Project 3

1. University at Buffalo – State University of New York
ARC 211- American Diversity
and Design
Andrew Mamarella - Spring 2017

2. Introduction:
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. Taking this course
has influenced me as a designer by making me more
aware of universally inclusive design. The biggest thing
that surprised me from taking the course was just how
many people can be affected by bad design. I found the
course especially beneficial because I hope to one day be
a successful architect
“Design is a response to social change.”
-George Nelson

3. Week 1-Thread 1:
This thread provides you with an opportunity to
"meet" each other and initiate a connection with
participants in your group. In responding to this
discussion thread, please introduce yourself and
provide us with one interesting fact about
yourself. After posting your introduction, take a look
through and reply to some of the others. The purpose
of this exercise is to develop a sense of community.
You might find that you share similar experiences and
can help each other in many ways throughout the
semester.
Hey all. I'm Andrew Mamarella. I'm a freshman
architecture major here at UB. Something interesting
about me is that I have a black belt in taekwondo. I also
enjoy snowboarding, watching the New York Giants, and
cars.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/New_York_Giants_logo.sv
g/1280px-New_York_Giants_logo.svg.png

4. Week 1-Thread 2:
On “What is design?” from Hello World: Where Design
Meets Life by Alice Rawsthron
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?
The invention of the radio was an important invention. It
gave advantage to the middle and lower classes in the 1930's
and 40's. It impacted social life for Americans by diverting
their attention from the tragedies of the Great
Depression and WWII to cultural things like baseball games,
music, plays and news. The radio to this day still has a large
impact as every single car has one. Furthermore, it has
evolved into our music streaming services like Spotify and
Pandora that many of us use today.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Radio_svg_icon.svg/2
000px-Radio_svg_icon.svg.png

5. Week 1- Thread 3:
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.)
An invention designed for a diversity would be button
operated door for handicapped people. Normal doors,
design, require a certain amount of pulling force to be
opened. For someone who is physically handicapped,
applying that amount of force may not be feasible. Thus,
an electronically operated door was invented. By just
pressing a button, the door opens automatically so the
person using it can enter the building with ease.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/Handicap.svg/1000px-Handicap.svg.png

6. Week 2-Thread 1:
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?
I would categorize the pictures shown in "Photos that
Changed the World" under the "media message" section.
This is because I feel the pictures do not convey information
pertinent to the other categories. These photos were taken
by media outlets to portray powerful messages of some of
the more horrific consequences of mankind.
A photo I find powerful that was taken in my lifetime is the
picture of the three FDNY firefighters lifting the American flag
after the tragedies of 9/11 at the World Trade Center. It
conveys a powerful message of unity and strength that,
regardless of your political beliefs, everyone as an American
can/should rally behind.
http://i2.cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/160927104012-911-firefighters-flag-restricted-super-
169.jpg

7. Week 2-Thread 2:
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 are vehicles of communication design because
they both try and get a message across to an audience. The
red "Make America Great Again Hats" carry a - albeit
debatable - meaning of patriotism. The pink hats carry a
message of feminist views and beliefs. They are very similar
in the fact that they both try and get a message across via
design. However, despite these similarities, they are also
very different. Aside from the obvious, the red one being a
rightist view and the pink being a leftist view, the way the
message is put across is very different. The red hats have
text printed clearly on it to make the message obvious. The
pink hats are more inferential.
http://imgur.com/OFYhsP3

8. Week 3-Thread 1:
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?
Henry Ford's assembly line impacted society by making
the production process much easier and faster. It proved
to be so successful that it is still used currently by
manufacturing companies. The manufacturing process
has evolved with the help of technology and will
continue to evolve as technology does. For example, the
majority of car manufacturers use a robotic and computer
controlled version of the assembly line, with the exception
of high-end companies like Ferrari and Rolls-Royce.
Within the next 20 years, it is not irrational to think that
technology will evolve to help create and build more
intuitive designs. We are already seeing the use of 3-D
printing and the use of CNC/Laser cutting machines.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/Henry_ford_1919.jpg/120
0px-Henry_ford_1919.jpg

9. Week 3-Thread 2:
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.
Cradle to cradle is a concept created to inspire
smarter, more eco-friendly designs in things we produce.
The obvious product that conflicts with this concept is the
Rolls-Royce Dawn. With poor gas mileage and C02
emissions on top of the fact it uses an incredible amount
of non-renewable resources it is evident it was not a
design with the planet in mind. The Tetrapot however, is
designed with the planet in mind. It is used to help spawn
new life in dying coral reefs. This is particularly important
because, due to water pollution, coral reef ecosystems are
disappearing at an alarming rate. If we lose coral reefs, not
only do we lose a thing of beauty for us to look at but many
species may become extinct as well.
http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2016/10/TetraPOT-by-Sheng-Hung-Lee-2.jpg

10. Week 4-Thread 1:
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?
A piece of architecture that I really enjoy and reflects
sensibilities about the future is the Aqua building. It’s
located in Chicago and is built like to the same height and
typical apartment skyscrapers. However, it addresses
problems of human interaction in most buildings. The
architect, Jeanne Gang, designed it with offset balconies
and terraces on each floor to promote neighbor interaction.
The Virginia Capitol Building is a piece of architecture that
strongly resembles past sensibilities. When Thomas
Jefferson, the architect behind the building, designed it, he
wanted to go against everything architecture at the time
represented. He decided to base it off of Greco-Roman
work due to the ties to democracy of Greece and Rome.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2382/5745059206_26a863abd8_b.jpg

11. Week 4-Thread 2:
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?
Both Peter Zumthor and Andrew Ballantyne agree that
buildings and architecture should be appreciated in more
of a functional sense than just an aesthetic sense. They
feel people should appreciate how the building and its
materials coexist with its users.
They also differ in respect to some views. Ballantyne is
more focused on the design and aesthetics and how they
are the most important aspects of buildings. Zumthor feels
the way a building functions, not how it looks, is the most
important part of architecture.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/San_Pietro_in_Montorio%2C_from_
Serlio_%28Character_of_Renaissance_Architecture%29.png

12. Week 5-Thread 1:
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?
I grew up in the small town of Patterson, NY. Its
located about an hour and a half north of Manhattan. The
main businesses in town- a supermarket, a small complex,
some pizzerias and deli- are located on the main road that
leads to the highway and connects up to the
neighboring town of Carmel. This planning assists in
drawing people in to town by forcing them to drive by major
businesses every time they use the main road. This helps
build the local economy and draw citizens together.
http://u.realgeeks.media/goodhomeshudsonvalley/putnam-county-map.jpg

13. Week 5-Thread 2:
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?
The Pruitt-Igoe project was a failed attempt at providing
public housing to the city of St. Louis. In my eyes, it failed
for two main reasons: lack of regular maintenance and
existence of racial tension. The lack of upkeep resulted in
shockingly poor living conditions. There was frequent
flooding due to freezing pipes in the winter. When the
water would freeze, it would create dangerous walking
conditions in the buildings. The racial tensions added to
problems by sparking a crime and violence spree within
the complex.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/5810154674_d676f85826_o.gif

14. Week 6-Thread 1:
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?
Before Olmstead's park system was destroyed due to
highways, Buffalo was a thriving city that was laid out
perfectly. Everything seemed to flow from the location of
parks to more commercial areas. Downtown was
accompanied by unobstructed views of Lake Erie. Once
the Humboldt Parkway was built however, the whole
aesthetic that made Buffalo so great was ruined. As a
result, I do not feel that Olmstead would be very happy
about present-day Buffalo.
http://bnwordpress.s3.amazonaws.com/wpcontent/uploads/sites/19/2016/04/Oversize0
1Feb014.jpg

15. Week 7-Thread 1:
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.) (NOTE: Limit your response to
less than 250 words.)
The way I see this picture is a young black woman and a
young white woman are sitting next to each other at a
counter. They appear to be drinking soda, however, the
white woman looks visibly displeased to be sitting next to
the black woman.
As a Korean-American I cannot accurately put myself in
either person shown shoes. But If a black person were to
look at this, I think they might feel a bit angry as this may
have been something they’ve experienced.
http://i2.cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/140407084132-restricted-07-civil-
rights-horizontal-large-gallery.jpg

16. Week 7-Thread 2:
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.) (NOTE: Limit your response to less than 250
words.)
I feel that the MLK memorial possesses the core design
principal of recognition. Martin Luther King Jr was one of
the most influential people to ever walk the face of the
earth. In return, a memorial was built in Washington D.C
for him. It features many of his famous quotes and thus
recognizes his achievements.
https://summitvoice.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/mlk.jpg

17. Week 8-Thread 1:
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?
Now let’s move into your community. 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? (Limit your response to 250 words.)
Being in a house where I, along with my siblings, were all
adopted, there’s not much to represent our background. I
feel we all don’t really care too much that we are from
different backgrounds. However, because we were raised
in an Italian household, we do participate in Italian
traditions (pasta on Sundays).
Community wise, I don’t live in very ethnically diverse area.
As a result, there also isn’t much to represent the ethnic
background of my community. The only possible thing I
can think of is the naming of some restaurants as we have
a large Irish based population.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0f/Flag_of_South_Korea.png
http://flaglane.com/download/italian-flag/italian-flag-large.png

18. Week 8-Thread 2:
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? (Limit your response to 150 words.)
I don't believe that there is a problem regarding sports
teams using ethnic references. Are there better ways to
brand? Of course, but current teams, like the Redskins,
shouldn't go about changing their whole brand. Things are
only offensive if we as a society interpret them that way.
The Redskins name does not aim to offend anyone
and, while it would be ignorant of me to say it doesn't
offend anyone, it shouldn't be interpreted in an offensive
manner. http://prod.static.redskins.clubs.nfl.com/nfl-assets/img/gbl-ico-
team/WAS/logos/home/large.png

19. Week 9-Thread 2:
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? Use the SEE-IT method to respond to this
question. (Limit your response to less than 250 words.)
Yes, people should be required to use the bathroom that
corresponds with their gender written on their birth
certificate. This is because gender cannot be manipulated.
Sure, you can have surgeries done and you can "identify"
as whatever gender you like, but that doesn't make you
that gender. I understand times have changed and it's a
more unique world but that does not change basic
fundamental biology. There is also the issue of comfort.
For example, if people are allowed to use whatever
bathroom they want to regardless of biological gender, a
45-year-old man can share a restroom with 5-year-old girl
and that doesn't sit right with me and many others as well.
That being said, I'm not trying to discriminate against
transgender people I just think that there are better
solutions. Some of the solutions are already being put into
practice like gender neutral bathrooms. These can be
found right here at UB in Capen Hall.
http://www.cakeworld.info/_/rsrc/1402821665105/transsexualism/gender-
symbols/Transgender%20sign.png

20. Week 10-Thread 2:
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?
The first step I would take would be to relocate Tammy and
her family to an area with economic opportunity and
prosperity. A city like Buffalo would actually be perfect. It's
not nearly as expensive to live in Buffalo as it would be to
live in a larger city like New York. Secondly, there's plenty
of colleges nearby that her children can enroll in, pay in-
state tuition and not pay room and board. There's also
much more economic opportunity as there are plenty of
jobs both downtown in Buffalo and in the suburbs. Though
Buffalo isn't what it was, it has begun to thrive again in
recent years and Tammy and her family could be a part of
that resurgence.
https://blogs.worldbank.org/voices/files/voices/end-poverty-logo.jpg

21. Week 11-Thread 1:
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?
One action that could be taken to socially integrate elderly
people in Regent Park is making social places and places
where elderly people go most often all easily accessible.
This could be done by building these places all along the
same street or, if the places already exist, can be done by
making faster routes/pathways. The reason for doing this
is because elderly people have although time traveling.
Physically they may be unable to walk and drive so by
making places they go most often nearby and making
them easier to access, elderly people will socialize more.
https://www.torontohousing.ca/capital-initiatives/revitalization/Regent-
Park/PublishingImages/Pages/default/16-02-
19_Regent_Park_Site_Plan_Phasing_Layout_3%20%281%29.jpg

22. Week 11-Thread 2:
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?
Extended lifespans will change built environments in many
ways. Anything designed and built will need to be
constructed of materials that can last longer. Also, no one
knows what the human body does as you approach and
go beyond 120 years so the idea of new technologies that
could be developed to support the human body is another
way built environments will change.
http://www.meatpoultrynutrition.org/sites/default/files/nutrition/EvolutionM.png

23. Week 12-Thread 2:
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?
I think we can relate this to Hitler trying to create the Aryan
Race. The way he did it was unforgiveable and
unequivocally diabolical and gruesome. Had he had the
technology we have today, however, he easily could’ve
succeeded. And that is what we have to worry about when
“designing” babies. In my opinion, I feel we should just
nature do its course and not interrupt. In some situations,
if there’s a high risk of birth defects because of pre-existing
conditions of the parents, then possibly “designing” babies
could be an ethical choice.
https://realizethelies.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/genetic_engineering.gif

24. Week 13- Thread 1:
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?
I feel Wiseman should have been allowed to film residents at
Bridgewater Correctional facility. But because correctional
facilities and courts are state run, obviously, that wasn't going
to be the case. Years later when the film was released, it
revealed the cruel treatment of the inmates. The release of
the video could be of value to designers for many reasons.
The leading reason would be to learn from the past and
design better facilities. If facilities are designed better, it will
allow them to be run more effectively.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/PjYEEbDGJIM/Uk7dEpRPnnI/AAAAAAAAJ0c/AC0pXkglGcU/s1600/titicut+follies.jpg

25. Week 13- Thread 2:
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?
I would probably be opposed to the construction of the group
home. It has nothing to do with the fact that they're mentally
handicapped but rather the lack of intelligence in the decision
making by the town. If the house is around $650,000, its
obviously in a more upscale neighborhood with wealthier
people. The town should be more aware than to place a group
in wealthy neighborhood where there are going to be more
complaints.
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?
I understand that mentally handicapped people can't control all
of their actions so this doesn't change my opinion at all. The
main problem I would have would be with the town on choosing
the location.
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”?
My solution would be to find a more private lot nearby. While i
strongly feel, all handicapped people should feel included in
society, in some cases, it is best that are more secluded. That
being said, the new location wouldn't be in the middle nowhere.
The people in the home would still be nearby to main points of
interest. They would just be living more secluded.

26. Week 14- Thread 1:
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?
A place of worship in my town is Scared Heart Parish in
Patterson, New York. it's a small Roman Catholic Church in
the Putnam Lake area of my town. It has served for many
years as gathering spot for the small lake community
surrounding it. It has affected the design of its surroundings
by creating small businesses to support the town that formed
around the church. Over time due to lack of funding and
people moving out of the area, it has lost significance sadly.
After a period of time where it looked like it was going to shut
down, people in my community bonded over the love of the
parish. because of its survival, it's can affect the development
of my town by bribing people together.

27. Week 14- Thread 2:
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?
The biggest challenge in architecture is sustainability in
terms of construction. With environmental problems
becoming an even more serious concern, the built
environment is going it be impacted in many ways. As an
aspiring architect, I feel it is my duty to design sustainable
building systems in terms of how they are constructed, what
they are constructed of and how they decompose over the
years. If architects, and designers in general, take into
account those three factors, the world can become a much
more livable and environmentally friendly place to live.