Online DIscussion Questions

1. PROJECT 3
American Diversity and Design Online Discussion Questions
DESCRIPTION
This document is a compilation all of the discussion
questions for the semester along with my responses to the
questions. Each question/response is accompanied by a
relevant image. I revised and reviewed my work when
necessary.
Griffin Perry
University at Buffalo – State University of New York
ARC 211 - American Diversity and Design - Spring 2017

2. INTRODUCTION:
My name is Griffin Perry, and I am a Freshman Architecture student at University at Buffalo. Going
into architecture, I had never really considered Diversity as a major influence in design. This course really
opened my eyes to our world of diversity and the impacts that diversity brings. In this course, we discussed
questions like; how do we design our built environment for the disabled, or how do we nurture social capital
in public housing, or how design for these times of situations can be done better with user input from those
effected? I had never considered these diverse influences; disability, ethnic group living, religious belief,
social class, morality, and many more, as such huge factors that effect and influence our designed world.
This class changed that for me. The more we discussed and explore diversity, and its impact on the
designed world, the more I learned about it, and its importance to us. As a future architect, this course has
changed my outlook and helped me to recognize how diversity and design are irrevocably linked. You
cannot design successfully without designing for diversity, and without diversity, design would be missing
its human aspect. If we don't design building that can be used by the disabled, we discriminate. if we design
buildings or things for neighborhoods, that don't get used an intended because the communities weren’t
consulted on what they wanted or involved in the design process, that is also our fault. These thing are
hugely important to think about as architects, because we are the designers of the built world. If we don’t
consider the diversity aspect of design, we are only looking at half the picture. This class, and the
discussions we had, allowed me to see the whole picture as it is; an intricate web of the built world and
those who live in it.
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.

3. TABLE OF CONTENTS:
PG.
1 ------------- Introduction
2 ------------- Cover page
3 ------------- Table of contents
4 ------------- Table of contents pt. 2
MODULE 1:
5 ------------- Thread 2: Response to "What is design?" from Hello World
6 ------------- Thread 3: Response to "Introduction" from Diversity and Design
MODULE 2:
7 ------------- Thread 1: Response to Media/Society Chapter and TED Talk on Photographs
8 ------------- Thread 2: Response to Articles on Hats as Communication Design
MODULE 3:
9 ------------- Thread 1: Response to “Industrial Design” and "The Incredible Inventions of Intuitive AI"
10 ------------- Thread 2: Response IDEA Awards and Cradle-to-Cradle Video
MODULE 4:
11 ------------- Thread 1: Response to All Module 4 Materials
12 ----------- Thread 2: Response to Ballantyne and Zumthor Articles
MODULE 5:
13 ----------- Thread 1: Response to Levy Article
14 ----------- Thread 2: Response to Pruitt Igoe Project, Talen, and Larson
MODULE 6:
15 ----------- Thread 1: Response to F.L. Olmsted

4. 16 ----------- Thread 2: Response to Walter Hood's Work
MODULE 7:
17 ----------- Thread 1: Response to the Brookes
18 ----------- Thread 2: Response to Charles Davis and equityXdesign's Work
MODULE 8:
19 ----------- Thread 1: Response to "Landscape Stories" Chapter
20 ----------- Thread 2: Response to Article on Sports Branding
MODULE 9:
21 ----------- Thread 1: Response to "Visualizing Gender" Chapter
22 ----------- Thread 2: Response to Bathroom Bill
MODULE 10:
23 ----------- Thread 1: Response to Hidden Ways
24 ----------- Thread 2: Response to People Like Us
MODULE 11:
25 ----------- Thread 1: Response to Carroll Article: “(Re)forming Regent Park: When Policy Does Not Equal Practice”
26 ----------- Thread 2: Response to Enriquez TED Talk: “What Will Humans Look Like in 100 Years?”
MODULE 12:
27 ----------- Thread 1: Response to PPT, Smithsonian, and Roy
28 ----------- Thread 2: Response to Survey, FIXED, and Stelarc
MODULE 13:
29 -----------Thread 1: Response to Titicut Follies
30 -----------Thread 2: Response to PPT, The Architecture of Autism, Public Space
MODULE 14:
31 ----------- Thread 1: Response to The Connection Between Religion and Urban Planning by David Engwicht
32 ----------- Thread 2: Response to Prospects for the Future of Diversity and Design

5. MODULE 1:
Thread 2: Response to "What is design?" from Hello World
On “What is design?” from Hello World: Where Design Meets Life by Alice Rawsthron
The author opened her chapter with the example of Ying Zheng, the ruler of the Qin empire, one of the most powerful and enduring
empires 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?
The invention of the first nuclear weapon by the US had huge social and cultural impacts for the world. Because of it, and its use in war by the
US during WW2, it made the US even more of a world power, that left many countries in fear of us. It became a huge turning point for world
history, and country relations even today. Because of the invention of the nuclear bomb, it led to the arms race and nuclear weapons
proliferation of the cold war. It also forever changed how we do war, since any nuclear attack now could end up destroying the whole world.
Because of this mutually assured destruction, relationships between countries are even more complicated today than they ever were
IMAGE: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/11/world/asia/hiroshima-atomic-bomb.html

6. MODULE 1:
Thread 3: Response to "Introduction" from Diversity and Design
On “Introduction” from Diversity and Design: Understanding Hidden Consequences
The editors state that “diverse participation in the design process, from both
professionals and public citizens alike, yields more equitable results.” This makes
sense, but typically has not been the case. Nonetheless, many marginalized groups
have impacted design in ways that have changed our visual and physical worlds as
well as our systems, policies, and institutions. For example, in the 1960s, disability
rights advocates designed media events to raise awareness about barriers in the
physical environment. They persisted with their efforts for decades, and, finally, in
1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act became law. It mandated accessibility in
public accommodations such as restaurants and stores, public transportation,
communication, and other areas of public life. This dramatically changed our
physical environment (from curb cuts to ramps to automatic doors) and the results
made public life more equitable. Now it’s your turn. Describe a design that was
impacted by a diversity group. How and why did it change form and/or
circumstances?
As someone from Rochester, I know quite well the Strong National museum of play. This is one of the interactive engaging and playful learning
experience in Rochester designed with kids in mind. Founded in 19699 by Margaret Woodbury Strong, it was originally a toy collection Museum.
Over the years from 2000 to 2006, the Museum doubled its size and expanded its family oriented programming drastically. It is unique place,
that I remember fondly as a child, since it is now so designed with children interaction in mind. There’s a tiny supermarket with tiny carts, a plane
that’s just the right size for a kid (One of my favorite memories there was in the cockpit of that plane) and all kind of interactive and extensive
play lands and worlds for kids to explore lean and discover. If you ever have a kid and are in Rochester; that’s the place to go!
IMAGE: http://www.museumofplay.org/exhibits/wegmans-super-kids-market

7. MODULE 2:
Thread 1: Response to Media/Society Chapter and TED Talk on Photographs
From: Chapter in Media/Society and TED Talk Photos that Changed the World
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 place the images show in Photos that changed the world,
into the media message or product category, because those
photos and image convey such strong specific messages, we
could consider them messages rather than just photos. The
media industry, especially if you include in that users posts and
interactions in the media industry, millions of photos, and only a
very select few of them become photos that can incite change.
these photos, like the view of earth from the moon, can bring
viewers new perspectives, and influence them in many ways. One
example of this is the photo of a female demonstrator protesting
the shooting of Alton Sterling and being arrested by riot police. Its
an iconic 2016 image, and one that once it was released on social
media, became a symbol of the struggle and protests around the
shootings of blacks by police. It displayed for the world, the
peaceful protests going on, and the direct involvement of
youth in these protests.
IMAGE: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/woman-stunning-baton-rouge-protest-photo-nurse-mother-article-1.2706944

8. MODULE 2:
Thread 2: Response to Articles on Hats as Communication Design
From: “Fashioning Protest for the Women’s March on Washington” and “The Worst Design of 2016 Was Also the Most Effective”
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?
Hats are something we take for granted in society all the time, and yet, like many of our clothes
and outfits, they reflect our personalities and belief's. Similarly, these two hats mentioned in the
articles; trumps red hat, and the pink pussy hats, also reflect certain beliefs and ideas in their
design. Those who wore trump hats, reflected through the hats, their beliefs in the ideas of
populism that was Trumps main campaign ideal. he wanted to make America great again,
giving it back to the ordinary peoples ideal of the county they wanted, and the hats were
symbolic representations of this. The pink hats also represented the ideals of the people who
wore them. Ideas like equality for women, respect, and respond directly to trumps comments on
women. Both these hats see to communicate the wearers beliefs soundlessly through design.
They both represent symbols of resistance, trumps to the old ways and searching for new, and
the pink hats resisting trump and the injustices women face. However, they represent
opposite political views despite their designs.
Also, as suggested, Trump’s campaign manager and Trump could have been playing on the
desire of conservative Americans to bring back ideals from Reagan's days. I think why the hat
was so popular among conservative Americans was because they saw Regan’s day’s policies
as the "great" days, and that they viewed trump as returning them to that. I don't think that
means that the hat does not represent these ideals simply because it was a ploy. I think because
it represented what people wanted and thought on the conservative side, was WHY it was so
effective and iconic to his campaign.
IMAGE 1: https://shop.donaldjtrump.com/products/official-donald-trump-make-america-great-again-cap-red?variant=26118358278 IMAGE 2: http://www.esquire.com/style/mens-
accessories/news/a52493/pussyhat-womens-march-protest-fashion/

9. MODULE 3:
Thread 1: Response to “Industrial Design” and "The Incredible Inventions of Intuitive AI"
On “Industrial Design” by John Heskett and "The Incredible Inventions of Intuitive AI" by Maurice Conti
In his chapter on industrial design (written in 1987), historian
John Heskett claims that the methods of mass production
introduced by Henry Ford in the U.S. involved new concepts
of the standardization and integration of the production line
that were adopted across the world. With Ford’s method,
work could be completed by relatively unskilled workers; it
was more efficient and with this method, products were made
more quickly and cheaply than previously possible. What
were some of the social consequences of Ford’s production
line? In other words, how did this system change our U.S.
society? Do any of those changes remain with us today? Now
consider Maurice Conti’s TED Talk, and the predictions he
makes about production. How do you think manufacturing
processes will change in the next twenty years? How do you
think these changes will affect our U.S. society?
Fords assembly and production line had many impacts, but one of the most important impacts was the role it played in the creation of the
middle class. By creating a huge demand for unskilled labor with the creation of the assembly line, Ford allowed for the creation of hundreds of
jobs that unskilled laborers could now work at. Middle class America, rose from things like Chicago's car manufacturing industry, or industrial
assembly lines. However, this middle class that was created because of the manufacturing industry, is starting to fade in modern society today.
With the increased mechanization and use of robot to replace unskilled workers in assembly, unskilled labor jobs in industrial assembly are
starting to disappear. In the next twenty years, with this continual evolution of technology in our modern society, the world of manufacturing
could look very different. As Ai, gets smarter and smarter, these machines might not even need supervision, and even if they do, you only need
one or two people to supervise hundreds of machines in an assembly line. While augmentations by machines might happen in design, in the
case of factory’s and assembly lines, they will replace humans rather than augment them. I mean look at a Kia sport assembly line! Our human
world might continue to be augmented with more and more mechanization and technology. This could lead to the replacement of
unskilled production jobs by robotics and mechanization, especially as the technology gets cheaper and cheaper, and could signal the end of
the middle class.
IMAGE: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/568931365400451701/

10. MODULE 3:
Thread 2: Response 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 product that
embraces Cradle-to-Cradle design. Please describe and cite your source.
Cradle-to-Cradle, is a new way of looking at manufacturing and product design. Cradle-to-cradle, similar to the idea of reduce reuse recycle,
seeks and an approach to manufacturing where products are designed with their whole life cycle, and its impact in mind. Simply, it is an
approach to product manufacturing that seeks to create systems that are not only efficient, and as minimally environmentally impactful, but also
essentially waste free. Many of the 2016 IDEA gold award products seem to defy the ideals of the Cradle-to-Cradle concept of sustainability and
minimal to no ecological impact. For example, the Rolls-Royce dawn is not sustainable or reusable in any way whatsoever. Marketed as a
flagship luxury vehicle, it contains the finest materials, and is incredibly expensive; marketed at 340:000$. Running on gas; a finite resource that
cannot be recycled, this Rolls-Royce is an example of all the cars releasing greenhouse gases; a huge contributor to global warming, by burning
gasoline. This is definitely against the Cradle-to-cradle idea of re usability, sustainability and low environmental impact. A product that does echo
the ideals of Cradle-to-Cradle is the method soaps. Utilizing plants to create their soaps; a reusable and sustainable recourse, and making sure
any chemicals in their soaps have no environmental impact, they archived a Cradle-to-Cradle gold certification for 75% of their products. They
even recycle the bottle that contain the soap to make more bottles, and their plants are LEED certified; minimizing environmental impact.
". N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2017.
"Ingredients." Method UK. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2017.
IMAGE: http://modernkiddo.com/green-is-good-method-clean-like-a-mother/

11. MODULE 4:
Thread 1: Response to All Module 4 Materials
Your readings and viewings this week present different ways of
thinking about architecture. Mies Van der Rohe describes
architecture as “The will of the epoch translated into space.”
Andrew Ballantyne describes architecture as the background for
life. Jeanne Gang describes it as the act of building
relationships. All agree that architecture can change based 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.)
Architecture is pivotal to us as humans. It surrounds us; from our homes to cities, and is integral to the way we live our lives. Two buildings;
the Seagram building by Mies Vand der Rohe, and the Aqua skyscraper talked about in Ted Talks Buildings that blend nature and city, both
challenged the cultural context of their times. The first building; the Seagram building by Mies Vand der Rohe, was a very unique skyscraper for
its time. It challenged the idea of a building; with an almost all glass facade, revealing interiors usually covered by solid walls. It’s not just the
building however that was unique for its time; but rather the way it interacted at the street level. set far back on its plot, i had large open spaces
allowing users to interact off the sidewalk in a space the void of the skyscraper had left. this was totally unique usage of void and public
interaction for the time. Similarly, skyscrapers now are also looking at new ways to encourage social interactions. The Aqua skyscraper, talked
about in the ted talks, Buildings that blend nature and city, uses balconies irregularly placed and staggered so that those on them can see and
talk to people on different floors. This innovation is challenging the way we interact, and expanding on Mies's idea. It moves the social interaction
space off the street and up the skyscraper; promoting new community.
IMAGE: http://www.thecityreview.com/park375.html

12. MODULE 4:
Thread 2: Response to Ballantyne and Zumthor Articles
Andrew Ballantyne and Peter Zumthor present ideas about architecture that seem to value the sensorial and material elements of
life. How are Ballantyne’s and Zumthor’s viewpoints on architecture alike? More importantly, how do they differ?
Andrew Ballantyne and Peter Zumthor both approach architecture from the view that architecture is deeply embedded in our lives. Being
designed for us humans, from our homes to our bridges and even to the designs of our cites, architecture is all around us, touching and
influencing us every day. Ballantyne and Zumthor both recognize this importance's of architecture, and how closely it is "implicated in people’s
lives and identities” (Ballantyne 44). Where they differ is on how we view this importance, and how architecture should effect our
lives. Ballantyne feels that architecture should be designed around the movement of our needs, designed to how we need it. He compares
architecture to a shell, a home for the user, shaped around their needs. To Ballantyne, without us and our use of it, architecture would have no
meaning, and be an empty shell. Opposingly, Zumthor sees architecture as something that can stand on its own, has its own language and
conveys messages. He sees not us as the motivators of architectures meaning, but rather the meaning within the design itself. He speaks on
how a feel of a handle might make us think of home, or how light may enter a room might move us into the feeling of a rolling grassy hill; similar
to art he sees architecture as up to the user’s interpretation.
IMAGE: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/6821280/list/must-know-modern-home-villa-savoye

13. MODULE 5:
Thread 1: Response to Levy Article
John Levy’s article, “An Overview: The Need for Planning,” discussed ways in which planning can determine the characteristics of a
place. For example, some smaller towns restrict the heights of buildings to maintain a certain scale. How did planning define the
character of the place in which you grew up?
I grew up on a boarding school campus (high school
level kids), since at the time my mom was the head of
the women’s dorm on campus. It was a very
interesting and unique experience for me growing up.
However, I think the planning is what defined it and
made it so unique for me personally. First of all, since it
was a campus it was specifically planned out and easy to
understand, with gridded walkways between buildings
and wide open rolling grass hills. Being a kid, having a
place to live and explore, designed entirely around the
walking experience was incredible for me. I could go
pretty much anywhere on campus on my own, since
mom knew there would always be people around to look
out for me, and because it was so thoroughly planned it
was easy to understand so i couldn't get lost. It gave me a sense of freedom and individuality that definitely shaped how i grew
up and made the place a unique place for me. The campus also encouraged a sense of community and interconnectedness
simply through the fact that it was a boarding school campus. The fact that we had so many people living in one place gave me,
and George School the sense of community, through pathways and courtyards that encouraged public social gathering and
connections. Even as a kid i recognized this, always being drawn to the main square where people are socializing, or the main
lawn where people are throwing Frisbees. The fact that the campus had a lot of green space and openness, also encouraged in
me a love of nature; the planning and pathways drawing you through these green spaces to experience the nature.

14. MODULE 5:
Thread 2: Response to Pruitt Igoe Project, Talen, and Larson
Imagine that you are part of a urban planning and design firm working with Emily Talen (author of “Design That Enables Diversity”) and
Kent Larson (who gave the TED Talk "Brilliant Designs to Fit More People In Every City" The thee of you have been tasked with
developing a plan to rebuild Pruitt Igoe in St. Louis. City officials told the three of you that that they want to do it right this time. Identify
three strategies for rebuilding Pruitt Igoe in ways that promise to be more successful. What would Talen do? What would Larson do?
What would you do? How would your strategies differ from those of the original urban planners/designers of the project? Why would
your strategies be more effective?
The Pruitt Igoe Housing project failed catastrophically, turing from a
useful, cheap, and sustainable project that housed those who might not
be able to house themselves, to a despot of crime and violence and
neglect. If i were to rebuild Pruitt Igoe, and try to make it more
successful, i would want to focus on improving and changing three
things. First of all, i would seek to break up the buildings into smaller
community's spread out across the area they are located in. By
creating smaller lower impact buildings, we can more easily integrate
them into the urban fabric, as well as promoting more interconnected
community's within them. this small pods idea is something that Larson
suggests, suggesting that these small community's would build their
own networks, interconnecting not just within themselves but with each
other across the urban fabric. This is directly in contrast with the
original Pruitt igoe, where the building were close together and very
compact and highly populated. this high population led to high rates of
crime and drug use, something we can prevent. A second thing i would do, is to make each smaller building as diverse as possible, reflecting
Talons idea that diversity improves community. If we put different income living as well as ethnic and diverse backgrounds together, we can
produce a much stronger community. Pruitt Igoe originally started to fail in fact when middle income faimlys started to move out, leaving only the
poor. This led to increased crime, and ultamitly the destruction of the housing. I also would want to put public gathering spaces into the
buildings to again encourage a sense of community. (though that may experience the tragedy of the commons) Finally, i would seek to use the
smaller form factor and population buildings as an easier maintenances problem, being able to tackle problems in smaller bites, and maintaining
the upkeep longer.
IMAGE: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2012/02/prui-f01.html

15. MODULE 6:
Thread 1: Response to F.L. Olmsted
Displaying his plan at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Frederick Law Olmsted stated that "Buffalo is the best planned
city, as to its streets, public places, and grounds, in the United States, if not in the world." What was the basis for this claim? Would
Olmsted still make that claim today? Why or why not?
Olmsted's design of the buffalo park system was a unique first of its kind at the time. It radically rethought how a city should function, providing
residents with unprecedented green space throughout the city. Olmsted's use of green park ways to connect different parks though out the city,
rather than just one central one created new green community's and a sense of interconnectedness between the different parts of the city
provided by these. Buffalo's park system quickly became a precedent for city parks all over the world, such as the emerald necklace in Boston.
At the time, because of Olmstead, and the grain boom town it was, buffalo quickly rose to be a precedent of a modern city for the world. The
combination of the influx of wealth from the booming grain business, and Olmsted's revolutionary design brining unprecedented green make
Buffalo unlike any city in the world. However, i dont think he would make this same claim today. With the decrease in wealth, as well as
population, buffalo has a lot of wasted unused space, something that has ruined alot of the city planning and park use. Similarly, the more
landscape design has developed, the more sustainability, watershed effects and user interactions have dominated landscape design. These
things are not considered in Buffalo's design, and would keep Olmsted from making the claim that buffalo is the best planned city in the world.
IMAGE: https://www.bfloparks.org/parks/circles/

16. MODULE 6:
Thread 2: Response to Walter Hood's Work
Identify something that should be memorialized either on UB's campus or in your hometown. Imagine that you are the person who will
oversee this project, and that you are using Walter Hood's 'triad of investigations' as your approach to the project. What would your
landscape intervention commemorate/memorialize? How will you use Hood's 'triad of investigations' to design a new landscape
intervention? What do you imagine that the design will be? (Either written or visual descriptions are acceptable).
In my hometown (of Rochester), we have this old railway behind my house
called the green way. Over the years, the city had removed the rails, and it had
slowly began to be retaken by grass and nature; becoming a walking path for
those in my area, eventually leading to an old factory/ concrete lot that is being
destroyed. I feel like we should memorialize this area and the path, keeping the
memory of industry and train tracks, while reinvigorating it so that we can draw
more walkers for the future. I would imagine using old railway lines that are left
over to create sculptures along that path., as well as dictating an entrance to it
on my street to draw runners and dog walkers. We could also create a seating
area or park in the industry lot, retaking it over as a community public space
rather as the vacant antisocial spot it is right now.
IMAGE: http://www.rochestersubway.com/topics/2013/10/bike-rochester-genesee-valley-greenway-and-lehigh-valley-trail-loop/

17. MODULE 7:
Thread 1: Response to the Brookes
Find an iconic graphic that addresses racial issues
and post it for others in your group to view. 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.)
This graphic is the firebombing of a Freedom rider
greyhound bus in Anniston, Birmingham on May 14th,
where riders were severely beaten. This graphic became
famous, a perfect representation of the tensions between
the whites and blacks during the civil rights movements,
and the violence at the time. I interpret it as a horrific
attack upon people, peacefully protesting for rights, rights which they deserve. Now i was raised in a very liberal background, with a mother who
is directly involved in inner city youth and African Americans, leading to a unique perspective. I am open to the ideas of racism, inequality, and
its existence even in the modern world today. This photo in fact reminds me of the racial injustices going on in the world today. Someone for
example, from a Muslim background with knowledge of this images background may have a very different interpretation than me. While I may
recognize the importance of this image, they may connect directly and empathize with those in this image. The people in this image are
oppressed for who they are: African American, and in the world today the same is true for Muslims, and those from middle eastern countries or
decent. They may see this as a connection and representation of the racism against them in the modern world today.
IMAGE: http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/civil-rights-activists-still-remember-203453

18. MODULE 7:
Thread 2: Response to Charles Davis and equityXdesign's Work
Critique either the MLK Memorial or the National Museum of African American History and Culture using equityXdesign’s core beliefs
and/or design principles.
The MLK Memorial , while an interesting
architectural piece, has many flaws in terms of
equityXdesign's principles and beliefs. First of all,
while representing a ton of black history and
importance in America in the design, i have
known understanding that they communed or
talked to the African American community when
designing this. Especially since it was a
competition, bias due to a lack of involvement of
the community could easily have been involved in
the design. This may lead to important aspects of
the milk memorial design being overlooked due to
the designer’s background or views, with no
mitigation by a community involvement. Similarly,
I’m not sure the designs view on the future of
African Americans, or how its suppose to
influence visitors to think about the future. Design
must consider the past, present, and future. This
only considers the past and present.
IMAGE: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-National-Memorial

19. MODULE 8:
Thread 1: Response to "Landscape Stories" Chapter
First, let’s start with your own home. Describe a place in your home (indoors and/or outdoors) that you think of as representative of
your own ethnic background and discuss why you consider this place to be ‘ethnic’. –OR-- Describe an object in your home that you
think of as representative of your ethnic background and discuss why this object is considered to be ‘ethnic’. (If possible, add photo/s.)
Is this object or place something that you will keep or continue when you establish your own home? Why or why not? Now let’s move
into your community. In “Landscape Stories,” the authors show how landscape architects develop a historical narrative that sifts
through and interprets 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?
In my opinion, for white suburban Americans like myself, a cultural ethnicity is a
lot harder to define. Ethnicity is all about a shared background or culture,
with ethnic immigrant groups often having shared heritages, or cultural
values brought with them into the country they can identify with. As a white
American, I don't have that many shared cultural traits besides being American or
white, something that I think unfortunately also comes along with the privilege's we
as whites receives In America. While My family is mostly British; my dad's dad a
British citizen, and my moms family Anglo-Saxon, I feel like having been in
America so long, that we are just white Americans. My British heritage does not
permiate that much into my home, with almost no traces of objects or spaces in my
home that reflect our background, besides maybe a photo book of our summer
visit to England.
While my family may lack a visible ethnic background in our home,
Rochester's landscape most certainly doses not lack a historical narrative of
ethnicity along the Genesee river, was one of the stops on the underground railroad. Runaway slaves would depart from this landing and cross
lake Ontario into Canada. Even Fredrick Douglass had a home in Rochester, and these imprints on Rochester's landscape have a huge
importance for black culture in Rochester. We even have a statue of him and Susan B. Anthony in town.
IMAGE: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/495888608939871654/ Fredrick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony having tea

20. MODULE 8:
Thread 2: Response to Article on Sports Branding
Recent controversies about sports branding focus on ethnicity. The Washington Redskins team is just one example of the larger
controversy, but it receives the most public attention due to the name itself being defined as derogatory or insulting in modern
dictionaries, and the prominence of the team representing the nation’s capital. Should sports team branding designers use ethnic
references (Fighting Irish, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Braves, etc.)? Why? Why not? What are some of the complexities of this issue?
One main issue with using ethnic branding in sports names is the context for the use. Ethnic references and terms are often okay to be used by
the culture they reference, for the people referred to or discussed can verify and/or approve the reference. However, in many modern sports
teams, such as the Redskins, the team referenced is not involved in the branding, or the practice of that sport by that team at all. This can
become offensive, especially if the reference is used incorrectly, or without the consent or conversation with those referenced. I think for this
reason sports teams should avoid using them in branding, and pull from the much bigger and safer team name pool of no ethnic references.
Often the team doesn't even represent the history of the group that follows it. For example, in my area, Penfield school district team name was
the chiefs. This team name doesn't represent any native American background or cultural history of the area, and rather, many Native
Americans in the area and other like-minded people saw it as offensive. I think that if a team can use an ethnic reference for its name, it has to be
for an actual reason, such as naming maybe a Native American team an ethnic referencing name that is culturally sensitive.
IMAGE1: https://www.penfieldchiefs.org/ IMAGE2: http://www.penfieldboosterclub.org/2016/10/20/girls-volleyball-pancake-breakfast-2/

21. MODULE 9:
Thread 1: Response to "Visualizing Gender" Chapter
In their chapter “Communicating Gender,” Maya Ganesh
and Gabi Sobliye discuss two primary visual advocacy
approaches: 1) get the idea, and 2) stories in data. Find a
new example of either of the two visual advocacy
approaches to gender issues, and post it in this thread. Cite
the source. First, identify the approach. Then explain how
the designer uses the approach to communicate a gender
issue. Is the approach effective in this example? Why or why
not? How could this graphic be improved?
The approach taken in this visual is the stories in data approach.
in society today, there is a huge issue with gender pay equality,
and work equality. Women are often paid much less for an equal
amount of work as a man, and it even can be more of a
difference depending on the job itself. This infographic by the
women's labor bureau seeks to tackle this issue and explain the
pay differences, and job inequalities for women compared to
men in many different types of jobs. By using a data centered
infographic, they are able to convey a lot of information on the
topic to the reader in a pleasing and relatively easy to read way,
however, the message is not as simple and easy to understand
as the get the idea approach. Rather than soliciting an
emotional response, and most of the "get the idea" approaches
attempt to do, this infographic merely seeks to convey
information. I think it does what its suppose to in that sense,
inform the reader of the differences between men and women in
the work force, no more and no less.
Image: https://www.dol.gov/wb/

22. MODULE 9:
Thread 2: Response to Bathroom Bill
Last year, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed into law a bill that repealed local LGBT anti-discrimination laws, and required
people to use the bathroom that corresponded with the biological gender written on their birth certificates. This prompted massive
backlash. Just this past Thursday, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a bill to repeal the law while placing a moratorium on
nondiscrimination measures. Should people be required to use the bathroom that corresponds with the biological gender written on
their birth certificate? State why AND state why not. In other words, to receive full credit for this question, you need to present an
argument for both sides of the issue. As a designer, how would you solve this gender dilemma?
I would like to state that I am more biased towards the fact that people should not be restricted to using the bathroom based on the
biological gender on their birth certificate, since I have a transgender friend who is very strongly opinionated on this issue, and who I agree
with. however, I will seek to tackle this question and recognize that it is a very touchy subject. I hope not to offend any other strongly opinionated
views in this post
Why People should be required:
Sexual violence can be an issue, and while there are no incidences of a transgender attacking another person in the bathroom, those who may
not be as forward thinking may still have an uncomfortable approach to this issue. Also, just because something has never happened doesn't
mean it won't, or couldn't. Similarly, transgender people could be a possible Target of sexual violence as well! An argument for why people
should be required could be the idea of prevention of sexual assault, and the idea of baby steps on the issues of transgender phobia and anti-
LGBT community, that, unfortunately, is still an issue in our world today.
Why People should not be:
Creating a separate bathroom for transgender and LGBT community, unfortunately, does not solve this issue, because it is almost like an
ousting of the LGBT and transgender community from our bathrooms and lives and communities. they are very much a part of the world and
should be treated equally. Similarly, keeping the bathrooms segregated by gender are they are currently, and forcing those of the LGBTQ and
Transgender communities to use one or the other based on their born biological gender, is almost like a punishment for those who think and live
differently than the "social norm" defined by gender assigned bathrooms. one solution may be to create bathrooms without gender identification,
and more personal stalls, to help limit discrimination and create a safer bathroom experience. there may not be a right answer to this challenge
currently, since it is such a touchy issue.

23. MODULE 10:
Thread 1: Response to Hidden Ways
Author Steven Flusty categorized five types of disciplinary architecture that perpetuate what he calls urban spatial injustice: 1) stealthy,
2) slippery, 3) crusty, 4) prickly, and 5) jittery. Go out into the city of Buffalo, and find/photograph two examples from the list of five.
Identify what type of space you’ve photographed and why it might discriminate against a specific population. Identify the location where
you took the photograph, and make certain that you are in at least one of the two photographs.
The first Image shows the 5th category of urban spatial injustice
described; of Jittery. This photo was taken in the Buffalo subway
system building and shows the presence of security cameras
everywhere in Buffalo's subway system. this subway system
security, especially with it declaring itself with signs like this is
supposed to act as a deterrent. It is supposed to keep people from
doing things and may be targeting homeless to keep them from
sleeping in the subway terminals and underground. Bu observing
constantly, it can put people on edge, knowing they are being
observed all the time, as the sign states, and make them jittery.
The second photo is a design of Buffalo benches that I think also
targets the homeless. like homeless spikes that exist in places like
NYC, these benches (This one is in fact on south campus outside of
Hayes hall) are targeting homeless and trying to keep them from
sleeping on them. By dividing it up into separate seats, it keeps
people (Like the homeless) from sleeping comfortably (as
demonstrated) and discriminates against them. these types of
divided benches are also present in the NAFTA bus station in
Buffalo, as well as other Benches.

24. MODULE 10:
Thread 2: Response to People Like Us
After almost two decades of public assistance, 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?
Tammy and her family, first of all, are in
a particularly poor location. Being so far from a town and
other job opportunities without a car, it would be very
hard for them to access new job opportunities. there are
two solutions to this. One is adding some form of public
transportation for poor and underprivileged in the city
and the area, in order to help them access the city
easier, and gain more opportunities. The other is to
move them closer to the city, and mix them into more
middle-class neighborhoods. this would give them
access to the city more easily for city resources and
jobs. The second thing that needs to happen is she and
her family need to gain academic and educational
resources. they can make allot more money as
skilled workers, than their current unskilled labor is
providing. if they can do this they can get better jobs and
a better future.
IMAGE: http://www.pbs.org/video/2365121632/

25. MODULE 11:
Thread 1: Response to Carroll Article: “(Re)forming : 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?
First of all, the project should go back to responding to the wants of the residents, both low income and high income. The residents
originally wanted a mixed income layout, but this got overhauled in order to make more money. if the city really wants this project to be
successful, they need to stay looking at how to do this right rather than remaking it often. BY mixing the incomes, it would make a lot safer of an
environment to live in, though the high-income residents may be unhappy about it. or if they choose to not mix them, they need to be open and
widely connected or facing each other to ensure mixing and connection between the. in the current plan, they are way too separated,
encouraging crime in the poor housing areas. They also need
to switch the location of the elderly to the ground floor. they
completely forgot the fact that the elderly can and are
disabled in the current plan, and that by putting them in a high
rise, life is a lot harder for them. However, you cannot put the
poor or lower income housing in the high-rise because it
isolates and concentrates crime conditions, like in Pruitt-Igoe.
therefore, what I would suggest integrating the elderly, and
the poor and high income, is a high-rise, where elderly and
poor share a floor, poor at one end and elderly at the other
(*maybe with a little mixing). this would mix-age and income,
making it safer and more diverse. second, higher floors could
be rich and poor split, or rich and elderly mixed, separated on
the floors, but in close enough proximity by being on the
same floor to make it safer and more usable, while still making
$. I would also suggest improved management and upkeep,
to keep what happened at Pruitt igo from happening here.
IMAGE: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2014/05/05/how_revitalization_is_leading_to_displacement_in_regent_park.html

26. MODULE 11:
Thread 2: 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?
One huge and obvious issue that may come from increased life spans, is population increases. As our life span increases, while more people
are not being born than usual, more people will be alive at once. With a world population of almost 7.5 billion and counting, increased life spans
will drastically increase this number. As designers in the time of increasing life spans, this is going to be a huge issue for us. We're going to need
to find a way to support these people with design, by adding housing, infrastructure, and support systems for this increasing population.
similarly, were going to have to consider diversity that may spring from trying to increase life spans. (For example replacing body parts with
prosthetics, and how that will affect our interactions with our environment. from handles that work with prosthetic hands, etc...) A final issue that
may arise, is the father apart our ages get, the more dynamics between ages may change. Generations may not be just you, your parents, and
your grandparents and extended family at family gatherings, but maybe your great grandparents, or great great grandparents as well.
You touch on the idea that prosthetics, being man made will add to the waste of the planet. I disagree. I think the amount of population increase
increased lifespans will bring, is what will impact our environment and the world
most, simply because of the consumerism and waste our society produces per
person. We will have to change policies around waste management, energy,
and environmental impacts with such increased populations. Similarly,
prosthetic won't have top be mechanical if their man made. there are plenty of
replacement organs and parts, like hearts kidneys etc. that are being grown
using stem cells on 3d printed frames. These are completely organic, and
replace parts just like a mechanical part could. As this process develops, we
could start to see the replacement of parts, with completely different organic
things, such as the idea of two hearts, one acting as a backup, or modify how
we interact with our environment organically, such as extra fingers or enhanced
hearing.
IMAGE: https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/enhanced-humans-the-avatars-of-the-future/

27. MODULE 12:
Thread 1: Response to PPT, Smithsonian, and Roy
The two most frequently mentioned models of disability are the ‘social’ and the ‘medical’ models. The medical model of disability views
disability as a medical ‘problem’ that belongs to the disabled individual. The social model of disability, in contrast, draws on the idea
that it is society that disables people, through designing everything to meet the needs of the majority of people who are not disabled.
There is a recognition within the social model that there is a great deal that society can do to reduce, and ultimately remove, some of
these disabling barriers, and that this task is the responsibility of society, rather than the disabled personIn 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.
Something we often don't think about is how Disability’s like blindness and deafness affect people. for example, how does a deaf person know
how to board a plane, or how might a blind person find their way through an airport. While a deaf person might be able to use monitors at an
airport for information, and a blind person has a guide dog, life is a lot more complicated for them when the world does not consider them in
design. This is especially true for the deaf and blind in the conveying of information. these two images show how we have to cater perceptible
information for those with disabilities, even in the smallest of things, like elevator buttons. Elevator buttons usually come with a requirement of
braille next to the buttons or
raised numbering so that a blind
person can know which button to
press. If they didn't have this; they
would be unable to use or navigate an
elevator. Similarly, a deaf person
cannot hear fire alarms. For example
the one I have in my house; only
makes a loud noise, with no flashing
lights. how would they be woken up in
an event of a fire in their case? These are things we have to think about in design.
IMAGE: http://www.vorply.com/facts/list/what-do-you-think-small-dots-on-the-buttons-of-the-elevator-might-mean/
IMAGE 2: https://www.shutterstock.com/video/search/home-fire-alarm

28. MODULE 12:
Thread 2: Response to Survey, FIXED, and Stelarc
Currently, we have the technology for you to choose many of the survey characteristics in your future child, and this ability to choose
poses some ethical questions. Of course, we all want the best for our own child. However, as we move into a more collective situation,
we need to consider how the consequences of majority choices for children might change who we are as a species.In the film trailer
FIXED, you were introduced to the dilemma of living in a culture in which the “science-fiction of human enhancement” has become
almost a way of life, from prenatal genetic screening to bionic body parts. In the video, “A Man with Three Ears” you are introduced to
an artist who is using current technology to move humans beyond their current abilities. Last week, Juan Enriquez asked us if it is
ethical to evolve the human body. All of these videos suggest that the concept of disability ‘as we know it’ could cease to exist in the
future.
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?
One thing that immediately comes to mind for me is genetic diversity. The problem with diseases, and why humans are actually so good at
resisting them, is because of our genetic diversity. if one person is really
susceptible to something, and it gets bread into a long generation of
children, they will have the same issues. However, by mixing and mating
with people of different backgrounds and genetic makeup, humans keep
the gene pool constantly changing and adapting, so that desires and colds
and other issues have to adapt to attack us. The problem I see arise with
the creation of designer babies, and genetic modification, and the results of
the survey, is an overall want for a limited gene pool. people want to have a
certain kid, and if everyone wants this kinda kid, diversity will decrease
drastically. similarly, the modification of our bodies with technology
introduces compatibility issues with our current world designed for non-
modified or disabled humans. A pro, however, is the ability to solve a lot of
disability and desires through these techniques of modification and genetic
design.
IMAGES: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/17/science/hand-of-a-superhero.html?_r=1

29. MODULE 13:
Thread 1: Response to
The state of Massachusetts tried to ban the 1967 documentary Titicut Follies, arguing that director Frederick Wiseman had violated the
patients’ rights by not getting written permission to film them. The case went to court, and Wiseman argued that he had consent from
their legal guardian, the institution. After a judge ruled in favor of the state, the legal appeals carried on for several years: in 1969,
Massachusetts allowed the film to be shown to doctors, lawyers, and health care professionals; in 1991, a superior court judge ruled it
could be released for the “general public,” as privacy concerns were no longer at issue, so many years later.
Should Wiseman have been allowed to film the residents of Bridgewater Massachusetts Correctional Facility? Why or why not? How
might this film be of value to designers (communication designers, product, designers, architects, interior designers, planners,
landscape designers, systems designers, and/or social designers)? In other words, what might they gain from this film that they could
use in their work?
While the reason behind the film: trying to make people aware of the injustices and brutal life of
criminally insane inmates, is a righteous cause, in my opinion, the issue of should he have filmed it is
another. As we have discussed this year, Awareness of disability is extremely important to designers,
as well as social awareness and interaction with the community. Awareness of the disabilities and
challenges that the criminally insane face is a hugely important topic, and designers, with awareness
of this can do their best to help mitigate the challenges those who are the criminally insane face,
through design. As well as an understanding of the injustices they face too. This is why this film and
awareness of it is so important. However, there is an awkward moral conflict that occurs with this
particular set of people. how involved can they be in the design process as the criminally insane, and
can they even give consent to be filmed? IN my opinion, since they are not of the sane mind to give
consent, especially in this case, I feel like it was okay for the institution to provide the okay as a legal
guardian. we can also learn a lot about the interactions of the inmates from a sociality perspective and
a psychology perspective, not just as designers.
IMAGE: https://theanthropodiaries.wordpress.com/2015/05/01/titicut-follies-a-controversial-journey-into-the-
history-of-psychiatry/

30. MODULE 13:
Thread 2: Response to PPT, The Architecture of Autism, Public Space
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”?
Unfortunately, I understand the discrimination against those with mental or intellectual
disabilities, both from the perspective of a designer and kind human, who wants everyone
to be treated equally and fairly, as well as someone who has lived in a society that has
subconsciously taught discrimination against this group by purposeful exclusion and
segregation. 1) First I would be a little concerned that the neighborhood I chose to live
in, might be changed by this inclusion. while not overly concerned that conflicts may arise
because of the inclusion of those with mental disabilities in my neighborhood. I would
hope to be able to live alongside with those of disability nicely. 2) My number one
concern as a parent would be the care and safety of my kids. While this information may
not affect me, or my kids because I may not become a problem, the fact that it has
happened is definitely a factor. I would not want public masturbation in front of my house
and kids. I would like there to be a happy medium between inclusion and respect for
others wishes and privacy. 3) This is a very complicated issue. it runs the line between
personal space and wishes and respect for those in your neighborhood, that those with a
mental disability can lack. as well as the want and carting inclusion we want to establish
with those of disability. this can be an issue in public neighborhoods if those with disability
lack the respect and consideration that neighborhoods social order requires. Im not sure i
have an answer for it,
IMAGE: https://blogs.ubc.ca/shakibar/2016/01/10/inclusion-inclusion-inclusion/

31. MODULE 14:
Thread 1: Response to The Connection Between Religion and Urban Planning by David Engwicht
In his article, David Engwicht discusses the fact that religions (of all types) have played major roles in the development of our cities.
Today, places of worship are primary components of almost all urban centers. Author Lorne Daniel writes “From their often active role
in supporting people who live in city centers to their iconic influence on design and use of space, religious structures tell us a lot about
our history, our current needs, and where we might be headed in the future. This is an aspect of our urban future that planners and
urbanists should attend to.”
Identify a place of worship with which you are somewhat familiar. (If you are not familiar with any places of worship, do a bit of research
on one in your own city or town.) Show a photograph of this religious structure. (You may use photographs from the web.) What roles
has this place served in the development of your city/town? How has it influenced the design of the area around it? How has its role
changed over time? What roles could this place of worship play in the future development of your city/town?
I'm originally from Rochester N.Y, and in downtown Rochester, there is a huge church called Christ Church. Christ church was established in
1854 when Rochester had 40,000 inhabitants. this was before Rochester had a large boom from things like the Erie canal and other industry, so
Christ church was right at the center of the expanding town. It has
remained an Episcopal church ever since its conception. The English
architect, Robert Gibson, designed the 14th Century French Gothic
structure of Albion Sandston, and it is now a central structure of
Rochester's current downtown. This church plays a distinct auditory
role in the downtown area, its bells ringing at the different times of
day, loud enough so that most people in downtown can hear it. While
it may be central to downtown and play an important role, it did not
have much of an architectural influence on the buildings around it. Its
14th-century gothic style is unique to churches of its caliber, and
buildings around it mostly adopted the style of the 1900's and now
are modernized buildings. this does make the church stand out a lot
in the downtown area. this church has, and continues to
accommodate members from all over Rochester, and is a center of
Christian worship in Rochester.
IMAGE: http://www.rochestersubway.com/topics/2010/01/rochester_christ_church_organ_in_ny_times/

32. MODULE 14:
Thread 2: Response to Prospects for the Future of Diversity and Design
Consider the quote in your syllabus from educator Michael J. Shannon: “Design, as vision in action--the intersection of understanding
and creation--is a universal human capability that can play a fundamental role in social evolution, in the process that transforms
resources, energy, and information to make our world.” At the beginning of this course, we discussed the idea that we are all designers
regardless of our profession or field of study. We’ve asked some big questions along the way, and the conclusion section of our
textbook raises additional issues that require input from people who might not consider themselves to be part of the formalized design
professions. Think about your own major and/or future profession. What is the biggest challenge, problem, or question that your field
needs to tackle right now? What do you plan to do to address this challenge, problem, or question either as part of your studies or
professional life?
As a future architect, i feel like a lot of the issues that we covered in this course will affect me
in my future profession, and the way architecture is done for the future. Questions like; how
do we design our built environment for the disabled, or to nurture social capital in public
housing, or to consider design and how it can be done better with user input. All of these
are questions that, as an architect, since we design things that are used by these peoples
and groups, are important to think about. if we don't design building that can be used by the
disabled, we discriminate. if we design buildings or things for neighborhoods, that don't get
used an intended because the communities weren’t consulted on what they wanted or
involved in the design process, that is also our fault. these thing are hugely important to
think about as architects. I cannot say that there is one issue that is most important to think
about as an architect that we covered in this class, because they are all important and effect
the future of my design profession. IN my professional life, i want to take this knowledge and
investigation that we did this semester and apply it to my designs. hopefully through doing
this i can improve my designs, and hopefully help others lives as well through them.
IMAGE: http://www.aiga.org/diversity-and-inclusion-initiative