        Duley, Shannon : AssignmentsThe ‘Street’ is a far more complex structure than one may think. It is more than solely just a route for people to come and go about; rather, it is a space designed for certain needs, and can accommodate multiple functions and uses. The needs must be addressed, considered, and implemented into action. This process can take years. Fifth Street is a street that has been designed in order to cater to certain needs: of the students, of the athletes, of the vendors, of the Georgia Institute of Technology, of the city of Atlanta. Perec describes the ‘Street’:The buildings stand one beside the other. They form a straight line. They are expected to form a line, and it’s a serious defect in them when they don’t do so. They are then said to be ‘subject to alignment’, meaning that they can by rights be demolished, so as to be rebuilt in a straight line with the others. Fifth Street has exceeded Perec’s simple expectations of a street. It has exceeded the needs of the recipients stated earlier and has in fact become a gateway from a college campus into a city atmosphere. Even further into this transformation, changes have come about in the street itself that make Fifth Street an innovative space that is beneficial to all people who interact with it. Fifth Street is comprised of both private space and public space. The private space encompasses fraternities’ and sororities’ yards, the baseball stadium, and vendors in Tech Square. Everything else- the Fifth Street Bridge, the sidewalks, the road –is considered public space. Kohn opines that “public spaces are the last domains where the opportunity to communicate is not something bought and sold, and they are rapidly disappearing.” His opinion suggests that besides public spaces, communication occurs over phones calls, text messaging, letters, etc. and not in person. More public space means more social interaction, inevitably leading to ‘free’ communication. Not only is it not monetarily costly, but it also makes communication more accurate and understandable. Tone of voice, body language, and facial expressions are all aspects of communication that are not entirely possible with all other modes of dialogue and conversation. On Fifth Street, one will observe that there are public places that are utilized such as the bus stops on the corners and the benches outside of the stores. Not only is person-to-person socializing occurring in the public areas alone, but also people are able to communicate from public to private space and vice-versa. The design of Fifth Street allows the public and private spaces to be open and accessible. For example, fraternity brothers, while sitting on their front porches, are able to talk to passersby with ease. In the same way, shoppers are able to catch someone’s attention even if they are outside of the store on a bench. The division of public and private space on Fifth Street exists yet is barrier-free, which leads to the next aspect of the street: Subdivision of territory. Fifth Street is under the ownership of many different organizations including Midtown Alliance, the Tech Square developers, the Department of Transportation, and Georgia Tech’s campus planners and architects. Each organization in this diverse set has a say towards different aspects of the street; consequently, the results do not always follow the original plan or idea. However, after much deliberation, a final agreement can be reached in order to keep the Street design streamlined. Kohn believes that “although our convictions may also be resistant to change, they are much more malleable than the built environment.” When the plans are on paper, they can be adjusted and even completely transformed. When a concept is initially thought of, one may feel as if there is only one exact way to proceed with the design. But with the varying needs and wants of the many organizations, different perspectives are given and eventually a final decision is reached and carried out. Fifth Street is both a palimpsest and a projection of the community. It is home to a road that has been there for years and has been revamped to cater to the needs of the millennium and of the Georgia Institute of Technology. Renovations are constantly underway in attempt to maximize its potential. Restaurants have become college hot spots on Friday nights as well as meeting places for business luncheons. A hair salon, nail salon, bookstore, furniture store, and chocolate shop all appeal to the college kids and to the young business age. The Fifth Street Bridge has become the gateway from the trendy city-like Technology Square to the original Georgia Tech campus lined with brick-laden fraternity and sorority houses. Bike racks, bus stops, and benches are scattered about the street and trees divide the sidewalk from the road. All of these new advances make Fifth Street convenient while also keeping it aesthetically appealing. Another aspect of Fifth Street is that it is a dimensionable space with particular physical and material characteristics. Kostoff explains that a street is “more than a mere traffic channel ensconced within the city’s solid mesh, the street is a complex civil institution, culture-specific and capable of dazzling formal variation and calculated nuance. Most recently a new generation of designers have attempted to rescue the street from the extremes of segregation by recalling earlier forms, while weighing the scales in favor of pedestrians.” It is definitely apparent that pedestrians’ needs come first on Fifth Street. There are a sufficient number of crosswalks, and sidewalks line the Street all the way from the Biltmore to the Klaus Building. Frequent bus stops are located on each block, which in turn means that pedestrians are always walking to and from classes, residence halls, houses, shops, restaurants, and work. The primary concern on Fifth Street is the pedestrians, with road transit coming in second. The sidewalks are composed of varying materials including brick, concrete, and imprinted concrete, each distinguishing a separate part of the sidewalk: curb, public, and private, respectively. Depending on where on the sidewalk one is determines the person’s status; for example, someone walking in the private space is most likely either entering or leaving a store or fraternity house, someone walking on the concrete is most likely leisurely strolling and enjoying the walk, and someone pacing along the edge of the sidewalk closest to the street is perhaps late for work or a lunch date, or is trying to catch the next bus. Another aspect Kostoff mentions is the cultural variation of a street. On Fifth Street, there is southwestern, Mediterranean, Asian, and American representation in the restaurants alone. There is a baseball stadium, sorority houses, fraternity houses, and offices. There are classrooms, a clothing store, and a high-end restaurant. The variety of cultures, ethnicities and social classes make Fifth Street that much more appealing to a greater spectrum of people. As Georgia Tech becomes more diverse in its male to female ratio, races, religions, and types of work, the Street will continue to accommodate all of these peoples. Fifth Street is a space with multiple functions and uses. The Klaus Advanced Computing Building occupies many classrooms, labs, and stations. Students and faculty enjoy the brand new building for it’s modern style and contemporary look. The baseball stadium is where the players have trained and practiced for years and come spring, attracts hundreds of spectators to watch the incredible Georgia Tech baseball team. Across the street are a couple sorority and fraternity houses that hold social functions, house girls and boys, and have band parties on the weekends in the front lawns. There are volleyball nets and basketball hoops that are utilized by fraternity brothers and sorority sisters. On each corner is a Stinger or Tech Trolley bus stop where students congregate before class and can be seen piling out of the buses after class. The Fifth Street Bridge has been developed to not even seem like a bridge. It has a huge green lawn where movies on the green are shown from time to time. Streetlights illuminate the area at night and create the feeling of strolling in the park. Over the bridge, the restaurants provide food, a social place, and a meeting place. People often meet at Tin Drum for a professional lunch, Ray’s with a large group before heading to the bars down the street, or Moe’s for a good conversation around queso dip and chips. The Barnes & Noble bookstore provides discounted books to the students at Georgia Tech, houses a Starbuck’s Coffee, and has tables and couches upstairs for studying, reading, or doing work. There are Management buildings, which have classrooms, conference rooms, and offices for students and graduates. The hair salon and nail salon are conveniently located beside each other so if one wants the full pampered experience, she can get a manicure, pedicure, and haircut all within twenty feet of one another. American Apparel is a clothing store that has every basic type of garment, from scarves to sweatshirts to socks, in every color of the rainbow, from magenta to cerulean. As American Apparel is diverse and ranging, so is Fifth Street in entity. The Street is a social institution in every aspect. The stores, classrooms, shops, salons, houses, bus stops, and field all promote social interaction whether one is directly involved or not. The baseball stadium consists of three groups: the players, coaching staff, and fans. The bus stops are swarming with kids, the restaurants contain couples and groups of people, classrooms and meetings consist of groups of people collaborating and working in teams. People walking along the streets, although solo, occasionally stop and say hi to people whom they know. Outside the sorority and fraternity houses, college kids gather to sit on their porches, dance, play kickball, and eat picnic-style. It is a pulsating street filled with cars, pedestrians, buses and bikes alike. Although Fifth Street is evolving everyday as a result of a thriving community, there then comes the question: When will it get old, and will there come a point when the street cannot be altered anymore in order to fit everyone’s needs? Only time will tell. But as of now, at the turn of the century, Fifth Street is certainly a growing success progressing in the right direction. Certainly Georgia Tech students and alumnus will aid in the thriving of the gateway from campus to city and continue to make it better throughout the years to come. Bibliography p. 220 “The Street” by Kostoff p.1 “Species of Spaces and other Pieces” by George Perec p. 71 “The Mauling of Public Space” by Margaret Kohn Shannon Duley Lecture 1- 10/10 Part 1: Ellen Dunham-Jones discussed the field of Architecture with the class. She talked about the discipline, the profession, and the program at Georgia Tech. Ms. Dunham-Jones explained how there is a difference between architecture and ordinary building. She also talked about defining private and public spaces and how to distinguish which is which. Part 2: Architecture: This term is defined by answering questions: How should we build here and now? What kind of world are we shaping? Architecture is different from ordinary building because it responds to these questions. Urban design: Deals with the arrangement, appearance and functionality of towns and cities. It focuses on public space and the utilization of it rather than that of private space. Radial axis: The radial axis refers to branching out from all directions. This term applies to architecture because it deals with the center of a building/room and what things around it interact with it. Part 3: Ms. Dunham-Jones talked about how buildings are more than ordinary; there is in fact reason behind the design. Interdisciplinary studies such as sustainability and ecological literacy, urban design and policy, and digital manufacturing all must come together in order to design a distinguishable work of architecture. Lecture 2- 10/15 Part 1: Dr. Roozbeh Kangari talked with us about the Building Construction program at Georgia Tech. He discussed the process that comes before the operation: Owner, developer, designer, builder. Then the building can be utilized. Part 2: Decommissioning: This term describes the process of ending the current use of a building. Three options can be taken into consideration: selling, demolishing, or abandoning the building. Integrated IT systems: Describes the study, design, development, implementation, support, or management of computer based information systems. The building construction field utilizes IT systems in order to produce a successful building. Stakeholders: Refer to the people who have an investment in the outcome of the building. Part 3: Dr. Roozbeh Kangari talks about the integration of the developer, owner, contractor, urban planning, architect, operator, engineer, and regulators in the field of Building Construction. The teaching of these aspects is just as important as the profession. Lecture 3- 10/22 Part 1: Abir Mullick dicussed the education, profession, and future of Industrial Design. He defines design as being both aesthetic and functional. The object must incorporate both of these aspects to be a successful product. Part 2: Product design: This refers to the design of every product, from child’s toys to kitchen appliances. Every product invented has a design behind it. People-focused: This refers to what good design must involve. If the design is not about the person using it then it is not successful. Industrial Design: Is the professional service of creating and developing of concepts that optimize the function, value, and appearance for mutual benefit of both the user and the manufacturer. Part 3: Abir Mullick thoroughly explains in his lecture how there is more to products than what meets the eye. Aesthetics as well as function must be taken into consideration when designing a product in order to produce an optimal product or result. Shannon Duley Works Cited Agnew, Jean-Christophe. "Capitalism, Culture and Catastrophe: Lawrence Levine and the Opening of Cultural History." Journal of American History 93.3 (2006): 772-791. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. 11 Oct. 2007 Block, Walter. "Katrina: Private Enterprise, the Dead Hand of the Past, and Weather Socialism; an Analysis in Economic Geography." Ethics, Place & Environment 9.2 (2006): 231-241. ProQuest. 11 Oct. 2007 Borut, Donald J. "Katrina Calls Attention to Race and Poverty in Cities." Nation\‰Cities Weekly 28.38 (2005): 2. ProQuest. 11 Oct. 2007 Brown, Joseph E., and Kenneth Caldwell. "New Orleans: One Year After Katrina." Urban Land 65 (2006): 38+. Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals. EBSCO. 12 Oct. 2007 Clark, Rebecca A., Lynn Besch, Mary Murphy, Jan Vick, Colin Gurd, Stephanie Broyles, and Kathleen Lincoln. "Six Months Later: the Effect of Hurricane Katrina on Health Care for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in New Orleans." AIDS Care 18.1 (2006): 59-61. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. 11 Oct. 2007 Dawson, Alma, and Kathleen De La Pena McCook. "Rebuilding Community in Louisiana After the Hurricanes of 2005." Reference & User Services Quarterly 45.4 (2006): 292-2966. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. 11 Oct. 2007 "DERMATOLOGY; Studies Reshape Gulf Region's Medical Planning for Natural Disasters." EXPANDED REPORTING 31 Aug. 2007: 102. LexisNexis. 12 Oct. 2007 Elliott, Cynthia B., and Denny Taylor. "Leading in the Worst of Times." Educational Leadership 64.1 (2006): 82-86. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. 11 Oct. 2007 Fein, Geoff. "Katrina Showed Need for Rapid Damage Assessment, Improved Communications." Defense Daily 231 (2006). LexisNexis. 12 Oct. 2007 Gavagan, Thomas F., and Eric Noji. "Hurricane Katrina: Response At the Houston Astrodome." Southern Medical Journal 100.9 (2007): 926-927. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. 11 Oct. 2007 Gerfen, Katie. "Greening New Orleans." Architecture 95.10 (2006): 16. Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals. EBSCO. 12 Oct. 2007 Hansen, Brian. "Hurricane Katrina Victims Press Case Over Emissions by Energy Companies." Inside Energy 25 Dec. 2006: 4. LexisNexis. 12 Oct. 2007 Kennedy, Shawn, and James Murdock. "Remaking New Orleans, Without Losing Its Past." Architectural Record 195.6 (2007): 85-88. Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals. EBSCO. 11 Oct. 2007 Lubell, Sam. "Louisiana Recovery Continues to Hit Snags." Architectural Record 195.6 (2007): 42. Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals. EBSCO. 11 Oct. 2007 Mack, Dominic, Katrina M. Brantley, and Kimberley G. Bell. "Mititgating the Health Effects of Disasters for Medically Underserved Populations: Electronic Health Records, Telemedicine, Research, Screening, and Surveillance." Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved 18.2 (2007): 432-443. ProQuest. 11 Oct. 2007 McDonald, Martha. "Picking Up the Pieces: Post-Katrina Recovery." Clem Labine\‰Traditional Building 19.2 (2006): 16-20. Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals. EBSCO. 12 Oct. 2007 McKee, Bradford. "New Orleans Recovery Plan Released." Architect (Washington, D.C.) 96.6 (2007): 20. Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals. EBSCO. 11 Oct. 2007 Mills, Nicolaus. "Hurricane Katrina and Robert Kennedy." Dissent 53.2 (2006): 5-7. ProQuest. 11 Oct. 2007 Naison, Mark D. "Black Poverty's Human Face." Business Week 3951 (2005): 148. ProQuest. 11 Oct. 2007 Nates, Joseph L., and Virginia A. Moyer. "Lessons From Hurricane Katrina, Tsunamis, and Other Disasters." Lancet 366.9492 (2005): 114-1146. ProQuest. 11 Oct. 2007 "New Orleans More Vulnerable Than Ever." St. Petersburg Times 29 Aug. 2005, sec. A: 6. LexisNexis. 12 Oct. 2007 "Putting Science, Engineering to Proper Use." The Korea Herald 24 Sept. 2005. LexisNexis. 12 Oct. 2007 Seabrook, Jeremy. "Poverty in the 'Rich' World." New African 447 (2006): 20-22. ProQuest. 11 Oct. 2007 Sipes, James L. "Rebuilding the Gulf Coast: How Landscape Architects Can Use Their Digital Skills to Play a Key Role in the Process." Landscape Architecture 96 (2006): 84+. Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals. EBSCO. 12 Oct. 2007 Sokol, David. "New Architecture for Katrina-Ravaged Town." Architectural Record 194.9 (2006): 29-2966. Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals. EBSCO. 12 Oct. 2007 Tuzzolo, Ellen, and Damon T. Hewitt. "Predisaster Trait Anxiety and Negative Affect Predict Posttraumatic Stress in Youths After Hurricane Katrina." High School Journal 90.2 (2007): 59-68. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. 11 Oct. 2007 Walker, Bailus, and Reuben Warren. "Katrina Perspectives." Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved 18.2 (2007): 233-241. ProQuest. 11 Oct. 2007 Weems, Carl F., Armando A. Pina, Natalie M. Costa, Sarah E. Watts, Leslie K. Taylor, and Melinda F. Cannon. "Predisaster Trait Anxiety and Negative Affect Predict Posttraumatic Stress in Youths After Hurricane Katrina." Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology 75.1 (2007): 154-159. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. 11 Oct. 2007 Winslow, Dean L. "Wind, Rain, Flooding, and Fear: Coordinating Military Public Health in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina." Clinical Infectious Diseases 41.12 (2005): 1759-1763. ProQuest. 11 Oct. 2007 Zeller Jr., Tom. "To Some, Katrina Was Mission Accomplished." The New York Times 12 Sept. 2005, sec. C: 3. LexisNexis. 12 Oct. 2007 Shannon Duley Lecture 1 — 9.17 In this lecture, Craig Zimring discussed architecture, culture, and behavior. He prompted his presentation by asking the question, “How does design at different scales- city, site, building, object – affect individuals and groups?”. He then proceeded to answer this question by explaining terms such as space syntax, intentional physical activity, and incidental physical activity. Space syntax- I believe that this term refers to the layouts of buildings and cities. Through research, I discovered that it is the analysis of space and its configurations. Intentional physical activity- I learned that this term refers to physical activity that is purposefully done in order to achieve a goal. For example, working out is an intentional physical activity because one does it in order to stay fit, build muscle, or feel energized. Even though people have different personal reasons to work out, they all share a common characteristic of wanting to better themselves through physical activity. Incidental physical activity- This term I learned refers to any type of physical activity that is performed without a physical aspect being the first priority. For example, household chores fall into this category because one does chores to clean however he or she also gains the rewards of getting a physical work out in, even though it is not intentional. This non-intentional physical activity is called incidental. Questions 1. How would education of the benefits of stair use directly affect stair use? 2. In what ways do the many fields of ACB contribute to worldly design while collaborating? 3. How do Winston Churchill’s words aid in the progress and growth of the professional world of design? 4. How will alterations in layout and visibility benefit design in the future? Lecture 2 — 9.19 In this lecture, the speaker talked about the construction of Atlantic Station. She first showed artistic footage of the demolishment of an old steel mill, which was revamped into a trendy shopping center, now Atlantic Station. The speaker mentioned terms such as neoclassical architecture, smoke stack, and the Millennium Gate. Neoclassical architecture- I learned that this term defines architecture that is large in scale, simple, and geometric. In this lecture, the speaker explains how neoclassical aspects were preserved from the steel mill that Atlantic Station once was. Smoke stack- I already had a fairly good grasp on what a smoke stack was before this lecture; however, I did learn that at Atlantic Station, they revamped an old smoke stack and then relocated it to a more aesthetically appealing location. Millennium Gate – The arch has not been built yet, but it will represent peace and prosperity. It will have art galleries inside of it and will exhibit many displays that show the development of Atlanta. Questions 1. How does the designer balance the new and old aspects of architecture in a new-age shopping center? 2. How is the millennium arch similar to yet different from the Arch de Triumph? 3. What is the appeal of neoclassical architecture in Atlantic Station? 4. In what ways will Atlantic Station grow and develop over the next few decades as a result of a changing society? Lecture 3 – 9.26 In this lecture, Sonit spoke of Palladio’s influence on architecture, and the Greco-Roman style. Mathematical proportions are used extensively in the houses that are designed in this manner. He showed us drawings of floor plans and photographs of villas,and he used terms such as polygon, villa, and elevation. Polygon- Before this lecture, I already knew that a polygon is a geometric shape comprised of lines connected to make a closed circuit. But after the lecture, I learned that Palladio utilized polygons in order to make ratios to design his buildings with. Palladio was able to geometrically plan his houses by using polygonal methods. Villa- A villa is an upper class country house that originated in Roman times. Palladio designed villas because through the Middle Ages, villas developed into luxurious, upper-class homes. Elevation- Elevation refers to the augmentation or increase in the amount or level of something. Palladio used elevation in his designs by comparing the proportions in terms of elevation. For example, the dimensions of the villas had different measurements determined by there place in elevation. Questions 1. How did Palladio use dimensions and proportions too design his buildings? 2. In what ways were his buildings built in the 1500s with precision and accuracy? 3. How will the plans of Palladio’s designs be preserved for centuries to come? 4. What types of buildings would not exist today if it weren’t for Palladio’s designs? Shannon Duley Lecture 1 The lecture concerning the multi-disciplinary approach to disability research addresses the issue of assistive technology. Assistive technology can be divided into two categories: universal design appeal and specialized technology. Stephen Sprigle explains that 50 million Americans have a disability and for this reason, the CATEA (Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access) provides accessible training and education programs and can then execute a plan to aid these disabled individuals. Some important terms mentioned include disability, assistive technology, and barriers.
Lecture 2 The second lecture discussed AEC Integration. This focused on the process of combining expertise from independence, to dependence, to collaboration, and finally to integration. There are many reasons to integrate the separate disciplines, and the reasons include clientele pressures, value changes, and availability of technology. Some important terms mentioned in the lecture were value engineering, turnkey, and alliance contracting.
Questions:
Lecture 3 The third lecture focused on Geographic Information Sessions. GIS is one of six research centers in the College of Architecture and focuses on creating a system of hardware and software that links mapped objects. Technology is utilized to do urban planning. Some important terms include: GPS, Lidar sensor, and IR sensor.
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In the first lecture, the seven speakers focus on classical architecture. They all show pictures of buildings based upon European classical influences. Most buildings are designed, constructed, and reviewed based on computer images, hand-drawn sketches, and watercolor sites. All of the speakers spoke of how classical architecture can be utilized in the form of modern buildings and structures. Some concepts mentioned include Katrina Cottage, classical architecture, and proportion. Katrina Cottage was constructed after Hurricane Katrina to appeal to the families who lost their homes. They are safe and affordable small homes that can be transported by a trailer and are built with hurricane-resistant materials. Classical architecture came about around the time formal writing was created and originated in Europe. The structures built using this method are generally symmetrical and are complex and elegant. The proportions are all based on ratios and harmony of the dimensions of the windows, doors, etc. Some questions to ponder: 1- How were proportions accurately achieved in more primitive times with less advanced technology? 2- What methods are used to recreate buildings from their original inspiration? 3- How are all the ideas of classical design preserved through generations? In the lecture that focuses on the Solar Decathlon, the speaker explains how a solar powered structure can be designed, built, and utilized in a constricted period of time. The speaker shows the entire process of the design and construction of the module through a PowerPoint presentation. Some of the important terms include: interdisciplinary teams, SIP panels, photovoltaic roof, and LED lighting. SIP panels (structural insulated panels) are made of a layer of polyurethane foam with a layer of plywood or OSB board on either side. The engineered panel provides a frame, insulation, and an exterior surface for the structure. A photovoltaic roof is comprised of flexible shingles which serve two purposes: weather protection and solar electricity. Some questions that arose: 1- How necessary is it to start to utilize solar electricity in our everyday community? 2- How do the various interdisciplinary teams combine their knowledge and expertise to produce a final product? 3- By what means is the importance of solar power being taught to future generations? In the CAD/CAM lecture, the speaker discusses the process of designing and making installations. He displays on a PowerPoint presentation the concept of transforming a two-dimensional plan into a three-dimensional form. Some important terms mentioned in the lecture include: CAD/CAM, G-code, master builder, and parametric form. G-code is comprised of graphic 3D translations to make a form. G-code involves some simple math and interprets three-dimensional forms on a two-dimensional manner. CAD/CAM stands for Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing and is used by architects and designers in their work. It provides quicker and more efficient manufacturing processes. Some questions to examine: 1- How does new technology aid in the design and construction of new structures? 2- How do the architect, draftsman, fabricator, and constructor work together to produce a final successful product? 3- What steps is the software used for to go through the process from conception to assembly? Shannon Duley ........................... The first installation is a captivating piece of work. It is located directly out in front of the Architecture West building and actually interacts with the structure of the building. It is made of Plexiglas cut into strips, and has metal bolts as a means of attachment. The long tapered strips begin at ground level in a simple box and appear to flow upward. The sheets overlap at the base of the structure and as they make their way up, they separate into groups. By the top of the structure, the groups are more spread out. The overall structure goes from a simple compact piece to a wavy yet still systematic chaos. In the morning, the light shines through the clear structure and continues to throughout the day. By nighttime, the campus lights illuminate the topmost area of the installation. Because the Plexiglas is spread apart in this area, the light is better able to illuminate the structure without getting absorbed by the many layers of Plexiglas near the base of the structure. The installation is chiefly motivated by the heat of Atlanta; the piece represents water turning into water vapor from the hot rays of the Georgia sunshine. An exploration of the evaporation of water in the area in which we live is apparent in this structure. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. This process is directly proportional to the location of the structure. The base (ice) is on the east side and as the day progresses and the sun becomes hotter, the ice melts and quickly turns to water vapor. By the end of the day, the sun is on the west side of the installation and the water has evaporated. The design process of this structure incorporates the structure being part of the building. The contrast of the rigid sharp lines of the building to the organic flowy sculpture serves as a comparison of the cool air-conditioned building to the humid and steamy outdoors. I would call this installation Atlanta in the Summertime because of its representation of the weather in our hustle-and-bustle city. I can imagine it having a secret life in the wintertime when it blends in with all the ice, I bet it slithers away and roams across campus. It yearns for it’s annual voyage across Georgia Tech all year and on the few ice days we have, it enjoys going out on the town and checking out the atmosphere of Atlanta. The second installation allures everyone who passes by it. It is constructed out of vertical wooden strips and the pieces are held together by metal bolts and rods that run horizontally. The long skinny wooden strips that flow to the ground where people are able to sit at the bottom are held together by a tongue and groove shape and then stuck together with adhesive. The structure flows from the top level of the building to the ground level and is all indoors. There are gaps in the wooden sequence on the first floor of the structure. Each strip of wood is opaque; however, when the entire structure is viewed as a whole, the structure appears to be translucent because of the spaces between each wooden strip. The motivation behind this student-constructed work of art is the students themselves. The waterfall-like sculpture represents the flowing of ideas from the top floor to the bottom floor. The older students have studios located in the upper floors whereas the younger students learn and create, and even store their supplies on the bottom levels of the building. The idea of the older more acclimated and experienced students sharing their wealth of ideas and knowledge about design is being explored through this structure that runs through the building. The installation could also behave as a “road” to the upper levels and the more advanced classes. I would name this installation The Waterfall of Wealth because the ideas from the second, third, fourth, and even fifth years are flowing down to the youngsters. I would imagine that during school vacations, when no one is in the studio, the waterfall completely falls to the floor and becomes a pool. Then all the ideas and experiences that the waterfall has accumulated are let out into the air and when the students return, they are inspired and enchanted by all the creativity that is flowing through the air. Shannon Duley Link to this Page
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