A Pattern Language

a theory reading


I related this reading to my own home and others I have spent a lot of time in, and was surprised at how accurate this theory reading was at defining a comfortable living space. I thought it was funny how far dorm life strayed from this ideal living space. Here are some words of wisdom I picked up from the reading:

the intimacy gradient 
The basis for any space should be dependent on the intimacy gradient. The entrance is the most public area as well as the most impressive and formal area of the house. Most casual acquaints and visitors will stop here for a conversation and leave. Following the intimacy gradient, next is a common area and kitchen, a place for friends and family to gather to eat and talk together. These common areas are at the heart of the building, and should be a comfortable meeting place. Finally, in the most intimate area of the house should be rooms for each resident to have to themselves. Bathrooms find their place between the common and private areas of the house, a comfortable distance for each.

http://www.curtainsforbaywindow.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/drapes%20for%20bay%20windows.jpg

Sunlight
Ideally, the sun should shine at the southern side of the house. The amount and location of the sunshine determines the overall mood of the house, and therefore is a very important aspect of the design. The porch would be well suited for south-west, whereas the bedrooms are best in the south-east, and the common room in the full south. The kitchen should also have sun, as it is a place where a lot of people should gather.


Movement/ the Common Room
The movement between the  rooms is crucial to the social fabric of the house. The common room must be tangent to and centered on the main pathway. That way those who walk by to get somewhere have the opportunity and excuse to enter, but are not forced to stop. Main rooms should be equally accessible to all areas of the house (from visitors to residents) and be a place of destination. Common rooms should have elements of interest like a fire, television, seating, an exit to the outdoors, and close proximity to the kitchen.   

http://www.palmbeachcountryestates.com/photos/P150/foyer.jpg

Entrance
The entrance should have windows that allow the resident to see who awaits or acknowledge the visitor with a friendly wave before they open the door. An entrance should provide shelter outside for the visitor to wait under in case of poor weather conditions. Also, because goodbyes can be awkward, there may be a separation or "break" between the door and the actual departure, like a porch with a wall or step. This creates another level to make the exit less harsh. Another good idea is a shelf near both the entrance and exit for placement of things like packages, keys, purses, etc. to help the person remember their belongings on the way in or out. The entrance should also have some sort of obstruction that allows the door to remain open with out allowing people to see into any rooms. That way the idea of an open, welcoming household is achieved without taking away from the privacy of the family. Near the entrance should be a "dead corner" for storage of shoes, coats, etc.

http://blog.mocha.uk.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Modern-hallway.jpg

Hallways
Hallways between rooms should allow generous movement that encourages a person to move from room to room. To create friendly hallways one should make them spacious and give them natural light. Passages should be short, light, flow together with the other rooms, and be furnished to create the feel of a room. They should feel lively, not the uncomfortable spaces between rooms. Even better than passages are loops that tie rooms together and that allow for ample movement. 

Stairs
Stairs are important because the connect the levels of the house, but they are more than just a passage. They should be open and embrace the room below, becoming part of the room as they descend. Stairs can serve as a stage, for a speaker or a dramatic entrance, or an extra seat for company. They should be visible from the entrance, but set apart to keep the distance between the intimate and the visitors. The staircase "forms an axis for people to keep in their minds."

http://www.indiaonrent.com/forwards/b/beautiful-mountains/res/593qen.jpg

Views
The beautiful views the house's location offers should be put in areas of transition. That way, people are forced to find them and enjoy them in short term intervals, which prevents them from being absorbed as part of the house. By framing exquisite views in large windows, the view becomes like artwork in a house, not the stunning landscape that surrounds.

The Anthropology of Space

on an article by Edward T. Hall


"We shape our buildings and they shape us"
Winston Churchill


Fixed-Feature Spaces:
We all have fixed-feature needs that make us feel comfortable. Some vary with culture, like the way the Japanese deign their cities to focus on the intersections more than the streets, whereas France does the opposite. While Americans prefer to have rooms with determined functions, like a living room or dining room, the Japanese move their walls to accommodate different functions, removing the fixed-feature sense of the layout. Hall suggests that we can be different people in different places, an idea also found in "The Architecture of Happiness," which is the reason for some separations. The facade of the house allows us to drop the facade we put up in public, and be a more relaxed version of ourselves. Separating the office from our houses allows for a physical split of work and play, a small split of inner personalities. Cultures need different things in their fixed spaces, such as different amounts of privacy, lighting and functions. For instance, it mentioned that dining rooms, so important for social occasions in some cultures, are disappearing in American suburbs. It is because of these differences that traded design ideas between cultures are usually slightly modified to better fit the culture it is being introduced to. Otherwise the inhabitants may not feel at ease in this location. Arabs in American homes tend to feel restricted by the low ceilings and confining rooms, yet at the same time feel uncomfortably exposed to the outside world. 


Semi-fixed-Feature Spaces:
These semi-fixed spaces have a large impact on the way people behave in certain environments. Behaviors change to fit a certain space, mentioned by Winston Churchill in the quote above. He worried that a different arrangement in the House of Commons would "alter the patterns of government" without the way the seating was situated. An experiment of the arrangement of furniture in a hospital proved this phenomenon related to patients happiness and amount of conversation. The instigator of the experiment called those spaces which seem to encourage conversation "sociopetal" and those which seemed to discourage conversation "sociofugal."  Hall also pointed out that neither category of semi-fixed-feature spaces are necessarily good or bad, but each have appropriate situations. Also, each depends on the culture involved in the situation.   

Dining Space Parti

This design is for the bringing together of different cultures and peoples to enjoy a meal together.

Eating customs and food are a big part of culture. Some cultures use more spices, others keep it simple; some prefer to sit  low to the ground on pillows, while others would rather sit in chairs. I want the guests to enjoy the cultural experience of food in its entirety, so I think I'm going to include a kitchen in my design where they can each prepare a customary meal together before sharing it in a more formal setting.

I wanted my setting to have the seclude and peaceful feel of a writers
retreat, so my   dinner will take place in the forests of Sweden. I want
this day to feel like an escape from real life and be a day held separate
from the rest of the year. The light is a very important part of the day
(since it takes place on the summer solstice) so I want to incorporate
that into my design by allowing them to enjoy the sunset together
through a large, west-facing window. 

I thought a lot about the elements of  life that we all have in common. Nature, fire and water are things that we all rely on as people on this planet. We trade and share resources provided by the planet, and I think it would be an appropriate time to be submerged in the beauty of nature.

Social Networking Idea

The concept for this project was to explore ideas in social networking. Technology has never been my strong point, I've only begun to understand my smart phone. So I started thinking of the way I studied in college. Usually I meet with friends in the parlor and we all sit around with our laptops, together, but separate. I branched off of that focus by creating a centerpiece that connected everyone's computers. However, the experience is enhanced by the ability of the connector to project one of the computer's screen onto the wall, allowing them to share information, a skype chat, youtube video or website with their friends. This would also be useful in group projects and researching teams to allow separate work but allow for collaboration.

Let's Get Together, Yeah yeah yeah

The Refugium and barn by Petra Gipp Arkitektur are located on a remote location of a heavy forested area, creating a low impact on the terrain and blending with its surroundings and landscape. The space is very peaceful; perfect for a writer’s retreat.

Read more at Design Milk: http://design-milk.com/category/architecture/page/3/#ixzz1DQZ3FzQr

This recently instituted international holiday was designed to give the peoples of the United Nations a time to explore the customs and culture of other nations. However, if these nations are urging their citizens to broaden their horizons and appreciate different traditions  and societies, these leaders should also take a step in getting to know each other in a low-pressure and relaxed environment. They should use this holiday to put aside politics and enjoy the cultural aspects each nation has to offer.

For that reason, I decided to design the space for the leaders to spend this day. The location of the gathering will take place in Sweden.  Sweden is, and has been a supporter of the United Nations, and I think would host a beautiful get together for their fellow nations. Sweden joined the UN in the year of 1946, soon after its formation, and has been an active member in its attempts to help the environment and to fight terrorism. I have not perceived any aggressions concerning Sweden with other countries, and unless that is different in 2015, I promote Sweden as the meeting point for the UN's leader gathering.

Specifically, the leaders will assemble in a secluded cabin or tree house form structure in the forests of Sweden. The location is vital. The isolation of the cabin/tree house will provide a kind of retreat for the UN leaders who choose to attend. The distance from the stress of affairs of state will allow these UN members to see other leaders on a new level. It will deepen relationships and cultural understanding. The time in nature will give these leaders a breath of fresh air from the tight spots they find themselves in because of their positions of power.

The table I am working on is a circular table which is capable of expanding to seat more people. I wanted to create a feeling of equality and unison between these cultural representatives. They need to set an example for the success of this celebration. The circle signifies a holy gathering, is historically connected to the “knights of the round table”, and sets the scene for or a peaceful gathering. The chairs will match the theme of a forest getaway with their rough form and simplicity.

The meal will include tapas or small appetizers of foods prevalent in each of the attending UN representatives. The curtains of the light room will be closed to project the news and current happenings of each countries culture throughout the room, allowing guests to acquire  and learn about the soul of the countries they associate with.

Food for thought

The class watched a Danish movie, Babette’s Feast,  the other day about two sisters and their story, which is intertwined with food. In this community the people lived relatively simple lives. The portrayal of them was of their value of religion and family, and they emphasized the unimportance of earthly things, like romantic partners, extravagant materials and commodities. The sisters lived with their father until his death and both narrowly avoided romance. One overlooked her love, talent and chance for fame and glory in order to stay with her family. Their meals reflected this simple life. They had the same fish and ale bread and soup daily, a routine, like their lives. They care for their community members by providing meals for them. However, when Babette, a French refugee who lives with them, wins the lottery, and decides to provide some earthly pleasure for the women she's grown to love. They worry that this surrender to temptation will taint their purity, but decide they need to accept this act of love from Babette. She makes them an extravagant feast, giving them perhaps the most pleasurable experience either sister has experienced in life.The good food helped the church members put aside their problems with each other, enjoy life, and remember the good pastor who taught them praise. The food is a gift, an experience, a gathering and a nurturing substance. 

Natural and Artificial Intelligence in Design

The majority of this article explored the concept of natural design. According to the article, everyone can design, and I believe that to be true. However, just like other talents, like singing for example, some designers are better than others. This is either an innate ability or through training in the elements of design. The author wrote of how the design should persuade the client to love it, and go beyond the requirements and expectations the client specified. He stated that "design is exploratory" and that it is a designer job to strive to discover something new and innovative. A designer should look at a problem and find solutions from new points of view, altering their ideas as "the solution and the problem develop together." The author claims that "design is opportunistic" and delights in the evolution from function to form. They take the intellectual development of ideas and actually produce a physical reflection of it. However, design is not just one bright idea. "Design is ambiguous" and therefore designers must keep an open mind and let ideas change and evolve. Because of this uncertainty in designing, the author explicitly states that "design is risky," and never has a tangible or correct answer. Trusting one's instincts is important in design. Like a detective using his gut, a designer must weigh his possible solutions and select the one he thinks most aptly solves the problem. To help sort out these possible solutions, designers use sketching. Sketching works similar to writing in that it helps the designer sort through their thoughts and find new ways of thinking. The visual representation translates the designer's ideas for the client and builders, clarifies their ideas, and helps with the discovery process. When designing, one must consider everything from the overall concept to small details of the space. A designer must have the ability to "recall relevant knowledge" and consider both limitations and possibilities. A machine can be programmed to do a lot of things, but can it find new innovative solutions and sift through those possibilities? While programs are now available to help designers create visual representation of their ideas, I do not believe the machines will have the capability to discover these ideas on their own.

A current computer design program

Will natural design have to compete with artificial intelligence in design?

A sketch of Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water design

COLOR me experienced

It was color week! We learned (with crazy-expensive, silk-screened paper) about mixing colors and finding the "glow." It was like an acid trip plus the intense-ness of studio, plus kindergarten fun. Here's the result:

my color palette for the rest of the semester!

my interpretation of the seasons using only colors from my palette

my first stab at finding the "glow"

my full composition (without the palette)

I really enjoyed color week, and decided to go all out, despite a growing sickness. I wore the rainbow all week and fiended after rainbow colored foods (skittles, starburts, giant lolipops) I'll post outfit pictures later!

Thinking in The Box... Creatively

This project required us to make a box of certain dimensions (12" x 18") and use cut outs, bamboo skewers and bristol paper to create four divisions of light. I experimented with several different strategies including including dividing my space into levels, various cutouts, folds and skewer set ups. This is the attempt I deemed most successful.

The light floods in from the leaf shaped cutout, washes over the four  curved planes of bristol, and is divided by the four bristol skewers that interfere with the light's path. The rest of the box remains in darkness.

My beautiful scale figure

Haiti

BACKGROUND STORY
some facts:

• Haiti is located on the second largest Caribbean island, which it shares with the Dominican Republic 
• The official languages are French (only spoken fluently by 10 percent) and Creole
• The most practiced religions are Catholicism, Protestantism and                  Voodoo
• Life expectancy is 52
• The infant mortality is 76 per every 1,000
• Haitians do value education, but have trouble affording it- only 20 percent make it to the secondary level
• Haiti has a long history of political turmoil

recent events:

2008: riots, food and gas prices increased, four tropical storms and hurricanes

2010: a 7.3 magnitude hurricane hit Haiti with full force, the worst in 200 years. This disaster resulted in an estimated 230,000 deaths and $11.5 billion in damages and reconstruction costs.

Haiti is an impoverished, third world country that has had one devastating event after another. Most of the citizens struggle to put food on the table and send their children to school and do not have the resources for much of the recent technology. http://www.haiti.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68&Itemid=90

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1982.htm

http://articles.cnn.com/2010-01-14/tech/cashmore.haiti.earthquake.relief.technology_1_social-media-twitter-and-facebook-text-haiti?_s=PM:TECH




However, during these times of crisis, technology is what helps save Haiti. After the serious earthquake of last year, millions of Americans sent a text that would transfer ten dollars towards a Haiti donation fund. The word of the damages and suffering spread rapidly through twitter and facebook, urging people to support the cause... and it worked. The red cross raised more than 4 million dollars in donations through texts alone. Technology has brought a new level to charity.