        Migan, Serge : AssignmentsEdit Migan, Serge : 9/10/07- A multi disciplinary approach to disability researchPart One: This lecture is about using many different groups of people in many different fields including architects, engineers, and industrial designers to help with the investigation and improvement of new technology for the disabled. The speaker, Stephen Springle, connects the research that the Center for Assistive Technology & Environmental Access is doing with background information of disabilities in society. The term “assistive technology” is an important point of the lecture because it is not only developed through new advancements but also through research of how it interacts with the outside world, natural and man-made. This is true for both universal and specialized AT. Part Two: 1. Myriad- a very great or indefinitely great number of persons or things. This is significant to the lecture because there are so many parts of research needed to fully understand disabilities. The focus is the improvement of lives and in that perspective, it is understandable that so much time and effort is necessary in so many disciplines of study. 2. Community- a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often has a common cultural and historical heritage. This is significant because those of us who are not disabled must be aware of those with disabilities because the environment, social and physical, equally belongs to all of us. This is the reason that accommodations must be made for them in every feasible way. 3. Optimum- most favorable or desirable, best- This term is significant because it is a strenuous task to create the “best” environment due to the number of categories and sub-categories that must be satisfied. These include technical work, business-driven ideas, and human interaction. Part Three: 1. If this is such a multi-faceted project, who is the most suited to be in a head position over each endeavor? 2. Can buildings be accommodating to those with disabilities and still be aesthetically pleasing? 3. Which is most important, the engineering of tools that aid those with disabilities or the architecture of the man-made environment surrounding them? 4. If technology continues to advance and we accommodate all known disabilities, does the research still need to continue? 9/12/07- AEC Integration Part One: This lecture is about trying to integrate the different fields of construction including architecture, building construction, industrial design, and engineering. The author of the lecture explains the real meaning of construction and how it encompasses many different things. Then Professor Bowen explains the reasons for the encouragement of integration and the reasons for the slow process itself. An important concept would be that the integration must start with councils and committees of engineers and architects. They would be more susceptible to the advice of authoritative figures of similar background rather than just the building community hoping for integration to eventually happen. Part Two: 1. Sector- a distinct part, esp. of society or of a nation's economy. This is important because construction is commonly viewed as one activity when, in reality, it is a combination of many activities that create one industry. 2. Integration- an act or instance of combining into an integral whole. This is an important term because integration does not mean the lack of variety. If the different fields integrate, it would just make it easier for them to interact. It would not fully take away their individuality. 3. Collaboration- to work together, especially in a joint intellectual effort. This is significant because it is a step in the right direction. The different associations working together are the closest thing to having one association. Once they see that collaboration is manageable, they will consider integration. Part Three: 1. Why is integration so hard when architects and engineers must come together to complete most projects anyway? 2. Structurally speaking, which technology is less accommodating to the other discipline? 3. If integration does occur, how will it make the design process faster and will there be a significant change in a short period of time? 4. Why don’t they implement integration into teaching so that it will be easier for the next generation of construction? 9/14/07- GIS Center Overview Part One: This lecture focuses on how new geographic technology is used to plan building of structures and whole communities. Mr. French shows many different examples of the new technology and how it is involved in urban planning. He shows many charts, simulations, and graphs and shows how the technology and the construction of the building are correlated. An important concept is environmental danger prevention. Using many form of statistics, predictions, and analysis, one can plan a community layout to be the safest for the surrounding environment and its potential danger. Part Two: 1. Suitability- the quality of having the properties that are right for a specific purpose. This is important because land must be suitable for the specific building that is placed on it. That is why it is so useful to have geographic information systems. 2. Visualization- to recall or form mental images or pictures. This is significant because when you can visualize, you can imagine the building as if it is actually there. 3. Planning- A scheme, program, or method worked out beforehand for the accomplishment of an objective. Planning is important because you can avoid mistakes that could be financially tragic or even deadly Part Three: 1. How can we plan all cities so that the buildings fit the geography and the people? 2. What can the land tell us about the past and the future? 3. If there is a risk factor for a certain area, how can we not only predict it but also prevent it? 4. What is the easiest way to spread the importance of geographic systems to architects and urban planners? 1. Three-story installation in the atrium of the Architect West building Description Prompts • The installation seems to be made of some sort of thin wood, possibly balsam or some other fine grade of lumber. There is a very light coloration throughout the whole piece which makes me conclude that the whole structure is made of the same sort of wood. You can tell it was manipulated because of how smooth the wood is. It was probably sanded down and the curvature of the longer pieces is more evidence of the wood being quite flimsy. There are two different lengths of the wood that can be seen from the front view very clearly. The pieces alternate from short pieces of about 5 feet to long pieces of more than 30 feet (3 stories). These are greater in length than the space where the installation is located and this is possible because the pieces curve. • Its curved shape from the front is a result of its strict surroundings. These bended pieces were necessary for the piece to fit in this exact area. The short pieces at the bottom seem to form some type of seating area which gives the installation a function other than just creative expression. The geometry of all the 30 plus feet pieces varies and is quite random design but at the same time they all bend to fit into this restricted section of the atrium. The bottom pieces in the front are all uniform. The joining of the pieces is done with nuts and bolts. For the seated are, there is one heavy-duty bolt connecting all the pieces which is more evidence of its usefulness. Along the rest of the structure, different parts are randomly conjoined and there does not seem to be any pattern. The part all form one wavy structure that seems to have no structural purpose, excluding the seat, other than creative expression. • In the morning, the gradient of the wood is seen to be uniform throughout because the lighting is mainly from the sun. In the evening, the gradient at the top of the structure receives the most sunlight so it seems the lightest. The middle part seems the darkest because it has the stone wall behind it and receives no type of lighting. The bottom part is fairly neutral due to the light fixtures in the lobby area. Sound travels through the front of the installation well because of the breaks in its structure but from the side the solid shape seems like it would alter sound waves. The wood stays room temperature because it is inside and takes on the temperature of its surroundings. The wood feels light and it seems like it could be easily shaped with fairly simple tools. Speculation Prompts • I believe that this installation was motivated by finding something useful to put in a certain space that still had aesthetic qualities of creative architecture. Also, I believe there was a motivation to use a material that would be strong enough to make a sitting area but yet adaptable enough to be manipulated to fit in such a unique space. Some research questions may have been “What can be put in this space that will be viewed as useful art?” and “How can we use the space given to accomplish our task without wandering out of the restricted area?” • The design process definitely began by taking measurements of the area since it would impose restrictions that were beyond the builders’ control. Then, they had to find the right material to fit the space perfectly, allow them to express their design creatively, and fulfill a purpose. Next, they had to design the structure within safety restrictions and they seemed like they wanted it to be simple, by looking at the material used, but complex, by looking at the variations of the different sections of the installation. • This image gives me a traditional feel as well as a modern one. This is because of the simplicity of the material in combination with the complexity of design. I would call this “Train of Thought” because of the part at the bottom where people, mostly builders and architects, can sit and speculate, sketch, and observe. I could see this piece in some sort of high-end museum due to its originality factor. 2. The long piece that runs along the terrace just outside the atrium Description Prompts • This structure seems to be made of a simple type of plastic mold divided into strips of different lengths. It is connected with bolts in different ways along the structure. Each different way of connection gives each piece a uniquely different shape than the others. The fabrication process does not seem very strenuous when it comes to material selection and production because the material seems like it was chosen solely on its ability to maintain its visible qualities under any weather. This is inferred because the piece has several stress marks due to weathering and they do not take away at all from the artistic quality of the piece. • The shape changes three times throughout the installation. At the beginning of the pieces, all the strips are uniformly stacked on the concrete, all the same in size and length. Then, in the middle, they separate from this uniformity to wrap into a solid shape with plastic strips making some sort of encasement. Finally, at the end, all the strips deviate randomly to form a wavy-looking structure until it ends at the corner of the building. This whole structure spans about 20 feet in length and covers about one story. The parts fit together nicely even though there are three separate set-ups of the plastic strips. One would still see it as one whole installation because of its overall similarity throughout the shape. • The light changes the installation drastically because it is outdoors and it is clear. In the morning, the piece is dusty and glossy. At dusk, the dust is barely visible and the structure seems almost entirely solid. The light still goes through the structure but not as easily. At night, the whole structure looks spotless and the material looks like it could be Plexiglas. When it rains, the installation looks crystallized due to the water and dust mixture. Speculation Prompts • I think this installation was motivated by the desire to make a piece that was purposely changed by the elements outside. Also, to use a flimsy, easily weathered material and still create a high aesthetic structure. Some research questions might have been “What material is perfect for enhancing nature and being a part of it while it is outside?” and “How can we make a structure in front of a glass building without taking away the artistic complexity of the building or the installation?” • The first step in the design process was probably the choice of material. Then, the actual use of strips rather than solid pieces to form different types of structures. Finally, to make it so that it seemed as if belonged uniquely in nature and was not an estranged piece that could just as easily be inside a building. • When I see this installation I think of clouds or ice cubes, which are natural things. I would name it “Moment of Clarity” because of its transparency and it seems like it belongs in nature although it is a man-made piece. Link to this Page
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