        Estacio, Melissa : AssignmentsExercise 3Part 1 The first challenge I encountered during Exercise 3 was the need to formulate a design purpose. Without concrete directions or even guidelines, I became quite impatient, because of the ambiguity of the assignment. Exercise 3 stated that if we know where we are headed with our riffing process, then we are incorrectly approaching the assignment. I did not know how to think, much less what to put down on paper. The next challenge was considering my instructor’s criticism. Once I finally materialized an idea onto paper or the computer, I still had to start back at square one after meeting with my instructor. I was asked why I did the steps I did, but I never had a logical answer. It was frustrating, because I was told to not know where I’m going with the process, but then I was supposed to have guidelines and directions despite all of it. Finally, I decided to build a model, then work backwards, and discover my rules from there. I produced high quality and logical riffing process steps that obviously led to my model. These challenges greatly extended my skills in Photoshop. I eventually manipulated, created, and improved work through this software almost as second nature near the end of the project. I was able to leverage investigation and description skills acquired from Exercises 1 and 2 in this project. The way I thought and the way I presented my though process sharpened through the practice that the prior exercises provided. Also, the quality of my work, and my persistence and patience increased two fold by Exercise 3. I began to investigate with purpose, rather than blindly producing sheets. Part II The results in the competition entry followed my two rules: follow ABA pattern, and consist of multiples of three. With those two rules, I was able to creatively manipulate and create an After sheet that displayed these rules. The Before DNA introduced the movement, structure, and pattern of the actual object. The rules emerged from the basic structure, and through the riffing process, a completely different structure yet with the same origins was built. The riffing process was worked backwards. The model was created, then the riffing process existed to reinforce what already exists. Riffing was much easier this way because it fine tuned the existing structure, and put the entire project in perspective. I was able to create clean logical procedures that clearly led to the result. Part III Exercise 3 would not have existed without Exercise 2. Even though, we completely disregarded the learnt processes from Exercise 2 for Exercise 3, the depth of understanding and the skills acquired were the bare minimum in succeeding with Exercise 3. In essence, Exercise 2 was the walking steps and phonics of Exercise 3. It gave us the tools necessary in building the next exercise, and enabling us to take it to the next level. 1011 Exit Reflection ONE Reflection 1 discusses the several different media and the different applications for which they are used. Now, I have realized that rulers, pencils, and the computer will make up the majority of the remaining studio assignments. Exercise 1 got our feet wet, but we perhaps may never again utilize charcoal. I mentioned that I had yet to pull an “all- nighter,” and I can still agree with that statement, but I had yet to realize that nothing is ever good the first time. I still expected to have good quality work that also involved critical yet logical work. In hindsight, that was all very naïve, and I now know that even if I do not save everything for the last minute, the last minute may be the only time everything comes together, makes sense, and reaches the high quality that is expected. In each exercise, I grew more and more patience. In Exercise 1, I thought that spending a couple of hours on one assignment is a lot of time. Then, Exercise 2 taught me that a few hours are needed to accomplish good quality work. Finally, in Exercise 3, several hours were needed to produce a final product. I have definitely had a cumulative growth in learning with confidence, skills, understanding, patience, and persistence. The first time my eyes welled up in frustration put things in perspective for me. I had spent some time in studio the weekend prior to class, and I was fairly confident and excited about what I produced. Then once my instructor saw it, she began criticizing every aspect of it. Nothing made sense to her, and I had to explain my idea several time over again. In the end, I gave up and felt defeated. Luckily, I picked myself up, and tweaked my idea and presentation. Because I experienced and endured such criticism and disappointment, the criticism that came in Exercise 3 didn’t even disturb me, and I just continued to think harder and discipline myself more. Two The learning that I will carry into 1012 will be the discipline, patience, higher craftsmanship, logic, and the flexibility to incorporate others’ suggestions in order to improve the product. Although, there is still a lot to learn on Photoshop and everything to learn on Illustrator, I feel a bit more confident with the knowledge I have acquired. I plan to pay special attention to depicting objects accurately and clearly, displaying a logical thought process, producing high quality work, making models, and producing models on the computer. Three The instructor is there to criticize every aspect of your work in order for you to produce the best quality and thought out product. He/she is harsh when necessary, and impressed rarely. The handouts were the stepping-stones to the assignment. Not everything had to be followed exactly, yet it gave enough guidelines to keep the studio structured and everyone in sync. The Review, as I see it are the few hours that our entire lives for the prior 1-2 months is completely criticized and thrown down the drain. Although, a few compliments and positive comments were thrown into the review, the majority of it consisted of blunt criticism. Review allows us to step out of our shells, and see what the real world thinks of our “outstanding” work. The inquiry book puts together some of the essential and high quality work into a convenient few page book. Formatting the book provides practice for future exercises. Fellow students boost self-esteem and give compliments in the midst of the criticism and the encroaching deadline when everything must be re-done. They offer advice when necessary, and aid in achieving something on the computer when one is unfamiliar with the many tools on Photoshop, Illustrator, or Google Sketch Up. The studio space itself gets us accustomed to working with other people in such close vicinities, and sharing our supplies. While in the studio, there is nothing else I can do, but studio work. Being in there forces me to focus on solely studio work. I love the hands on experience that makes up studio. Classrooms are very structured and demand traditional learning. Labs involve many calculations and trials, and sometimes cause me to lose sight of the purpose. Though, in ways lab and studio are very similar because they are both hands on, and we make tangible what is on paper. At work, I must remain professional and polite, meet deadlines, and answer many questions. In studio, I can loosen up, and create my own rules, while remaining professional and meeting deadlines. Four The first exercise covered simpler, basic concepts that could be grasped while practicing patience and the science of seeing and examining. These basics were all then utilized in Exercise 2, where careful seeing, high quality work, patience, logic, and working with others were all essential for success. With such an introduction, those tools acquired in the first exercise, were actually utilized in the second involving a more complex matter. The third exercise gave us a small taste of the complexity of projects to come. With few boundaries, we were able to discover skills and tools that had been available, but never used. My favorite is Exercise 3, although it was the one I abhorred while in the process. The end result was the most rewarding of the three, perhaps because I felt I had succeeded in breaking away from frustration and defeat. I finally stepped out of self defeat, and I created something that I didn’t think I could ever accomplish. 1060 Exit Reflection 1. The lecture on Industrial Design was the most interesting lecture this semester, because it was very relevant to me. I appreciated the combination of videos and slides presented, because it kept the lecture moving and interesting. 2. I did not read many of the readings, because we were not required to much of the time. I cannot remember any of the readings that I did read. 3. Exercise 3 is the most intriguing, because we were able to utilize the most skills. Although, the process to achieve such a result is somewhat excruciating, I appreciate all the skills that I acquired in Photoshop. Also, I enjoyed that it was a competition, although I would have worked just as hard if it was not, I enjoyed the set up and the anticipation. The feeling is unexplainable, but I definitely enjoyed it. 4. Summarizing lectures forced me to think back on the lectures and stumble upon similar topics to inform me on the current issues. I did not enjoy writing the essay of 5th Street, because despite my research, I was not able to use it as support for my essay. I very much liked the idea of the research project, but we never achieved it. It was not well planned, and the end result, a PowerPoint presentation did not measure up to the proposal. It was difficult for me to formulate a question, because not many of the lectures evoked questions and my interest. Several of the lectures put me to sleep. I would have preferred it if the lectures pertained to current issues, thus instigating debates between each other. 5. The GTA discussion periods were helpful, because our TA, Mitch Wood, helped in putting our assignments into perspective. Mitch said some pretty inspirational things – things that if it weren’t for him, we would have had to wait a long time to realize and learn the advice. 6. The Post Katrina New Orleans assignment was a bit too extensive. I garnered a lot of information, but I never used it. I would have liked it if the information were necessary. I like the concept of the group research project, but its purpose never materialized. 7. Yes. 8. The idea that complex and complicated ideas do not guarantee an outstanding design. It’s whether or not the idea is communicated easily to other people. If no one else understands it but the designer, then it’s no good. 9. Is there a correlation between crime rate and obesity due to the design of structures and surrounding environment? 10. I would like them to focus on the demand in the industry for Industrial Designers, and the range in which designers are involved in for example, from calculators and scissors, to cars and airplanes? Also, I would like to see a “Day in the Life…” of the three majors. I want to be exposed to the current issues, and historical issues involving Industrial Design, and what the future holds. I want to know the competition – how many other colleges produce skilled industrial designers, and what are the success stories of GT COA graduates? Melissa Estacio November 26, 2007 Section B. Wood Fifth Street: A Small Improvement in a Large Plan A Street belongs to the history of architecture and urban design. Its identity forms around guidelines such as sidewalks, street furniture, paving, and greenery. Each street has its own economic function and social significance. Three obvious purposes of a street’s existence are traffic, exchange of goods, and social exchange and communication. In the 7th-6th millennium in Asia Minor, pedestrians jumped from roof to roof to get to their destinations, and gathered in courtyards. Then a little later in Hacilar, narrow lanes on the ground appeared for pedestrians. The word street is derived from the Latin sternere, which means “to pave.” Essentially, the beginnings of a street from the 6th millennium B.C., is due to the pedestrians’ needs. Then as time continues, and global warming increases, thus creating a more environment conscientious world, streets will surely transition back to primarily pedestrian structures. Public space is a street’s legitimacy – without it, there is no city. The bridge street is a chief example of public space. The medieval practice of lining bridges with houses and shops began as an ad hoc development. In the 1340s, Florence rebuilt Ponte Vecchio as a completely controlled environment roadbed 32’x333’ flanked by forty-eight shops. Using hybrid construction sets a compromise between the vehicle and pedestrian. The Campus Master Plan for the Georgia Institute of Technology sets recommendations for the future of the campus to become a “living campus,” by means of the educational, research, and campus environment. As an educational environment, the library will be transformed into an interactive “learning center.” Integration is enhanced through the development of facilities that foster collaboration of undergraduates into research. Concerning the campus environment “The institute seeks to develop its campus with a distinctive identity that is a vibrant environment for social and academic interaction. Enhancement of campus open spaces and the pedestrian environment, are key concepts for achieving this vision.” Thus, in determining the success of the 5th Street bridge, the goal of the master plan has to be taken into account. The “larger sidewalks, planter alls, and area with sod grass, park benches, tree, decorative lighting and bridge pavers to enhance pedestrian experience” In April 2006, the Georgia Department of Transportation stated that “Projects like this will pave the way to transforming Atlanta and knitting the fabric of the neighborhoods back together into a community setting.” John Evelyn, a century leader, “proposed to replace London Bridge’s houses with an ornamented ‘foot way elevated on each side… or if they need shops, let them be built of solid stone, made narrow and very low, like to those upon Rialto at Venice; but it were far better without them.” This proposal is similar to the proposal of the Master Plan. Fifth street runs from the top of the hill adjacent to Klaus, down to the intersection with West Peachtree St. Prior to the completion of the 5th Street Bridge, pedestrians experienced the disruption between main campus and the College of Management in Tech Square. Pedestrians come first, vehicles second, thus the design and build of the 5th Street Bridge attempts to merge the two communities into one. In The Solitary Stroller and the City, the author takes a look at the history of pedestrians. The history of both urban and rural walking is a history of freedom and of the definition of pleasure. But rural walking has found a moral imperative in the love of nature that has allowed it to defend and open up the countryside. Urban walking has always been a shadier business, easily turning into soliciting, cruising, promenading, shopping, rioting, protesting, skulking, loitering, and other activities that, however enjoyable, hardly have the high moral tone of nature appreciation. Since the completion of the bridge, students walk with more ease over the I-85/75 connector because of the emphasis on nature and the sound barrier. Prior to the completion, the noises of the highway and harsh urban concrete, caused disruptions within the pedestrian from either the main community of Georgia Tech or the innovative Tech Square. Crossing the highway meant to travel in at least pairs if not groups for safety and comfort. This notion did not fit the Master Plan, therefore adjustments had to be made. Again, from The Solitary Stroller and the City the author describes a well planned city. In great cities, spaces as well as places are designed and built: walking, witnessing, being in public, are as much part of the design and purpose as is being inside to eat, sleep, make shoes or love music. The word citizen has to do with cities, and the ideal city is organized around citizenship – around participation in public life. The city of Atlanta is continuously making improvements to the community and helping to fuel the economy. Skyscrapers are being erected in downtown, the new World of Coke now neighbors the fairly new Georgia Aquarium, and in the midst of all of these new developments, Georgia Tech’s Master Plan is being executed. Thus, along with the city, the 5th Street Bridge links the “city” to the campus through nature, wide sidewalks, seats, and a quiet street despite its location over a bustling highway. Thus, a street should have multiple functions and uses, not just as a path for students to run on to catch the Stinger, or a sidewalk to walk cheerfully on after getting a 65 on a physics test, but as a place to relax, interact, observe, and get some exercise. This idealization of the street still needs to be met. Perhaps due to the location of the street on campus, correlated with the Stinger routes, 5th Street may never fully reach its goal as a main pedestrian route. The heart of campus, the area of the Student Center, Skiles walkway, and the library, will be the only area that can be purely pedestrian. The physical terrain of 5th Street, also causes a hindrance for pedestrians, because of the fairly large curving hill from Fowler St. up to Atlantic Drive. The combination of the terrain and Stinger route create a division between modes of transportation within 5th Street. The western side is usually traveled through by bus or car, while the eastern side is traveled by on foot. Once again, because of the Stinger route, this is the most convenient circumstance. A stop on the corner of Techwood Drive and 5th Street allow those bounded for Tech Square to ride to the corner, then they have just one block remaining to walk. The western side of the street is likely to be traveled by bus or car because of the hill. This route seems to be busiest in the morning. Many people who live on East Campus opt to take the Stinger to their class. The majority of riders get off at Howey Physics, the others at Klaus, and the rest at the bridge. Those who are not riding the bus appear to be the few that have 8a.m. classes and actually attend them. Thus despite the community appeal of 5th Street’s western side, it is not because that “the very word street has a rough, dirty magic to it, summoning up the low, the common, the erotic, the dangerous, the revolutionary,” but because of convenience, availability of resources, lack of time, and weather. Also, “buses carry a disproportionately high share of the load. They make up only four percent of the vehicles, but carry thirty seven percent of the people.” This observation concerns the street during the daytime on the weekdays. The street at night on the weekdays experiences somewhat solitude compared to the other parts of campus. At night, there is minimum pedestrian traffic on 5th Street as a whole. The few pedestrians are those who are coming to or from the surrounding Greek housing. Others are those who are grabbing dinner at Tech Square, those who are coming home from late classes, or attending meetings. Steven Outz, and employee at the CRC, Campus Recreation Center, the busiest hours are from 6-11p.m. on the weekdays. Therefore, those who drive to the gym from East Campus drive on North Ave., walk through the center of campus, or those from West have only a block to walk. Fifth street does not have to be used on weekday nights as often as it is used on weekday daytime or on the weekend. The weekends offer a different opportunity, especially on Game days. Fifth Street experiences the heaviest traffic on the weekends – not vehicle, but rather pedestrian traffic. First focusing on perhaps its busiest time are the times before and after a home football game. Those who park in the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center must cross 5th Street more often than the tunnel leading to Bobby Dodd Drive or the bridge on North Avenue. Even though the other two options lead to the same destination, many more fans apparently choose the 5th Street bridge route. This may be due to the better paved and wider sidewalks that 5th Street has to offer in comparison to Spring Street and North Avenue. The design of the bridge once again creates an easy flow from Tech Square to main campus, giving the illusion that a highway ceases to exist beneath. If one were to not pay attention, the bridge over the highway may be easily missed. Even though Game Days are special situations, the Master Plan’s objective is truly achieved during these times. Fifth Street is actually closed off on these days, resulting in the ultimate sidewalk for pedestrians. Then after the game, especially if the Jackets win, 5th Street again becomes a hub for those who are celebrating at fraternity houses. Students usually agree that it is safer to walk while celebrating, thus one can observe many individuals taking the sidewalks rather than roads. Ultimately, 5th Street has aided in the Georgia Tech Master Plan mostly in thanks to the construction of the 5th Street Bridge. Even though Tech Square was an essential part of life for many students, the natural settings created by the bridge promote increased use of the bridge. Fifth Street is just a small part of a large campus wide project, and this campus wide project is embedded into the city of Atlanta’s constant move towards improvement. In the national scale, Atlanta is a continuously growing community, competing with cities like Chicago, L.A., and even New York City. The nation, within the world represents freedom, capitalism, and international relations. Thus, in essence, the entire world is striving to thrive, maintain healthy relationships between countries, and sustain the healthiest environment possible. With a healthy world, come healthy people – all of this starts from the smallest of improvements. Looking from a global scale, the 5th Street Bridge appears to be trivial, but that is where improvement originates. 1. Looking attentively at an object results in depicting the discoveries through close descriptions. Initially, a three layer egg slicer appears as a simple device that cuts eggs either in parallel or radial slices. Once attentive looking emerges and becomes the main device in finding discoveries, I quickly realized that the egg slicer is in some ways simpler (ex. Hinge system) as well as more complex (ex. Wires ) than I thought. Investigating the parts inventory, geometry, morphology, proportional relationships, and organization of the parts foreground these discoveries. They aided us in becoming submerged within the object, thus adjusting our eyes to experience genuine discoveries. Interpretive frameworks help depict the use and operation of the object, which heavily involved the strategy of representing the findings and descriptions. Sometimes frames present the information in the most organized way, while an entire model of the object, and close ups of certain parts work the best. Many strategies are learned through trial and error. 2. Despite the drawing representations of the object, and sometimes abstract and mathematical depictions, the most concise and meaningful discoveries are communicated photographs of the physical object. These photographs are organized using Photoshop, because we are able to manipulate the object in order to emphasize our findings. Merely tracing paper and a 4B lead pencil are the two tools that produced the most surprising results. I finally realized that a discovery does not have to be too complex, because it is very difficult to clearly deliver the concept to others. Therefore, a finding, although somewhat obvious may be more powerful than a very abstract idea. It is more about presentation and how easy others can grasp the idea, rather than a detailed complicated idea, that no one else will understand. 3. I spent at least two hours a night at studio working little by little on the exercises due for the next class. I never once stressed about not having my work done, because I just spent every night in studio. I feel that I produced and discovered a lot, but only about half of the products were of high enough quality to pin up for the Review. For each exercise, we divided the work among ourselves, therefore no one ever carried too much work. It worked out nicely, because we were able to take the best from each person. Sometimes one assignment was not a person’s forte, but it was another’s, and then we were able to select the best. Therefore, working in a group truly allows the best work to be produced, because each person excels in different exercises. But a downside to working in a group, is social loafing, which is when individuals in a group tend to relax and expect the rest of the group to take care of the work. I have to admit this happened at least once within our group – especially if one member went out of town, or if one had a big test the next day, the others would be relied on to produce to work to make up for the other’s absence. 4. This exercise has certainly changed the way in which I think about and engage in everyday objects. I tend to notice the patterns of a building and object easier and quicker now. Prior to this exercise, some buildings and objects seemed complicated, but now I realize that everything has a simple break down and pattern. 5. Yes, this exercise has changed the way in which I think about the design of everyday objects, because I feel that I am equipped with the ability to properly investigate an object. Even though I do not fully understand every aspect that goes into design, I feel comfortable in the initial process of breaking down the object into parts and discovering its pattern. Investigative information plays an important part in the initial process of understanding an object. It can be utilized from the surface to the deeper conclusion of an object. 1060 Library 101 Assignment Politics Brown, M. Christopher and Robinson, Sharon P., The Children Hurricane Katrina Left Behind: Schooling Context, Professional Preparation, and Community Politics. (New York: Peter Lang, 2007). Bullard, Robert D. The Black Metropolis in the Twenty-First Century: Race, Power, and Politics of Place. (Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2007 Dyson, Michael Eric, Debating Race with Michael Eric Dyson ( New York: Basic Civitas Books, 2007). Giroux, Henry A. Stormy Weather: Katrina and the Politics of Disposability. (Boulder, Colo. : Paradigm Publishers, 2006). Olasky, Marvin N. The Politics of Disaster: Katrina, Big Government, and a New Strategy for Future Crises. (Nashville, Tenn.: W. Pub. Group, 2006). Saltman, Kenneth J, editor. Schooling and the Politics of Disaster. (New York: Routledge, 2007). Society Alter, Jonathan. “Still Blind to the Poverty; How could George W. Bush have blown the aftermath of Katrina?” Hurricane Katrina: One Year Later (2006): 38. Campanella, Thomas J., “Journal of the American Planning Association,” (2006): 141-6. Hartman, Chester and Squires, Gregory D, editors. There is No Such Thing as a Natural Disaster: Race, Class, and Hurricane Katrina. (New York: Routledge, 2006). Engineering Cisneros, Noel. Expert Looks Back on Katrina Disaster. 29.8.2007 < http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=local&id=4509614>. DesRoches, Reginald, editors. Hurricane Katrina: Performance of Transportation Systems. (Reston, Va: American Society of Civil Engineers, 2006). Gelinas, Nicole. Katrina’s Real Lesson. “City,” 28.8.2006. http://www.city-journal.org/html/eon2006-08-28ng.html. Masters, Dr. Jeff, “Hurricanes: National Hurricane Research Initiative,” (2007):http://www.hurricane-katrina.org/hurricanes_national_hurricane_research_initiative/index.html. Siddle, Julian. Engineering New Orleans’ Future. BBC News. 29.8.2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5295276.stm. Experts Offer Rebuilding Perspectives on “Katrina: One Year Later,” 27.8.2007. http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/523038/. Architecture and Planning Bergeron, Angelle; Illia, Tony; Powers, E. Michael; Ichniowski, Tom. Special Hurrican Report [Hurricane Katrina]. (New York State) 26-8. Gerfen, Katie. Greening New Orleans. (New York State): 16 James, Murdock and Shawn, Kennedy. Remaking New Orleans, Without Losing its Past. (New York State). O’Connell, Kim A. House by House: Trust, Partners Press on with Coast Recovery. (District of Columbia) 6-8. Sokol, David. New Architecture for Katrina-Ravaged Town. (New York State) 29. “New Orleans’ Emergency Plan Under Scrutiny,” After Hurricane Katrina. (2005): http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/weather/july-dec05/katrina/no_planning.html. Geography Campanella, Richard. “Geography, Philosophy, and the Build/No-Build Line,” Science Direct. (2007): http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V80-4N3GNXR-3&_user=655052&_coverDate=04%2F30%2F2007&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000034078&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=655052&md5=7e3b734ea7f5bd7c1f2dd583a5468c05. Colten, Craig E. Transforming New Orleans and Its Environs: Centuries of Change. (Univ. of Pittsburgh, 2001). Cutter, Susan. “The Geography of Social Vulnerability: Race, Class, and Catastrophe,” Understanding Katrina, (2006): http://understandingkatrina.ssrc.org/Cutter/. Dean, Cornelia and Revkin, Andrew C. “Geography Complicates Levee Repair,” Floodwaters. (2005): http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/31/national/nationalspecial/31levee.html. Rothschild, Daniel, “The Myths of Hurricane Katrina,” 2007: Reason Online, http://www.reason.com/news/show/122255.html. Simon, Fran. “A New Look at New Orleans,” (2006): http://www2.tulane.edu/article_news_details.cfm?ArticleID=6719. Infrastructure Murphy, Verity, “Fixing New Orleans’ thin grey line,” 2005: BBC News, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4307972.stm. “Timeline: Who Knew When the Levees Broke,” 2006: Katrina and Recovery, NPR,http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5200940. Environment Colten, Craig E. An Unnatural Metropolis: Wresting New Orleans from Nature. (Louisiana State Univ., 2005). Douglas, Lake. Update: Post-Katrina Recovery of Public Gardens in New Orleans. (District of Columbia): 90,92-9. Gomez, Gay M. A Wetland Biography: Seasons on Louisiana’s Chenier Plain. (Univ. of Texas, 1998). Kelman, Ari. A River and Its City: The Nature of Landscape in New Orleans. (Univ. of Cali, 2003). Knapp, Beverly. America’s Wetland: Louisiana’s Vanishing Coast. (Louisiana State Univ., 2005). Lockwood, C.C. and Gary, Rhea. March Mission: Capturing the Vanishing Wetlands. (Louisiana State University (2005). Streever, Bill J. Saving Louisiana: The Battle for Coastal Wetlands. (Univ. of Miss., 2001). Culture “New Orleans’ Hurricane Problem,” 2003: The New York Times, http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F03E0DB1E3AF937A35754C0A9659C8B63&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Subjects/H/Hurricanes%20and%20Tropical%20Storms. The websites are not cited with <>, because they are read as html tags. In the lecture Architecture, Culture, and Behavior given by Craig Zimring, he analyzes the extent of physical activity due to building layouts and space syntax. Zimring begins by presenting the obesity rates in the U.S. and correlating it with the amount of physical activity in Americans’ daily lives. The presentation encompasses the quote by Winston Churchill, “We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us,” therefore by systematically creating spaces to promote activity, the result should be a fitter America. When strategizing where to place stairs, comfort, safety, aesthetic appeal, availability, convenience, and legibility should all be considered in order to guarantee frequent use. Intentional exercise is activity that is done on purpose, such as going to the gym or playing a sport. It is physical activity that is done primarily for cardio, toning, and overall fitness. This type of exercise is not the concern for designers and architects when facilitating activity in a building. Incidental exercise is activity that is done on accident due to a necessary daily activity such as gardening. It is “the sum of all daily movements, much of which we are not even aware of” (ezine articles). This type of exercise is not a major concern either. Hybrid exercise is activity that is necessary, but done by choice, such as walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator. This is the main concern for designers and architects in promoting physical activity in a building. If the stairs are centrally located, convenient, safe, aesthetically pleasing, then the stairs will be used as often as possible. If the stairs are frequently utilized, then physical fitness will increase. How would architects and designers learn to promote hybrid exercise in buildings? Also, is there enough data collected to assess such activity and identify the correlation between activity and fitness? Has this intention just now recently emerged due to increasing obesity, or has it always been a concern as long as buildings have been designed? Regarding systems of organization, which group actually focuses on the space syntax and behaviors in a space? In the lecture given by Ruth Dusseault on 9-19-07, the main issue is the destruction of the last steel mill in the southeast and how the location is rebuilt with shops, condos, restaurants, a movie theater, and grocery store. Dusseault discusses the location as a utopia for architects because they are starting with a clean slate. She presents a video of the destruction with somewhat humorous time plays and dynamic views and details of the site. After the video, slides are presented consisting of before and after pictures of Atlantic Station. A main concept that she identifies is rebuilding modern buildings with the intention to preserve some of history. Substructures are components within larger components which give support to a larger installation. According to Wikipedia, a “substructure is a structure whose components are contained within the corresponding components of another structure.” Substructures of Atlantic Steel aided the development of the new Atlantic Station. Modernism is a movement that describes style that is current with the present year. Wikipedia says that “modernism describes a series of reforming cultural movements in art and architecture, music, literature, and the applied arts which emerged in the three decades before 1914.” In the lecture, it is described as the sweeping of the old world and creating what’s perceived to be better. Atlantic Station is the modern Atlantic Steel, replacing the old with a new and improved place. Utopia is a paradise. According to Infinite Furtures.com, utopia is an imaginary and indefinitely remote place of ideal perfection especially in laws, government, and social conditions; an ideal and perfect place or state, where everyone lives in harmony and everything is for the best; or a description of such a place. After the complete demolition of Atlantic Steel, the clean slate was a utopia for architects. How can architects learn to determine the extent of preserving history in a building or area? How much prior knowledge did Dusseault’s have about the site? Why did instigated her documentation of the demolition? Was/is Dusseault currently in the profession, or a similar field that would give reason to her interest? Why were those that were involved in the Atlantic Station project defensive when Dusseault attempted to photograph certain areas of the new site? Which group of people wanted to preserve history more than what it is now? In “How to Look at Palladio,” given by Sonit Bafna, he focuses on when looking at a building, all sorts of issues begin to unravel. Bafna investigates the question “What’s so great about Palladio’s work, and what gives his exotic status in history?” Bafna structures the lecture by diving into several houses designed by Bafna, and the similarities of all the designs. Each house follows a system and layout which creates the famous symmetries of the structures. Palladio is great because he was the first of his time and in the area to structure the houses in such a way using a fixed system considering dimensions and proportions. Proportion is the relationship between objects. According to 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. From this result the principles of symmetry. Without symmetry and proportion there can be no principles in the design of any temple; that is, if there is no precise relation between its members as in the case of those of a well shaped man. – Vitruvius, The Ten Books of Architecture (III, Ch. 1). Palladio’s work focused on the proportions of the entire building, therefore creating harmony. Dimensions are the various sizes of an object. According to Georgetown Law, Dimention is a multidimensional structure which represents a side of a multidimensional cube. Each dimension represents a different category, such as region, time, product type. Discovery The evaluation and validation of the implemented data warehouse increment, experiences and lessons learned, and scope for next increment to be developed. The dimensions in Palladio’s work created aesthetically pleasing structures. A diagram is a type of map that displays a certain set of information. According to Princeton, a diagram is a schematic or technical drawing that shows how things work or how they are constructed. Palladio’s diagrams gave evidence to his specific system of interior and exterior layouts. Who was Palladio taught by in architecture, and how did he formulate such a system? After his system became so praised, did other architects quickly follow, or were they skeptical? How much did he change the profession? In other words, were the classical structures in Greece and Rome before Palladio’s time, or did Palladio set the bar? Did the industry experience an increase after Palladio began his work? On September 10, 2007, Stephen Sprigle discusses the multi-disciplinary approach to disability research. CATEA, Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access at Georgia Institute of Technology promotes the independence and participation of individuals with disabilities through the development, evaluation, and utilization of Assistive Technology and Environmental Access. Embodying Assistive Technology is any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities as well as improving the community as a whole. This research has myriad approaches, thus it is complex because of the wide variance of target population, competing needs, and solutions must be consistent with reimbursement. Many terms and concepts are discussed during the presentation. Assistive Technology with a universal design appeal made me think of a ramp because it is convenient for both disabled and non-disabled individuals. According to the University of Washington, universal design’s intention is to “assure that facilities were accessible to the broadest possible number of people.” The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University is a leader in adapting this concept, they state it as “design of products and environments to be usable by all people to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. The products should accommodate a wide range of preferences and abilities, “communicating information effectively, and can be approached, reached, manipulated, and used regardless of the individual’s body size, posture, or mobility”(U.Washington). The issue is equally as important for companies as is the ability to employ cost-effective and efficient manufacturing processes. The issue is to design products that are practical by both individuals with disabilities and the larger society. The whole community benefits from the products. Offloading wheelchair cushions must remove or lessen pressure off the user’s back, or perhaps lessen the weight off the chair therefore making maneuvering easier. After researching the cushion, it actually relieves areas adjacent to the skin that covers the ischial tuberosities when the person sits on the support contour. Force is transferred force into the pelvic area and beneath the proximal thighs. Pressure risks are reduced in the ulcers and on body prominences, while supporting the broader areas and encouraging postural alignment. Concerning curriculum, what does one have to study in order to be qualified to conduct research in this center? As I type now, spell check corrects my misspelled words automatically, for what disability did this feature develop and how much has it altered since its development? Is this profession aiding disable individuals, but hindering able individuals from basic tasks? Is this sector slowly and subtly creating lazier individuals who are becoming more and more dependent on technology? In the AEC Integration – A View from the Center lecture by Brian Bowen, he reviews how the construction industry is today, its historical roots, project delivery model, integration and its barriers, current initiatives, and how Tech benefits. Bowen centers his presentation on what Julian Lange said, which is that “construction is not really an industry, rather a sector of economy such as manufacturing, transportation, or services.” It is the second biggest sector of the economy with over ten million directly employed and millions more that are indirectly involved. The main thing to realize is that the industry is separated into sectors: residential and non-residential buildings, and civil/infrastructure. Clientele want three things out of a project, that it’s fast, good, and cheap. Bowen also based a lot of the presentation over the triangular contract relationship events web. The owner is connected to the general contractor through the vendor, and the designer through the agent. The general contractor has sub-contractors. Lean construction seems to be a project that does not require a lot of labor, materials, nor a large budget. Rather than a large scale project, such as a skyscraper, perhaps lean construction refers to smaller residential houses or a simple basic facility. Actually, it 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). It minimizes waste of materials, time, and effort in order to generate the maximum possible amout o f value” (Wikipedia). The term, “lean,” was born in the 1990s by Womack and Jones in their best seller “The Machine That Changed the World” (Lauras International). Therefore lean construction goes hand in hand to going or becoming green. The aim is to eliminate non-value adding activities to compress time and create competitive advantage by optimizing the use of limited resources (Lauras International). The society absolutely benefits from this awareness of quality of life and the environment. Toyota defines seven types of waste to describe Non-Value added activities. They are Overproduction, Defects, Inventory, Transportation, Waiting, Motion, and Processing itself. Going lean is just like going green, thus lean construction may be used for the solar decathlon project. Bowen also mentions a supply chains, which are probably businesses that are connected to one another by distributing and receiving supplies. The basic definition of a supply chain is a coordinated system of organizations, people, activities, information and resources involved in moving a product or service in physical or virtual manner from supplier to customer (Wikipedia). Apparently, Wal-Mart’s CEO Lee Scott has set a goal to implement “green” in its supply chain. Therefore, lean construction must start from the bare essentials which are supplied through the coordinated system of suppliers to customers allowing all aspects of construction to be “lean and green.” Should those in the industry be taught in the Medieval way of laying groundwork so infrastructures will have longer lasting durability and save money in the long run? Is this discipline losing its consideration towards quality by following the triangle of “Good, Fast, Cheap” for clienteles? Why are the professionals comfortable with slow product delivery? If a project does not last as long, then cost would decrease, thus product delivery should be targeted for improvement. Is there much division in each sector: residential, non-residential and infrastructure in the industry? Dr. French presented “Geographic Information Systems: Whenever Where Matters,” on September 14, 2007. Converging technologies, emerging environments, and taking inventories of existing conditions were the main issues. According to Dr. French, “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.” This is done through converging technologies such as remote sensing, GPS, wireless, and the Internet. Dr. French displayed a database linked to a map to show the layout of a residential area. Also, he briefly goes over the plan and building of Atlantic Station. With an emerging environment comes ubiquitous data availability and automated data acquisition as well as location-based services and enterprise collaboration. These are used in urban planning by taking an inventory of existing conditions, projecting future conditions, analyzing development consequences and visualizing/stimulating alternative solutions. Ubiquitous data availability is probably the accessibility of information to companies for urban planning. Maybe it is the collection of every possible aspect of an emerging environment. Evidently it is data that flows through a public system that has tremendous market value because in perhaps determining optimal locations for new generations or merchant transmissions. It is the confluence of ever smaller and more powerful computing and communication devices, improved connectivity in both wired and wireless environments, and emerging and accepted standards for data transfer and presentation. With this environment people are dependent on the computer for connections. Automated data acquisition may be basic information that is available without new technology. Perhaps it is general information such as email addresses and phone numbers that automatically enter a huge pool that is easily accessible. After researching ADAC I realize that I made a reasonable guess. Aspect Consulting has a case study using an automated data acquisition system for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians in California. The spring that supplies their drinking water is threatened by groundwater drainage from a major underground tunnel. After analyzing the cost-effectiveness of real-time monitoring, they designed and installed a ADAC that records data daily. The data is sent to Aspect’s office via phone-line telemetry and enters into the database with over five million records. Then supplemental data from remote sites is added manually. Therefore, ADAC collects data from the online monitoring stations then transfers and control them through a stable communication network. With automatic data acquisition, information flows freely and easily from a remote location to the central office, therefore making the process flow with ease. How much data is necessary to project future conditions in a new area? Developing six inch pixel photography from the current one meter photography will invade privacy greatly, is the line between invasion of privacy and public data collection a very thin line? How thin is the line? Is this profession attempting to remain strictly for evaluations of the current and emerging environment, or does it cover other aspects as well? Since the development of this technology, how much has the economy benefited? font color = "gray" The prompts for this assignment should not be discarded once it has been turned in on the assignment page, but rather it should be recycled again and again for every lecture. The three big questions are, “What’s the broad issue?, How is it presented? What are the key terms?” Starting with the August 29 lecture, each of these questions will be answered for the three lectures, on August 29, 31 and September 5. In the August 29 lecture, the authors discuss classical architecture, inspirations from the past, well-proportioned structures, design codes, and several other concepts that have been dealt with while in the field. They do this by displaying selected building plans and projects, briefly discussing each slide. Each architect summarizes his/her educational background, the firm for which he/she works, and the culture learned according to the various different countries in which he/she has been. Some of the important terms, concepts and constructs that each architect discusses are the importance of learning proportions, following design codes, town-planning, looking at the past for inspiration and the diversity of classical architecture. During the lecture, the term, design code was used. To clarify, a design code is a document that sets rules for the design of a new development. It is a mechanism because it is both a process and document – “which operationalises design guidelines or standards which have been established through a masterplan process” (Wikipedia.org). It ensures that quality and quantity of housing developments, especially larger-scale projects are actually fabricated in the final stages. For example, Poundbury is an experimental village on the outskirts of Dorchester in Dorset, England. Rather than a suburban pattern, it is built to a traditional high-density urban pattern. The village is designed around the people, not the car. Designers strive to provide a high quality environment through the materials from signposts to the landscaping. Another key term is the Katrina Cottage, which are small residential shelters designed and marketed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. The homes’ designs attempt to provide the flood victims with a dignified alternative to the inadequate trailers issued to the victims by FEMA. The main aesthetic criterion is that Katrina Cottages resemble traditional homes in the area. Andres Duany, architect and planner, developed the concept. Marianne Cusato’s design is the best-known of these homes, receiving a the first annual People’s Design Award from the Cooper-Hewitt Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. Pricing for the cottages depend on the materials and the current commodity prices. Construction, foundation and pier materials, and HVAC system are not included in the cost (Lowes.com). Speculating on the material presented will further understanding of the issues and concepts, thus concerning the pedagogical aspect, “How much did the architect know from his/her education versus what he/she actually learned out in the field? Is there more on the job learning compared to continuing the acquired knowledge and bringing it onto the site?” In the disciplinary field, “Are there times when the architect/designer must constrain an idea in order to fulfill the requirements of the client?” Lastly, in a concerning the professional viewpoint, “ How much input does an individual designer actually have?” In the Solar Decathlon, August 31 lecture, the presenter focuses on the competition that teams from various colleges and universities enter to design and create the most aesthetically pleasing and energy-efficient modern home. He summarized each aspect involved in the competition from the interdisciplinary terms such as architects and engineers, to the houses that placed in the 2005 competition. Some of the important terms, concepts, and constructs that he mentioned were building with one main concept, proper communication within a team, using materials in resourceful ways, drawing what you see then building what you draw, and learning on the way. It is an international competition that Georgia Institute of Technology College of Architecture must lead in collaboration with the College of Engineering, Management, and Sciences. Furthermore, the competition strives to create an absolute energy-efficient home, otherwise know as a zero energy building. Zero Energy is a general term given to buildings that have a net energy consumption of zero per year. Several variables constitute in measuring this, cost, energy, or carbon emissions. The approach is to reduce the increasing risk of carbon emissions, the dependence on oil power, fossil fuels, fuel imports, and preparing for a potential energy crisis. For example Barley + Pfeiffer Architects & Jim Sargent of AndersonSargent Custom Builder LP have produced a zero energy home that is anticipated to have a net cost of zero after the solar photovoltaic panels are factored into the 3800 square foot home. Solar Photovoltaic Panels is part of “A solar power technology that uses solar cells or solar photovoltaic arrays to convert light from the sun directly into electricity” (Wikipedia.org). Japan, Germany, and the USA are the three leading countries with approximately 90% of the total worldwide PV installations currently. The US has 233,00kW Off Grid PV. Off grid is a way of living that relies on renewable energy and on-site water sources. Grid utilities are traditional public utility sources. Indeed going “Green” is fairly new, and has not yet been established as a standard, therefore how different are the design plans in order to accommodate for the PV panels? Also how much collaboration is there from each college at GA Tech? Since the team is headed by the College of Architecture, how much will the other colleges do? Finally, as with any new idea, there is a high risk that consumers will not readily embrace a new concept. Do the zero energy homes seem like a high risk to take, or are the architects, designers, engineers, anticipating a strong approval from the public? Tristan’s presentation discussed CADCAM, Computer-Aided Design, Computer-Aided Manufacturing. He illustrated the process that trickles through several people and processes before a final product is created. It starts from the Designer/Architect, to another Architect, then Draftsman, next Fabricator, then finally a Contractor. This line begins with a conception, then the development, documentation, production, then finally the assembly. Some of the important terms, concepts, and constructs that Tristan mentions are the importance of paying attention to material behaviors, mode of production, single molds, producing with variability and time efficiency, and the rules of logic and design. In addition, Tristan mentions a combinatoric principle which he analogized with a typewriter – with 28 letters, it can create x amount of words. It is a branch of pure mathematics studying discrete objects, and problem solving, theory building, and the development of powerful theoretical methods. A common example of a combinatorial question is what is the number of possible combinations of a 52-card deck? The answer is 52!, which is about 8.0658 x E67. Also, to clarify the acronym, CAD/CAM it is “the software that uses CAD drawing tools to describe geometries used by the CAM portion of the program to define a toolpath that will direct the motion of a machine tool to machine the exact shape that was drawn” (gsd.harvard.edu). Most software was intended for product development and the design and manufacturing of components and molds, but are now being used more frequently by architects. (gsd.harvard.edu). Clearly then, concerning with teaching and learning in the field, handmade works seem to be slowly disappearing in the field due to the growing capabilities of the computer. With the rate software and technology is increasing, will there soon be little need for human skills? Also, almost every architectural structure has a pattern, which was easily generated by a computer. Are designers more likely to become tempted to fall into laziness by frequenting a single mold without any imagination? Consequently, are designers and architects in less demand than in past decades because of the increasing technology and computer capabilities? Hence, these informative lectures create different questions that further one’s learning and interest in the field. The three main questions should be used for every lecture, thereby enhancing the quality of a lecture, and making it worthwhile for both the presenter and the audience. /font color = "gray" bfont color ="darkgoldenrod"Wood Installation/font color = "darkgoldenrod"/b bfont color ="darkgoldenrod"Observation:/font color = "darkgoldenrod"/b 12p.m. Sunday, August 26, 2007 Scale M@ site (just building) XS @ site (GA Tech Campus) XL object itself L for detail Description :
Touch – Edges are soft and fuzzy because have been sanded down, while the exterior flat sides are smooth Temperature – Cool 60F Sound – Bottom is quite solid, thus when tapped it produces a heavy thick sound. When Section B is tapped, it rattles and produces a light sound. Light – 8:30a.m. Sunrays hit from Section B and above. 12:30p.m. Sunrays affect only from the 2nd floor and up. The bottom section’s lighting seems constant because it is controlled by the electrical lighting and a closed structure (wood bends away from light, so can’t be noticed) 3:00p.m./b Sunrays reach up to the ceiling causing a waterfall effect. b9:30p.m./b Wood is lit by artificial light from the interior of the building, therefore diminishing any emphasis on certain sections ufont color = "darkgoldenrod" Speculation: /font color = "darkgoldenrod"/u b Issues that motivate installation: /b
There was a terrible monsoon back in 1968 in Atlanta, GA. The ceiling of the West Architecture building sprung a leak, which soon eruptured into a gaping hole. Water gushed into the building, where an organist took refuge. The organist stared in awe at the amazing waterfall coming down before her. Using her magic wand, she zapped the waterfall into a solid form. Once the monsoon subsided, she decided to create a smooth sanded down bed at the bottom of her musical waterfall, and called it a night. bfont color = “blue” Plastic Installation /font color = “blue”/b bfont color = “blue” Observation: /font color = “blue”/b 12:30p.m. Sunday, August 26, 2007 Scale L@ site (building) S @ site (GA Tech Campus) XL object M in details Description: Polycarbonate Fabrication Qualities:
Phenomenological Qualities: Sound – When tapped on the basic curves area, it creates a thin, flimsy sound. Temperature – Warm about 80F Touch – Smooth throughout with the exception of dirt and pollen. Light - 8:30a.m. The sun hits from about a 45 degree angle, therefore illuminating the crazy curvey area very well. No shadows appear on the ground underneath installation. 12:30p.m. Sun is directly above it, therefore causing a half blurry and half clear shadow directly beneath the crazy curves area. 2:30p.m. Installation looks similar to the 12:30p.m. light. 9:30p.m. The plastic is illuminated by artificial lighting coming soley from the building creating a soft glow Sunrays definitely penetrates through plastic (if had not been clear, entire adjacent building would be lit up with its reflection). A flood light can be installed on one end, then light would disperse in crazy curves - it could even change colors! Speculation: Both installations have
Issues that motivate installation: Light materials can be bolted together to create a very organic, curved structure that is sturdy. An apparently random arrangement still has a pattern and order. The clear plastic plays with the light, making the sun’s positioning throughout the day to make very interesting reflections and shadows. Now a seemingly random assortment of curves on its side proves to hold as a sturdy structure. Images and References:
Secret Life:
I do not know why the html tags keep undoing themselves whenever I hit "Save." Several times I've gone back to reinsert the tags correctly, and everytime they become distorted once I hit "Save." Link to this Page
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