Arc 211: American Diversity and Design: Connor Lane

University at Buffalo – State University of New York
ARC 211 – American Diversity and Design – Spring 2017
Online Discussion Questions
Connor Lane

American Diversity and Design was a very compelling course that influenced me a lot. It
made me conscious of the many aspects of design and how they could positively or negatively
affect certain people or groups. As an architect major, a valuable lesson I learned was that there
should be more emphasis on what links architecture and architects together rather than focusing
on what makes each one unique. The effect of architecture and architectural space goes well
beyond the interests of the individual architect (and their team) and the client, as it also affects
the quality of the surrounding environment. Something that I enjoyed throughout the semester of
this course were the TED talks. The TED talks provided a plethora of information and gave
insight and light to ideas and topics I may not have thought of on my own. They provided a
deeper understanding of the world, covering nearly all topics from science to business to global
issues, and they also reformed some of my ignorant connotations about specific issues. If I had to
give credit to anything throughout the course that affected my viewpoints in the beginning, it
would definitely be the TED talks.
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.

Jennifer 5: Week 1 Module
Thread 1: 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.

Hi, my name is Connor and one interesting thing about me is that architecture fascinated me
before I even knew it was architecture. One of my favorite buildings growing up was
Beekman Tower in New York City. It fascinated me because I grew up curious about how a
curved, wave-like building could be constructed. It was also through my Lego addiction growing
up that pushed me toward building design.

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? 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.
I believe an invention that gave advantage to the United States was the steam engine. The steam
engine led the charge of the Industrial Revolution. The high-pressure steam engine developed by
Richard Trevithick and others allowed for small enough steam engines to power a train. The
steam engines expanded to powering factories that made rapid production of goods possible
during the Industrial Revolution. Although it was not an American invention or development
throughout the process, the steam engine was a major part of production and transportation of
goods in America and held expedite society's advancement. Polluted rivers and smoke-filled air
began to dominate cities, which in turn created poor working and living conditions. The most
direct pollution problem was created by the locomotive due to the carbon dioxide emissions into
the atmosphere.

Thread 3: Response to "Introduction" from Diversity and Design - On “Introduction”
from Diversity and Design: Understanding Hidden Consequences
The editors state that “diverse participation in the design process, from both professionals and
public citizens alike, yields more equitable results.” This makes sense, but typically has not been
the case. Nonetheless, many marginalized groups have impacted design in ways that have
changed our visual and physical worlds as well as our systems, policies, and institutions. For
example, in the 1960s, disability rights advocates designed media events to raise awareness
about barriers in the physical environment. They persisted with their efforts for decades, and,
finally, in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act became law. It mandated accessibility in
public accommodations such as restaurants and stores, public transportation, communication,
and other areas of public life. This dramatically changed our physical environment (from curb
cuts to ramps to automatic doors) and the results made public life more equitable.
Now it’s your turn. Describe a design that was impacted by a diversity group. How and why
did it change form and/or circumstances? (Note that a design can be anything requiring
planning and development prior to the production of an action, system, visual, material object, or
environment. Also, keep in mind that, for our purposes, a diversity group is a group of
individuals who are underrepresented in society in some way—children, older adults, the
economically disadvantaged, those with cognitive disabilities, etc.)
I think that in a general sense, a design that was impacted by a diversity group is the type of
advertisements that corporate companies create to attract a certain type of group of people. For
example, McDonald's creates a commercial that depicts the Quarter Pounder very appetizing and
delicious to make it appealing so that their audience of burger lovers buy their products. It
changes form because although they have been selling Quarter Pounders for years, they'll make
the slightest change to it and label it "new."

Thread 1: Response to Media/Society Chapter and TED Talk on Photographs - FROM:
“Fashioning Protest for the Women’s March on Washington” and “The Worst Design of 2016
Was Also the Most Effective”
Where would you place the images shown in Photos That Changed the World into Croteau and
Hoynes' diagram entitled “Model of Media and the Social World”? Identify a mass media
photograph taken in your own lifetime that has served as an icon of an event. (Feel free to
add an attachment.) What roles does this photo play in the communication of the event?
The images shown from the TED talk exemplify the iconic phrase, "a picture is worth a thousand
words." There are so many thoughts, emotions, and ideas that can be evoked from the images
because they are trying to convey a message by displaying them in a specific way, I believe that
best place for the images would be in an empty room, sectioned off depending on the topics. This
way, anyone who observes the images will be forced to think about why they are placed in the
order they are and why they are sectioned off the way they are. This would promote interesting
conversation amongst peers. A mass media photograph taken in my lifetime was when former
president Barack Obama shook hands with Cuban President Fidel Castro. The photo below plays
a big role in the communication of this
event because this was the first time in
almost a century since a US president had
last visited. The photo shows Castro's
respect for Obama's efforts of peace
between the nations.

http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.21
81848.1428786731!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_
gen/derivatives/article_750/obama-summit-
united-states-cuba.jpg

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”
NOTE: Use the first three part of the SEE-IT method of critical thinking (State, Elaborate,
Exemplify) to address the following questions:
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 Donald Trump's red "Make America Great Again" hat and Elizabeth Azen's pink "Already
Great" hat act as vehicles of communication design because they use a simple piece of clothing
in order to portray a strong message. For example, Trump's red hat symbolizes both how he
wasn't like your average politician as well as representing the Republican party he ran for.
Another example would be how Azen's hat symbolizes a dislike for Trump and how if any
person were to see either of these hats they would easily receive the message that is being
displayed by the headgear. The hats are similar in the way that they both use subtle phrase to
portray a strong and deeper meaning than what is seen on the outside. However, they're different
because the way the phrases on the hats were given meaning are a little different. This is because
Trump's hat was given meaning based on his campaign slogan which was built off of that of
Regan's in the 80's, while Azen's hat builds off the hype of Trump's and is only understandable
because of it.

Thread 1: Response to “Industrial Design” by John Heskett and "The Incredible
Inventions of Intuitive AI" by Maurice Conti - In his chapter on industrial design (written in
1987), historian John Heskett claims that the methods of mass production introduced by Henry
Ford in the U.S. involved new concepts of the standardization and integration of the production
line that were adopted across the world. With Ford’s method, work could be completed by
relatively unskilled workers; it was more efficient and with this method, products were made
more quickly and cheaply than previously possible. What were some of the social
consequences of Ford’s production line? In other words, how did this system change our
U.S. society? Do any of those changes remain with us today? Now consider Maurice Conti’s
TED Talk, and the predictions he makes about production. How do you think
manufacturing processes will change in the next twenty years? How do you think these
changes will affect our U.S. society?
There were many social consequences of Henry Ford's production line. Although some job
opportunities became available in factories with the assembly line, a lot of the workers that had
individual jobs in hand crafting. By mechanically moving the parts to the assembly work and
moving the semi-finished assembly from work station to work station, a finished product can be
assembled faster and with less labor than by having workers carry parts to a stationary piece for
assembly. Even though many jobs were lost, production became much faster and more efficient.
I think manufacturing in the next twenty years could become very technological. With the way
technology has been advancing over the last couple of decades, artificial intelligence could
become in control of everything. Humans have evolved by believing that artificial intelligence
would be the way to a better society, however, American society has never been run in a fully
submissive society. It would change America drastically.

Thread 2: Response IDEA Awards and Cradle-to-Cradle Video -
NOTE: Use the first three part of the SEE-IT method of critical thinking (State, Elaborate,
Exemplify) to address the following questions:
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.
State: The Robin by Nextbit defies the cradle-to-cradle concept by being innovative.
Elaborate: Despite what the phone does, it doesn't improve upon the major problems of
smartphones and the environment.
Exemplify: Even though smart phones get better, their batteries only get bigger. Bigger batteries
means more lithium in the environment, which is hard to recycle and causes more pollution.

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.)
The Vanna Venturi House challenged the rules of Modernism. Robert Venturi, the architect who
designed the house, didn’t agree with the rigid rules that were being followed by other architects
of his time. He embraced awkwardness and confusion in his design because he wanted to create
a building that would be full of surprises. One of these surprises included a staircase that led to
nowhere. The Arcus Center challenges cultural context by looking to remove stigmas associated
with groups by creating a warm and social atmosphere where everyone can converse with ease.
Jeanne Gang, the architect in charge of this building, had to be creative while designing this
center for social justice leadership. She looked at community meeting houses for inspiration
because she wanted to try a new design concept in which people would bump in to each other,
possibly stimulating a conversation.

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? (Use the SEE-IT method to respond to this question.)
Ballantyne and Zumthor's ideas about architecture are similiar in the sense that they believe that
architecture is more than just buildings and structures. Architecture plays a role in our lives as
well. It is the building block of our relationships, it is the foundation for our cities, our
communities, and what we use to form those structures is important. Every day materials are key
when it comes to the foundation of architecute. It impacts our influential ideas, and our
relationships. However, the process that Ballantyne and Zumthor go through to create a piece of
architecture is different. Zumthor believes in the fluidity of the materials, how they fit together,
or flow together. He believes that architecture can speak for itself, send a message, or stand on its
own. Ballantyne on the other hand thinks about the people that will be using that piece of
architecture. He thinks about who will be using it, and why, and designs his pieces based on
practicality.

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 in New York City and the planning of the city's design was crucial to the success of
the city. Known for its towering skyscrapers and bright lights, Manhattan has become the beacon
and face of New York City. The idea for designing the island based off of a gridded
infrastructure was first introduced in the Commissioners' Plan of 1811. This plan was the original
design for the majority of Manhattan and this original rectangular gird plan was supposedly the
answer to city planning that intertwine control, balance and a distrust of nature. Those who came
up with the plan called it a combination of "beauty, order, and convenience." And if you consider
the population of New York City in that time period, the plan exemplifies that combination.

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?
When Pruitt-Igoe was first created, there were many aspects that made it a failure in urban
planning. One of the biggest issues was the segregation. Talen believed that segregation is still a
major issue in today’s urban planning. She had stated in her article that “Even where integration
appears to be on the rise, it may not exist at a meaningful spatial level. A recent study of 'melting
pot suburbs' in the San Francisco Bay Area argued that suburban multiculturalism was mostly a
myth, and that suburbs were simply patterning themselves into new forms of segregation”.
Pruitt-Igoe's integration was major part in its downfall. I believe that if Talen was to
recreate Pruitt-Igoe, she would try to propose a more natural way of establishing an integrated
community to be beneficial to all inhabitants. Larson was someone who believed that it would be
beneficial to minimize apartment space while optimizing its usage. Through the creation of a
standardized chassis, it woud “give people the tools within this open-loft chassis to go through a
process of defining what their needs and values”. This establishes an environment of choice and
satisfaction, where everyone begins to maintain their own spaces and keep the building in a
better state overall. If I was to work with both Talen and Larson, I think a great solution would
be to combine both of their ideas to develop Pruitt-Igoe that into the amazing housing
development it was initially supposed to be. In this newer version of Pruitt-Igoe, my proposal
would be a relocation of the entire housing complex to a more culturally diverse area. I believe
that better placement of this housing complex would reduce the chance of forced integration that
leads to segregation and would offer a more comfortable living setting.

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?
Olmstead makes this claim because how well the gridded city planning transitioned into the more
rural areas of Buffalo. He felt like most urban planners designed cities to segregate the city and
the country but with his integration of a vast park system, the transition from city to country
wouldn't be as drastic. I feel like he wouldn't still make that claim today because
environmentalism has expanded to the point where more parks are being preserved and
integrated into the planning of cities. So many cities today wouldn't be to far from his design of
Buffalo.

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).
Something in my hometown that should be memorialized is the Charging Bull in Manhattan. I
don't believe that I would even use Hood's "triad of investigations" because I wouldn't
memorialize something so that it could become something for everyday use. If I am going to
memorialize something, it's because I want it to be seen and respected for what it is or for what
historical meaning is behind it, much like the 9/11 memorial site. However, the way I would
memorialize would be to simply put a little barrier around it with a brief description of the
history of the Charging Bull. That way people can understand the purpose and importance of a
bronze bull in the middle of the Financial District of Manhattan.

Thread 1: Response to the Brookes - The abolitionist poster, the Brookes, is an iconic image
that often is included in exhibits that explore issues of race and power. It was commissioned by
Thomas Clarkson in 1788, and the Committee of the Abolition of Slavery used it to inform and
shock the public. While some consider the poster as an important component of the abolitionist
campaign, it recently “has been strongly criticized by some individuals and groups of African
heritage as providing a very limited view of the history of the transatlantic slave trade, resistance
and abolition (Hudson 2007).” The lesson here is that how a viewer sees an image is dependent
upon his/her social, economic, and cultural position. Keeping this in mind, find another iconic
graphic that addresses racial issues and post it for others in your group to view. (Add it to
your response by clicking on the picture in the tools section. Do not add it as an attachment that
needs to be opened.) How do you interpret the graphic? What is its meaning? Now imagine
that someone from a racial and cultural background different than your own is looking at
the same graphic. Briefly describe this person. How might s/he interpret its meaning? How
might this differ from your interpretation? What are the possible reasons for these
differences? (Consider the three assessment principles mentioned in the article to help you: a
technology of vision, an instrument of empathy, and a symbol of control.) (NOTE: Limit your
response to less than 250 words.)

https://s-media-cache-
ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e5/1a/67/e51a67584346952793106eb987b833c3.jpg

I interpreted this picture as a depiction of segregation in America in the 1900s and it's showing
how separated society was back then and how severe racism was expressed with the pure hatred
of African-Americans . However if a Muslim woman from the Middle East was to see this same
photo, they might not understand what negroes meant back then and could mistakenly assume
"negroes" is like a terrible food item that the kids don't want to eat. This small misconception is
because from a different culture in a different part of the world, they may not understand what
racism meant in America at the time.

Thread 2: Response to Charles Davis and equityXdesign's Work – Critique either the
MLK Memorial or the National Museum of African American History and Culture
using equityXdesign’s core beliefs and/or design principles. (Use the beliefs or principles that
are most relevant to your critique rather than all of them.) (NOTE: Limit your response to less
than 250 words.)
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington D.C. designed by Lei Yixin, clearly
represent the beliefs and design principles of equityXdesign in many ways. For example, it
obviously shows their first belief in that historical context matters, because it was made in
remembrance of the late Martin Luther King Jr, who was a major part of the Civil Rights
Movement, as well as one of the most important leaders of that time period. I also believe that it
displays their design principal of starting with yourself, this is because I believe that Yixin
understood himself and new the lens in which he was designing for and the significance behind
it. Finally I believe that their design principal in making the invisible, visible was the most
important aspect they covered, this is because in this day and age with the division that is
occurring in America, this is a symbol that change can happen and that we can still make a
difference.

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 interpets the culture and material of
underrepresented groups. Think about the community where you grew up. Describe and
discuss any evidence of cultural influences on the physical environment in your community.
If possible, describe evidence of the cultural influence of an underrepresented group. (If
possible, add photo/s.) Is this cultural influence being acknowledged or preserved from
future generations? Why or why not? (Limit your response to 250 words.)
The place in my home that can act as a representative of my own ethnic background is my
kitchen. I say this because my kitchen is decorated with a very specific banner that lays out the
recipe to a happy home in Jamaica. Jamaica is this birth country of most of my family and plays
a big role in my life today. In my neighborhood of Jamaica, Queens, NY, there was a heavy
migration of Middle Easterners into our neighborhood. They brought many of their cultures and
practices to the United States and integrated it with the current society of the country. Even
Northeast Asia brought a considerable amount of culture, and one of the best examples of this is
the widespread chain of Chinese Food restaurants. Growing up in New York City, you really get
to grasp the concept of diversity and how it has affected the whole city. Those are two of the
most underrepresented groups in New York City and they still made an attempt to create a life
for themselves in America. I think this is cultural influence is being acknowledged by future
generations because many children today grow up with those cultural influences and think of
them as the standard living in America.

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? (Limit your response to 150 words.)
I do not think that sports team branding designers use ethnic references. To a certain extent, there
are some instances where the ethnic references are disrespectful. For example, making the
Washington Redskins play on Thanksgiving. Although it's just a football team that has a
scheduled game to play, their mascot is a Native American and it's very insensitive if you really
know the history of Thanksgiving. However, corporate companies profit off the marketing of
mascots. I think it's better for the profit of the NBA, NFL, MLB, etc. to keep the masses
interested in sporting events.

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? (Limit your response to 200 words.)
The approach of this advertisement was to "get the idea." The designer of this uses this approach
to display a huge difference in respect amongst men and women. Back in the 1950s, a common
belief was that men were superior to women and women weren't good for anything but cooking
and cleaning. I believe the approach is effective is this example because it displays the extreme
disrespect of females back then and how society was accepting of messages like this. I think this
graphic can't be improved because it represents a time period where this mentality was common
amongst the population.

http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1050003.1365184346!/img/httpImage/i
mage.jpg_gen/derivatives/gallery_1200/del-monte-ketchup-woman-open.jpg

Thread 2: Response to Bathroom Bill - Last year, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory
signed into law a bill that repealed local LGBT anti-discrimination laws, and required people to
use the bathroom that corresponded with the biological gender written on their birth certificates.
This prompted massive backlash. McCrory stated, “You know, we all have to make adjustments
in life. And we’ve had the proper etiquette situation for decades in our country, and all of a
sudden through political correctness we’re throwing away basic etiquette.” Just this past
Thursday, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a bill to repeal the law while placing a
moratorium on nondiscrimination measures.
Should people be required to use the bathroom that corresponds with the biological gender
written on their birth certificate? State why AND state why not. In other words, to receive
full credit for this question, you need to present an argument for both sides of the issue. As
a designer, how would you solve this gender dilemma? Use the SEE-IT method to respond to
this question. (Limit your response to less than 250 words.)
I personally don't believe that people should be required to use the bathroom that corresponds
with the biological gender written on their birth certificate. However one chooses to identify
themselves should be the bathroom they are allowed to go to. If a woman chooses to become a
man, then he should be allowed to go to the men's bathroom, and vice versa. Establishing a
restriction like using the bathroom in society today is a spit in the face to those who are choosing
to life their life how they want. At the end of the day, one of the most precious human traits is
free will. By putting a limitation on bathroom usage, you're essentially putting restrictions on a
one's right to free will.
On the other side, some people to believe that a person should use the bathroom that corresponds
with the biological gender written on their birth certificate. One of the reasons is because some
people think a man who used to be a woman shouldn't be allowed in a men's bathroom for the
simple fact that they carry the "once a woman, always a woman" mentality, which is an ignorant
mentality to keep.

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.

Thread 2: Response to People Like Us - After almost two decades of public assistance, Tammy
Crabtree took herself and her family off the welfare rolls. But her job cleaning bathrooms at a
local Burger King barely paid the bills. Crabtree wanted to do better and hopes to go to college
and become a teacher.
Imagine this scenario. You are a designer who works at the well-known firm, iPD (Integrated
Planning and Design). You work on a team with planners, urban designers, policy designers,
architects, and social designers. You have been tasked to develop/design a way for Tammy
Crabtree and her family (and others with situations similar to Tammy’s) to move themselves out
of poverty. What will your team to do to help Tammy and her family achieve their goals?
What approach will your team take to address this difficult problem?
I would encourage Tammy and others like her to attend a job fair to find a job that can better
support her and her family and may have other aspects that could benefit her in the future. I’ve
had an entry level job that didn’t require prior experience and provided employees with tuition
reimbursement after working there for six months. I would encourage Tammy to find a job
similar to this that would help her achieve her dreams of becoming a teacher instead of cleaning
bathrooms at Burger King. I would also recommend she take advantage of any free/cheap meals
her community offers to underprivileged families. Saving some money on meals could give her a
little extra money at the end of the month. Tammy could additionally look for scholarships that
she was eligible for and use this to help start off her dream of going to college. I would
recommend she start with online classes so that she can begin balancing school, work, and her
kids. Tammy’s kids seem like they’re old enough to start getting jobs to help around the house or
if they’re not old enough, they could spend time cleaning the outside of the house. I don’t think
there is a single approach that could make Tammy’s living situation easier for her and her
family, but a combination of changes could make a difference in their lives.

Thread 1: Response to Carroll Article: “(Re)forming Regent Park: When Policy Does Not
Equal Practice” - The development of Regent Park is phased, and there are several more phases
to the project. What actions could be taken to ensure more social integration for the older
people living in the ‘new and improved’ Regent Park?
For more social integration for the older people of Regent Park, there could be some sort of
group gatherings of some sort that could be implemented. There could be events that are fun for
everyone that resides there. There is plenty of ways to bring the older people out of their ways
and force them without actually forcing them to become more integrated. Creating events for
people of all ages especially the older people to interact would be a great idea for the older
people to come out and meet new people.

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?
I think that our society will be changed dramatically if this assumption were true. The first thing
I thought of having to do with his first and last question of if this is ethical or not, is the 'human
rights' problems that this would cause. If we evolve as a species to these other types of humans,
are we going to treat them as the same if there is interconnections and communications between
them or will original humans being seen as the dominant race or vice versa. There will be huge
problems of 'human rights' if this were ever to actually happen. Designers will have great
challenges ahead for them in the future if this were to happen. If the life span is extended but not
health conditions of older people then adjusting buildings and other things for older people
would be a huge issue that designers will have. Also, if the technology of making people live
longer out paces the ability to travel and inhabit other planets, then over population will become
a major problem because less people will be dying. This would also be a major issue for
designers.

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

http://cdn.redmondpie.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/5s-Siri.png

Siri is a voice activated computer program which one of its design purposes to make
communication easier for blind people, which I believe empowered them. The voice command
feature activates by saying "Hey, Siri" and then it allows you to ask just about anything and gives
you access to basically a voice activated search engine. One of the issues with Siri is that because
it is basically a search engine, you would need connection to the internet to access it and its
features, which reduces its efficiency and its accessibility for its users.
I honestly don't know how it could really be better improved because the way that improvements
would be made would most likely be to given Siri a broader range of answers for more questions.
I believe that the way technology is advancing, it is getting so much better so we as humans are
doing so much less. Which inevitably is contradicting the word "advancing". I don't believe it
will ever be possible to run a search engine offline so that's not even a problem that can be
solved.

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.
This leads us to this week’s discussion question:
What lessons do you think we should learn from history when thinking about emerging
enhancement technologies and reproductive technologies? What are some of the possible
consequences (both positive and negative) of being able to design our bodies and the bodies
of our children? What ethical quandaries do these technologies pose?
When thinking about emerging enhancements in reproductive technology, history shows that
humans have always been interested in altering natural things. For the most part, some of these
changes have positively affected the way we live today. For example when speaking about crops,
many of the crops we have today wouldn't be around if it wasn't for some sort of genetic
alterations. Also, genetic modification of crops allow us to prevent some diseases. However,
there are also some consequences. One negative aspect is that they are taking away the “natural”
out of “natural produce.” This challenges ethics because many religions believe that one
shouldn’t deface or taint mother nature. However, in many circumstances, church and science
clash on many ideas.

Thread 1: Response to Titicut Follies - The state of Massachusetts tried to ban the 1967
documentary Titicut Follies, arguing that director Frederick Wiseman had violated the patients’
rights by not getting written permission to film them. The case went to court, and Wiseman
argued that he had consent from their legal guardian, the institution. After a judge ruled in favor
of the state, the legal appeals carried on for several years: in 1969, Massachusetts allowed the
film to be shown to doctors, lawyers, and health care professionals; in 1991, a superior court
judge ruled it could be released for the “general public,” as privacy concerns were no longer at
issue, so many years later.
Should Wiseman have been allowed to film the residents of Bridgewater Massachusetts
Correctional Facility? Why or why not? How might this film be of value to designers
(communication designers, product, designers, architects, interior designers, planners,
landscape designers, systems designers, and/or social designers)? In other words, what
might they gain from this film that they could use in their work?
I believe Wiseman should have been able to film the residents of Bridgewater Massachusetts
Correctional Facility because although it does violate the patients’ human rights to be filmed
without their own personal consent, the situation is special in the fact that these people are
mentally ill and unable to give a proper consent in their right mind. The correctional facility is
supposedly their legal guardian and if they gave Wiseman the rights to film these people on
behalf of their best interest which was meant to expose the injustice lifestyles of the criminally
insane. This film serves as an educational resource to all types of designers because it shows that
even the criminally ill who is looked down on by society are still human and face certain
struggles that need to be accounted for in order for some of these people to function properly.
Using Wisemans film, he is able to showcase a resource that isn’t normally available to the
general eye and raise awareness that as designers we need to account for all these peoples
general necessities at the very least so the future generations won’t have to suffer so cruelly
given the same circumstances.

Thread 2: Response to PPT, The Architecture of Autism, Public Space – Prelude: Wolf
Wolfensberger's seminal work "The Origin and Nature of Our Institutional Models" posited that
society characterizes people with intellectual disabilities as sub-human and burdens of charity,
He argued that this dehumanization, and the segregated institutions that result from it, ignored
the potential productive contributions that all people can make to society. He pushed for a shift
in policy and practice that recognized the human needs of those with intellectual challenges and
provided the same basic human rights as for the rest of the population. The Scenario: Imagine
that you and your four children live in Amherst, New York in a $650,000 home at the end of a
cul-de-sac on the edge of a ten acre woods. The town has purchased a one acre lot three houses
away from yours, and plans to build a group home for ten intellectually challenged adults.
As a resident of the neighborhood, would you support or oppose this proposal and why?
You've learned additional information about the residents of the proposed group home in your
neighborhood. In 2013, three of the ten intended residents exhibited challenging behaviors
including screaming, public masturbation, repetitive rocking, and echolalia (elective
incontinence). However, these behaviors have not occurred since then. How would this change
your opinion about the construction of the group home in your neighborhood? The
residents in your neighborhood voted (14-3) to reject the town of Amherst’s proposal to build a
group home in the neighborhood. Town officials agreed that the home would not be built in your
neighborhood if you and your neighbors could develop a workable alternative. What are some
possible solutions that would allow the residents of the home to be provided with “the same
basic human rights as the rest of the population”?
As a resident of the neighborhood, I would be all for the construction of this home. Despite what
I learn about the past experiences of some of the future disabled residents, I would still support
them moving in. This would not change my opinion on the construction of the neighborhood. As
a matter of fact, it would positively boost the way I think of it. It shows that the community cares
about those with disabilities enough to give them a home in a neighborhood such as ours. In
order to ensure that the residents of the home are provided with equal basic human rights, it may
be wise to give more space between the cul-de-sac residents and the residents of the home. This
way, those opposed to its construction would feel more comfortable.

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?
A place of worship that I am familiar with is First
Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, NY. I don't believe
that this place has played much of a role in the
development of my town or the area around it
because the Jamaica area isn't necessarily defined by
the locations within it. In the area of Jamaica that I
live in, department stores and restaurants and other
things of that nature have gone out of business or
been taken down and are simply replaced with other
stores or restaurants or attractions. Luckily, this
church has been around for over 350 years and has
yet to be demolished. I don't believe that its role has
changed over time or will change over time because
its only purpose is a local place of worship.

http://www.nycago.org/Organs/Qns/i
mg/FirstPresJamaicaExt.jpg

Thread 2: Response to Prospects for the Future of Diversity and Design – Consider the
quote in your syllabus from educator Michael J. Shannon: “Design, as vision in action--the
intersection of understanding and creation--is a universal human capability that can play a
fundamental role in social evolution, in the process that transforms resources, energy, and
information to make our world.”
At the beginning of this course, we discussed the idea that we are all designers regardless of our
profession or field of study. We’ve asked some big questions along the way, and the conclusion
section of our textbook raises additional issues that require input from people who might not
consider themselves to be part of the formalized design professions.
Think about your own major and/or future profession. What is the biggest challenge,
problem, or question that your field needs to tackle right now? What do you plan to do to
address this challenge, problem, or question either as part of your studies or professional
life?
My future profession is an architect. I believe that the biggest challenge is for architects to begin
to think about what they share, what mission architecture can have and what role it should play
in making urban and non-urban environments and to work together to achieve those goals. This
means more emphasis on what links architecture and architects together rather than focusing on
what makes each one unique. The effect of architecture and architectural space goes well beyond
the interests of the individual architect (and their team) and the client - it affects those who didn't
ask for the project, it affects the quality of the surrounding environment, it can set a bad
precedent that destroys the coherence of a street or neighborhood even while being a good piece
of design in its own rights.

Arc 211: American Diversity and Design: Connor Lane

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