This document contains a student's responses to online discussion questions for a course on American Diversity and Design. In the responses, the student discusses topics like the impact of designing for disabilities on general design, innovations in the U.S. that impacted society, how designs have been impacted by diversity groups, examples of images that changed public perception, and how manufacturing processes may change in the future. The student provides thoughtful analyses of these topics and cites relevant examples to support their points.

1. University at Buffalo – State University of New York
ARC 211 – American Diversity and Design – Spring 2017
Online Discussion Questions
Ben Swart
https://tableat.wordpress.com/research/

2. Hi my name is Ben and I’m a sophomore in Industrial Engineering. Diversity and Design has entirely changed the way I look at the world as
a designer and engineer. This course has brought so many important issues to light. One of the biggest impacts to my thought process came from
learning about designing for people with disabilities first, and then seeing how that design applies to non-disabled people. If a designer spends the
time to make a widget geared towards a certain minority, often the design comes out better than it would have if only regular consumers were the
initial target audience. Every week of this course, I learned something new about design. From how the city of Buffalo was planned and designed to
the growing ethics challenges that come with the ability to live longer and modifying human traits and qualities. Before this course, I was interested
in product design, but felt I was missing some key human factors knowledge. Diversity and Design has taught me how to look at a problem and not
only come up with a solution, but develop a unique way to solve the problem and then some. Designing for one is designing for all. The valuable
lessons I learned in this class about inclusion, creativity, equality, and ethics will stay with me forever.
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.
Eliannae Enriquez

3. Response to “What is design?” from Hello World:
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 I 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.
The invention of the 3D printer has made a massive impact in the scientific and engineering
community. One of the first 3D printers was created by Chuck Hull in 1983. This product has
come so far from when it was first created. 3D printers are now being used to create human
organs, rocket parts, and buildings!
This impressive technology has allowed engineers and designers to print out scaled down
models of his or her design in the physical world. 3D printing is one of the more current
languages of engineering. Having a cheaply made replica of a design in hand, allows the
engineer to demonstrate his or her concept to non-engineers in a more intuitive manner.
There are some disadvantages to 3D printing. Some say that because of 3D printing, many
people will lose their jobs in manufacturing environments. 3D printers are now being
purchased at the consumer level and the market for them is growing at an astronomical rate.
It is only a matter of time before everyone has a 3D printer at home. Just like how ink
printers have replaced typewriters, 3D printers could eventually replace multiple
manufacturing methods.
https://folgertech.com/products/folger-tech-ft-
5-large-scale-3d-printer-kit

4. https://endmyopia.org/contact-lens-prescription-and-
glasses-prescription-do-they-correspond/
Response to 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.)
Contact lenses are a good example of a design that spawned from societal needs. Before
contact lenses, use of glasses was the only way people with impaired vision could see
correctly. As a glasses/contact user, I have grown to have a great appreciation for my
contact lenses.
Glasses are not fit for a variety of environments, to name a few: Sports, Construction,
Firefighting, etc. To have an object on resting on your face and head is typically not
helpful in a stressful environment. It is easy for glasses to fall off, break, or even cause
damage to the user when they experience any shock or fast motion. For example, I was
playing soccer one time and my glasses fell off when I made a quick turn and kicked
the ball. If I was wearing contact lenses, I wouldn't have needed to stop play, and pick
up my glasses in the middle of a sporting event.
The need for a more low profile design for vision aid helped bring about the design of
contact lenses. With lenses, one can go about any activity that someone without glasses
could. Swimming underwater is just about the only activity that is not suggested for
contact users.

5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Women%27s_M
arch#/media/File:Women%27s_March_on_Washingt
on_(32593123745).jpg
Response to Media/Society and TED Talk:
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?
The Ted Talk demonstrated how images affect the way we live our lives. The
images used in the presentation were mostly direct representations of problems
or tragedy in the social world. For example, the picture of the student who was
shot during a protest turned out to cause more protest and uproar. Another
example that was shown, explained how the Vietnam War was practically in the
living rooms of the American people every day. These images showed the
horrors of the war. The media industry used video and audio technology to
actively report day to day happenings in the war. Many events were shown in
the reports, ranging from gunfights to grilling burgers. The media did not hide
the awful scenes of death and violence with the harshness of the war and
pushed through graphic media products to the American people.
Attached is a picture of the Women's March in Washington D.C. The image
communicates the anger, frustration, and unity of how people are dealing with a
current situation. Many people are holding signs that display words of kindness
and equality to signs of anger and sadness.

6. https://shop.donaldjtrump.com/collections/headwear
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 hats are a major vehicle of communication because they are used to spread
awareness, gain fellowship, stand out, and they have a clear message. A hat is a
basic accessory that most people have worn at one time or another. From a
marketing standpoint, a hat is a prime communication device because of its location
(on your head). For example, the Trump hat has a short, but deliberate message,
“Make America Great Again”. It communicates in words, what Trump stands for or
rather how he views his own campaign.
Both hats carry a similar meaning in some ways, and different in other ways. In a
similar sense, the hats convey a sense of unity and belonging. They also make a
statement. The pink hat exemplifies woman’s rights, equality, and a gives off a “we
won’t take this” feeling. On the other hand, the red hat demonstrates a “we’ve had
enough, we need change” vibe.
Similarities in communication design are shown in both designs through color
choice, font, type of design (hat), and strength in numbers. When multiple people
wear the hats, it sends an incredibly strong message and allows people to express
their unity with one another. A good example of this was during Trump rallies.
Thousands of people wore the red hats. Sometimes, Trump even wore one as well.
The hats differ from each other in a communication design sense because one has
text on it while the other doesn’t. The pink hat didn’t need any text on it because it
had the uniqueness of the cat ears. If the red hat did not have text on it, it wouldn’t
have the same effect as the pink hat because a plain, solid color, baseball cap is far
too generic to stand for anything.

7. http://www.manufacturingglobal.com/lean/293/Futur
e-manufacturing:-Smart-factories-smart-applications-
and-social-integration
Response to “Industrial Design” by John Heskett:
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?
Heskett explained how Ford’s use of assembly style production revolutionized the
industry of making things. Though the assembly line production method was
effective, it sort of caused the factory worker to become “the other”. “The other”
is a concept where a person or group of people are dehumanized in such a way
that their “superiors” can treat them with less dignity than what they deserve. In a
very extreme case, an example of “the other” are Jewish people during the
Holocaust. But in a less obvious sense, Henry Ford created “the other” with his
assembly workers. The workers lost a sense of individuality in many cases. When
a person is operated like a machine, he or she loses one’s sense of individualism.
This new social change allowed for greater growth between the poor/middle class
and the upper (boss) class. Some of these changes in our social environment still
hold today, but not so much in the United States. The U.S. is moving towards an
individual manufacturing society. Our assembly workers (for the most part) are
based in foreign countries like Mexico and China to name a few. In areas where
the main industry is manufacturing and assembly, people are still being creatively
oppressed just like the workers of Ford’s assembly line.

8. Continued…
We are in an age of amazing technology. Conti demonstrated how our development of new technology is on an exponential time
curve. We are coming up with new ideas and manufacturing methods faster than we ever have in human history. It’s exciting to be
part of the “maker” revolution. In the past 10 years, great strides have been made in the individual design, prototype, and
manufacturing scene. For example, only a few years ago 3D printers were thousands of dollars. But today, with less than $500 you
can buy a kit to make a 3D printer and assemble it yourself. This affordable option is allowing the average consumer to make
virtually anything they can think of from prototypes to functional widgets. In the TED Talk, Conti discusses how generative design
is coming to fruition. With generative design, we will be able to solve virtually any engineering problem when it comes to structural
optimization. Because we have technologies like computer-aided design (CAD), desktop 3D printing, and even desktop machining,
the maker culture is upon us. Although mass manufacturing and production will most likely always be needed, individual making is
decreasing the need for people to buy replacement parts. Right now, if I owned a desktop computer numerical controlled (CNC)
machine, I could create virtually anything that is within an 8-inch bounding box. For example, if a metal part to my blender broke, I
could redesign the part and replace it myself. In the future, I imagine that CAD files for almost every item will be available online
for purchase. This will eliminate the need to go to the store or even order parts online. Why buy brand new, when you can make
replace broken parts yourself with just a few clicks of a computer mouse?

9. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1240116767/ed
ible-cutlery-the-future-of-eco-friendly-
utensils?ref=project_share
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? Provide an example of any products that embrace
Cradle-to-Cradle design, please describe and cite your source(s).
From the 2016 IDEA Gold awards page, the HTC Vive goes against the grain
of Cradle-to-Cradle design. The Vive appears to be made of non-recyclable
thermoplastics. This indicates that the end life of the product was not really
considered by designers and engineers. The Vive was created as a hardware
medium for relatively new virtual reality technology. It was designed to
strongly support the software and allow for intuitive and comfortable human
interaction. Ultimately, the device itself is made to be seemingly non-existent
to the user. The outer form of the Vive is aesthetically pleasing because of its
rounded shape and large porous form on the outer shell. It's also lightweight
so it can comfortably be worn by the user. This product will end up in a
landfill once the user has broken it or when newer versions come out. Yes the
product is very cool and it does its job, but it does not help the environment
with its design.
A great example of Cradle-to-Cradle design is the Edible Cutlery. This project
was crowd funded through Kickstarter and raised over $270,000 with just over
9,000 people donating. The cutlery was designed to be used in third world
countries where manufactured goods are hard to come by. Not only is the
utensil environmentally friendly, but it is entirely edible. It’s made with flour
from rice, wheat, and sorghum. It will never take up space in a landfill. The
manufacturing of Sorghum flour is immensely environmentally friendly as
well. It takes less electricity and water to make the edible spoons than it does
to make traditional disposable, plastic spoons. Factory CO2 emissions are also
more than 80% less than that of traditional plastic manufacturing. The product
is used as a tool, manufactured in a clean way, and can be disposed of cleanly
or eaten with little to no effect on the environment, making it one of the best
Cradle-to-Cradle designs of recent times.
Sarah Munir. “kickstarter.com,” kickstarter,
March 18, 2016. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1240116767/edible-
cutlery-the-future-of-eco-friendly-utensils?ref=project_share

10. http://www.archdaily.com/576630/arcus-center-for-
social-justice-leadership-studio-gang
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 on 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? (Use the
SEE-IT method to respond to this question.)
Egyptian pyramids are a prime example of historic architecture. The environment of
Egypt consists of vast landscapes of sandy plains and dunes. Areas in the middle of the
desert lacked water, vegetation, and food. This makes designing buildings and religious
structures fairly difficult in the respect that there weren’t many construction materials.
The Egyptians worked with what was available and they constructed massive pyramids
with the main ingredient being the Earth that they walked on and stone. Geography
played a big role in the way architecture was done around 3000 BC. Building technology
was mostly reduced to simply carving, pushing, and pulling by hand (or many hands) to
create religious statues, residencies, and pyramids. Because of the cultural background,
architecture had firm restrictions. Lack of material variety shaped the way architecture
was in early Egypt.
In a more modern period, Jeanne Gang explains how the Center for Social Justice came
to fruition. Universities are places of teaching, learning, and collaborating with others.
The entire idea of a university is to bring people together and to share ideas. In order for
this to happen, one university wanted a specific building to solidify this feeling of
cultural sharing and communication. Gang helped design the Arcus Center with
community and meeting in mind. During the design process, she looked to very simple
structures that were used for meeting places around the world. This gave her a good idea
of how the layout of the Arcus Center should be. The design of the Center for Social
Justice includes a large circular sitting area in the center of the building with a modern
style fireplace. Leading to this meeting area, are three curved open hallways that
encourage people to convene in the center area. Jeanne Gang wanted to create an
easygoing environment to highlight communication and collaboration between students
and faculty.

11. http://www.henninglarsen.com/media/888822/render
_5.jpg
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? (Use the SEE-IT method to respond to this question.)
Ballantyne stresses the importance of the need for buildings to serve a purpose. He
explains that buildings are much more than just aesthetically pleasing structures. The
main reason buildings are even constructed relies on their engineered function. In the
excerpt, Ballantyne demonstrates that without human interaction, buildings and
architecture don't really have depth. In other words, human interaction makes the
structure and architecture come to life. Habitual activity is referenced throughout the
reading. Human nature is incredibly habit based when analyzed closely. For example, in
the United States, children go to elementary school, middle school, and then high
school. For the better part of 15 years, we go to school every weekday aside from
summer and holiday breaks. This is an immensely habitual act that is shared throughout
our nation. The schools that we go to are mostly brick and concrete buildings with very
simple styles. Buffalo public schools are a great example of simple boxy structures.
They are purpose built and designed with the intent of housing a multitude of students
and teachers while creating a non-distracting learning environment.
Zumthor discusses architecture from a more artistic and creative stance. Throughout the
reading, Zumthor uses vast imagery to explain how he sees architecture. He describes
the way architectural features speak in a poetic way. For example, he states, "There is a
magical power in every completed, self-contained creation." By this statement, I feel
that Zumthor differs from Ballantyne's perspective. Ballantyne explains how buildings
are almost nothing without the people they were made for, while Zumthor asserts that
every work is a work of art and beauty (regardless of human interaction).
Even though both Architects have some different views, they both agree that
Architecture of a home is in many cases, a status symbol and a way that people
expresses themselves. Ballantyne exclaims that people use homes to gain friendships,
host company, and hold daily activities. Zumthor seems to agree with this when he
states, "Every building is built for a specific use in a specific place and for a specific
society." Both also would agree that Architecture and design are forms of common
sense type problem solving with a creative flare. The two architects demonstrate the
importance of effectively using space and designing buildings with purpose.

12. http://discoversaugerties.com/
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?
I grew up in a town called Saugerties, NY. Saugerties lays in the Hudson valley
region about 2 hours outside of New York City. In the village, there are many small
businesses, apartment buildings, and a lot of antique shops. Outside of the village,
the township is a much more rural and wooded area.
My town has a wide range of dwelling styles. For example, on one street in my fire
district, there is a large gated community with huge modern, mansion style estates.
On a directly adjacent street, there is a fairly large trailer park with very poor
maintenance and many vacant lots. I always thought it was peculiar to drive
through that area and see both ends of the financial spectrum in just two adjacent
streets.
Before I was born, IBM was a booming company and just outside of Saugerties in
Kingston, NY, there was a large IBM plant that supplied jobs to thousands of
people in the area. Because of this infrastructure, Saugerties planners developed an
area called Barclay Heights. This housing plan uses a very similar raised ranch
style home with a foyer that leads to two sets of stairs, one to the basement and one
to the kitchen and bedrooms. These houses were all built with the intent of housing
the people who worked at the IBM plant. 25 years later, the Kingston IBM plant
has now been shut down and many people have left the area.
Now, most of the incoming money comes from tourism. Private urban planners
recently built a seasonal horse showing arena to bring in foreign tourists. During
the summer months, our village is bustling with people from all over the country.
In my lifetime, I’ve seen a significant change in the construction style, tourism, and
lifestyle in my town. A lot of this has ultimately come down to the way Saugerties
was originally planned out. IBM is an example of how planning didn’t account for
a major aspect of town culture disappearing. Many people have left the area in
search for more affordable housing and more infrastructure.

13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ5Elbvvr1M
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?
Pruitt Igoe started failing as soon as it was constructed. Most of this failure is attributed to
poor maintenance or lack thereof. It seemed like a good idea in planning, but it lacked many
key components of a successful urban design. Talen, Larsen and I would take a vastly
different approach to this planning failure.
Larsen’s main goal is to create a more communal environment for city-dwellers. During the
TED talk, Larsen explains how urban planners are using a strategy of setting up multiple
urban cells that contain virtually every necessity for living. These cells are designed to allow
inhabitants to walk to everything in 20 minutes or less. This style of design encourages
vehicle sharing, walking, and ultimately less need for busses, cars, and subways. It’s apparent
that Larsen is dead set on creating an environmentally friendly transportation system. Such a
system could be set up in a newly planned city and I feel that it would work out almost
perfectly.
Talen is more focused on bringing together diversity. Much of Talen’s article describes how
racial diversity contributes to urban planning problems. Pruitt Igoe demonstrated that racial
divide was a contributing factor to its downfall. Talen explains that people from various pay
grades need to live together in harmony to create a balanced and equal environment. If Emily
Talen was in charge of rebuilding Pruitt Igoe, she would pay special attention to housing style
and cost to create a more socialist environment.

14. Continued…
If I was in charge of redesigning Pruitt, I would drastically change the building
style. For starters, I would implement a biking/walking system that entirely detached
pedestrians from motor traffic. I feel that this will encourage exercise,
environmentally friendly, and more communal living. Instead of large high rise
apartments, I would look into smaller, efficient homes that surround a larger high-
rise business district. 3D printing would also play a major role in road construction
and house development. The whole concept of the city would be revolved around
minimalism and would encourage multi - cultural people to work and live in.
My strategies would be more effective in a few different ways. The use of concrete
3D printing takes away the need for expensive building materials and construction
equipment. All of the money saved in start - up costs could be applied to a massive
progression in feeding the homeless and getting people on their feet in times of
hardship.
Below is a link to a video of a house that can be finished in 24 hours and costs only
about $10,000 to build. Not only is this structure small, but it is energy efficient and
many can be clustered into an area to promote communal growth.
https://all3dp.com/apis-cor-3d-prints-small-house/

15. http://www.chicagofirewire.com/national-
wire/line-of-duty-death-19-year-old-firefighter-
jack-rose-mt-marion-fire-department-ulster-
county-new-york/
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?
Olmsted designed with nature as his muse. To this day, he is credited with designing and creating
some of the greatest parks in the world. There is a crucial need for keeping people in touch with
nature and Olmsted was deeply in touch with this need. “A city within a park” was the slogan
used to describe how Buffalo was developed. From Central Park, Niagara Falls and Buffalo, it is
clear that mixing industry and nature is important to create an effective balance for life.
In the early 1800’s Buffalo was a booming city. From all the traffic that the Erie Canal and the
Great Lakes generated, Buffalo was in a “golden age”. Because of the wealth that circulated
through the area, government officials wanted to show how prestigious the region could be.
Olmsted was in charge of developing the great park system that is still seen today more or less.
The claim that Buffalo is the best-planned city spurs largely from the creation of these 3 massive
parks. The tri-park system was the first of its kind and the public loved it. All three parks were
connected through series of parkways. This created a flow that made inhabitants feel like they
never left the park. With nature so close to work life, Olmsted helped create a very connected
and soothing environment. To effectively include parks into an industrial environment took a lot
of time, investment capital, and careful planning.
Today, Buffalo still has an imprint from the tri-park system that Olmsted designed. The park
system that Olmsted made has attracted people to the Buffalo area ever since it was built. For the
most part, Olmsted would still be content with how the space in Buffalo has changed in some
ways and remained the same in others. His idea of creating natural landscapes resonated with
people in the Buffalo area, so much of his work has been preserved. Many parts of the original
parks are still used and enjoyed today. On the other hand, some of Olmsted’s design has been
enveloped by industrialization and the need for faster travel routes. Over time, some of the
delicate parkways have been reduced to ugly concrete and blacktop highways. Olmsted would
not be happy with this because he had a passion for nature and was very against ugly
infrastructure. After viewing how hard Olmsted fought to keep Goat Island preserved, it’s clear
that the more park space available, the better. Buffalo still demonstrates the careful planning that
went into its park development, and without Olmsted, the area would not be the connected city
that it is today.

16. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140608203708-
14736918-street-of-the-day-lincoln-parkway-buffalo-
ny
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).
Two years ago, I responded to a heavily involved house fire. During the operation
of putting out the fire, A 19-year-old firefighter became distressed, fell
unresponsive, and later was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. This caused a
huge impact on our community and will never be forgotten. If I was in charge of
creating a memorial, I would design a first responder walkway in my home-town
of Saugerties, NY to honor past and present emergency service personnel.
Firefighters, police officers and EMS are a crucial part to American townships.
Many of these service workers are volunteers (especially firefighters and EMT
responders). My home-town environment specifically includes hundreds of
volunteer firefighters who risk their lives regularly for the good of the community.
Foot travel is a big part of daily life in the village of Saugerties. To appeal to the
mundane, the walkway would replace an existing stretch of sidewalk in the middle
of the village. It would consist of memorial bricks or stone with names of past first
responders etched into them. This would bring the sacrifice that first responders
make to life in a useful way. Street travelers would be able to admire all of the
people who served the community while walking to their favorite restaurant or
shop. The sidewalk is a great opportunity for a memorial because it is already
something that is getting used daily. The first responder community would be
commemorated in such a way, that people may start to see them in a different
light. The third triad of investigation would be realized in the sense that many
people in Saugerties have family in the various emergency service departments
and it would really bring respect and honor to those who have lost their lives while
protecting the community. A foot-path with names of responders would be a
powerful way to depict the culture of our town.

17. https://www.quora.com/Why-were-segregated-
drinking-fountains-always-built-so-close-to-each-
other
Response to the Brookes:
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.)
The graphic in the attachment is a famous image taken in the mid-1950’s. Pictured is an African
American man drinking from a water fountain labeled, “Colored”. Adjacent to the colored fountain is a
white fountain. It’s clear that the separate but equal policy was not valid. Color was associated with
worth in the 1950’s and the image boldly shows how the worth of a black man was less than a white
man’s. If a black, middle-class male were to analyze this picture during the 1950s, his view would be
similar to mine in the sense that the water fountains were clearly not equal. The black fountain is
clearly smaller, lower, and downstream from the white fountain which is visibly in better condition. At
the time, unequal treatment of African Americans was normal and societally acceptable. As horrible as
it sounds, a black man from this time period may not think twice about the image because it was a
societal norm. Racism and segregation were normal in the 1950’s and I imagine that a black man of
the time would look at the sign for colored’s in disgust, but drink from the colored water fountain in
fear of stepping out of his bounds. It’s difficult to think about how something as simple as drinking
water was segregated in the United States. The main reason for this differences in my thoughts vs. the
1950’s man come from education, time change, equality laws, and people like Martin Luther King Jr.
who fought valiantly for people of all colors to be treated fairly and equally across the USA.

18. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Martin-Luther-
King-Jr-National-Memorial
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.) (NOTE: Limit your response to less than 250 words.)
The MLK Memorial is a massive stone sculpture that depicts a standing Martin Luther
King Jr. This statue towers at 30 feet tall and is known as the Stone of Hope. Set behind
the figure of MLK are two granite slabs that represent the “mountain of despair”. The
memorial originates from Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech where he
states, “Out of a Mountain of despair, a stone of hope.”
Radical inclusion is demonstrated in the MLK Memorial because Martin Luther King Jr.
united people who were left out as secondary class citizens. The message Dr. King
conveyed was one of acceptance, kindness, and love. The mission was to create a more
equal environment for blacks and whites to coexist in.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s Memorial highlights design principle 2. Dr. King was well
aware of his existence and his purpose. The memorial has writing on the mountains of
despair that show who MLK was and what he preached. An example of one of his
statements, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of
comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
This quote makes it clear that MLK was well in touch with how he viewed the world.
Design principle 4 is also apparent in the memorial. MLK made the invisible visible by
peacefully protesting and leading marches for equality. The memorial radiates the power
and leadership that MLK represented with its huge 30-foot height.

19. http://www.newsmax.com/US/confederate-flag-
controversy-south-carolina/2015/06/23/id/651867/
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?
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? (Limit your response to 250 words.)
At home, there is a flagpole with the American flag flown from it in my front yard. The American
flag stands for and represents a number of things. Many would agree that it stands for nationalism
and pride in our country. It also represents who we are and the freedoms we have as an American
people. The flag not only represents my American ethnicity, but it represents all of the different
ethnic backgrounds that mix together to form a unique American culture. More importantly in my
family, the flag stands for brotherhood in the fire department. When I own a house, I plan to have
an American flag displayed in my yard to act as a reminder of who I am and what I stand for.
Many people from South American countries have impacted the town that I live in. For example, a
few of these underrepresented families have started small businesses that contribute to the
town's economy and culture. One restaurant, the Tango Cafe used to be a prominent
establishment where salsa dancing and live music was always happening. The family that owned it
brought rich Latin American culture to a predominately Italian, Irish, and Dutch settled town. This
cultural influence is being preserved in the town because other salsa dancing places have opened
up. This will allow cultural traditions to be shared for the following years.

20. http://www.clipartkid.com/washington-redskins-
logo-cliparts/
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? (Limit your response to 150
words.)
Overall, all sports teams should stop using ethnic references in team names.
It's completely unnecessary to bother with offensive names when there are
perfectly good animals to name teams after. Gover stated, "I never learned
anything at school in Oklahoma that made me proud of my Native American
ancestors." This leads me to believe that although many argue for keeping
ethnic names in sports, they are often offensive to the culture in which they
reference. For example, the Redskins football team name is highly offensive
to some Native American people. I'm not personally offended by it, but I
understand how someone of Native American descent would be.
This issue is complex due to the gray area that surrounds it. For some, a
name like the Braves stands for strength, courage, and athleticism. Others
may see that name as culturally offensive because the name creates many
assumptions about Native American people that are incorrect.

21. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/534732155737877242
/
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?
This approach utilizes the "get the idea" method that was discussed in the reading. Girls and
Boys are constantly associated with certain activities, objects, and interests. There is this
constant assumption that someone will be driven towards a certain stimulus based solely on
gender. The designer of this image used very common stereotypical examples of what
"boys" and "girls" gravitate towards based on his/her sex. By showing numerous examples,
the illustrator demonstrates the idea of "beating a dead horse". The specific examples make
the reader identify with them and question if each object or activity is explicitly associated
with one sex. The approach is very effective because it sends a clear "get the idea" message
through clear images. The graphic really doesn't need much revision because it clearly
demonstrates the message of gender "norms" and how there needs to be more inclusiveness.
Although, I would remove the animal footprint, the airplane, and the cell phone from the
male bubble and take away the palm trees from the girl bubble because they aren't as clear
in meaning.

22. http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/23/health/transgender-
bathrooms-trump-q-and-a/
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? Use the SEE-IT
method to respond to this question.
The bathroom issue is easily one of the most controversial topics of 2016 and 2017. Both sides
of the argument have relevant points, making it tough for law makers to sanction rules
regarding the issue.
People should be required to use the bathroom that is associated with his or her birth gender
because if a man walked into a women's bathroom, many people would be upset. For example,
someone who has young daughters, may feel uncomfortable with letting them go into the
bathroom where men go. This has been seen at Target stores where transgender people were
openly encouraged to choose the bathroom of their choice. The following video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSrvrUCELiI shows a man expressing his concerns with
the Target bathroom policy. For the reason of privacy, general comfort, and assurance,
bathrooms should be used by a same biological sex basis.
Conversely, bathrooms should not need to be used based on gender because most bathrooms
have stalls and the act of actually going to the bathroom is still mostly private. The only mixed
interactions would be at the sink and walking in and out of the restroom. This shows that by
allowing either sex in the bathroom of their choosing would be pretty harmless. Perverted
people are going to do wrong no matter what bathroom they are in and regardless of biological
gender, sexuality, etc.
To resolve this issue, I would simply have standard men and women's bathrooms with the
inclusion of a unisex, handicap, private bathroom in between the standard restrooms. This
takes away any concern with shared bathroom space and eliminates this problem.

23. Photo: Ben Swart
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 photographs, and make
certain that you are in at least one of the two photographs.
The first two pictures I took are of a bridge near the Ellicot dorms of UB. This
type of space would be considered "stealthy". The bridge is open to the public but
is really only accessed by university students who are in walking distance. It is set
back from the road far enough that when driving by, it's hidden in the trees during
the summer months. If one did not live on UB campus or have a car, getting to
this bridge would be very difficult.
Image number 3 is of a rather aggressive looking gate that surrounds the hot tub
deck at the Villas on Rensch housing complex. This image represents "crusty"
because it discriminates against anyone who tries to come in after the time of
10:30 PM and all citizens who are non-residents of the complex. The gate detours
anyone from accessing the hot tub deck for safety and liability reasons.

24. https://www.pond5.com/stock-
footage/8990092/rundown-double-wide-trailer-
hillside.html
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 do to
help Tammy and her family achieve their goals? What approach will your team take
to address this difficult problem?
After seeing this video it's clear that a true lack of education has contributed to the
hardship that Tammy and her family face. Location also plays a huge role in this situation.
It seems that the family lives quite far from the nearest grocery store, or any commercial
entity for that matter. Without a car, it's difficult to get around effectively in such a rural
area. It appears that Tammy and her family exist in Generational Poverty.
If I were to try to help Tammy and her family, I would give her a series of steps to follow.
The goal would allow Tammy to move from Generational Poverty to Working Poor, and
then into the Working Class.

25. Continued…
1) I would have her enroll for as much free government assistance as possible. Tammy is in no position to care for her
family without it at this point.
2) Spend a day sorting through all of the garbage and scrap in the house and in the yard. I bet within a day time, over $100
worth of stuff could be sold or scrapped for money.
3) Have Tammy save $100. Assuming that she could do that in a couple of months. With that money, she could buy a
brand new bike or even 2-3 used bikes. With a bike, Tammy could ride to work and literally be there in less than an hour.
Where she lives the geography is perfectly flat. This would drastically change her entire life. I'm assuming Tammy is
currently working part time considering that she wastes 7 hours of the day walking. With a bike, Tammy could work full
time and double her salary if not triple it.
4) Get Tammy's kids to work. At their age, I (along with most adolescents) had a job or two. They could landscape, work
at a retail store, or Burger King. Again, once they had some small capital, the two boys could invest in bikes as well which
would increase the time they could work. At this point, with 3 people working 40 hours a week at a minimum wage job,
they could be netting $978 a week before taxes. This would literally put them above the poverty level.
Assuming that Tammy owns the trailer and didn't have any car payments, the family could move from Generational
Poverty to a Working Class if they just put in some in some really hard work and time. This could all be done without a
private company stepping in.
To make this process even better, I would install an assembly line style factory to support an entire community. With a 1
month training program, a community of poor, jobless people could be transformed into a working class community.

26. http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/elderly-
men-exercise-at-a-public-park-high-res-stock-
photography/547992849
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?
Overall, the redesign of Regent Park was a failure. The buildings for the elderly were
far too tall for effective, reduced mobility travel. The plan was to make a more in
touch community when in fact the new phased plan did the opposite.
One of the main issues that contributed to the lack of social integration within the
senior community was the location of the entrances to each complex. The diagrams in
the reading demonstrate how poorly planned the entrances were. If designers paid
closer attention to resident interaction and community, the area would have turned out
better. Instead, developers and investors looked to build a market-driven community
that made social relations between classes difficult.
A large community center with activities geared towards people over the age of 65
could benefit the senior community in a huge way. It sounds silly, but to my
knowledge, there really isn't a senior citizen amusement park. If one was put in place,
seniors could have a common meeting place with easy access for those with mobility
issues. Such a complex would include large meeting areas, a concert venue for live
entertainment, group physical therapy classes, classrooms for meetings and club
activities, and a community clubhouse/bar. An environment like this would attract not
only residents but tourists as well which could help fund residential housing plans for
low-income earners.

27. https://permaculturenews.org/2014/08/11/artificial-
versus-natural-genetic-modification-perils-of-gmos/
Response 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?
The idea of altering the human body to increase performance is scary in some cases,
but incredible in others. Juan speaks about how we are now able to modify cells
through groundbreaking technology. For example, my youngest brother will be a part
of this experimental Leukemia treatment known as CAR T Cell Therapy. This
advanced treatment involves the modification of cells in the immune system in such a
way that allows them to specifically target Leukemia cells. We are just learning the
power of cell modification and all of the applications of it aren't even thought of yet.
Extending the human life span to around 120 years of age could create many
difficulties in the world of design. One problem involves decreased mobility. Elderly
people have many issues getting around from going up and down stairs to walking to
the bathroom. More advanced systems would need to be put in place to allow these
very old people to move around with ease.
More elderly people in public spaces could theoretically slow down many processes.
Not to disrespect the elderly, but often older people move at a slower pace when
driving, walking, and working. If people over the age of 100 are out and about more
frequently, time could become a factor in many areas such as driving, shopping, etc.
To counter these issues, designers will have to come up with new ways to speed up
mobility for older people.
Designers may also need to create better ways to keep elderly people in their own
homes when they are sick or need aid. By using sensors and webcams, older people
can spend more time at home and less time at hospitals and nursing homes. With
webcams, doctor appointments can be done in the home and people who are at risk of
falling can be monitored 24/7.

28. https://www.pinterest.com/flexdunbar/build-a-
wheelchair-ramp/
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.
Both of my examples demonstrate "equitable use". The first picture is a massive stair set.
This large stair set may empower a young child after he/she climbed to the top. Conversely, a
person with a broken leg who uses crutches may feel disempowered because getting to the
top of the stairs could be a very timely and difficult task. A person bound to a wheelchair
would most likely not even be able to reach the top of the stair set due to mobility issues. The
extensive stairs make people with mobility issues feel disempowered and left out.
The second picture is of a wheelchair ramp that's next to a small stair set. Ramps empower
the elderly and people in wheelchairs. The low angle and steady incline allow people with
mobility issues to get to the landing of the building at their own pace. Having easily
accessible handrails also gives disabled people confidence if they feel uneasy on their feet.
The ramp could be improved if a motorized walkway was installed similar to those at
airports. Typically the walkways are actually exclusive to wheelchairs, but a modified version
could be designed to accommodate those in wheelchairs and crutches.

29. http://www.thepriceofrice.com/2013/06/whats-your-
problem-with-human.html
Response to Survey, FIXED, and Stelarc:
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?
History shows us that enhancement can go horribly wrong when it is put in the hands of
evil people. For example, Hitler and Nazi sympathizers wanted to create a "superior
race" of people with blond hair, blue eyes, and pure German blood. Hitler's scientists
experimented on many people to modify physical traits in cruel experiments. We must
be cautious when experimenting with genetic and physical enhancement procedures.
There will always be people who cross the line and use science for cruel and evil
purposes.
On the positive side of enhancement, people may be able to enhance vision or hearing if
they are disabled. With devices like cochlear implants, we can bring patients' hearing
back enough to where normal dialog can be heard. Another positive of being able to
design children is the ability to take genetic diseases out of the system. This could make
children who would normally have life-long problems live longer and with more ease.
Some negatives of being able to enhance the body concern population. With people
living longer, the population would increase and this could potentially cause
overcrowding, poverty, and more crime. Modifying babies to suit one's exact
preferences may cause serious social problems. An entire new elite class could come to
life which may hurt some of the strides we've taken towards equality.
New technologies in human modification could be a huge benefit if used correctly, but
in some cases, people could get very greedy and overuse this powerful tech. Ultimately,
genetic modification will be for the greater good of humanity. Emerging science needs
be controlled and used in small amounts and when completely necessary.

30. http://franklinsraspberries.blogspot.com/2013/03/titic
ut-follies.html
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?
I have a very mixed opinion about this video. On one side, I really think that Wiseman
was morally wrong, and a cruel person. Conversely, I think that for medical purposes,
this video is acceptable. Documenting and learning from the behavior exhibited by the
patients is a great way to expose medical students to possible abnormalities. Overall, the
treatment of these people was very poor and degrading. Times are different; Now there
would be all sorts of lawsuits against this treatment and neglect. Back when this film
was made, many people were okay with this type of treatment towards the mentally ill
community.
This film could be of value to designers of mental health rehabilitation facilities. Interior
designers could analyze the building and living quarters that house the mentally ill
patients and pick apart the poor, depressing environment that the Bridgewater facility is.
Creative use of color and wall decor can drastically change the mood of a given
building. This could aid the healing process for some of these individuals. Systems
designers could look at the way this facility works and plan out a better and more
humane method for bathing the patients. Adding a cleaner bathing system could
improve physical health for the patients. Creating a cleaner, and more positive
environment could directly correlate to a greater sense of well-being in the troubled
patients.

31. http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2017/3/10/int
ersectionality-autism-and-homosexuality
Response to PPT, The Architecture of Autism, Public Space:
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”?

32. Continued…
There is a big stigma that degrades mentally/intellectually challenged people. Recently, a group home just like this
a few houses down from mine. So far, I have seen zero impact of the home.
If I lived in a nice Amherst neighborhood and a group home was to be developed nearby, it would be alright with
me as long as there was no added danger to my family. If it was a group of mentally challenged adults with no
history of violence, I would fully support the proposal. Most intellectually challenged people are not dangerous
and have proven to be just as important in society as everyone else. With some extra assistance, lower functioning
autistic adults can lead very productive lives.
After hearing the additional information, my opinion would change if the residents are not allowed to be within a
school area. If the residents did anything to harm anyone or sexually harass people or children, I would reject the
proposal. I firmly believe that if I paid good money to live in a very safe neighborhood, I would immediately reject
the proposal if there was any chance of increased danger to my family. Besides public masturbation, I am very
familiar with people who deal with the other challenging behaviors. Growing up, I went to a camp for children
with life-threatening illnesses and many of these kids exhibited the previously listed behaviors. These behaviors
are often harmless but difficult to deal with at times. Screaming and rocking seem threatening to some and are
common for people with autism, but most of the time this behavior does not even remotely pose a threat.
Because of the vote, I would arrange for the home to be relocated to a more secluded environment. If there were
potentially harmful people living in the home, it would be best to make the residence away from others so that
there was little risk of a violent event happening. To accommodate the residents of the group home, a small nature
area could be closed off in the 10-acre area to allow residents to be outside without supervision.

33. http://www.panoramio.com/photo/86984435
Response to The Connection Between Religion and Urban Planning by David Engwicht:
What lessons do you think we should learn from history when thinking about emerging 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?
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?
The Reformed Church of Saugerties is a local church that I went to often as I grew up. The church
has always been a place of community and peace. Like many others, my church hosted a variety of
events like food drives, concerts, and weddings. People used to use the large meeting areas for
group meetings and private parties. An example of how the church effected the development in my
town is when its members took initiative to remove a local adult theater that showcased
pornographic films during the 80's. Board members at the church proposed to the town that an adult
film theater should not be directly across the street from a church and only 1 block away from an
elementary school. Now that theater shows regular movies for the general public like a normal
theater.
Overtime, the role of the charge has remained the same, but with less use. Nowadays, people are
going to church less frequently and the community of the church has downsized in a huge way. The
only big change in use comes from a nursery school starting during the week. Currently, children
attend class in one of the meeting rooms at the church.
In the future, the church could be converted into a home for homeless individuals. With copious
rooms and space, the church could serve as a great place to house people in need. It is already
equipped with a large commercial kitchen that could be used for the residents.

34. 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?
I think one of the biggest challenges engineers face today, lies in the realm of education.
With rapidly evolving technology and the internet, the way we learn and apply
engineering knowledge is very different than it used to be. While the fundamental
principles are still important and need to be taught, we need to focus more on the future
and the present. As I finish my sophomore year, I'm realizing more and more how
behind we are in teaching crucial engineering skills.
Computer aided design (CAD) is proving to be an important part of engineering in
today's world. Before everyone had access to the internet, personal computers, and
affordable/free Software, CAD was only used by big companies like Boeing. Now,
CAD and engineering software is used for modeling, simulating, manufacturing, testing,
etc.
To address this challenge, I have been working with UB faculty and staff to make up for
a lack of CAD training at our university. The idea is to teach students the basic
principles of CAD and how one can design, test, and manufacture a product all in a
couple of hours. In the future, I would like to help develop a more structured curriculum
where students can gain the necessary skills in computer aided design in order to keep
up with emerging technologies.
Ben Swart