classical architecture, what else influenced Palladio? 2. How similar is this type of design to Classical, what similarities and differences are there? 3. Did Palladio(himself) build any villas outside of Italy, since it seems that most were in Venice? 4. Today there is an abundance of Palladian architecture all over the world, is this type of design becoming stronger/more appealing than Classical? Assignment 09.16 Lecture 09.10 Summary In this lecture, we learned the multi-disciplinary approach to disability research. The lecturer’s powerpoint presentation educated us of the many areas of study currently working with Assistive Technology. The terms I chose for this lecture are Assistive Technology, idiosyncratic, and commonality. Terms Assistive Technology is “any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities”. (Lecture) The entire lecture focuses on how we can use Assistive Technology to help the disabled. I figured that idiosyncratic had something to do with someone’s belief since ‘idios’ means ‘one’s own’, and as I researched more about it I found that idiosyncratic is a “structural or behavioral characteristic peculiar to an individual or group”. (wikipedia) Commonality is the expertise and interest within a particular group of workers, and this concept is useful when building a staff of different professions to help with disability issues. Question (1) Do you believe that one day we will have the technology to allow a disabled individual to regain the functional capabilities they lost? (2) How many different academic disciplines aid in this research? (3) Not counting paying customers, do you receive funding from companies? (4) Is it expensive to purchase such technology? How may a low class individual afford some expensive piece of technology? Lecture 09.12 Summary The concept of AEC Integration was brought up in this lecture. In this presentation, we were taught about the construction industry, its characteristics, its history, and why there ought to be integration between architecture, engineering, and construction. Some terms form this lecture are lean construction, value engineering, and risk management. Terms Lean construction is concerned with the “holistic pursuit of concurrent and continuous improvements in all dimensions of the built and natural environment: design, construction, activation, maintenance, salvaging, and recycling”. (wikipedia) AEC integration focuses very much on creating technology, product, services that are better quality and more efficient. I speculated that value engineering had some connection to better efficiency and seems I was correct. Value engineering is a “systematic method to improve the ‘value’ of goods and services by using an examination of function”. (wikipedia) Risk management is “the human activity which integrates the recognition of risk, risk management, developing strategies to manage it, and mitigation of risk using managerial resources”. (wikipedia) risk management is important in any business, especially one that involves engineering or construction of products. Questions (1) An architecture student wants to one day work with AEC integration, would you say that it would be hard for that student to get a job like that if he did not have any experience or learning in engineering and construction? (2) Is it possible that there will be more disciplines included in this integration later in the future? (3) Is it common for individuals working in AEC integration to have education/degrees in all three professions? (4) I noticed that the production process has grown more complex over the years, is it possible that that process will become more and more complex in the future? Lecture 09.14 Summary In this lecture, we were taught about the types and uses of Geographic Information Systems. Our presenter showed us the many different uses that this type of technology from power line routing to thermal images of an area. Some terms form this lecture are GIS, Lidar sensors, and remote sensing. Terms GIS is a “system of hardware and software that links mapped objects to attribute information that describes them and provides tools to store, retrieve, and manipulate both types of data”. (Lecture) The entire lecture concentrated on the concept of GIS. I considered that Lidar sensing has characteristics of light use. As it turns out, Lidar sensors are “an optical remote sensing technology that measures properties of scattered light to find range and /or other information of a distant target”. (wikipedia) Remote sensing is the “short or large-scale acquisition of information of an object by the use of a sensing device(s) that is not in physical or intimate contact with the object”. (wikipedia) Remote sensing helps map out geographic information. Questions (1) Could this type of technology aid paleontologists search for dinosaur remains easier and faster? (2) Would it be possible to map out the bottom of the ocean? (3) What sort of professions are involved in GIS? (4) What are some new and upcoming devices/gadgets that can function more efficiently in gathering information? Assignment 09.09 Lecture: 08.29 In this lecture, a series of presenters form different companies presented their ideas and work on Classical design. Each of these presenters shared life experiences, photographs, and gave advice for the audience. While most materials have to be custom made for a Classical design, there are ways to design a home without the high cost. ‘Katrina Cottages’ are an example. The Katrina Cottages resemble traditional homes, but are scaled-down in size to reduce cost and allow for quicker building. These cottages are built on the concepts of Classical and Vernacular designs. (www.katrinacottages.com) Vernacular architecture “tends to evolve over time to reflect the environmental, cultural and historical context in which it exists”. Classical design focuses on reviving the Greek and Roman architecture in modern homes. (Wikipedia) I have always wondered whether we should be reviving design form the past as we head towards the future. Should we not build structures that reflect our own time? Or is it better to have a bit of history in our home? Lecture: 08.31 In this lecture, the guest speaker taught about the Solar Decathlon. It is an international competition for students and collaborators to build a ‘Green’ house. This competition requires a lot of work since the house has to function like any regular house, and at the same time, the house must be built to provide its own energy. Our presenter showed us many of the plans for the house, as well as the many different details that they have to think about when building. Something important concepts mentioned are that each student has to deal with the concepts of collaboration vs. isolation, drawing what you see/building what you draw, and critically examining the competition. Collaboration is important, and each student has the experience of working in teams of not just architects, but engineers as well. Drawing what you see/building what you draw sets a process for the student to follow. This process is important when working as a team. When critically examining the competition, each student is able to realize the reasons for this project, the motivation for their work and why it is important. At the end of the lecture I began to wonder about whether or not this competition would influence the use of solar panels, and if it did, would he cost of going ‘green’ be less? The sun grows our food, it warms our planet, and so should we not use it to create our everyday energy? Lecture: 09.05 During this lecture, our presenter taught us about the changes in the production of design. The production and assembly of products has changed from manual labor to robotic labor. As well, the use of computers allows for simulations and prototyping. Technology has allowed us to shift to 3D designing and machinery that can sculpt on 5 axis dimensions. The main purpose of evolving technology and material use is how to make something unique but efficient. With mass production, materials still need to be unique and specific. Some terms that I found interesting are local variation, global variation, and master builder. Master Builder is the “individual who was responsible for both the design and the construction of a project”. (University of Colorado) Global Variation refers to all the pieces together in the overall design. Local Variation refers to each piece in the design separate of the rest. Is it possible for technology to design? Also, if technology and robotics takes over all manual labor jobs in the economy, will lower class individual have a higher rate of unemployment? And will robotics decrease the amount of workers in construction and production…humans being replaced by machines? assignment 08.29 Inside Installation Description This beautiful installation soars from the first floor to the third floor. Made of wood, the installation is held with bolts and screws. Threaded with metal to give it a style that uses two very different materials, the structure holds gracefully as it climbs two more floors. The flow of the wood seems to relate much to the flow of a river or a waterfall. Even the breaks in the wood look like a moment when a person places his hand through the waterfall, allowing the water to separate and then come back together. While the structure is big, compared to the building itself, it can seem quite small. Yet the composition of graceful, flowing wood against a background of dark, cold cement gives the area a beautiful scene. With the changing light, the installation gives a different view every moment you see it. With the third floor surrounded by windows towards the top, the peak of the installation is always lit by the suns rays, while the lower is illuminated with many shades due to the inside lights. The waves climb their way downward into a comfy, perfectly shaped bench for students to take a break on. Speculation I believe the design process was quite hard. An Installation that floats through three floors takes time and patience…and great skill. Since the area that the installation was to be placed in is so differently shaped on each floor, the design ought to have been hard work. For example, on the second floor, the installation had to be shaped perfectly so that it did not lose its unique image, but that it allowed people to pass through it at the same time. As told in class, the process of putting the structure together was vigorous due to material problems. Sadly, upon researching about this installation, I found out its name and understood why it was designed the way it is. So I have no speculations that I could propose, but I do know that when I first saw this structure, it made me think of a waterfall gliding from the sky to the ground. Outside Installation Description Made of thin, clear plastic, this installation moves from the first floor to the second floor on the outside of Architecture West. At the beginning, the many layers of this installation are packed neatly and orderly. As the installation moves outwards and upward, the layers separate gliding in different forms and directions. Soon enough, all the sheets of plastic are completely separated, spinning, turning, and moving around one another up to the second floor. Just like the inside installation, this structure is also attached with metal bits and pieces making it look wonderful from up close. Looking at the installation form far away, the building seems to dominate in power over the installation. From far away it may seem somewhat insignificant, but from a closer view, the installation flows around the columns of the building. This makes me think of the wind moving around structures. The wind can be a very strong element, and this structure seems very powerful form up close. Speculation Once again, the design process seems like it was tough. The Installation has many formations when the sheets of plastic separate and start flowing in different directions. Looking up close, I noticed that the flowing sheets actually follow a pattern in each row. This of course helped build the structure since it gave a repeated building pattern with the use of the same shaped plastic sheets. The use of materials was very well planned as well since the reflections of light on this installation are even more magnificent. I had a hard time speculating with this structure. I find it fascinating that this structure actually moves upward, moving from a cramped space to a free flowing environment. Link to this Page
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