Online discussion questions for ARC 211: American Diversity and Design

1. University at Buffalo -
State University of New York
ARC 211 - American Diversity
And Design
Online Discussion Questions
Spring 2017
Jack Heiser

2. Introduction
-This thread provides you with an opportunity to "meet" each other and
initiate a connection with participants in your group. In responding to this
discussion thread, please introduce yourself and provide us with one
interesting fact about yourself. After posting your introduction, take a look
through and reply to some of the others. The purpose of this exercise is to
develop a sense of community. You might find that you share similar
experiences and can help each other in many ways throughout the
semester.
-Hello, my name is Jack. I am a freshman majoring in architecture. I am
from Smithtown, on Long Island, where I have played soccer for most of
my life. It has always been my favorite thing to do and it is my form of
stress relief. Growing up I always loved to draw, create and build as well,
so architecture has been a fit for me for some time now. Since this is my
first online class, I'm excited to see how it goes.
-Being an architecture student, American Diversity and Design has become
an influence as to certain aspects of my future profession that I never
thought about. The course made me think about all different demographics
and how design has either positively or negatively affected them. It was
interesting to think about how much of an impact my future work may
have on others lives. The most compelling part of this course was the
discussion with classmates about designs that affect those with different
disabilities, either physical or mental. It is more compelling to me as I have
personal experience working with kids that have mental disabilities and
have seen the different levels of aid that they need. Design in the built
environment can be a big aid if done right. Seeing the discussions it has
made me think that there is a definite possibility in the future to have very
beneficial designs for those with any disability, either mental or physical.
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.
Personal Photo

3. What Is Design?
-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.
-One innovation that has affected the population as a whole was the
invention of the "Ediphone" by Thomas Edison which had the ability to
record music. The entertainment business began to expand as music could
be played over and over again without the live bands. Throughout time,
recording music has progressed to even be played on our phones that hold
a lot of songs with much more and always produce great sound. Easy
access to music has been great for anyone who enjoys the chance to be in
their own world and listen to their favorite song, have that one play list get
them in a better mood, or to play at a party to create a fun environment.
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkh2DIo
wx62uP0nF_0QyuF1lT0SY1zXUQ0zD6_xgQGqyzCVeqH

4. Response to “Introduction”
-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.)
-I have helped in a program called Special Soccer, which has been done in
other sports, such as baseball. Special Soccer and similar programs were
created to help those with mental disabilities such as Autism and Down
Syndrome to have a safe environment to enjoy themselves and work on
certain skills. Social skills, teamwork and friendships are built by the
players in the program.
Special Soccer3a.jpg

5. Media/Society Chapter
-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 pictures in the media message or product section or the
media industry section. The pictures were used by the media industry to
get the message across about any issues that were relevant at the time. One
current picture that served as an iconic moment is the picture of children
and teachers panicking in the parking lot of Sandy Hook Elementary as
they were being escorted out of the building. It showed that no one is ever
really safe from harm, no matter how unthinkable the harm could be. The
event fueled those against guns, wanting more regulations to have less
availability to the public.
151210-sandy-hook-shootings-mn-1310_094345fe2a10d034dabb8
d2ec79d71ec.nbcnews-ux-2880-1000.jpg

6. Hats
-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?
-Both colored hats have a simple meaning behind them that try to grasp a
big amount of supporters for their cause/meaning. They have a general
expression to get bigger crowds of those who may interpret them or see
different aspects of it they may like. "Make America Great Again", is
broad, never explains how to do it but people have their own ideas for it.
And the Pink Hats are for Women's Rights or just to defy Trump. They
have different meanings, as one was created as opposition to the other, but
they are similar in their ideas of expressing simplistic messages. The hats
are examples of designs that could be so simple, by just wearing a certain
color, emblem or word can convey a message or show that you are
affiliated with a certain group. https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTUxXfot7
6yV-MXlpr_GFsypwxDniDbuMo-28OyYSvk3Bite27C

7. Industrial Design
-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?
-Ford's production line created repetition in the workforce and in society.
With everything being made on the production line, every thing was the
same. The same steps to create the same objects that all looked the same.
There was no more specialization in jobs or in the items. And with
unspecialized jobs, more workers could be hired for less. This also
allowed prices to go down in the market due to mass production. More
people could afford the items being produced and have more, changing
their lifestyles. Current day manufacturing is similar. Companies can mass
produce products at fast rates at low costs. The difference from Ford's
production line and today's, are the workers. More machines are doing the
simple jobs that humans used to have. In the next twenty years, the
machines can produce more items completely on their own. Jobs could
become scarce but it could also affect the economy with how the items are
priced since the companies wouldn't have to pay for employees' wages.
1*Y8U9_XwuHJOLGatnzltJ1g.jpeg

8. IDEA Awards and Cradle-to-Cradle
-Which of the 2016 IDEA Gold Award products seems to defy the
Cradle-to-Cradle concept developed by architect William McDonough and
chemist Dr. Michael Braungart? How does this product resist or disregard
the concept? Do you know of any products that embrace Cradle-to-Cradle
design? If so, please describe.
-The ZONE Mouthguard is very helpful for athletes, protecting them from
concussions and helping them avoid mouth injuries. But the mouthguards
are made out of very durable plastic that does not break down easily, if at
all. It can last for a long time in your mouth, where your enzymes break
down most things that go in it. Even after use and not needing the guards,
recycling them will only delay how they eventually end up, lost in the
environment from not being thrown out, or stuck in the landfill where it
will stay for a long time, not being broken down.
One design that follows the Cradle-to-Cradle design is edible utensils.
There have been utensils made out of a rice or corn base that can be used
to eat meals, then be eaten so that nothing is thrown out. Instead of getting
plastic utensils that will not be broken down, these can be eaten or will
break down very easily reducing waste in the environment.
bakeys-edible-spoon.jpg.662x0_q70_crop-scale.jpg

9. 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 and Zumthor both agree that design should revolve around a
person and how the architecture makes you react. They both believe
design should focus on how people feel, the architecture should create
emotion. Zumthor focused on emotions and feelings with the looks, he
changed how people felt with what they saw and how they saw it.
Ballantyne focused on how you occupied the space, how you could
interact and physically feel in the surrounding environment, whether or
not it was pleasing to the eye.
mim10.jpeg.650x0_q70_crop-smart.jpg

10. Module 4
-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.)
-The Greco-Roman architecture from the designs of the Capital Building
by Thomas Jefferson was the face of new government. The first Republic
to break away from a monarchy and the columns of Roman architecture
were brought into the American design. It was a sign of new control,
freedom from Britain.
More present day effect on architecture came from Louis Sullivan's design
of the Wainwright Building. The tall tripartite design was able to come
together through a steel frame. But what is so special about this steel
frame, is the emphasis on it. It is shown with the protruding verticals. It set
the tone for the next skyscrapers, showing off height and their steel
frames. But what Sullivan taught others was that the most important is the
expression of individuals on the architecture, more ornament and design
for people to enjoy. It was creating an American Architecture.
y02---La-maison-carree.JPG

11. Pruitt Igoe Project
-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?
-I think that Talen would find a way to make Pruitt Igoe as diverse as
possible. She talks about diversity with race, gender, social class and more
based off of what is in the communities. I think Larson would create
centers for people to come together and enjoy the space together whether
it is for activities or relaxing locations to interact with one another. I
would suggest designing it as more of a suburban housing allowing more
personal space for families. Whether the housing was multi family or not,
just would not be as packed as the original design. Having more space
outside of a single room for a family makes life much more than just four
walls. Smaller homes with space for families is also much more
welcoming of a community than a giant concrete building, making it a
nicer environment to be in. I would also add off of something that Larson
might do. Creating centers for people to be together close to the homes
would be very convenient. It would also be convenient if it had more
shops open for whatever is necessary to buy, but also to create jobs that
reduce the commute.
http://www.pruitt-igoe.com/YAMA/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/P-I99.jpg

12. 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 Smithtown on Long Island, which is in Suffolk County.
Suffolk is very suburban. Also, Long Island roads are planned similarly to
a grid with a majority of major roads running horizontally or vertically to
the island to get around quicker. Smithtown is very big and has two high
schools in its district. The town is considered in two parts, East and West
just as the high schools are called. Smithtown High School East is where I
went. The surrounding area of my school is suburban houses, with parks
very close by. Even down the road from where we have many small
restaurants/delis and shops on one of the main roads in town. But
Smithtown is very big, as I said split into East and West, and there are two
Main Streets, East Main and West Main. The Town of Saint James, is also
inside Smithtown and part of the Smithtown Central School District. East
Main is located in Saint James, and West Main of course the west side of
town. Both main streets are very similar. They have many shops, delis,
grocery stores in the strip easy for people to walk around in. They are
centered around the developments in town and can even be walked to by
many people. Most developments are the same, middle class homes,
varying a decent amount. Most developments had four to five original
designs that the rest of the houses built were based off of, giving a sign of
individuality and difference, but still based off of the same ideas.
https://earth.google.com/web/@40.87822198,-73.16951292,51.24715042a
,0d,90y,102.08021263h,85.49530202t,0r/data=CgAiGgoWbERWTG04a2
9GeDB4UUlpYzkySXhPZxAC

13. Frederick Law 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?
-Frederick Law Olmsted believed that Buffalo was the best planned city
due to its planning of its streets and interconnectedness of the public
parks. The streets connect directly to parks, some bigger than others, with
more streets radiating off. It created easy access from centers, from park to
park, across the city and wherever needed to go. People had the ability to
travel for miles in the city, without feeling like they are in the city due to
the park system. Current day, I do not believe that Olmsted would say the
same thing. Two major highways have been placed that cut through parks,
messing up the park's nature and feel in the environment. It has cut up the
original design and concept of the city.
http://library.buffalo.edu/maps/img/olmstedbuffalonorth.jpg

14. Walter Hood’s Work
-Identify something that should be memorialized either on UB's campus or
in your hometown. Imagine that you are the person who will oversee this
project, and that you are using Walter Hood's 'triad of investigations' as
your approach to the project. What would your landscape intervention
commemorate/memorialize? How will you use Hood's 'triad of
investigations' to design a new landscape intervention? What do you
imagine that the design will be? (Either written or visual descriptions are
acceptable).
-I live in Saint James, which is inside the town of Smithtown. So in
Smithtown we were divided into two high schools. We also have two fire
departments, Saint James and Smithtown fire department. My father is a
volunteer firefighter in the Smithtown fire department. But at the Saint
James department, we have a memorial of a piece from one of the Twin
Towers. The station is on the side of a road and partly hidden behind trees,
as well as the memorial. If I had the chance, I would bring out the
memorial to be more in the open, with more space to walk around it and
see. I'd prefer for it to be seen well from a full 360 degree view. The
current design does not show enough respect to the piece as I feel it
should.
http://aicontent.agentinsight.net/f/content/254/6d01d829eafb4f41ac
7a8bb61cff89bb/600x450.jpg

15. Charles Davis and equityxdesign’s Work
-Critique either the MLK Memorial or the National Museum of African
American History and Culture using equityXdesign’s core beliefs and/or
design principles. (Use the beliefs or principles that are most relevant to
your critique rather than all of them.)
-The MLK Memorial was built of course in honor of Martin Luther King
Jr. The separation of the statue of him and the rock from which he was
carved showed how he broke free from the boundaries of racism and
inequality. This is like the belief from equityxdesign of Radical Inclusion.
It identified the boundary and showed how it was broken. The location of
the memorial is an important aspect as well. It is located where he gave his
famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
http://navinsarmaphotography.com/wp-content/portfolio/martin_luther_ki
ng_memorial.jpg

16. Brookes
-The abolitionist poster, the Brookes, is an iconic image that often is
included in exhibits that explore issues of race and power. 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.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 image is of a soccer player, Dani Alves, who played for the Spanish
team Barcelona. During a close game against the team Villareal, he was
about to take a corner kick in the last minute of the game. A 'fan' threw a
banana onto the field aiming for him. This gesture has been seen in the
past as a racist action towards black players, calling them monkeys. Dani
had one of the greatest reactions toward this, he ended up eating the
banana, taking it as a joke. He picked it up, took a bite, played the ball in
and Barcelona scored to win the game. After the game, he commented on
the banana, he said that he was grateful to who threw the banana saying it
gave him energy to assist the goal to win the game. I believe that Dani
Alves had the best reaction, and could not have handled it any better. I
think that most people would agree with that, instead of taking it to heart
and looking to get even, he built off of it.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/d6/1a/75/d61a7513
c5c7364a34ae8ba02ed67bd3.jpg

17. Landscape Stories
-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’. 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 house, I would say the kitchen is representative of my ethnic
background. I am Italian, and my family spends a lot of time in the
kitchen, making home cooked meals or even just talking. There is always
food being made in my house, and it is the first thing that friends mention
when they come over; "it smells so good in here" and "that's a lot of food".
Having a lot of food, it makes us spend more time there eating all of it
giving more time to talk to each other. And even when we do not have
food, it does become a space for us to just be in and talk telling stories.
My community, Smithtown, is not a very diverse town. It is very big,
which creates the need for many schools, five elementary schools, three
middle schools and two high schools. But not being too diverse, no
minority group seems to be underrepresented since there isn't enough of a
certain culture to become prominent. The closest to the ethnicity is the fact
that there are many types of churches and many Jewish temples in
Smithtown.
Cento_slider_image.jpg

18. 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?
-I believe that sports teams can use ethnic references depending on the
reference. The Washington Redskins get a lot of attention since 'redskins'
were a derogative term. There are ethnic references that are not negative
and could be used. The complexity is that some people take offense to
certain references/phrases/actions when it could mean the same thing for
them. A negative term may not bother one person of a background but
could offend someone else of the same background. Also, certain phrases
could have different meanings in different languages. It could be harmless
in one language, then made a name, but could be a terrible thing to say in
another language.
http://media.zuza.com/b/1/b1e34a36-fbe7-4ab3-99b6-4fb4ea97b97
9/Logos___Gallery.jpg

19. Visualizing Gender
- 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 ad used the 'stories in data' method. The ad has young girls in
princess dresses, asking the audience what is more offensive, the fact that
they curse throughout the whole ad, or certain gender inequality facts. The
young girls bring up stereotypes/requirements about young girls; need to
be pretty, they're seen as 'princess in distress', and facts about unequal pay
and rape. Forcing the audience to see both hand and hand in one moment
shows the comparison much better and that society has to focus on those
issues and not what people think that girls should be. The ad could be
better by adding more facts talking about gender inequality more than
unequal pay and rape statistics
https://www.fckh8.com

20. 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.
-I believe trans genders should be allowed to use whatever bathroom for
the gender that they identify with. It would make it uncomfortable for
those who are transgender, as they would not have a comfortable
experience going into a bathroom for the gender on their birth certificate.
Whatever gender that a person is, they should use the bathroom for their
gender. But at the same time, people argue that seeing a man walk into the
bathroom for women may make them uncomfortable. Being that the
transgender population is smaller, majority rules would typically be seen
to accompany those who are not trans gender, making it unavailable for
those to go into the bathroom of the opposite gender. As a designer, I
would get rid of gender exclusive bathrooms, and create more privacy for
individuals while using the bathroom.
http://webmedia.jcu.edu/safezone/files/2015/11/rr-sign-with-handi1.jpg

21. 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.
-One type of space that I saw, was Silo City during my visits for
architecture, it is our site for our current project. Silo City is a crusty space
because it is easily visible from some distance away due to the size of the
silos, and seen from the roads nearby, but is not open to the public because
of gates and the structures blocking entrances. It is blocked off to those
who do not have permission to on the grounds.
The next is a structure in Lake Erie which is slippery. The structure can be
seen from the shore. But the only way to get to the structure is by boat. It
is difficult to get to, and those who do not have a boat can not get there.

22. People Like Us
-After almost two decades of public assistance, Tammy Crabtree took
herself and her family off the welfare rolls. But her job cleaning
bathrooms at a local Burger King barely paid the bills. Crabtree wanted to
do better and hopes to go to college and become a teacher.
Imagine this scenario. You are a designer who works at the well-known
firm, iPD(Integrated Planning and Design). You work on a team with
planners, urban designers, policy designers, architects, and social
designers. You have been tasked to develop/design a way for Tammy
Crabtree and her family (and others with situations similar to Tammy’s) to
move themselves out of poverty. What will your team to do to help
Tammy and her family achieve their goals? What approach will your team
take to address this difficult problem?
-If I was a designer for iPD, I would create a better form of public
transportation for those who may not have their own means of
transportation such as Tammy. Creating a good form of public
transportation that is easily affordable would help a lot. Commutes would
not be as difficult, getting to other places for shopping would also be
easier. Cutting down on time for errands and commuting, it could free up
time for maybe another part time job for Tammy (parents in this situation),
or even a part time job for kids of age to work. This would increase
income into the household, creating more opportunities for the family.
ttc.jpg

23. (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?
-Regent Park could include more for the older people living there by
taking more personal request into consideration as they were supposed to
in the design. Other ideas may be creating open areas as group spaces to
encourage interaction; park tables/benches to sit and talk and open areas to
play. This will create a space for all ranges of ages to interact and be
together. Also, in these spaces there could be annual events that take place
with the incentive to bring in all the different age ranges pushing an event
that all can enjoy together. Creating events or just the space for all to be
together creates a better sense of community.
https://mintmuseum.s3.amazonaws.com/filer_public/fe/a6/fea67752
-3a4f-4347-8a68-8b291bca9222/1420744721.jpg

24. 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?
-With longer life spans, the population will have a higher constant as the
death rate is slowed down as more babies are still being born. With a
higher population, living space may be a concern, and creating more
comfortable living space may be a struggle. Homes may need to
accommodate more people as families may have more people/generations
together. Also, with higher life expectancies, other health problems may
arise at that stage in life. So finding new ways to aid those issues could be
another design that may need to be created.
eco-housing-green-space-main.jpg

25. PPT, Smithsonian, and Roy
-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.
-Of the Universal Design Principles, I chose 'Equitable Use'. Equitable
Use provides the same actions in different forms for different people with
different abilities or disabilities. It avoids separation and stigmatizing of
users. My first example does this by extending a ramp out of the step into
a bus. It is the same entrance that can change creating easy access for
anyone’s needs without having a separate entrance for others.
My next picture is an example of a poor Universal Design because it does
not accommodate those who have disabilities such as being in a
wheelchair. The entrance to a building has three steps, which would be
hard to climb over in a wheelchair. The effort to create access for anyone
who is handicapped, actually seems to be harder to access even without a
handicap. The slope of the entrance ramp is too difficult to go up in a
wheelchair.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/85/1c/22/
851c22c3bfa1c53ebf4f7761b293f959.jpg
http://idea.ap.buffalo.edu/udny/Sec1i
mages/1-1.jpg

26. FIXED
-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?
-Some positive outcomes of designing our bodies and the bodies of our
children are the possibilities of curing genetic diseases which are passed
on through generations; autism, down syndrome, crohn's disease, some
forms of cancer, and more. Having the ability to prevent people from ever
having them in the future. With enhancement technologies, they give
people the ability to do things that they either never had the opportunity to
(being born with a deformity) or had it taken away from them (being an
amputee). Prosthetics are one form that has helped give people certain
opportunities. Another form of enhancement technologies is the use of
stem cells, which has created the ability to create or repair organs or limbs.
Also, they have the ability to cure diseases such as parkinson's,
cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Negatives to being able to design our
children is the lack of diversity and differentiation. Nothing would
separate someone from one another. Ethically it is unnatural and would
change the meaning of having a child. The child is technically not like the
parents as they are not taking the specific genes as they would naturally.
http://www.theluxuryspot.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/358354
216.jpg

27. Titicut Follies
-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?
-Wiseman should have been allowed to film the residents of the
Correctional Facility. As the residents do not have all of the same rights
that they do outside of the facility. The Correctional Facility has the right
to check up on the residents whenever needed, or when they please, as
they control the residents' privacy. The filming of Titicut Follies can be
considered a check on the residents of the facility. The film/check up
shows issues with the residents' well being due to the design of the facility
and faculty. Seeing issues in design for the residents can help designers
see what concepts/difficulties that they may not have originally thought of.
Designs can make life easier and more comfortable for the residents and
may also make things easier for faculty. Realizing some of the issues in
Bridgewater Massachusetts Correctional Facility, some design concepts
that may emerge from the filming of the facility can also be implemented
into other scenarios; mental hospital, hospital, nursing homes and more.
http://static.rogerebert.com/uploads/movie/movie_poster/titicut-follies-196
8/large_v9alKxaEGOYVtlVo0H6Z5cLxJh8.jpg

28. Architecture of Autism
-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”?
-As a resident, I would oppose the group home mainly for my children. I
will teach my kids to be respectful and understanding of others and any
differences that someone may have. But with the given list of behavior
exhibited by some of the residents in the past, I would not feel comfortable
exposing my children to something such as public masturbation. Although
these behaviors haven't been seen for some time, there may still be a
chance of it reoccurring. Possible solutions that may provide residents
with "the same basic human rights as the rest of the population" would be
to create an outdoor space just for residents. Creating a comfortable
outdoor area could give the residents the opportunity to take a walk or
enjoy themselves with the possible supervision in case of health
complications. Having this outdoor space would give residents the "same
basic human rights" as they have the control to enjoy time outside of being
locked in the home at all times.
http://www.gwoltal.myfastmail.com/files/Cul%20de
%20sac%20kids.jpg

29. The Connection Between Religion and Urban Planning
-Identify a place of worship with which you are somewhat familiar. (If
you are not familiar with any places of worship, do a bit of research on
one in your own city or town.) Show a photograph of this religious
structure. (You may use photographs from the web.) What roles has this
place served in the development of your city/town? How has it influenced
the design of the area around it? How has its role changed over time?
What roles could this place of worship play in the future development of
your city/town?
A place of worship in my town is the church that I go to, Saints Philip and
James Church. The Roman Catholic church is one of a handful of
churches in my town. SSPJ is also a school for first grade to eighth grade.
There are also religion classes for kids that are involved in the church for
kids to receive communion and confirmation. Also, there is a youth group
that is affiliated in the church that is mainly a group for kids in the
community who go to SSPJ to hang out together, go on retreats and even
do community service; such as food drives and clothing drives. The
church really helps in building the sense of community with its fund
raisers and charity work that gets a lot of people from the town supporting.
The church is just off of one of the major roads in town so it is very easy
to get to. The main road has many places to eat, then turning off of the
road it becomes a residential area with the church just on the edge of the
houses
https://ublearns.buffalo.edu/courses/1/2171_14992_COMB/db/_3716078_
1/embedded/Untitled%202.jpeg

30. Prospects for the Future of Diversity and Design
Think about your own major and/or future profession. What is the
biggest challenge, problem, or question that your field needs to tackle
right now? What do you plan to do to address this challenge, problem,
or question either as part of your studies or professional life?
My major is architecture. Some challenges in architecture are
sustainability and being eco-friendly. New buildings are always being
made, and old buildings are either coming down or being renovated. Over
longer periods of time, renovations are not enough to save buildings. With
new technology and new design concepts buildings are lasting longer. For
example, one innovation was the steel frame in buildings that helped
construction speed and sustainability. New designs are also helping
buildings be more environmentally friendly due to the material that they
are made out of and even the way the way they are built. In my studies
and/or in my career I would like to find ways to optimize sustainability
while creating more environmentally friendly buildings. Another
challenge that is tied with that and the profession as a whole, is others, and
hearing "no" or "that is not the norm". While designing eco-friendly
homes and buildings have only recently started to make appearances, they
are not the norm. They are challenging the norm and what has been the
usual since the beginning of design, as buildings have been seen as their
own entity and rarely related and friendly to its environment.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ff/d2/52/ffd252098281bf1977
0e9f0bcc8fc64e.jpg