Arc 211 american diversity and design_ jiazhen zhang

University at Buffalo State University of New York
ARC 211American Diversity and Design Spring 2017
Jiazhen Zhang 50162135
University at Buffalo. Ellicott Complex. Jiazhen Zhang. Sep 03, 2015
Online Discussion Questions
Week 1 Thread 2
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rely on outdated information, which put them at a disadvantage.
Week 1 Thread 3
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.)
Week 2 Thread 1
Where would you place the images shown in Photos That Changed the World into Croteau and
Hoynes' diagram entitled “Model of Media and the Social World”? Identify a mass media
photograph taken in your own lifetime that has served as an icon of an event. (Feel free to add an
attachment.) What roles does this photo play in the communication of the event?
Week 2 Thread 2
Thread 2: 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 the two hats
(red and pink) are 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?
Week 3 Thread 1
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?
Week 3 Thread 2
Thread 2: Response IDEA Awards and Cradle-to-Cradle Video
Collapse
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.
Week 4 Thread 1
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.)

Week 4 Thread 2
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.)
Week 5 Thread 1
Here is your discussion question on the Levy article. Please post your own response, and respond
to at least two other students' responses.
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?
Week 5 Thread 2
Here is your discussion question on the Pruitt Igoe project, the Talen article, and the Larson
lecture. Article. Please post your own response, and respond to at least two other students'
responses.
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?
Week 6 Thread 1
Displaying his plan at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Frederick Law Olmsted
stated that "Buffalo is the best planned city, as to its streets, public places, and grounds, in the
United States, if not in the world." What was the basis for this claim? Would Olmsted still make
that claim today? Why or why not?
Week 6 Thread 2
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).

Week 7 Thread 1
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.)
Week 7 Thread 2
Critique either the MLK Memorial or the National Museum of African American History and
Culture using equityXdesign’s core beliefs and/or design principles. (Use the beliefs or
principles that are most relevant to your critique rather than all of them.) (NOTE: Limit your
response to less than 250 words.)
Week 8 Thread 1
This is a two-part question. Please post your own response by Friday, March 31at 10:00 am, and
respond to at least two other students’ responses by Sunday, April 2 at 10:00 pm.
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.)
Week 9 Thread 1

Please post your own response by Friday, April 7 at 10:00 am, and respond to at least one other
student’s response by Sunday, April 9 at 10:00 pm.
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.)
Week 9 Thread 2
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.)
(Other students in your group can comment on which of your two arguments is the most
convincing and why.)
Week 10 Thread 1
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.
Week 10 Thread 2
After almost two decades of public assistance, Tammy Crabtree took herself and her family off
the welfare rolls. But her job cleaning bathrooms at a local Burger King barely paid the bills.
Crabtree wanted to do better and hopes to go to college and become a teacher.
Imagine this scenario. You are a designer who works at the well-known firm, iPD (Integrated
Planning and Design). You work on a team with planners, urban designers, policy designers,
architects, and social designers. You have been tasked to develop/design a way for Tammy

Crabtree and her family (and others with situations similar to Tammy’s) to move themselves out
of poverty. What will your team to do to help Tammy and her family achieve their goals? What
approach will your team take to address this difficult problem?
Week 11 Thread 1
The development of Regent Park is phased, and there are several more phases to the project.
What actions could be taken to ensure more social integration for the older people living in the
‘new and improved’ Regent Park?
Week 11 Thread 2
For this question, we will focus on Juan Enriquez’ Life Two civilization, which alters
fundamental aspects of the body. We are living longer than ever before in human history.
Enriquez argues that, because of advances in bio-medical technology, the possibility of living to
120 years of age and beyond is quite possible for many of us in this D+D class. Assuming that
his assertion is accurate, how do you think extended life spans will change our societies and built
environments? What new issues might designers face because of extended life spans?
Week 12 Thread 1
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.
Week 12 Thread 2
Our 2017 Design-A-Baby survey yielded the following characteristics as indicated by a majority
of you: Sex: Male (47%)Hair Color: Dark Brown (22%) Hair Texture: Wavy (33%) Eye Color:
Blue (26%) Race: Caucasian (36%) Height: 5’-10” to 6’-1” (45%) IQ: 131-140
(20%)Memory: Excellent (43%) Athletic Ability: Excellent (43%) Weight: Average (79%)

Disease Carrier: None (85%) Beauty: Somewhat attractive (46%)Empathy: Very empathetic
(38%) Creativity: Very creative (37%) Sounds like an all-around lovely person!
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?
Week 13 Thread 1
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?
Week 13 Thread 2
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”?
Week 14 Thread 1
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?
Week 14 Thread 2
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?

Welcome
My name is Jiazhen Zhang and this is my second year in Buffalo. Through this semester,
I took D+D and learnt a lot from it. I believe that designs not only made the world and our
society better, also changed them. I learnt how designs changed and not all the designs are
perfect. They came from people’s thought and no one’s designs are same. That is most
compelling thing that I found it in this class. I hope people can keep focus on the topics and
designs. Different thoughts change the society and make it better.

Online questions and responses
Question
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.
Answer
iPhone is the great innovation, is easy for us to use search in anytime and anywhere, is like a
small computer people can carry around. why iPhone is the best innovation for now, because
iPhone change the way how people use the phone, people could buy an iPhone instead of
purchasing a computer.

Question
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.)
Answer
UB has policy that protect international student not be kicking out by school of having gpa lower
than 2.0 for one semester. i think it's helping many international students to have a second
chance to study in UB.

Question
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?
Answer
This photo shows a couple elderly lesbian just married and registered in the office of Manhattan
in New York City during the first day of the homosexual marriage legally! They are 76-year-old
Phyllis Siegel and 84-year-old Connie Kopelov.
The state of New York same-sex marriage legislation passed by parliament on June 24 and
signed by the governor Andrew Cuomo (Andrew Cuomo), bill of the effective date is July 24th,
places such as New York City's marriage registration government agency works overtime,
especially for same-sex marriage registration and wedding. In accordance with the law of New
York, married people still must wait 24 hours after getting the certificate then they can have a
legal wedding, but the judge has the right to waive the waiting time. Many people came to marry
that day also as Buffalo.

Question
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?

Question
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?
Answer
Simplifying methods and approaches is not entirely negative because that is what today's society
put emphasis on taking the less difficult approach in order to make complex and stressful tasks
easier. Humanity have been simplifying tasks for its entire existent from hunting for food to
farming domestically, to using devices and cranes to move large objects.
Question
Which of the 2016 IDEA Gold Award products seems to defy the Cradle-to-Cradle concept
developed by architect William McDonough and chemist Dr. Michael Braungart? How does this

product resist or disregard the concept? Provide an example of any products that embrace
Cradle-to-Cradle design, please describe and cite your source(s).
Answer
The Robin Smartphone does not have unlimited storage it can only contain up to 80
gigabtyes worth of information and the cloud can hold up to 100 gigabtyes. However, it is by far
the most storage space available compared to any current smartphone.
Question
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.)
Answer
One work of architecture that have sensibilities about the past is the Virginia State Capital. The
Virginia State Captial was revolutionary during its time because it challenged the common
British colonial architecture design by adapting a Greek/Roman temple design. Using the
Greek/Roman design represented the democratic government that Jefferson desired. Jefferson
cleverly used a statue of George Washington instead of a king or god to present that all men are
equal under the democratic system.

The Venturi House is a work of architecture that contains sensibilities about the present. The
Venturi House was the driving force behind the transition from modernism era into the post
modernism era. Robert Venturi strayed away from the normal abstract box architecture by
creating an incrediblely odd design. The entirety of the building contrast from the viewers
perspectives. For example, the apparent tall chimney in the design is cast off as an illusion
because inside is a window that mirrors the stairs. This designs presents how the simplicity of a
design is not its purest and most intended form. Although there can be multiple interpretation of
something, nothing is certain unless its from the source.
Question
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.)
Answer
State it- Zumthor and Ballantyne both claim that architecture must be meaningful in order for it
to exist. There cannot be a building without any purpose. These architecture differ because
Ballantyne believes that a building's design must intuitively influence the lives of its inhabitants,
whereas Zumthor claims that the buildings design is to aesthetically please its views by being
sentimental or memorable.
Elaborate- Zumthor's ideal building design must connect with its viewer by adding a sense of
familiarity or sentimental factor. Ballantyne's ideal building design is a where the functionality is
innately expressed.

Examples- Ballantyne compares a building's design to instinctive actions that humans have such
as breathing. Zumthor explained that the materials used must also connects with the audience.
Infer- Both Zumthor and Ballantyne share notable similarities and differences about their design
of buildings. Great architecture is accomplished through implementing both functionality and
sensiblity into the design.
Think Deeper- Is it truly possible to combine both these types of design? If so, has it been
accomplished already and how can it be implemented in every other future designs?
Question
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?
Answer
I grew up in a town with a low population town with a vast amount of land. The fertile land
allowed the community to grow crops and herd animals such as ducks. chickens, and pigs. The
community was rather rural because most of the available markets are miles away from the town.
Food was locally grown and there were rarely any visitors from outside the community. People
would settle in this town for generations and I was one of the few to move into an urban location
like the United States. Houses contained large families but each house contained a farm or a
cattle which takes up majority of the land spreading each house far apart. One word to
characterize this community would be independent.

Question
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?
Answer
To rebuild Pruitt Igoe, we must first end the racial segregation between the northern and southern
neighborhoods. Next we must reconstruct or replace the decaying buildings with strong
reinforced apartments. Lastly we must create local markets and public buildings for the residents
to interact with each other. Emily Talen would attempt to bring in new residents by promoting
the location to provide diversity in the community. One problem that might arise is finding
people who would want to move into an area as old and run down as Pruitt Igoe, thus
reconstructing the buildings is vital. Kent Larson would try to cleanse the slums by enforcing
recycling laws and creating local law enforcements to stop criminal activities. By creating public
buildings such as libraries and parks, we can unite the southern and northern communities
allowing the residents to interact and form relationships with each other to peacefully resolve the
criminal activites.

Question
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?
Answer
Frederick Law Olmsted stated that Buffalo is the best planned city in the United States because
of the major parks within the city. Olmsted integrated the first multiple parks system, each with
different special activities and connected together. Olmsted's system allowed residents of Buffalo
to easily travel between different parks through parkways. These parkways created an illusion of
a single enormous area filled with natural life and open space Olmsted will continue to support
his claim about the city of Buffalo because a lot of the major features he incorporated into this
system was preserved although different features were created such as highways.

Question
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).
Answer
The large lake in the UB north campus near the commons should be commemorated because it is
a beautiful attraction. The lake is rarely used except because it is often too cold to swim or fish in
Buffalo. However, during the summer people use the lake for canoeing and other activities.
There should be walkways around the lake allowing the students to fish and walk around the
large lake. There should be stores near the lake for students to rent or buy equipment. Jobs such

as lifeguards and monitors can be acquainted with ensuring the safety of students. This will
promote the usage of such a beautiful lake while being profitable for the school.
Question
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.)
Answer
The graphic art above is depicting the idea of white privilege in America. The artists concocted
the idea that Caucasian Americans have an innate advantage in American society over the
minority races. This ideology is false because it is based on an unrealistic reality that is based

mostly on lies and myths. Some Americans have created the myth that more opportunities are
given to white households because their families are wealthy. This can be disproved by the
millions of unemployed and financially struggling white households across the United States.
Someone from a hispanic/african american background might argue that white privilege is real
because of recent events such as the case People of the State of California v. Brock Allen Turner
in which Brock Turner a student athlete was given a light sentence for raping a women. I would
counteract that argument with the murder case of O.J. Simpson in which Simpson was tried for
two counts of murder but was pleded not guilty. Although Simpson is a minority and the 2
victims were Caucasian members of society, he was not mistreated or discriminated for his racial
ethnicity although there were compelling evidence that he was guilty. The reason I don't believe
in white privilege is because it has been too popularized by the media and now it has been
overused even in scenarios that don't apply making it a meaningless phrase.
Question
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.)
Answer
The MLK Memorial is an historical site that tells the tale of a time when a special individual
united our once deeply divided country through peaceful and non-violent means. Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr was a man beyond his era because he was not only able to visionize a non-
discriminate and multi-racial future for America, he also revolutionize the method of protesting
that even affects modern day America. Martin Luther King Jr improvised Mahatma Gandhi's
ideas of civil disobedience and non-violent protest to express the injustice that was racial
segregation. King's method was able to fend of racial stereotypes that plagued African
Americans, such as uneducated, violent, and dangerous. His actions have forever changed the
ideology in American society.

Question
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.)
Question
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.)

Question
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.)
Answer
The image uses the approach of "get the idea" to present the idea of gender inequality in jobs
across the world. The image shows the discrepancy in salary and wages given between male and
female workers. Although society have adjusted with this difference by attempting to close the
massive wage gap between the two genders, womens' wages in today's society are still an
averages of 80% that of a male worker. This graphical image can be improved by adding more
context and information in the image. The image is quite simplistic which allows its viewers to
comprehend the message and theme easier, but may confuse those who are ignorant of the
subject at hand.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/kirsty-duncan-/canada-gender-gap-_b_6448758.html
Question
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.)
Answer
One might argue that people should be required to only use the bathroom that corresponds with
their biological gender because it can be potentially dangerous for men or women if someone

claimed to be a transgender in order to commit crimes that can potentially involve assault or
rape. A man disguising as a transgender women can forcibly attack or harass women in
bathrooms. The rule in which someone can use the bathroom which does not correspond with
their biological gender should only apply to those that proven transgender. Thus, it becomes a
necessity for the transgender individual to use the bathroom that is opposite to their biological
gender.
Question
Author Steven Flusty categorized five types of disciplinary architecture that perpetuate what he
calls urban spatial injustice: 1) stealthy, 2) slippery, 3) crusty, 4) prickly, and 5) jittery. Go out
into the city of Buffalo, and find/photograph two examples from the list of five. Identify what
type of space you’ve photographed and why it might discriminate against a specific population.
Identify the location where you took the photographs, and make certain that you are in at least
one of the two photographs.

Question
After almost two decades of public assistance, Tammy Crabtree took herself and her family off
the welfare rolls. But her job cleaning bathrooms at a local Burger King barely paid the bills.
Crabtree wanted to do better and hopes to go to college and become a teacher.
Imagine this scenario. You are a designer who works at the well-known firm, iPD (Integrated
Planning and Design). You work on a team with planners, urban designers, policy designers,
architects, and social designers. You have been tasked to develop/design a way for Tammy
Crabtree and her family (and others with situations similar to Tammy’s) to move themselves out
of poverty. What will your team do to help Tammy and her family achieve their goals? What
approach will your team take to address this difficult problem?

Question
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?
Answer
In order to help the older residents of Regent Park, a new and safe environment must be created.
The current community in Regent Park is old and dangerous for the elderly and it must be
replaced with a new safe space to allow these residents to integrate. A center should be built
nearby or within community park for these elderly residents to interact with each other.
Assistants and medical attention should be nearby in case problems arise. These are actions that
should be taken to integrate the older people living in the "new and improved" Regent Park.

Question
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?
Answer
Extended life spans will cause rural cities to develop because they will need to become more
attractive for the growing population. The elderly citizens of a country will not want to live in
urban areas because of the constant interactions within the city is not suitable for their lifestyle.
Rural cities will need to develop more hospitals and medical centers to accomendate for the

increased in elderly residents. Thus creating the need for more doctors, hospitals, and more
medical staffs for the growing population. Issues might occur involving the rate of the
development of these rural cities and how it match with the rate of the growing population. If
these rural cities do not develop as fast as the population demands, large urban cities will become
overcrowd leading to problems such as traffic and pollution.
Question
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.
Question
Our 2017 Design-A-Baby survey yielded the following characteristics as indicated by a majority
of you:
Sex: Male (47%)
Hair Color: Dark Brown (22%)
Hair Texture: Wavy (33%)
Eye Color: Blue (26%)
Race: Caucasian (36%)
Height: 5’-10” to 6’-1” (45%)

IQ: 131-140 (20%)
Memory: Excellent (43%)
Athletic Ability: Excellent (43%)
Weight: Average (79%)
Disease Carrier: None (85%)
Beauty: Somewhat attractive (46%)
Empathy: Very empathetic (38%)
Creativity: Very creative (37%)
Sounds like an all-around lovely person!
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.
Week 13
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?
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”?
Week 14
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?
Answer
The giant stone Buddha statue of Leshan, Sichuan China have become one of the most iconic
tourist attractions in the city of Sichuan. This momentum is said to be built during the Tang
Dynasty from 713 a.d to 803 a.d. It is the largest stone Buddha statue in the world and it
influenced the development of the city by providing constant funds to urban development
project. It also affected the dominant religion within Leshan where most of the citizens follow
Buddhism. The statue has decayed over time due to the material but it will continue to be a
tourist attraction and the symbol of the city of Leshan for the coming future. Perhaps the city will
try to preserve this momentum even further because of the threat of decaying.

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?
Answer
I would like to pursue a future career in finance and the biggest possible problem that occur
is multiple wrongful investments or decisions that can deplete my wealth and income. I am
quite stubborn and reckless with the amount of time and money I invest into things that
might not even benefit my livelihood. Because of this bad habit, I always end up regretting

my decisions which causes me to second guess myself during important decisions. This
problem can be addressed as I get older and gain more experiences that will prevent me
from sticking on to bad decisions and choices.

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