        Holgado, Federico : AssignmentsAssignment 10.28.2007Architecture Program Lecture part 1 The speaker of the lecture brings up the following point: what distinguishes a work of "architecture" from an "ordinary building"? This is an important question since it lays the basic groundwork for architecture. Instead of creating buildings and other installations with thought and a need behind them, the world could be just creating buildings for no apparent reason. Without the need for buildings that were designed and engineered, there would not be a need for architecture. part 2 nested hierarchies - meaning that a relationship between a whole building exists, but within that overall relationship, things of more common relationships are grouped together, and so on. This creates groups within groups that eventually all relate to one another in one larger group. multiple centers - a designed structure can have multiple centers both physically, and figuratively. As shown in the example of the university development, a structure can have what the architect may devise as the center of the structure, and within that structure, the other smaller subdivisions have a center. This relates directly with nested hierarchies. part 3 The main issue that the speaker focuses is the importance of architecture and the responsibility that one bestows when studying architecture. Maybe one does not realize it, but unless we are out in the back country or the wilderness, we spend most of our time within a structure that was designed by someone. this means that where we sleep, work, study, and do other activities is affected by the structure in which we are residing. The responsibility of the architect is to ensure the safety, and well being of its occupants, while providing utility and value to those occupants with intelligent design. Building Construction Lecture part 1 A very important concept that the speaker stressed during the lecture was a/e/c integration. a/e/c integration is the combination of architecture, engineering, and construction of a building or project in order to increase efficiency. This is a new and upcoming method of managing construction that yields a better and more efficient product that is also more cost and time effective. part 2 decommissioning - The retirement of a facility, including decontamination and/or dismantlement. Decommissioning does not involve just bringing in a demolition crew to level a building. It has to be a carefully planned process and it entails many different aspects, for example, the effect on the environment. Also, many industrial facilities house machines and equipment, and these need to be disposed of carefully as well. The recycling of building materials such as copper and metals from the decommissioning is also becoming popular. constructware - software used for a/e/c integration. Utilizes databases and information to help achieve projects on time and on budget by providing a great deal of communication and management. building construction - In Building Construction Program students are educated to organize, lead, and manage the people, materials, and processes of building construction. Building construction does not only deal with laying bricks and putting in doors to make a house, but all the aspects of the project management, the subcontracting, and other details that are needed to complete a project of such magnitude. part 3 A very important topic highlighted by the speaker of the lecture involves the communication between the builders and and designers. The amount of time and money lost because of miscomunication between the two groups is great, and it is our job as the new generation of both designers and builders to bridge that gap. In order to do so, we have to broaden our interdisciplinary knowledge, and also utilize new and upcoming technologies to increase efficiency. Industrial Design Lecture part 1 An important focus of the presentation about Industrial design deals with the magnitude and effect of industrial design on our everyday lives. Objects that we take for granted every day, such as cellular phones, computers, and automobiles, are touched by industrial designers. Without thought and design, these products would not be as efficient. part 2 anthropometric - in physical anthropology, refers to the measurement of living human individuals for the purposes of understanding human physical variation. (Google) consumer psychology - is the study of human responses to product and service related information and experiences. (www.wcupa.edu) This is involved in industrial design since ultimately, every product is designed for a consumer in mind, and it is important to be able to understand the way that consumer thinks in order to be able to design a better product. industrial design - design of manufactured things that adds value, increases usability and simplifies life through improved human-product interaction. facilitates manufacture by simplifying processes or adopting technology, demonstrates concern for environment, and builds community (A. Mullick) Industrial Design not only deals with the aesthetics of a given object, but also its function and its effect on the user. part 3 An interesting viewpoint that Mr. Mullick envisioned is the one of design for a problem. A task that is placed on industrial designers is not to just come up with a design out of thin air. The design of a product must bring something to it that is beneficial, wether it is from an aesthetic point of view, a functional point of view, an environmental point of view, etc. That task is the reason why there are industrial designers in the world, and it is something that one must take into account every time a pencil touches paper for that first sketch. Designing a product without these things in mind is not design, but a waste of effort and time. Library 101 A.B. (2006, April). Designers hope Katrina Cottages will replace FEMA trailers. Architectural Record, 194(4), 36. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from Research Library database. Barnes, F. (2006). Post-Katrina Politics. The Weekly Standard, 11, 8. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from ProQuest database. Bergeron, A., & Lubell, S. (2006). Special hurricane report [Hurricane Katrina]. Architectural Record, 194, 34, 36. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from EBSCOhost database. Birch, E. L., & Wachter, S. M. (2006). Rebuilding urban places after disaster lessons from Hurricane Katrina. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. Brown, J. E., & Caldwell, K. (2006). New Orleans: one year after Katrina. Urban Land, 65(11-12), 38, 40-43, 45. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from EBSCOhost database. Burton, A. (2006). Health Disparities. Crisis Not over for Hurricane Victims. Environmental Health Perspectives, 114, A462. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from JSTOR database. D'agostino, D. M., & McCoy, W. (2006). Hurricane Katrina: Policies and Procedures Are Needed to Ensure Appropriate Use of and Accountability for International Assistance. GAO Reports, 1. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from EBSCOhost database. Falk, H., & Baldwin, G. (2006). Guest Editorial: Environmental Health and Hurricane Katrina. Environmental Health Perspectives, 114, A12-A13. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from JSTOR database. Federal support needed to rebuild New Orleans and reopen schools. (2006, May). American Teacher, 90(7), 9. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from Research Library database. Giroux, H. A. (2006). Stormy weather Katrina and the politics of disposability. Boulder, CO: Paradigm Publishers. Green, M. (2005). They won't be shooting craps in the Mississippi mud anymore. Las Vegas Business Press, 22, 4. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from EBSCOhost database. HOUSING AFTER HURRICANE: Katrina Cottage. (2006, June). Workbench, 62(3), 12. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from Research Library database. Kennedy, S., & Murdock, J. (2007). Remaking New Orleans, without losing its past. Architectural Record, 195, 85-88, 226. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from EBSCOhost database. Kieran, Christopher L. (2007, January). The Katrina Cottage. Architectural Record, 195(1), 131. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from Research Library database. Krugman, Paul. (2005, October 3). Miserable By Design :[Op-Ed]. New York Times (Late Edition (east Coast)), p. A.21. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from National Newspapers (27) database. LaRose, Greg. (2007, August). Lawyers race to beat Hurricane Katrina lawsuit deadline. New Orleans CityBusiness. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from ABI/INFORM Dateline database. Lougheed, T. (2006). Raising the Bar for Levees. Environmental Health Perspectives, 114(1), A44-A47. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from JSTOR database. Manuel, J. (2006). In Katrina's Wake. Environmental Health Perspectives, 114, A32-A39. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from JSTOR database. McCarthy, K. F. (2006). The repopulation of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina (RAND Tech.). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Mullins, Luke. (2006, October 17). In Brief: A Year After Katrina, Peoples Turns Profit. American Banker,p. 20. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from Research Library database. Ramroth, W. G. (2007). Planning for disaster how natural and manmade disasters shape the built environment. Chicago: Kaplan Pub. Russell, J. S. (2006). Remaking New Orleans, without losing its past. Architectural Record, 194, 130. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from LexisNexis Academic database. Saunders, Judith M. (2007). Vulnerable Populations in an American Red Cross Shelter After Hurricane Katrina. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 43(1), 30-7. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from Research Library database. Schwartz, D. A., & Martin Ii, W. J. (2006). HEALing in New Orleans. Environmental Health Perspectives, 114, A570. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from JSTOR database. Shorrock, T. (2006). Casino Interests Hit the Jackpot in Post-Katrina Development. Southern Exposure, 34, 40-41. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from EBSCOhost database. Stehr, S. D. (2006). The Political Economy of Urban Disaster Assistance. Urban Affairs Review, 41, 492-500. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from EBSCOhost database. Subcommittee On Economic Development, Public Buil, I. S. (2006). A vision and strategy for rebuilding New Orleans. Washington: For sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. G.P.O. Twombly, R. (2006). NIEHS Responds to Katrina. Environmental Health Perspectives, 114. What lies beneath. (2007). Cambridge, MA: South End Press. Assignment 09.16.07 Assistive Technology Lecture The speaker's general topic concerns the design and research of assistive technology geared towards disabled persons. The speaker also introduces the concept of universal design and stresses the role of universal design in assistive technology. The information was organized by introducing what the design of assistive devices entails, some of the areas of specialization of the research team, and finally, how different disciplines integrate to achieve end products in the field. Some important terms of the presentation are: universal design, assistive technology, and specialized design. universal design - design that is not biased for or targeted to any specific group. assistive technology - any item or product that is used to increase or improve functional capabilities, like walking, eating, seeing, hearing. specialized design - design that is targeted to a certain sector of the population, like wheelchairs, glasses, hearing aids. How does teaching and innovation conflict with each other? Being in such a rapidly developing industry, does the information taught one semester become obsolete the next semester? it seems that most products that fall under the category of assistive technology are related to the medical field in some way. What kind of knowledge in medicine is necessary to be able to successfully create these products? Are companies realizing the significance of universal design and assistive technology? For example, is a toy company like Fisher Price hiring an expert in the field to make sure their toys are accessible to more children? With the recent advances in cellular and biological technology, is this going to affect assistive technology in any way? Are glasses and contacts going to be replaced by bionic solutions, etc.? Construction Lecture The issue at large of this lecture involves how engineering, architecture and construction are integrated in the construction sector of the economy. The lecture is organized by first talking about the construction sector, then reviewing the historical roots of construction, and finally how construction is integrated through engineering, architecture, and the actual building construction. Some important terms discussed throughout the lecture are: fragmentation, vertical integration, turnkey, value engineering, and 3xpt. fragmentation - The division of habitats that formerly occupied large, continuous areas into smaller areas by roads, fields, housing developments, and other human activities. turnkey - A turnkey contract is one where the client has an agreement with one single administrative entity, who provides the design and construction under one contract, and frequently effects land acquisition, financing, leasing, etc. value engineering - An analysis of materials, processes, and products in which functions are related to cost and from which a selection may be made so as to achieve the desired function at the lowest overall cost consistent with performance. What are the advantages of interdisciplinary instruction in the common first year for all three disciplines that share that first year? Is this being done as a direct result of discrepancies in the workplace? It seems that the ongoing trend of decreasing the knowledge barrier between the architect and the constructor to improve efficiency is at hand. Is this limiting the potential of both the constructor and the architect by having to learn other material that is not as relevant to their field of expertise? Construction as a whole seems to not go through radical changes like technology does. Is there any evidence of a radical change on the horizon? What are some job positions available now that did not exist 5 years ago? Are there any? What other new areas of development is technology opening up? For example, space tourism seems to be an emerging trend for the future, with hotels being built in orbit. How is this affecting the construction sector of the economy? GIS Lecture The main topic of the lecture focuses on what exactly geographic information systems is and how it applies to the design of the built environment. The lecture also describes the new types of information that are available to the researcher now and how that information can be used to influence design. The lecture is arranged by first introducing the topic, then providing examples and finally tying it into the design field. Some important terms throughout the lecture are: automated data acquisition, remote sensing, regression. automated data acquisition - data gathered from remote sensors by some previously devised method which requires no intervention from the end user. remote sensing - A means of acquiring information using airborne equipment and techniques to determine the characteristics of an area. Aerial photographs from aircraft and satellite are the most common form of remote sensing. regression - A statistical analysis assessing the association between two variables. Used to mathematically predict patterns such as population. It seems that a lot of product design would greatly benefit from geographically based research. How can the current design curriculum be modified to implement this type of research more thoroughly? In order to create tools for research, one must have an idea of how to implement those tools to actually perform the research. How does prior training influence what kind of research tools are developed? In the market, is it common for this type of research to be carried out by in-house research teams, or does it get contracted out to independent research teams? Is there a benefit to either? Speaking strictly from a "sales" department point of view, is the value of this type of research visible in sales quantity when a product is compared to another without this type of research to aid in its design? Assignment 09.09.07 Classical Architecture In this lecture, the authors take on focus on classical or traditional architecture and how it affects modern architecture. The speakers talked about a diverse number of topics, and arranged them by each speaker focusing on a specific topic within classical architecture. A number of important terms and concepts were mentioned throughout the lecture, and some of these are: the definition of classical architecture, proportions and how they relate to classical architecture, and the reduction of urban sprawl. Classical Architecture – Form of style devised by the Greeks and Romans which was revived during the Renaissance. This type of architecture has been making a comeback in recent years due to the “timeless” and classic design principles used. It is usually present in higher end architectural projects such as custom homes and important business facilities. Urban Sprawl - Current development patterns, where rural land is converted to urban uses more quickly than needed to house new residents and support new businesses, and people become more dependent on automobiles. This phenomenon is clearly visible in the outlying area of Greater Atlanta, where pedestrian access to facilities are virtually non-existent in areas where it should be present. What new skills and ways of thinking must be acquired to change from being an architect to being a classical architect? What role does an architect play in trying to reduce urban sprawl? Is it based on the design of the actual buildings, or the engineering of the community itself? In what ways does the form of instruction change and adapt when teaching classical architecture? Are the basics of architecture reinforced, or are new standards set for students? Solar Decathlon In the Solar Decathlon lecture, the speaker takes on the task of competing in the Solar Decathlon. The competition's main goal is to create a house that is architecturally beautiful while being as ecologically efficient as possible. The speaker organized his lecture by focusing on different sections of the house, such as the chassis of the structure to the landscaping of the yard. Some terms of importance during the lecture were: green housing, being “off the grid”, and the economy of building a green house that is viable to the everyday American. Green Housing – Housing that is engineered to have the least negative impact on the environment. Green engineering and design has seen an uprise in popularity due to the public's growing concerns for the environment. Everything from green packaging in products to biodegradable detergents are being developed to have less of an impact in nature, and housing is starting to see this trend as well. Being “off the grid” - A house is “off the grid” when it can provide enough electricity to sustain itself without drawing power from the local power grid. In some instances, a house can produce more electricity than it uses, therefore it can sell back that energy created to the power company. How does the level of technology found in the house impact the architect's training? Is a whole new level of knowledge needed to work on such a project, or could any architect jump into the project and feel right at home? How does the communication between the architect and engineer affect the outcome of the results? Is the house more focused on the architectural aspect or the technological aspect? How beneficial would it be for a “Green” architect to have a profound knowledge of the environment before taking on such projects? CAD CAM Design In this lecture, the speaker focuses on how technology affects modern design, and also how technology affects the work flow from the design concept to the finished product. The author organizes the lecture into three topics: What is being done, how those things are being done, and why those things are being done. Some key terms and concepts that came up during the presentation are: the difference between “smart” and “dumb” design, what is CAD/CAM, and how the designer has become more involved in the actual fabrication process. “Smart” Design – A design can be considered smart, for example, in a project that requires mass customization. Instead of creating 100 different molds to create each of the custom pieces, a “smart” mold can be engineered to be dynamic and allow the variation needed to create those 100 different pieces with that single mold. This saves the labor of creating each mold separately, and it also preserves resources by cutting down the amount of waste from every mold that is created. CAD/CAM Manufacturing – CAD stands for Computer Aided Design and CAM stands for Computer Aided Manufacturing. Both involve the use of computers to create and manufacture models, parts, molds and such with a high degree of precision and repeatability. The relationship between CAD and CAM allows a quick transition between a theoretical computer model to an actual physical prototype. Is it considered a good thing that more design students are focusing more on computer design than actually designing on pen and paper? Is the profession of being a modern designer eating away at other industries, like the professional draftsmen industry? Or is this new shift creating new job opportunities in the industry? There seems to be a clear shift from the designer just being the designer, to the designer actually taking part in the complete process of construction. How has the instruction for designers changed to allow this shift to take place? Assignment 08.29.07 Wood Description The artifact is constructed of a material called plywood. This material utilizes thin sheets of wood tightly glued together to create the "plies" that are visible. It is a durable and flexible material which is good for machining, and also bends well. Thin sheets of plywood were routed out of bigger pieces to shape the artifact. These plywood sheets are held together and spaced apart periodically with metal bars at given intervals. The bars provide structure for the artifact as well as support. The sheets themselves are attached to one another by a simple overlapping mechanism that utilizes screws and butterfly joints, and since these joints do not bear a lot of force, much reinforcement is not required. The whole artifact is not physically bolted down to the structure of the building itself, but instead hangs from brackets much like one would hang a towel hook from the top of a door. In it's most basic essence, the artifact is a plywood bench. At first glance, the structure is akin to a waterfall flowing from the top of a mountain. Clearly visible are the spots where a rock protrudes from the surface and diverts water around the waterfall. Also, it is visible how the artifact represents the uneven and unpredictable flow of water, a clear reason of the lack of symmetry through the artifact. The natural wood tone also alludes to the theme of nature. The artifact is the centerpiece of the building because of the amount of interaction that occurs around it. It serves as a meeting point for the university for people to get together and socialize, thus benefiting the Tech bubble by encouraging a more social and active lifestyle. Another phenomenological quality of this structure is the way in which it interacts with light. An solid artifact of this magnitude would impede light in such a way that it would deter from its surroundings as well as the design of the building. The Architecture West building was created in such a way to take advantage of as much natural light as possible, since not only it is environmentally beneficial, but research also shows that humans work more efficiently and carry an overall better attitude when working under natural light. By utilizing gaps between each sheet of plywood, there is a minimal loss of natural light that can be projected through the artifact. Speculation Being able to construct an object on a large scale that is both functional and unobtrusive, is quite a feat. Generally, one has to make a compromise between form and function to achieve a usable balance. I believe that a driving force in this project was the quest to make something aesthetically pleasing that was also functional and unobtrusive. The way the artifact utilizes space while remaining "out of the way" for the pedestrians through the building is very effective. In order to design the artifact, an inspiration is needed. With an inspiration comes a rough sketch of the idea, and from that concept, the idea grows and materializes. The only viable way to create a structure with such a degree of uniform disconformity is to utilize a computer aided program to create the shapes. Also, a way of securing the structure had to be devised, which in turn is implemented to the original design. This artifact to me represents nature, and more specifically, the flow of life. A waterfall flows naturally with no regard to what lies through it, much the same way that a person's life does. The waterfall has it's gentle parts, as well as its steep and violent parts, as well as junctions and splits, everything portrayed in the artifact. I believe that the perfect name for this artifact would be "Flows". I could imagine this artifact not having a secret life, but a very public one, in which it offers a person support when they are feeling tired and sad. Plastic Description This artifact, which sits right outside of the Architecture West building, is an intricate form made out of polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a type of plastic that is very resistant to heat, wear, and impact. It is commonly used for bulletproof glass, and that is a testament to this material's strength. Each piece of polycarbonate is attached to each other with rivets, using small flaps on each end to overlap each piece. Also, each piece is labeled to ensure the correct orientation and position. These polycarbonate pieces are created by crafting a mold with a CNC machine and then pouring the mixture to cure over that mold. This artifact has a very distinct and irregular shape. Since everything in this Earth that goes up must come down, I interpret the beginning of the artifact to be at the top where it attaches to the building as it flows down to its end. The flow begins calmly, but quickly becomes turbulent and convoluted. Towards the end, the artifact gradually converges and unifies, until it becomes almost compact at its end. Many pieces towards the middle of the artifact can be seen as the same exact shapes, just attached together at very different angles. This provides a slight feeling of symmetry if one looks closely, but the whole work itself is not uniform and symmetrical. This artifact is placed outdoors, and because the material is translucent, it has a great level of interaction with the environment around it. The hollow parts of the structure are not sealed, so nature can come in and out of the artifact without much trouble. Present now in the summer are traces of brown dust, leaves, and other small things from around the area. I can imagine that at during spring and early summer, when the pollen count is the highest, the beast transforms from a clear object into something with a great yellow hue. I am sure that the same can be said in the winter, if a flurry happens to come down, the white snow will reflect through every face of polycarbonate. Light also affects this artifact in a great way. When the sun's rays are at full tilt on the object, many reflections and shimmers of light otherwise not present start to surface. I am sure if the effect would be more dramatic after some rain has fallen and washed away some of the material trapped within the structure. Speculation Being able to efficiently erect a structure that is composed of many similar parts is a challenge that is faced in many places. Devising a method to quickly and accurately assemble a large structure is something that could have been a research project while designing this artifact. It would be simple to just write all over every one of the pieces to detail where they are supposed to go. In order to do this without taking away the essence of each piece is where the challenge is. A complex system of dots is used to label each piece for the correct orientation, as well as location. Another research goal could be the use of clear materials that take advantage of the seasons to change the appearance. By utilizing a clear material with specifically designed crevices to contain seasonal dusts, a different effect can be achieved in an area like northern Georgia. Design of this sculpture was most likely conceptualized by a rough sketch, but the final design could only have been made with the use of a computer. A suitable shape had to be designed in order to use it consecutively throughout the artifact, and again that could have only been achieved through the use of a computer to create the piece to be geometrically up to standard. For the actual construction process, scaffoldings have to be designed to accommodate the structure while it is being built, since there will be material hanging from the unbuilt sides until the structure connects to the end points. This structure, once again, is a depiction of the timeline of life. As we all know, life begins with a newborn baby which lives a very linear life composed of sleeping and eating. The artifact begins with a gentle and organized flow representing this calm and subtle life. In a short amount of time, though, the kid begins to walk, talk, and take part in a great deal of activity and exploration. This all happens under a close watch from the parents, and again the flow of the artifact begins to disrupt slightly, but is still controlled. Eventually, life becomes more and more complicated, going through college, beginning independent lives away from the parents, and potentially meeting a mate for life. This can be considered the climax of life, and it is clearly depicted in the artifact by the greatest amount of activity and disarray. Towards the end, life once again begins to wind down, and eventually, ceases to exist. Link to this Page
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