Unit Summary 1

Week 1 : Looking in + outward, humans materially encounter the cosmos + construct inhabitable signs + symbols as objects, spaces, buildings + places.

The study of object, space, building and place is important when focusing on the history and theory of design. Looking closely into something at a certain scale can have a very different outcome. If you focus on an object in a building you may gain more information from the object that in return relates back to the building. This process gives you a deeper knowledge of what the building or over all space is about. If you break down something to examine it and then build it back up it tends to make much more sense.

Week 2 : Circles, groves + stacks stand as humanity’s first elements + principles of design throughout a world populated by diverse human expression. 

Humanity’s first elements copied things that we find in nature. Our life experiences help us make the connections between the shapes and what they mean or resemble to us, individually. We associate circles with the sun, moon, and sacred spots. We think of groves as groups of trees, things that reach vertically and groups of people. Stacks can be thought of as mountains and can show hierarchy. These concepts all relate back to the principles of design. The principles of design are contrast, repetition, emphasis, unity, harmony, balance and proportion. It stands true across the world that these shape influence the way we build. These shapes are useful because they emulate the natural environment. 

Do environments influence rituals or do rituals influence environments?

Environments influence rituals. The way an environment is shaped creates the rituals that go on within the space. People move within a space according to how the space is designed. Even if a space is being designed for a certain ritual, the environment around and outside will influence the ritual and why that ritual takes place where it does. 

week 3 : The buildings atop the athens acropolis serve as archetypes for all western architecture + design; elsewhere, humans expand groves + stacks.

The two concepts of groves and stacks are combined and found in many architectural buildings all around the world. Palaces and temples are examples of groves and stacks together. Repetition within a group of columns, such as the ones on the Parthenon, lead a persons eye to the object in the center, which has much more importance. The groves along the outside of the structure are marking the sacred place inside and telling stories about that temple.

week 4 : diverse building types abound in the west. empires stand tall throughout the world. trade routes bring people, goods + ideas into proximity.

Although throughout the west there are many different building types, most follow somewhat of the same guidelines. The guidelines are commodity, meaning useful arrangement, quality and interrelationships, firmness, which talks about the structure and stability of the building, and delight, what makes someone’s eyes happy. “The end is to build well. Well building hath three conditions: commodity, firmness, delight” said Sir Henry Wotton. Building types relied upon what they needed to do within their city. Rome used arches as a support system. 

The story behind my dining space

Our next project is to create a dining space for a getting to know each other memorial day mandated by the United Nations. 

Concept: Bringing people from all over the world together, fighting world hunger

Fighting world hunger is a very difficult task, but together, with an approximate population of around 6 billion people, it can be much easier. I am bringing 5 others from 5 different continents together for one meal. The 5 others I chose are donors and very giving people who are trying to help feed others more unfortunate than themselves. All of them speak english as well as their native tongue, so communication won’t be as difficult. I want a piece of everyone’s culture brought into the space and the meal. People like to surround themselves with familiar things, so having something that resembles home to each individual will make them feel more at home. This unity, this group of people, who are so dedicated to helping others, this is what my dinner is all about. This meal will bring a part of every continent together, although these 6 people are only a minute number compared to the whole world it will give them a better sense of unity.


My space is going to focus on circles, a round shape because it symbolizes a special spot along with the sense of unity and togetherness. It isn't easy bringing together 6 different people from completely different cultures. The table will be round and each seat will have the individuals continent on the back, creating a sense of uniqueness about each person. 

This Feist will be held twice a year, during the winter and summer solstice. In turn the space will reflect these important dates during the year. The floor will show the movement of the sun on those days. There will be an arched bend across the floor by a differentiation of tiles. 

The overall space is to create a sense of togetherness, while still pointing out the differences each person brings to the table.

Reading Response 5

Blogpost 5

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photosb/5137547901/lightbox/

Repition carries itself across the page

as if it were waves

Growing in volume

The tempo peaks at one end of the structure

Provoking the feeling of pure joy

Hitting a note that high.

Reading Response 4!

When reading in Understanding Architecture I was amazed by how Rome had this standard of "Go big or Go home." To them bigger was always better.

Pictures taken from:

http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/library/jul05/pollice/index.html

http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/arts/artwork/st-peters-basilica5.htm

http://www.toursofthevatican.com/st-peters-basilica-tour/

DESIGN MANIFESTO

Design; to conceive or fashion in the mind, to invent.

    We as designers are inventing spaces; Spaces and environments that shape our thinking and emotions. These spaces affect people in ways we can only imagine. When we design something it goes through several processes in trying to achieve the overall goal. Some jump right into drawing and sketching ideas, while others spend hours upon hours thinking about what they will do before they do it. I am very guilty of this. Sometimes you just have to go for it and refine,refine, refine.The overall goal is to be aesthetically pleasing, sustainable, and practical.

    Refining and re-doing is a very important part of designing anything. Without refinement you may come out with a nice design, but by refining you perfect the design as much as possible. It shows in each end product.
    I have always been drawn to designs that are aesthetically pleasing. What ever you invent should show "craft". Sight is such a powerful gift that we have been given and I believe that the space should be very pleasing to the eyes.

Design for a purpose!
   Every space needs a purpose and the purpose influences how the space is designed. Without a purpose it makes designing a space difficult. Every design should be functional.

Blog Post 4

This week we learned about commodity, firmness, and delight. 

There is this one spot on campus where I believe all three are at their highest achievement.

That one spot, or sacred moment is at the front of the EUC building, the circular entrance. Through that entrance the light pours into the building. Circles make sacred, important spots. This spot stands as the gathering spot for everyone, coming from all directions. People intersect at that one spot. Circles are never ending as well. Individuals' journeys' never end there, it is just a meeting spot. The light shines in from the glass doors of the entrance and the windows at the top of the 3D form. The windows allow for light to glow into the space, lighting up the circular like sunburst on the floor. The cylinder stands tall above the rest of the building. The supports are strong and firm, holding up the form. The commodity of this space is the fact that it's a circle. Circles are a useful arrangement. The circles lead people to different entrances, one into the bookstore, one into the CAF and the other to a hallway leading to the spiral staircase. The colors and feel of the space create a sense of delight when experiencing it. Being in the space you feel as if you could do anything. It has a positive effect on the person experiencing the space.This space brings all three of concepts from Sir Henry Wotton's quote to life.

"The end is to build well. Well building hath three conditions; firmness, commodity, delight."