A comprehensive analysis of Design in relation to Diversity Issues for the ARC211: American Diversity and Design class by Beth Tauke at the University at Buffalo

1. University at Buffalo – State University of New York
ARC 211: American Diversity and Design – Spring 2017
Online Discussion Questions
Alexandra Chang
http://cdn.xtracut.com/scaleupsdc/2015/05/meeting_13.jpg

2. Introduction
My name is Alexandra Chang, but you can call me Alex.
When I think about myself from a “diversity and design” point of view, I feel
as if I can wholly relate to the subject. Being someone who grew up
surrounded by diversity, I’ve always had an interest in the subject and
diversity issues. I also have a background in design, and taking D+D has
really influenced me to reincorporate it into my life. After working on our first
project, regarding Billboard Design, I decided to pick up a Graphic Design
minor here at UB in order to get closer to those roots.
I’ve learned an immense amount about design thinking, and the creative
process. Every fundamental thing about design has a purpose and reasoning
as to why things are the way they are. Throughout my daily life, I’ve started
to notice aspects of design, whether they be physical or societal. This kind
of mindset excites me because I feel as if I do have the ability to notice little
things that others may not (i.e. why a coffee mug would have a handle).
The analysis of design in relation to diversity issues was compelling to me,
because it brought to light many issues that still exist, and what people have
done/ are doing to solve them. Going in-depth about diversity is not
something I would’ve originally expected from an Architecture class, but I appreciate it’s presence since it allowed
me to really think introspectively about what’s happening in the world and how it affects me. My viewpoints have
definitely changed a little bit since the beginning of the course, but in the sense that I am more inclined to share
and discuss them. This class has really encouraged me to speak up about diversity issues, and even more so,
creatively think about solutions that design can create for them.
The following pages document my responses to the online discussion questions in the Spring 2017 version of ARC
211 American Diversity and Design at the University at Buffalo – State University of New York
Kamio, 2016

3. Module 1
Thread 2: Response to “What is design?” from Hello World
On “What is design?” from Hello World: Where Design Meets Life by
Alice Rawsthron:
The author opened her chapter with the example of Ying Zheng, the ruler of the
Qin empire, one of the most powerful and enduring empires in the history of
China. She explained how design innovation contributed to Ying Zheng’s success.
For example, in the development of weaponry, he resolved many problems by
standardizing parts, and this single innovation gave his armies great advantage
over other armies.
For this discussion, let’s move away from 246 B.C. China, and into the
U.S. Describe an innovation or invention (can be current or historical) that gave
advantage to a group of people in the U.S. or to the population as a whole. What
were the social impacts of this innovation? Were any groups negatively impacted
by this innovation? For example, the telegraph, developed and patented in the
United States in 1837 by Samuel Morse, permitted people and commerce to
transmit messages across both continents and oceans almost instantly, with
widespread social and economic impacts. This heightened communication speed
allowed business persons to make decisions with up-to-date information, often
resulting in big profits. Those without access had to rely on out-dated information,
which put them at a disadvantage.
https://www.awesomestories.com/asset/view/Ying-Zheng

4. Module 1
Thread 2: Response to “What is design?” from Hello World (con’t.)
For this prompt I would like to refer to the creation of the Assembly Line. Henry Ford was the first to create such a
systematic design of factory operations. Being able to produce more at a quicker rate spurred on the Industrial Revolution.
Economic Activity flourished at this time, not only in terms of monetary value, but also the influx of innovation as a
whole. The advanced capitalistic economy that we live in today comes from this shift over from specialization to efficiency in
the workplace, and the fact that a factory worker could work with virtually no special skills.
However, many were thoroughly impacted in a negative way as well. Labor laws were very poor during this time and put
workers and children in danger. Economic growth also became paired with a widening wage gap, making the rich richer and
the poor poorer. Not only were working conditions sub-par, coming home with minimum wage didn’t make affordable living
conditions any easier1
. Overall, the Industrial Revolution had a huge impact on society in the United States both for the better
and for the worse.
1
"Industrial Revolution and Assembly Line Work." World history. Accessed April 28, 2017.
http://www.worldhistory.biz/sundries/29022-industrial-revolution-and-assembly-line-work.html.
http://image.slidesharecdn.com/pdfversionofeuapps4us-
160206165524/95/pdf-version-of-euapps4-uspdf-industrial-
revolution-2-638.jpg?cb=1454777773
http://webs.bcp.org/sites/vcleary/modernworldhistorytextbook/industrial
revolution/Images/sweeper-and-doffer.jpg

5. Module 1
Thread 3: Response to “Introduction” from Diversity and Design
On “Introduction” from Diversity and Design: Understanding Hidden Consequences
The editors state that “diverse participation in the design process, from both
professionals and public citizens alike, yields more equitable results.” This makes
sense, but typically has not been the case. Nonetheless, many marginalized groups
have impacted design in ways that have changed our visual and physical worlds as
well as our systems, policies, and institutions. For example, in the 1960s, disability
rights advocates designed media events to raise awareness about barriers in the
physical environment. They persisted with their efforts for decades, and, finally, in
1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act became law. It mandated accessibility in
public accommodations such as restaurants and stores, public transportation,
communication, and other areas of public life. This dramatically changed our physical
environment (from curb cuts to ramps to automatic doors) and the results made
public life more equitable.
Now it’s your turn. Describe a design that was impacted by a diversity group. How and why did it change form and/or
circumstances? (Note that a design can be anything requiring planning and development prior to the production of an action,
system, visual, material object, or environment. Also, keep in mind that, for our purposes, a diversity group is a group of
individuals who are underrepresented in society in some way—children, older adults, the economically disadvantaged, those
with cognitive disabilities, etc.
https://www.autism-society.org/wp-content/uploads/2005/07/ada25_2.png

6. Module 1
Thread 3: Response to “Introduction” from Diversity and Design (con’t.)
I am going to refer to my heritage and cultural roots for this
one. The design of a pair of chopsticks in today’s society has
come a long way since its humble beginnings in A.D.4002
. As
exploration flourished, Eastern chopsticks started to become
exposed to Western cultures. However, very different from the
fork and knife, they were confusing and difficult to use. The
idea of combining the top of the chopsticks, making it a sort
of prong, started to develop and now these “connected”
chopsticks are easily available and have changed it’s usage
by having an easier-to-use design. From a Western influence,
chopsticks were more widely accepted and marketed as an
accessible eating utensil. From an Eastern standpoint, these
chopsticks made it easier to teach children how to use them –
which was a huge influence in the Asian-American household.
2
Butler, Stephanie. "A Brief History of Chopsticks." History.com. March 08, 2013. Accessed May 02, 2017.
http://www.history.com/news/hungry-history/a-brief-history-of-chopsticks.
http://www.dhresource.com/albu_524090821_00-1.0x0/dhl-200pcs-
cute-cartoon-connected-chopsticks.jpg

7. Module 2
Thread 1: Response to Media/Society Chapter and TED Talk on Photographs
Where would you place the images shown in Photos That Changed the World into Croteau and Hoynes' diagram entitled
“Model of Media and the Social World”? Identify a mass media photograph taken in your own lifetime that has served as an
icon of an event. (Feel free to add an attachment.) What roles does this photo play in the communication of the event?
In Photos That Changed the World, Jonathan Klein
addresses specific photos that have made large impacts
on society. Croteau and Hoynes' diagram entitled "Model
of Media and the Social World" displays the cycle of
different elements of the media and how they interact to
form the "social world" that we live in. Amongst the images
that Klein discussed, there were several that brought to
light controversial issues or global problems that nothing
had been done about until these photos had surfaced on
the media. His
explanation was that the power of an image comes not
from the photographer nor the subject, but from the
audience and their perception; their ability to be moved or
feel strongly about an image. For this reason, I would
place the (sometimes dark) images from Photos That
Changed the World into the "Readers and Audience"
section of Croteau and Hoynes' diagram. The effect of
these photos came from these readers themselves, not
from media exploitation or communicative technology, but
from the entire basis of human emotion and moral.
http://www.learnoutloud.com/content/blog/TEDTalksTop100.jpg

8. Module 2
Thread 1: Response to Media/Society Chapter and TED Talk on Photographs (con’t.)
A Mass Media photograph that has by far made the largest impact on my life has to be the image of planes flying into the
Twin Towers during 9/11. This photo marked a turning point in the lives of many Americans with the introduction of National
Terror. The photo, by large, was able to communicate the fragility of security that our nation had at the time, bringing to light
the roles of the government and military in our national protection. However, as someone who was directly affected by 9/11
(having grown up three blocks away from the World Trade Center), the image also served to form a sense of community; that
although we have had to endure such a tragic event; we were still able to survive and persevere together. Albeit being very
young, I have never experienced as much of a sense of community as I did during the weeks following 9/11 -- everyone
was there to help and that widespread community outreach would not have been attainable without the recognition of this
icon, the collapse of the Twin Towers.
https://ublearns.buffalo.edu/courses/1/2171_14992_COMB/db/_356
2018_1/reuters13_RTXKQQP.jpg

9. Module 2
Thread 2: Response to Articles on Hats as Communication Design
Typically, we do not think of hats as elements of mass media or social media. However, the two hats (red and pink) discussed
in the articles certainly have taken on that role. Why are the two hats (red and pink) mentioned in the articles vehicles of
communication design? What meanings do each of the two hats carry? In terms of communication design, how are they
similar? And how are they different from one another?
The two hats discussed in the articles were both related to the recent
2016 Presidential Election. The red hat, with the words "Make America
Great Again" became a symbol of Donald Trump's campaign, not
because of an effective communicative design, but actually for the lack
thereof. While the hat is considered a "bad design" compared to the
elaborately thought out design schemes of Clinton's and
Obama's campaigns, it is representative of Trump's target audience --
Middle America, fighting back against the elitism of the media.
The pink hat, unlike the red one, was a thought out rebuttal to one of
Trump's speeches, directly referencing a rude part of his speech with
the design of pink cat ears. The communicative effect was thought out
in advance of the Women's March in Washington D.C. The creators
began to imagine what a strong visual the hats would appear to be,
knowing full well that the event would be media-covered. The pink hats
were created to serve a message and to create a sense of unity
amongst these women who strongly protested Trump.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1427/9954/products/
H4-R_grande.jpg?v=1486064096

10. Module 2
Thread 2: Response to Articles on Hats as Communication Design (con’t.)
In terms of communication design, the hats are both
similar and different for a multitude of reasons. They are
similar in the sense that they unified a body of people
who didn't latch on to a following, but rather created it.
Both hats, for instance, were created on individual
whim, but became symbolic of exponentially growing
movements -- one for the working class of Middle
America and the other for the protesters of the leader of
that movement. The design basis is straightforward; by
making a loud (especially in a political sense) out-there
statement about personal, yet publicly shared opinion.
However, they differ in probably every other sense such
as purpose, message, and communication distribution.
The red hat reached unexpected success perhaps
simply on a stroke of luck; a ball cap to keep cool for a
summer campaign speech. The pink hat planned its
success, gathering the movement before its distribution;
telling its followers that this hat is representative of the
cause, and that in wearing it during the Women's March,
an impact would be made.
http://esq.h-cdn.co/assets/17/04/980x490/landscape-1485213352-
pussyhat.jpg

11. Module 3
Thread 1: Response to “Industrial Design” by John Heskett and “The Incredible Inventions of Intuitive AI” by Maurice
Conti
In his chapter on industrial design (written in 1987), historian John Heskett claims that the methods of mass production
introduced by Henry Ford in the U.S. involved new concepts of the standardization and integration of the production line that
were adopted across the world. With Ford’s method, work could be completed by relatively unskilled workers; it was more
efficient and with this method, products were made more quickly and cheaply than previously possible. What were some of
the social consequences of Ford’s production line? In other words, how did this system change our U.S. society? Do any of
those changes remain with us today? Now consider Maurice Conti’s TED Talk, and the predictions he makes about
production. How do you think manufacturing processes will change in the next twenty years? How do you think these changes
will affect our U.S. society?
https://corporate.ford.com/content/dam/corporate/en/company/history/1913_Assembly_Line_of_FMC.jpg

12. Module 3
Thread 1: Response to “Industrial Design” by John Heskett and “The Incredible Inventions of Intuitive AI” by Maurice
Conti (con’t.)
With the introduction of the production line by Henry Ford, societal evolution was inevitable. In his chapter on industrial
design, John Heskett explores the development of the Industrial age and how it largely impacted the world with the
recognition of design. The production line in particular, led way to increased production, forcing industries and markets to
grow and solidifying the practice of industrial design. To dig deeper, a large pivotal point of the world at that time came from
strategy rather than instinct. Especially in the U.S. those changes have remained as we emerged as a largely capitalistic
nation and have put focus into driving that force.
Contrasting "Industrial Design" was "The Incredible Inventions of Intuitive AI" where Maurice Conti exposes the progress we
have made as a society from the Information Age into the Augmented Age. There is so much research going on in the world
right now that involves the combination of robotics, humans, and artificial intelligence to produce an evolved world. For
instance, the project with the Bandito Brothers, producing the "perfect" car chassis has found success in human interaction
with the machine (by mapping a neural network on the car and then having an experienced driver take it for a ride) and then
taking that interaction and feeding it to a human-designed AI system that then spits out a receptive car design. In essence, I
think that this combination of human, robot, and AI will make manufacturing more efficient than ever, and perhaps put more
focus into innovation and research. Much different from Henry Ford's time, the focus should shift from mass production to
specialized production, making the U.S. society more creative and innovative. If the backbone of the nation shifted from the
fact that we mastered capitalism to the fact that we've mastered specialization, we as a society will become inevitably more
desirable and developed.

13. Module 3
Thread 2: Response to IDEA Awards and Cradle-to-Cradle Video
Which of the 2016 IDEA Gold Award products seems to defy
the Cradle-to-Cradle concept developed by architect William
McDonough and chemist Dr. Michael Braungart? How does
this product resist or disregard the concept? Do you know of
any products that embrace Cradle-to-Cradle design? If so,
please describe.
The Audi on Demand concept from the 2016 IDEA Gold Awards seems the most to defy the Cradle-to-Cradle
concept. Whilst alot of the other Gold winners seemed to boast environmentally-friendly qualities, following Cradle-to-
Cradle's desire to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, the Audi on Demand seems to promote the easy and convenient use of
driving and renting Audi vehicles. Whilst the app idea will probably boost economic activity, the cars in the app are most
likely not to be environmentally friendly. Especially with the addition of convenience, the cars that people will choose to rent
are will be probably be chosen off of price as well; cheaper cars usually being the ones that contribute more to the
greenhouse effect.
A product that embraces the Cradle-to-Cradle concept is the Smog
Free Project developed by Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde. His goal
with this plan was to tackle Beijing's air pollution crisis, and turning it
into a "thing of beauty". The project consists of installing several 7m tall
towers that suck up polluted air in public places. The towers then take
the carbon from the smog particles and turn it into diamonds, which
also promotes man-made diamond production as opposed to diamond
harvesting in unsafe conditions.
http://fourtitude.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/audi-on-
demand.jpg
https://www.studioroosegaarde.net/uploads/images/2015/09
/05/2040/2040-6294-image.jpeg

14. Module 4
Thread 1: Response to All Module 4 Materials
Your readings and viewings this week present different ways of
thinking about architecture, Mies Van der Rohe describes architecture
as “The will of the epoch translated into space.” Andrew Ballantyne
describes architecture as the background for life. Jeanne Gang
describes it as the act of building relationships. All agree that
architecture can change based context and culture. Choose two
works of architecture from any of your materials this week – one with
sensibilities about the past and one with sensibilities about the
present and/or future. How do each of these buildings either reflect
or challenge their cultural contexts?
For this post, I am going to refer to The Wainwright building as work
of architecture with sensibilities about the past, and Jeanne Gang's
Arcus Center as a work of architecture with sensibilities about the
present/future. The Wainwright building set the standard for modern
skyscrapers, unique with its thin metal frame to keep it standing tall.
When it was erected, its height defined it, becoming a standard for
urban architects to not only build buildings that were tall, but where
people "reveled" in its height. The skyscraper was created at a time
when the Industrial Revolution boosted economic activity, forcing
capitalists to find space for their growing companies. Coming from
New York City, our prominent skyline would be nothing without all of
the iconic skyscrapers that grace it.
http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/ed
itorial/a/61/a613bd82-4601-5c76-812d-4b068e03737c/58865fd6cb24d.image.jpg

15. Module 4
Thread 1: Response to All Module 4 Materials (con’t.)
The Arcus Center was designed with an innovative insight towards the goal of its construction. The center was created based
off of a prompt to create a Center for Social Justice where people could come and discuss these issues in a safe,
community space. Gang's team devised a strategy that the best sort of place for the sharing of ideas, with historical context,
was one with a round sitting space and a shared kitchen. They also built in a hearth to promote this idea of warmth and
having an open space; its location thought out to be somewhere of easy access. The Arcus Center is a perfect reflection of
its cultural context -- a university community place where people can not only fuel conversations about social justice, but
also observe and listen.
http://studiogang.com/img/eWFHdVhKZjZBQ01QZHlDVnJXNWtPUT09/1015-arcus-image-011.jpg

16. Module 4
Thread 2: Response to Ballantyne and Zumthor Articles
Andrew Ballantyne and Peter Zumthor present ideas about architecture that seem to value the sensorial and material elements
of life. How are Ballantyne’s and Zumthor’s viewpoints on architecture alike? More importantly, how do they differ?
Ballantyne's and Zumthor's ideals about architecture are
similar in the sense that they connect value to a sensory
concept of design. In a way, both authors describe
architecture as providing beyond what it presents; that the
selling part of an architectural design is not its
practical use, but rather what kind of experience is gained
from it or feeling earned from it. Ballantyne displays this in
his references to the appropriate "aesthetic" to approach
architecture with, and Zumthor applies this by exposing the
"secret passion" behind an architecture's decisions.
They do however; differ in their viewpoints in the primary
reason and being of architecture design.
Ballantyne's approach acknowledges the fact that
buildings can be seen as a form of beauty, but their
function is not so. He claims that recognizing the art
behind architecture is a "special case" and that we
perceive architecture more on a "habitual" basis; i.e. how
everyday interactions with a piece of architecture is how its
meaning is built. Zumthor contrasts this concept by
accepting architecture as its own entity, that it creates its
own meaning sans the people or places it was built for. He
argues that, in a society that is "inessential", architecture
makes its own stand and can "speak" its own language. To
him, society's interactions with architecture don't define it,
but are rather an extension to the true beauty that design
provides.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RmT2rVXTvg4cQR_9i33vBXG3rjpZ90b9r2p_pdGsNSvFHGZMhFSIh2NuwjX8MPSmA_mhHMo=s170

17. Module 5
Thread 1: Response to Levy Article
John Levy’s article, “An Overview: The Need for Planning,” discussed ways in which planning can determine the characteristics
of a place. For example, some smaller towns restrict the heights of buildings to maintain a certain scale. How did planning
define the character of the place in which you grew up?
Reading Levy's article really opened my eyes to the complexity of planning behind
where I grew up. I grew up in lower Manhattan, on the cusp of City Hall, Financial
District, and Tribeca. These three neighborhoods have changed drastically even within
my life time, and it really is due to urban planning and its evolution. For instance, urban
planners had to find a way to modernize these three neighborhoods in respect to their
community purpose, yet also find a way to blend them into each other; sans borders.
City Hall has some of the oldest architecture in New York City, but it had to be modified
for its safety. Rather than reconstructing the City Hall building, they built a park behind
it, and then built a new city hall in the middle of that park. The edge of this park is the
beginning of the Financial District, which had to build up at the pace that the American
economy did. Commercial areas started popping up more and more, turning the
Financial District into a shopping and food center that it hadn't been in the past.
Slightly above that is Tribeca, which grew the most rapid within my lifetime, growing
from a collection of old warehouses and rent-controlled property into a very high-end
Residential neighborhood with waterfront luxury condos. It flourished when the
waterfront was rebuilt into a community area with parks and accessible ports. Whenever
I return home, I always find that something new was built, and something old was shut
down or replaced. With the speed at which society is growing, especially a metropolitan
one, I can completely understand why, but it does make me feel melancholy about the
way things used to be.
http://www.vidiani.com/maps/maps_of_north_america/maps_of_usa/new_york_state/new_york/large_detailed_road_map_of_Lower_Manhattan_N
YC.jpg

18. Module 5
Thread 2: Response to Pruitt Igoe Project, Talen, and Larson
Imagine that you are part of a urban planning and design firm working with Emily Talen (author of “Design That Enables
Diversity”) and Kent Larson (who gave the TED Talk "Brilliant Designs to Fit More People In Every City" The thee of you have
been tasked with developing a plan to rebuild Pruitt Igoe in St. Louis. City officials told the three of you that that they want to
do it right this time. Identify three strategies for rebuilding Pruitt Igoe in ways that promise to be more successful. What would
Talen do? What would Larson do? What would you do? How would your strategies differ from those of the original urban
planners/designers of the project? Why would your strategies be more effective?
Both Talen and Larson emphasize the influence of community that goes into urban planning. Talen focuses more on
diversity, and how segregation to some extent is inevitable, yet place diversity still remains a goal amongst city planning.
Larson tries to maximize the space that a community gathers in, especially in the sense that areas aren't too concentrated
with one particular thing and resources are spread out to be easily accessible by the general public. Pruitt-Igoe was
designed to lift poverty out of the slums, and the original planners tried to achieve that by building them a high-rise complex
with "views better than the richest people in St.Louis". Instead of building upwards like the original planners, I would build
outwards, to create more of a community feel - like a collection of housing complexes within a village sort of space. I
believe that by spreading out, they wouldn't be so congested and segregated, like what happened with Pruitt-Igoe. Talen
would probably try to address the issue of diversity, and it's quite evident that bringing all of the people from the slums
together, doesn't quite bring them out of the slums. In that respect, strategically building several community spaces, rather
than one large open space, would be effective because there would be more diversity even necessity-wise. For instance,
there would be playgrounds for children to play and exercise, but also spaces for college-age students to study. Larson
would maximize the actual residential space, possibly implementing a flexible space that could be re-arranged depending on
the event. This would be more effective because it would make living more comfortable and convenient - overall improving
the relationships of the actual families living together in a cramped space.

19. Module 6
Thread 1: Response to F.L. Olmsted
Displaying his plan at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Frederick Law Olmsted stated that "Buffalo is the best
planned city, as to its streets, public places, and grounds, in the United States, if not in the world." What was the basis for this
claim? Would Olmsted still make that claim today? Why or why not?
The basis for his claim lies in the fact that Buffalo had the original, first of its kind
Urban Park system, connecting the community beyond a physical and visual sense.
Olmsted also aimed to preserve one of the nation's natural wonders, Niagara Falls,
from the quickly rising urban environment taking over the nation. As someone
who found an appreciation for public parks throughout his career, I do believe that
Olmsted would still make that claim that Buffalo is the best planned city, or at least
a very similar one. While other cities in the world have advanced into "greener"
technologies, I do believe that Buffalo hosts some of the most beautiful and well-
complementing parks "in the United States, if not the world." There really is an
appreciation to let nature take over in Buffalo and to let its beauty shine, and the
fact that Niagara Falls has still been preserved in most of its natural form, the
surrounding area consisting of a public park, is probably the largest basis for why
Olmsted would still make the claim today. He started a project to keep it the way it
was in the late 1870's, and it's still the same today over a hundred years later. The
city and its cornerstone parks are still up kept in the way Olmsted has designed
them, labeling Buffalo as an "Olmsted City". Still being described in that way today
is what really makes Olmsted's claim ring true to himself; his original urban
landscape plan proving to be a success.
http://library.buffalo.edu/maps/img/olmstedbuffalonorth.jpg

20. Module 6
Thread 2: Response to Walter Hood’s Work
Identify something that should be memorialized either on UB's campus or in your hometown. Imagine that you are the person
who will oversee this project, and that you are using Walter Hood's 'triad of investigations' as your approach to the
project. What would your landscape intervention commemorate/memorialize? How will you use Hood's 'triad of
investigations' to design a new landscape intervention? What do you imagine that the design will be? (Either written or visual
descriptions are acceptable).
I think an interesting thing that could be memorialized is
the bike path or surrounding area of the Linda
Yalem incident. Each year, UB hosts a safety run in honor
Linda Yalem, who was raped and murdered off of a UB
bike path in 1990. Following Hood's approach to
landscape design, I would want to create a piece that will
make the surrounding community to be able to connect
with the incident beyond just recognition. When Hood
started the Shadow Catcher project, he wanted to
represent a time in history that wasn't previously talked
about on University of Virginia's campus -- African
American slavery and laborers for the University. The bike
path is already ingrained in nature, what can be seen as a
primary function of landscape design, but it'd be
interesting if it could promote what the Linda Yalem safety
run does - assault education and prevention. There could
be public spaces implemented along the path, such as
modernized playgrounds, picnic grounds, benches,
restrooms, etc. so that there will (at most times) be a
crowd. Security measures could be heightened in these
areas as well, and not transparently so that people know
that there is a constant sense of protection. Maybe
implementing an amphitheatre where student groups or the
University can give seminars or talks about assault
prevention and sexual assault, dedicated to Linda
Yalem could really bring the community together in a
space that honors her beyond the bike path itself. A large
inspiration of my ideas, and I'll attach a photo, is the
rebuilt Pier 25 bike path in New York City. When I was
younger, it used to be a barren stretch of concrete
squished between the water, highway, and Chelsea Piers.
Now it's a scenic walk up to Chelsea surrounded by skate
parks, basketball courts, mini golf, playgrounds, and a port
restaurant on a boat. The area is usually crowded
nowadays, and not with tourists but with the community.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Years/2016/16228-UB-Bull-Ride-Sustainable/i-QfGVL3w/0/S/3X5A1043-S.jpg

21. Module 7
Thread 1: Response to the Brooks
The abolitionist poster, the Brookes, is an
iconic image that often is included in
exhibits that explore issues of race and
power. It was commissioned by Thomas
Clarkson in 1788, and the Committee of the
Abolition of Slavery used it to inform and
shock the public. While some consider the
poster as an important component of the
abolitionist campaign, it recently “has been
strongly criticized by some individuals and
groups of African heritage as providing a
very limited view of the history of the
transatlantic slave trade, resistance and
abolition (Hudson 2007).” The lesson here
is that how a viewer sees an image is
dependent upon his/her social, economic,
and cultural position. Keeping this in mind, find another iconic graphic that addresses racial issues and post it for others in
your group to view. (Add it to your response by clicking on the picture in the tools section. Do not add it as an attachment that
needs to be opened.) How do you interpret the graphic? What is its meaning? Now imagine that someone from a racial and
cultural background different than your own is looking at the same graphic. Briefly describe this person. How might s/he
interpret its meaning? How might this differ from your interpretation? What are the possible reasons for these
differences? (Consider the three assessment principles mentioned in the article to help you: a technology of vision, an
instrument of empathy, and a symbol of control.)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7092/7368982346_48a72b21a4.jpg

22. Module 7
Thread 1: Response to the Brooks (con’t.)
This propagandist image was used during World War II in response
to mass industrialization and Japanese involvement in the war. I
interpret the graphic as, quite frankly, offensive as the theme of
treating the Asian community as less than human was very common
at this time. Personally, I feel disgust looking at this picture
because of how inhumane it depicts another race, to the point of
their skin tones being vividly different. The image depicts a
Japanese soldier (from the looks of his hat) getting punched by the
fist of "American Labor". The image, and many like it, was
produced to inspire Americans to take a more active role in the war,
and to be wary of the "evils" of Japanese people, essentially trying
to raise feelings of American nationality. I believe that if someone
from a different cultural background saw this, they might not find it
appealing (in today's society), but I don't think they would feel as
personally offended by it. For instance, a Caucasian person around
my age who grew up their whole life with a strong American
background (i.e. generations and generations) wouldn't be able to
empathize as much with the struggle of Asian-Americans in
overcoming this stigma. I think familial and cultural background
itself is the big differentiator, even more so because the subject of
the photo in "power" is a white American.
http://j387mediahistory.weebly.com/uploads/6/4/2/2/6422481/2246778_orig.jpg

23. Module 7
Thread 2: Response to Charles Davis and equityXdesign’s Work
Critique either the MLK Memorial or the National Museum of African American History and Culture using equityXdesign’s core
beliefs and/or design principles. (Use the beliefs or principles that are most relevant to your critique rather than all of them.)
The Martin Luther King Memorial at the National Mall is a great example of equityXdesign's beliefs. An important aspect of
what equityXdesign tries to employ is the understanding of history amongst the community, and making that history
(especially in terms of equitability) a prime inspiration for design. What equityXdesign is interested in is not the change of,
but the redesign of the thinking process
and how communication can change to be
more represented of currently under-
represented groups. The MLK Memorial
was designed with direct intention to
preserve the history of an active black civil
rights leader, with many historical prompts
behind the design decisions made. For
instance, the location of the 30-ft tall
Martin Luther King statue is the axis
between Abraham Lincoln and Thomas
Jefferson, representing the entire nation's
"struggle with black civil rights". The
quotations on the marble and concrete
crescent wall are from the speeches that
he gave throughout his career. The space
is nothing but direct honor and respect
towards King, and a marker in history of
the political rights movement he stood
behind.
https://files.schuminweb.com/journal/2014/full-size/monument-shoot-05.jpg

24. Module 8
Thread 1: Response to “Landscape Stories” Chapter
First, let’s start with your own home. Describe a place in your home (indoors and/or outdoors) that you
think of as representative of your own ethnic background and discuss why you consider this place to be
‘ethnic’. –OR-- Describe an object in your home that you think of as representative of your ethnic
background and discuss why this object is considered to be ‘ethnic’. (If possible, add photo/s.) Is this
object or place something that you will keep or continue when you establish your own home? Why or
why not?
In my own home, in the living room on a raised shelf, are Chinese jade
and porcelain vases. There is a gold statue of an emperor and a
porcelain goddess. Although i grew up in a neighborhood with a small
population of Asian-Americans, I was always able to recognize the
difference between my home and the others by little aspects attributed
to the Asian-American lifestyle. On Chinese New Year each year, we
put out a table setting of oranges and candies. These small details are
considered "ethnic" because they were traditions instilled in my parents
by their parents, and that they've instilled in me. When I get older, I
definitely want to continue adding the small details that relate back to
my culture
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/12/15/article-1338790-0C7DBE8E000005DC-734_468x592.jpg

25. Module 8
Thread 1: Response to “Landscape Stories” Chapter (con’t.)
Now let’s move into your community. In “Landscape Stories,” the authors show how landscape
architects develop a historical narrative that sifts through and interpets the culture and material of
underrepresented groups. Think about the community where you grew up. Describe and discuss any
evidence of cultural influences on the physical environment in your community. If possible, describe
evidence of the cultural influence of an underrepresented group. (If possible, add photo/s.) Is this
cultural influence being acknowledged or preserved from future generations? Why or why not?
Continuing that, I want to refer to NYC's Chinatown
for my community, since I've spent basically half of
my life growing up there. Chinatown maintains
many cultural influences from the original Chinese
immigrants who moved there and started to build a
community. Open air fruit and vegetable stands,
Buddhist temples, Chinese herbology shops are all
examples of honoring heritage. Unfortunately, I
don't think the cultural influence is being preserved
well and is instead being phased out by basic
American capitalism. Gentrification has started to
take over Chinatown3
, increasing property prices,
and forcing many Chinese to give up their business
when their children don't want to take over. I hope
to see this reversed sometime soon, but only the
future will tell.
3
"The Pleasures of Protest: Taking on Gentrification in Chinatown." Longreads. March 08, 2017. Accessed May 01, 2017.
https://longreads.com/2016/09/06/the-pleasures-of-protest-taking-on-gentrification-in-chinatown/.
http://new-york-chinatown.info/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2015/04/chinatown-1-
960x600.jpg

26. Module 8
Thread 2: Response to article on Sports Branding
Recent controversies about sports branding focus on ethnicity. The Washington Redskins team is just one example of the
larger controversy, but it receives the most public attention due to the name itself being defined as derogatory or insulting in
modern dictionaries, and the prominence of the team representing the nation’s capital. Should sports team branding designers
use ethnic references (Fighting Irish, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Braves, etc.)? Why? Why not? What are some of the complexities
of this issue?
While I don't agree with the way Native Americans have been
represented in our white-supremacist history, I don't think that the
same issues of forced assimilation are the same today. I think that
ethnic references for sports team branding are acceptable if there's
an established mutual respect between the ethnic group and the
group that wants to use the name. There are undoubtedly many
complexities, of course, with more than just the target ethnic group
being offended. From another perspective, teams could lose many
loyal fans by changing a (sports) historically grounded team name.
It's imperative, I believe that there must be a balance or
compromise between the aforementioned groups in order to make
ethnic-reference usage appropriate.
http://prod.static.redskins.clubs.nfl.com/nfl-assets/img/gbl-ico-team/WAS/logos/home/large.png

27. Module 9
Thread 1: Response to “Visualizing Gender” Chapter
In their chapter “Communicating Gender,” Maya Ganesh and Gabi Sobliye discuss two primary visual advocacy approaches:
1) get the idea, and 2) stories in data. Find a new example of either of the two visual advocacy approaches to gender issues,
and post it in this thread. Cite the source.
First, identify the approach. Then explain how the designer uses the approach to communicate a gender issue. Is the approach
effective in this example? Why or why not? How could this graphic be improved?
http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2013/10/women-should-ads
The ad campaign featured in the above link, created by UN Women is a prime example of Ganesh and Sobliye's method,
"Get the Idea". The designers behind the project, Memac Ogilvy and Mather Dubai use the method by incorporating real
Google searches about women over a visual of a woman's mouth. Since the campaign includes women across multiple
ethnicities, it is suffice to say that the issue is a global one and doesn't just occur in specific societies. I think their approach
is very successful, because it is minimalistic (aesthetically appealing), easy to understand, and is easily identifiable with. The
use of Google searches was a huge asset to the design function, since Google is one of the most frequently used search
engines in the world. However, in that sense, it maybe could've been improved by showing the results of search engines in
different countries/languages that may depict the same sort of trend. For instance, if the Asian woman's face had a
Baidu search about gender inequality over her mouth, it would relate more to members from that cultural group.

28. Module 9
Thread 2: Response to “Bathroom Bill”
Last year, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed into law a bill
that repealed local LGBT anti-discrimination laws, and required
people to use the bathroom that corresponded with the biological
gender written on their birth certificates. This prompted massive
backlash. McCrory stated, “You know, we all have to make
adjustments in life. And we’ve had the proper etiquette situation for
decades in our country, and all of a sudden through political
correctness we’re throwing away basic etiquette.” Just this past
Thursday, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a bill to repeal
the law while placing a moratorium on nondiscrimination measures.
Should people be required to use the bathroom that corresponds with
the biological gender written on their birth certificate? State why AND
state why not. In other words, to receive full credit for this question,
you need to present an argument for both sides of the issue. As a
designer, how would you solve this gender dilemma?
I do not believe that people should be required to use the bathroom that corresponds with their biological gender. We are
living in a generation that has just started to accept people of different sexual identities, and halting that is not progressive
behavior. In order to become a more open and accepting community, we have to respect each other's differences. As seen
in Mark Addison Smith's study of queer writing on bathroom walls, the separation of sexes leads to a non-
inclusive environment, with people in men's bathrooms scared to share who they are based either on the hate-graffiti they
write or on the homosexual tendencies their writing may exhibit.
I do however; see the other side of the issue, that separating genders in bathrooms is more of a safety issue than an
inclusion one. If a transgender male goes into a male bathroom, there is no secure way of saying that she will not be hate-
targeted in the bathroom, or won't feel uncomfortable having to use the bathroom amongst a gender that she doesn't feel a
part of. As a designer, I think a solution would be to have all three options, male bathrooms; female bathrooms; and unisex
bathrooms in most/all public settings. Using the bathroom is using the bathroom and at the basis of human biological needs,
we all have to use it eventually - and people should be able to do their business wherever they feel most comfortable.
https://cdn.theatlantic.com/assets/media/img/mt/201
6/05/RTX2E99F/lead_960.jpg?1463683764

29. Module 10
Thread 1: Response to Hidden Ways
Author Steven Flusty categorized five types of disciplinary architecture that perpetuate what he calls urban spatial injustice: 1)
stealthy, 2) slippery, 3) crusty, 4) prickly, and 5) jittery. Go out into the city of Buffalo, and find/photograph two examples from
the list of five. Identify what type of space you’ve photographed and why it might discriminate against a specific
population. Identify the location where you took the photograph, and make certain that you are in at least one of the two
photographs.
My first picture (Exhibit A) depicts an area outside of
Lockwood Library. It promotes the idea of Stealthy,
because it is a hidden downstairs park-foliage
looking area. I'm honestly not sure what purpose it
serves, and it's not labeled at all. The stairs are pretty
steep too, so they would be inaccessible to many
different people. I'm not sure who actually goes down
there, but rarely do I see anyone go albeit it being
always open. It's even a little eerie, because it's so
abandoned.
The second picture is me outside of an exit in
Clemens 123. The exit goes directly into grass/mud,
promoting the idea of Slippery because it would be a
difficult area to get across if ever used. I'm pretty sure
it's a fire exit, so if someone disabled, or not wearing
the proper footwear would get stalled and possibly
cause a hold up in a time of emergency. I'm not sure
why the designer didn't just continue the road a little
bit through the grass to avoid this problem.
(Picture not to be shown because I look gross in it)
(Exhibit A) Chang, 2017

30. Module 10
Thread 2: Response to People Like Us
After almost two decades of public assistance, Tammy Crabtree took
herself and her family off the welfare rolls. But her job cleaning
bathrooms at a local Burger King barely paid the bills. Crabtree wanted
to do better and hopes to go to college and become a teacher.
Imagine this scenario. You are a designer who works at the well-
known firm, iPD (Integrated Planning and Design). You work on a team
with planners, urban designers, policy designers, architects, and
social designers. You have been tasked to develop/design a way for
Tammy Crabtree and her family (and others with situations similar to
Tammy’s) to move themselves out of poverty. What will your team to
do to help Tammy and her family achieve their goals? What approach
will your team take to address this difficult problem?
I definitely applaud Tammy for the efforts that she has personally
made for her family. If I were in the position to help her, I'd first off
solve the problem of transportation in her area. She walks 10 and a
half miles to work, and has a car with no resources to fix it. A rural
public transportation would really benefit families like Tammy's
because it would save them time to get to work and provide a safer
route for them. Even a carpool or bus system could be easily
implemented. I'm not sure where the closest school is to her home,
but having easier access to public education and higher education,
would benefit her personal growth and her children's. Imagine she
worked at a Burger King on a college campus. She could go from
work to class, and pave the way for her children to get a college
education. While it's easier said than done, I truly believe that an
improved sense of infrastructure in the public transportation and
education sector will take these families in rural poverty towards
better living.
http://pre12.deviantart.net/e7fe/th/pre/i/2010/117/8/4/the_lo
ng_and_winding_road_by_geordiedave.jpg

31. Module 11
Thread 1: Response to Carroll Article: “(Re)forming Regent Park: When Policy does not Equal Practice”
The development of Regent Park is phased, and there are several more phases to the project. What actions could be taken to
ensure more social integration for the older people living in the ‘new and improved’ Regent Park?
I think that Regent Park's
designers have the right
ideals, but are just confused on
how to implement them. Having
user-inclusion with the planning
of the residence is very
important because they are the
ones who will be living there,
who can bring up habitual
problems that professional
designers may not recognize. I
think that the community itself
should be more
integrated, especially in terms of
a disability-friendly living
space. I think that interactions
between the old and the young
are beneficial to the
development of a community
setting. The designers of Regent
Park focused on interactions to happen along the main walkways or when residents are getting their mail, for instance, but
this segregates the elderly since they can only do those tasks at a much slower rate, if at all. Something interesting for
perhaps families and elders who are retired is maybe implementing a volunteer daycare system where working families with
children can leave their young with older residents during the day. This would prove great interactions amongst three
generations, and gives the elderly something to do during the day and the young someone to look up to as a caretaker.
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02785/hands_2785083b.jpg

32. Module 11
Thread 2: Reponse to Enriquez TED Talk: “What Will Humans Look Like in 100 Years?”
For this question, we will focus on Juan Enriquez’ Life Two civilization, which alters fundamental aspects of the body. We are
living longer than ever before in human history. Enriquez argues that, because of advances in bio-medical technology, the
possibility of living to 120 years of age and beyond is quite possible for many of us in this D+D class. Assuming that his
assertion is accurate, how do you think extended life spans will change our societies and built environments?
What new issues might designers face because of extended life spans?
I really enjoyed the end of Enriquez' talk, where he got almost emotional about how the changes we make today are setting
up our great (great great great) grandchildren to explore and see things we can only dream of. Assuming that humanity will
evolve into the ways he's explained, especially in today's society of improved bio-med technology, I believe that there will be
very big changes to accommodate society both structurally and physically. Having an extended lifespan will mean that there
will be progressively more and more people living at a single time. We barely have enough resources on Earth (hence the
search for an Earth 2.0), so there will need to be more space to accommodate the growing human population. Designers will
be tasked with either designing new environments for us to live in, or figuring out alternate solutions to scarcity issues. For
instance, if we could live in the deep ocean that's expanded living capabilities right there. Or, if we could biologically
program ourselves to be able to survive off of less energy/food, that could ease scarcity.
http://ming3d.com/DAAP/ARCH8001SP16/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/city-of-future-wide-high-resolution-wallpaper-desktop-background-photos.jpg

33. Module 12
Thread 1: Response to PPT, Smithsonian, and Roy
The two most frequently mentioned models of
disability are the ‘social’ and the ‘medical’ models.
The medical model of disability views disability as a
medical ‘problem’ that belongs to the disabled
individual. The social model of disability, in contrast,
draws on the idea that it is society that disables
people, through designing everything to meet the
needs of the majority of people who are not
disabled. There is a recognition within the social
model that there is a great deal that society can do
to reduce, and ultimately remove, some of these
disabling barriers, and that this task is the
responsibility of society, rather than the disabled
person.
In the Smithsonian online exhibition, the story about
the superhero hand, and Elise Roy’s TED Talk, you
saw examples of ways to engage disability that use the social model rather than the medical model. In the Disability
and Design PowerPoint, you were introduced to the concept of Universal Design (UD) (sometimes called inclusive
design, design-for-all, or human-centered design). Certainly, UD embraces the social model of disability. In this same
PowerPoint, you saw positive and negative examples of each of the seven principles of universal design.
For the Module 12 Thread 1, please select one of the seven universal design principles, and post photographs that
show both a positive and a negative example of the principle. Then address the following question: How do your
examples empower or disempower various people? Describe the specific features of the positive example and the
specific features of the negative example. Discuss ways that the positive example could be even further improved.
https://static01.nyt.com/images/2015/02/17/science/17COVERH
AND/17COVERHAND-master1050.jpg

34. Module 12
Thread 1: Response to PPT, Smithsonian, and Roy (con’t.)
For this thread, I chose to present the Perceptible Information principle. My negative example is exhibit A, which depicts a
crosswalk button. These buttons are used in areas where there is more car traffic than foot traffic, so pedestrians have to
push the button for the light to change.
Exhibit A is very confusing, and doesn't really explain
what happens next. The placement of the buttons
themselves are kind of arbitrary, and one arrow even
points in the direction of the pole. Honestly, something
like this would disempower someone like me who is
from a city, and is used to the lights just changing. If I
just saw this, with little-to-no information on how it
works, I'd probably ignore it and be waiting to cross
the street forever.
Exhibit B is a much more advanced version of exhibit
A, and represents my positive example. How the cross
button works is very clear, and you can tell that it's
linked directly to a traffic light by the symbols it uses.
Exhibit B empowers the everyday person who may be
encountering this sort of crosswalk for the first
time. The directions are very clear on how it works, and
I think the only complaint or improvement is that
perhaps it isn't in braille so blind people can't really
read it.
https://ublearns.buffalo.edu/courses/1/2171_14992_COMB/db/_3693688_1/
embedded/buttons-without-feedback%281%29.jpg
https://ublearns.buffalo.edu/courses/1/2171_14992_COMB/db/_3693688_1/
embedded/7.jpg

35. Module 12
Thread 2: Response to Survey, FIXED, and Stelarc
Our 2017 Design-A-Baby survey yielded the following characteristics as indicated by a majority of you:
Sounds like an all-around lovely person!
Currently, we have the technology for you to choose many of the survey
characteristics in your future child, and this ability to choose poses some
ethical questions. Of course, we all want the best for our own child.
However, as we move into a more collective situation, we need to
consider how the consequences of majority choices for children might
change who we are as a species.
In the film trailer FIXED, you were introduced to the dilemma of living in a
culture in which the “science-fiction of human enhancement” has become
almost a way of life, from prenatal genetic screening to bionic body parts.
In the video, “A Man with Three Ears” you are introduced to an artist who
is using current technology to move humans beyond their current abilities.
Last week, Juan Enriquez asked us if it is ethical to evolve the human
body. All of these videos suggest that the concept of disability ‘as we
know it’ could cease to exist in the future.
This leads us to this week’s discussion question:
What lessons do you think we should learn from history when thinking about emerging enhancement technologies
and reproductive technologies? What are some of the possible consequences (both positive and negative) of being able to
design our bodies and the bodies of our children? What ethical quandaries do these technologies pose?

 Sex: Male (47%)
 Hair Color: Dark Brown (22%)
 Hair Texture: Wavy (33%)
 Eye Color: Blue (26%)
 Race: Caucasian (36%)
 Height: 5’-10” to 6’-1” (45%)
 IQ: 131-140 (20%)
 Memory: Excellent (43%)
 Athletic Ability: Excellent (43%)
 Weight: Average (79%)
 Disease Carrier: None (85%)
 Beauty: Somewhat attractive (46%)
 Empathy: Very empathetic (38%)
 Creativity: Very creative (37%)

36. Module 12
Thread 2: Response to Survey, FIXED, and Stelarc (con’t.)
I think there's a lot that we can learn from
history when thinking about these emerging
enhancement technologies, specifically the
speed at which the technology is being
developed. The conception of
prosthetics, as Enriquez stated in last
weeks module, have gone from being an
item designed for its original purpose to
becoming technological innovations
created with the purpose of furthering the
limb's original purpose. We have created
bionic legs that run faster than humans,
studied genome splicing and reproductive
technologies so that we can create "super"
children, and we can even print prosthetics
from a 3-D printer4
. While this is great in
terms of how far we've come within such a
short amount of time, it's certainly
important to think about the societal
whiplash that comes with technological
innovation; especially ones designed to enhance the individual. In the film trailer, FIXED, it's mentioned how our abilities to
be able to essentially design our children how we want them can cause genetic castes in the future. In a sense, we have to
worry about not becoming too "power hungry" and jump back to our roots. It's also mentioned that we put a lot of funding
into research and design behind all this technology, but we can't even cover basic health care. It's issues like this that make
it necessary to take a step back from all we've accomplished technically, and to look at how it reflects us humanistically.
4
Enriquez, Juan. "What will humans look like in 100 years?" Juan Enriquez: What will humans look like in 100 years? | TED Talk |
TED.com. Accessed May 03, 2017. https://www.ted.com/talks/juan_enriquez_what_will_humans_look_like_in_100_years.
http://images.parents.mdpcdn.com/sites/parents.com/files/GettyImages-569966583.jpg

37. Module 13
Thread 1: Response to Titicut Follies:
The state of Massachusetts tried to ban the 1967 documentary Titicut Follies,
arguing that director Frederick Wiseman had violated the patients’ rights by not
getting written permission to film them. The case went to court, and Wiseman
argued that he had consent from their legal guardian, the institution. After a judge
ruled in favor of the state, the legal appeals carried on for several years: in 1969,
Massachusetts allowed the film to be shown to doctors, lawyers, and health care
professionals; in 1991, a superior court judge ruled it could be released for the
“general public,” as privacy concerns were no longer at issue, so many years later.
Should Wiseman have been allowed to film the residents of Bridgewater
Massachusetts Correctional Facility? Why or why not? How might this film be of
value to designers (communication designers, product, designers, architects,
interior designers, planners, landscape designers, systems designers, and/or social
designers)? In other words, what might they gain from this film that they could use
in their work?
While I completely understand how the court ruled the case, and that them being filmed without written consent is a violation
of privacy, the Bridgewater Massachusetts Correctional Facility violated way more of the patients' basic human rights. So
while deemed inappropriate because the film is something that was meant to be publicly viewed, the private mistreatments of
these people just get swept under the rug? In this sense of comparison, I think Wiseman should have been allowed to film
the residents especially since its purpose was to bring to light the malpractices of the mental health sector.
This film would be of great value to designers in many ways. A designer's job is to find a creative and efficient solution to a
problem whether it's societal (e.g. communication campaign design), specific (e.g. prosthetic design), etc. This film
presents a problem at large, especially in a way that multiple designers' skills would be needed to "resolve" it. I think the
biggest problem is the social structure of the hospitals, with guards and doctors on somewhat of a power trip since they
justify themselves, through authority, to mistreat these residents. A system designer who organizes the facilities social
structure could pave paths for how other mental institutions, hospitals, or correctional facilities could be more efficiently
organized. An interior designer could resolve the fact that their "rooms" are essentially barren cells with no contribution as to
how this arrangement helps their mental health.
http://static.rogerebert.com/uploads/movie/movie_poster/titicut-follies-
1968/large_v9alKxaEGOYVtlVo0H6Z5cLxJh8.jpg

38. Module 13
Thread 2: Response to PPT, The Architecture of Autism, Public Space (con’t.)
Prelude: Wolf Wolfensberger's seminal work "The Origin and Nature of Our Institutional Models" posited that society
characterizes people with intellectual disabilities as sub-human and burdens of charity, He argued that this dehumanization,
and the segregated institutions that result from it, ignored the potential productive contributions that all people can make to
society. He pushed for a shift in policy and practice that recognized the human needs of those with intellectual challenges and
provided the same basic human rights as for the rest of the population.
The Scenario: Imagine that you and your four children live in Amherst, New York in a $650,000 home at the end of a cul-de-
sac on the edge of a ten acre woods. The town has purchased a one acre lot three houses away from yours, and plans to
build a group home for ten intellectually challenged adults.
As a resident of the neighborhood, would you support or oppose this proposal and why?
You've learned additional information about the residents of the proposed group home in your neighborhood. In 2013, three of
the ten intended residents exhibited challenging behaviors including screaming, public masturbation, repetitive rocking, and
echolalia (elective incontinence). However, these behaviors have not occurred since then.
How would this change your opinion about the construction of the group home in your neighborhood?
The residents in your neighborhood voted (14-3) to reject the town of Amherst’s proposal to build a group home in the
neighborhood. Town officials agreed that the home would not be built in your neighborhood if you and your neighbors could
develop a workable alternative.
What are some possible solutions that would allow the residents of the home to be
provided with “the same basic human rights as the rest of the population”?
https://static01.nyt.com/images/2006/08/27/realestate/27nati_culdesacs.1.600.jpg

39. Module 13
Thread 2: Response to PPT, The Architecture of Autism, Public Space (con’t.)
As a resident of the neighborhood, I would need more information on the plan of the group home before I could oppose or
support it. After the readings, I believe that it is in fact important to include people with intellectual disabilities as contributing
members of society and not as charity cases. If the group home was designed to segregate these individuals, then I would
probably oppose it, but if the home was built to help these individuals transition into a more normative way of life, then I
would be in full support. Learning about the behaviors of the intended residents doesn't really suade my opinion (the latter
one) because the whole point of the home would be to prevent this from happening regularly. A staff that teaches residents
the appropriate behaviors in society may help to further integrate them societally. Some possible solutions, other than a
group home, may be a group community space? That way, they aren't all gathered together 24/7 and can adjust to having a
sense of regularity in their schedule, i.e. instead of waking up and going to work like most adults do, they may wake up and
head over to the community space. This might also prove more affordable to families who are interested in the project but
may not have been financially able to send their child to live there.
http://www.advocate.com/sites/advocate.com/files/2017/03/08/autism-750x563.jpg

40. Module 14
Thread 1: Response to The Connection Between Religion and Urban Planning by David Engwicht
In his article, David Engwicht discusses the fact that religions (of all types) have played major roles in the development of our
cities. Today, places of worship are primary components of almost all urban centers. Author Lorne Daniel writes “From their
often active role in supporting people who live in city centers to their iconic influence on design and use of space, religious
structures tell us a lot about our history, our current needs, and where we might be headed in the future. This is an aspect of
our urban future that planners and urbanists should attend to.”
Identify a place of worship with which you are somewhat familiar. (If you are not familiar with any places of worship, do a bit of
research on one in your own city or town.) Show a photograph of this religious structure. (You may use photographs from the
web.) What roles has this place served in the development of your city/town? How has it influenced the design of the area
around it? How has its role changed over time? What roles could this place of worship play in the future development of your
city/town?
I am from New York City, so I will refer to St. Patrick's Cathedral. This church has really developed into the landmark
attraction it is today. Around Christmas time, St. Patrick's is one of the most popular touristic sites in the city, bringing in
people from all over the world to revel in it's grandeur. The church is located in Midtown Manhattan, close to other tourist
areas such as Rockefeller Center and Times Square, and it's role has blossomed into the face of Gothic architecture in New
York City. In the future, I think that St. Patrick's will continue to be an NYC staple and probably more protected as the
architecture gets more and more fragile. It will probably develop in the far future to becoming more of a precious relic,
similar to the Vatican.
https://saintpatrickscathedral.org/photoalbums/restoration-photos/front%20view.jpg

41. Module 14
Thread 2: Response to Prospects for the Future of Diversity and Design
Consider the quote in your syllabus from educator Michael J.
Shannon: “Design, as vision in action--the intersection of
understanding and creation--is a universal human capability that can
play a fundamental role in social evolution, in the process that
transforms resources, energy, and information to make our
world.”
At the beginning of this course, we discussed the idea that we are all
designers regardless of our profession or field of study. We’ve asked
some big questions along the way, and the conclusion section of our
textbook raises additional issues that require input from people who
might not consider themselves to be part of the formalized design
professions.
Think about your own major and/or future profession. What is the
biggest challenge, problem, or question that your field needs to tackle
right now? What do you plan to do to address this challenge, problem,
or question either as part of your studies or professional life?
My current major is Marketing and International Business, with a minor
in Graphic Design. I think a great challenge that the industries face
right now is actually integration of the two. Alot of artists have the
talent, but may lack the necessary business and interpersonal skills
they need to make a living off of their passions. Integration of the arts
into business would also be beneficial to the business world because
it'll inspire more creative and innovational thinking, which could evolve
the "corporate" business industry as we know it. When I enter the work force, I plan on using what I learn about design
thinking and graphic design to inspire more out-of-the-box thinking in the field. I'd also be interested in investing my time
and career into assisting those in the arts field. Entrepreneurship stems from passion, and successful entrepreneurs need
the qualities of successful business owners in order to hone in on making a career out of what they love.
https://images-na.ssl-images-
amazon.com/images/I/51Y4AxPoLLL._SX379_BO1,204,203,2
00_.jpg