ARC 211: American Diversity and Design: Ryan Phillips

(suncoast.edu)
University at Buffalo – State University of New York
ARC 211 - American Diversity and Design – Spring 2017
Online Discussion Questions
Ryan Phillips
1

INTRODUCTION
I reside in Long Island and went to school in NYC. I transferred to UB in the year 2015 from Iona College. Aside from my passion for design and architecture, I also love
technology; which may also explain my slight obsession for Apple products (slowly becoming less of a fan) and Steve Jobs.
D+D has inﬂuenced me to think of minorities and people with disabilities ﬁrst. By designing around people with disabilities, you have the opportunity to create something create
that can be used by all people; learning about changed my viewpoint Prior to taking this course, I felt I was already open minded and encouraged by diversity in design, but
during the module on disabilities, I became more exposed. I was also able to learn from other people’s points of view. Reading opposing post including post that concur with my
point of view, but addressed it in a different manner; a manner I haven't thought of. I found the diversity within my discussion group compelling. I really enjoyed reading post by
students from different countries, and learning about different countries through personal experiences.
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
2
(Ryan Phillips)

Response to “What is design?” from Hello World
I believe a great example of an innovation that gave advantage to many is the moving assembly line which was developed for the Ford Model T. Due to the fact someone already gave a
brief description on the effects of the automobile, I'll introduce and elaborate on another example, the Internet; World Wide Web.
The World Wide Web, established in the 1990s by Tim Berner's Lee, revolutionized the entire world, impacting our daily lives. It started out by giving everyone access to information digitally
and sharing data. It also allowed people to communicate with one another, for the most part, from anywhere in the world. Today, it is apart of our every day lives, and it changed the way human
interacts with their environments. It also had an economical impact on the world, with an increasing amount of web traffic, business took advantage of this, and found way to profit from it. This
is depicted by the tons of advertisements, commercials, and shopping finding its way to the Internet.
This innovation also comes with an increasing amount of negative issues. Each day, everyone around the world fears those who uses the Internet as a weapon. Individual people are at risk and
are vulnerable to hackers who want to steal people information, while also entire countries are at risk and are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Some cyber-attacks as the potential of effecting an entire
continent; crumbling its entire infrastructure and ecosystem.
The Internet also transformed the concept of war or combat. For centuries, war meant the same thing; "a state of armed conflict...." People once conceived being "armed" as being
equipped with a physical weapon, but now we all have to understand the concept of war and combat also meaning being armed with a virtual weapon.
3
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.
(makeuseof.com)

Response to “Introduction” from Diversity and Design
The camera!
In the early 1940s, Kodak film only catered to those with lighter skin tones. Those who developed color film, needed a color reference card, or also known as, the Shirley
Card. The Shirley Card, always with a photo of a Caucasian woman, labeled "normal" only constitute to a range of lighter skin colors. When people were to take a photograph of
anyone of a darker skin tone, the picture would come out extremely inadequate. It was not until the 1970s, little over 30 years later, complaints were being made about Kodak
films only satisfying one particular set of skin tones. It took 30 years for Kodak and chemist to take this matter serious, but it was not because of the inadequate film developed
with darker skin people, it was because of furniture company's complaining about particular woods were not photographing well.
In the 1990s, camera's gained a extra chip, which identified both light and dark skin tones and Kodak introduced and new multiracial Shirley Card, now with a photo of a
Caucasian, Asian, and African woman.
4
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.)
(BuzzFeed)

Response to Media/Society Chapter and Ted Talk on Photographs
I would place the images shown in Photos That Changed the World into “Media message or product.” This may be contrary to where Jonathan Klein might place the photos he displayed which I
would assume would be "Readers or audience."
I believe a photographer captures an image, and later posting the image for others to see with the intent of sparking a reaction or emotion. No matter what that reaction may be, it starts with
the photographer's intuition to spread a message. Granted, to Jonathan Klein's point, photographs are left to interpretation by the audience. It is up to the audience, to determine what emotion or
message they take from a photograph, and what would they do with that revelation after the fact.
Mass media photographs taken in my lifetime that has severed as an icon of an event is photographs from Barack Obama's inauguration. These photos illustrates the historical event of the
first African-American President of the United States of America.
5
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
mediaphotograph 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?
(Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo, U.S. Air Force)

Response to Articles on Hats as Communication Design
Both the Red & Pink hats are vehicles of communication design because they were both "designed" to spread a message.
We live in the era of mass media. Mass media is an enormous part of our lives. So much in fact, that mass media determines much of the decisions we make in our lives. Mass media not only
assist us in the decisions we make, but it also assist us when we want to use it as a platform.
The idea of creating a hat, to express an emotion, is a decision made with mass media in mind. Both the red and pink hat were "loud" and bright. Both, created with the intent of it being
photographed, being worn, followed by those photographs being spread through mass media.
Both the red and the pink hat were very simple "designs." The red hat is just....red, with white writing, while the pink hat is even more simple, but it carried a even greater message juxtapose
to the red one. The pink hat was a response to two specific event; the leaked NBC tape, and Trump's character.
Although, the pink hat, is a response to the red hat, it is difficult to say that the hats have different messages. This is because, it is difficult for me to comprehend this but, it is very possible for
a person to have their political views aligned with Trump's and at the same time be pro-equality.
6
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?
(BusinessInsider)

Response to “Industrial Design” by John Heskett and “The Incredible Inventions of Intuitive AI” by Maurice Conti
Social consequences of Ford's production line was the automobile became embedded into American's everyday lives. Everything began to revolve around the automobile, from the methods of
transportation to massive scale environmental design. Changes the remain with us today are neighborhoods and inner-cities that are products of urban sprawl. As public transportation is
neglected, and discouraged, society are continued to be encouraged to purchase automobiles. This on-going fixation of the automobile, causes a society to feel that there is no other option.
Society feels more inclined to drive, rather than keeping an open mind on contributing to a healthier environment by choosing an alternative mode of transportation.
In the next twenty years, the manufacturing processes will be more robotic just as Maurice Conti suggest. They will be less humans involved in the manufacturing process. One thing I found
interesting was when Conti says, "OK, there's certainly a fear that robots are going to take jobs away from humans, and that is true in certain sectors. But I'm much more interested in this idea
that humans and robots working together are going to augment each other,.." but than the remainder of the TED talk, began to prove that the future of robots is much more concerning than
originally conceived. I also believe Conti was aware of this fact, and was misleading back using careful phrases such has "Bishop's human partner." Also accompanied with careful images such
are showing multiple humans working with the robot, to show that "we'll still need human" and have nothing to worry able. But even if robots, like the one introduced by Conti, with the ability to
work together with humans, it will still result in the displacement of many jobs.
I agree with Conti that the relationship between humans and robots would be an amazing advancements in our future, and make many impossible task, possible. Designers spend a lot of time
designing products that are both functional and beautiful, but with augmented technology, all designs in the future will be designed with the best structure integrity, and manufactured saving a ton
of material. U.S. society will benefit because they do not have to worry about living in an unhealthy Earth, or running out of resources, but people would be struggling to find a job. While
corporations are savings a lot of money; saving from not having to spend money material and workers, people are struggling to generate an income. 
7
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?
Source:
• Lewis, Tom. "Part 1." Divided Highways:
Building the Interstate Highways, Transforming
American Life. N.p.: Cornell UP, 2013. 63. Print.
• "The Incredible Inventions of Intuitive AI" by
Maurice Conti
(newsroom.unl.edu)

Response to IDEAAwards and Cradle to Cradle Video
S) Vive Virtual Reality System seems to defy the Cradle-to-Cradle design.
E) The Vive VR headset is the first of it kind, which means technology would soon become more advanced making the current Vive VR soon obsolete. Upon visiting the website, https://
www.vive.com/us/product/, it did not provide any information presenting the use of recycled material.
E) When something new is created, it is shortly later improved. Improvements consist of using less material. This means the original Vive VR headset did not take the "technical cycle" nor the
"biological cycle" into consideration; in part resisting the Cradle-to-Cradle concept. Also, products, such as Apple Products, incorporate a biological check list.
S) The Swater sensor faucet embraces the Cradle-to-Cradle design
E) The Swater is made out of recycle material plus it's handle returns to its original position, which results in saving water. 
E) By being manufactured with recycle material, it embraces the Cradle-to-Cradle concept, buy developing a product, with keeping the idea of limiting resources in mind. It also takes it one step
further, by not only being manufactured by limited recourses, but its very design is to limit a major resource, water. Water gets wasted when the faucet is left on, so with the handle returning to its
original position, it cuts the amount of water potentially being wasted. 
8
Which of the 2016 IDEA Gold Award products seems to defy the Cradle-to-Cradle concept developed by architect William McDonough and chemist Dr. Michael Braungart? How does
this product resist or disregard the concept? Provide an example of any product that embraces Cradle-to-Cradle design. Please describe and site sources.
Source:
• http://www.idsa.org/awards/idea/
entertainment/vive-virtual-reality-
system-0
• http://www.apple.com/environment/
• http://www.idsa.org/awards/idea/
commercial-industrial-products/swater(idsa.org)(idsa.org)

Response to All Module 4 Materials
One work architecture from our past is Southdale Mall. Edina, Minnesota. The mall was a way to bring people together, in one central location, to shop. This was the central location, illustration
the relationship of consumerism. Today, that relationship of consumerism as changed, it moved from the mall to the Internet. An interesting fact is that, every year, a new mall was constructed in
America, until the year 2006. (Podcast: Stuff You Should Know)
A work of architecture from our present/future is the Washington Dulles International Airport designed by Eero Saarinen. It is really a work of art. I really enjoy this particular work, and what
makes it particularly interesting is the fact that is was not designed and constructed in a present era. It was constructed in the year 1941. Although the context of the architecture has changed,
contradicting the idea of it reflecting the challenges with face today. It was initial design to express the emotional of the very new form of transportation at the time, the airplane. At this time
security was not a major issue, so it managed to be a small structure, without taking up excessive space. I love the space because it is simple, and the building itself is just eye-catching. Despite
the change of context, I feel that the building is still a glimpse of the future. I feel this is how airports should look like.
9
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.)
Source:
• Live from San Francisco: How
Malls Work, Stuff You Should
Know
• Ten Buildings That Changed
America by PBS(Washington.org)

Response to Ballantyne and Zumthor Articles
Andrew Ballantyne and Peter Zumthor shares mutual ideas about architecture by valuing the sensorial and material elements of life. Ballantyne uses the connection of the emotional response of
an architecture with its purpose. Zumthor identifies the importance of material and how it also generates an emotional response.
Their viewpoints of architecture differ in that Ballantyne perceives architecture as mechanical while Zumthor perceives it as imagery. Ballantyne talks about describing space on how it its
purpose, and determine the way one feels about a space. Zumthor explains how it doesn't only depend on the purpose, but its relationship with the material.
Ballantyne refers to architecture using the term Life and Habit. Everything in live as a purpose. And everything that as a purpose, can be utilized by people. Architecture does not only have a
purpose, but it leaves a permanent foundation in ones life. When a person becomes familiar with a space, it creates a habit. Zumthor refers to architecture by relating it to his own personal
experience. When he views different aspects of a space, it creates a emotional connection. Zumthor refers back to how he feels by different materials.
Ballantyne says, "...a pragmatist aesthetics involves an engagement with the ethos of the place, and that is enabled by the building, but driven by the people who must not be separated from
it" (Ballantyne p.47). When a purpose becomes fully engaged with a space, it is difficult to separated them from the experiences they developed with that space. Zumthor says, "I believe that they
can assume a poetic quality in the contect of an architecture object, although only if the architect is able to generate a meaningful situation for them. Since material in themselves are not
poetic" (Zumthor p. 11). Materials are combines together to create a meaning, but it depends on the given context. Materials aren't meaningful unless they have the ability to connect with the
observer. Architecture in itself is not important, but the materials the are made out of. The entire building may give one message, but every part of it, tell many different stories.
10
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.)
Sources:
• Architecture, Life, and Habit by Andrew
Ballantyne.
• Thinking Architecture, "A Way of Looking at
Things" by Peter Zumthor(WordPress)

Response to Levy Article
As a child, I grew up in Queens, and shortly after, moved to Long Island. I recall before I got my driver license, I'll normally take public transportation home, but on late nights, after basketball
practice or a basketball game, my friend's parents will give me a ride home. My friends parents giving me a ride home multiple times, and each time, when we arrived on my block, they'll ask me
the same question, "which house is yours again." It will always frustrate me, I'll reply by saying, "NO! They do not all look alike." I did not understand how they all looked alike to them. All the
houses are different! All the house are different sizes, they are two McMansions across the street, and my house looks nothing like theirs. How can anyone say they all look alike. Years later, this
past Christmas recess (2016-2017), I backed into my drive way, and just sat in the car, looking at all the houses on the block, and than it hit me,....wow, all of the houses do look alike! All the
house had a similar base design, but each house had different sizes, colors, and other characteristics that set them apart. Almost similar to the four rules, from the form based code
from Andrés Duany's design of Seaside, Florida. For example, all the houses were Colonial. Just referring back to the very definition of the Colonial home, despite the size, they all shared
symmetric design, exterior window shutters, and had a two tone design; bottom floor brick, top floor vinyl.
I even shared this revelation with my family that same week. I started off by saying, "[my friends' names here] used to say that all the houses on our block look the same..." My sister quickly
interjected, "No they do not!." and my sister's husband quickly replied, "Yes they do!"
When it comes to towns, planning is important because you want every town to have its own unique and uniform characteristic, but at the same time, you want everything within the town, to
be unique. It was interesting to me, how my sister, including myself not to long ago, whom both grew up in that neighborhood, was quick to rebuttal to anyone that claims all the houses look
alike. While to those, who weren't from the area, my friend, and my brother-in-law, both noticed the character of the place in which I grew up in.
P.S. Public Transportation in Long Island is terrible (NICE-Nassau Inter-County Express). Buses come once a hour. (Although, NICE buses are much nicer juxtapose to MTA.) So I used to take
the NYC bus to the edge of Queens (MTA), and walk for miles into Long Island home. Also, the rear chance, I got a bus, the closest stop to my house, was still a long walk, plus my
neighborhood is a maze (cul-de-sac/lollipop) hence I appreciated that ride from my friends parents. Also, I should note, it might sound like I am complaining, but I actually did not mind the long
walks.
11
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?
(M. Southworth)

Response to Pruitt Igor Project, Talen, and Larson (1/2)
First, it should be mentioned that the structural design of Pruitt Igoe was not an issue, it was the design of the legislation. Similar to Levitton, Long Island, which stated, it was only meant for
Caucasians, in this case, much of the legislation aimed towards breaking up African-American families and neglecting them afterwards. I believe only a single strategy was necessary for Pruitt
Igoe to be a success, and that is not being discriminating. The initial belief of Pruitt-Igoe was that the government could do a better of providing clean and humane living conditions to the urban
poor. Nonetheless, it became a powerful tool for racial segregation in the city.
Three strategies for "rebuilding" Pruitt Igoe are, developing a system that includes multiple levels of socio-economic classes, offer paid work, and most importantly,
eliminate discriminating legislation designed to further oppress a specific demographic.
Starting with the strategy of developing a system of including multiple levels of socio-economic classes. When planning a neighborhood, centralized around a population that is below the
poverty line, that equals increased crime. In order to prevent this from happening, we have to plan a neighborhood where it is welcoming for anybody to live. The high rises will be
divided into three main sections; 1) residence that are below the poverty line, 2) residence that are making minimum wage 3) residence whom can afford the full cost of the apartment. 30% of
the apartment unit will act as a high level subsidize apartments. For this section, where the residence are below the poverty line, the government will sponsor residence, covering 94.2% of the
rent. The second section will compose of 20% of the apartment units, which will act as moderate subsidize apartments. For this section, where the residence are above the poverty line, but
still struggle to afford the rent, the government will sponsor residence, covering 43.4% of the rent. The final section, the remainder 50% of the apartments will go to those who can afford the
entire cost of the rent. This system will create diversity amongst different socio-economic groups.  
Second strategy of offering paid work will solve the issue of the government just simply neglecting an entire housing project. It the film, we witness how no one maintained the facility.
Elevators were constantly broken, trash were building up, and lights were never replaced. Each complex will have a main maintenance department. Each building will have its own sub-
maintenance departments, followed by each floor. The main maintenance department will act as the hub, in charge of all required maintenance of all of the buildings within the complex. In each
building, the maintenance department will be in charge of all the required maintenance for the entire building, such as the elevator, or the main garbage system. On every floor, a person will be in
charge of cleaning, and of all repairs needed on that particular floor. The major component of this maintenance crew is, it consist of the residence. The residence have the opportunity to make
money plus be responsible for the up keep of their own building. Any worker, from the individual floors division will be able to get anything they want from the building's maintenance
department, including training if required, or any material for a repair or clean up. If the building maintenance department needs anything, they can simply phone up the main department. Any
one, working on the maintenance crew, and are also apart of the 1st sector, will not receive a check, and it will cover the remainder cost of their rent. So these residence will not be trapped, in a
cycle where they are working there forever, not making enough capital to get above the poverty line, they will be learning how take on maintenance as a profession, and can one day find work
else where, receiving more money. Any one, working on the maintenance crew, and are also apart of the 2nd sector, will have a choice, they can receive their wage via check, or have it go
directly to rent. 
12
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?

Response to Pruitt Igor Project, Talen, and Larson (2/2)
Last strategy, for Pruit Igoe to be a successful, improving in parts where if failed the first time, is omitting the discriminatory legislations. Examples of some of the rules, residences had to
follow, in order to live in the apartments were, the father not being allowed in the apartments, and random inspections to check if there is no male in the house. Also, omitting non-sensible bans
such as the ban on telephones and televisions. Rather than creating a community in sense of controlling it, we are creating a community where they feel they can control themselves. They can
easily find jobs, because the complex is surrounded by business opportunities. They are business opportunities because it now filled with crime, causing business to migrates away from the
community, further isolating the complex. Finally, it is not filled with crime, because it is not a saturation of just an urban poor.
At the firm, Dr. Emily Talen works in the R&D sector. Earlier this semester, we read the introduction of the book Diversity and Design. It mention how our problem is with designing
products in which the the designer neglects an entire demographic. "Larger, wealthier, and more politically powerful groups, 'the majority,' shape the ordinances that form our cities and
towns." (Tauke pg. 2). With the help from Dr. Emily Talen, she makes sure our team is not making the same mistake the original Pruitt Igoe did, which was neglect an entire demographic. We are
instantly more effective, because we are shaping the ordinance that form a fully diversity city. She constantly researches what percentages are best for my socio-economical diversity system
plan. She is also in charge of determining the over all economy of the entire community. For this plan to success, we have to be able to make sure, Pruitt Igoe will not negatively effect the
economy of its surrounds. This also means, the Pruitt Igoe community will have to both benefits from its economy, plus aiding it. To make sure this part is happening, that Pruitt Igoe is actually
importing the economy, Kent Larson will be in charge of the surrounding design of the Pruitt Igoe community. A city requires a strong work forces. With a city, so dense, as this one, Pruitt-
Igoe has to be able to house many resident. Thanks to the help from Larson, we were able to fit more resident in such a small space. Also, much of the residence can not afford the rent. This
means, as a public housing, the rooms aren't so grand. Larson makes these relatively small space, feel very habitable.
13
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?
Sources:
• 10 towns the changed America - PBS
• "Design That Enables
Diversity" by Emily Talen
• Birlliant Designs to Fit More People
in Every City Ted talk by Kent Larson
• Diversity and Design by Beth Tauke,
Korydon Smith, and Charles Davis(Curbed)

Response to Frederick Law Olmsted
The basis of this claim is Buffalo's layout. A city like NYC follows a grid. When provided a grid, the simplest task of finding a location for a "central" park, is by putting it in its center; fitting it
nicely in the middle of a grid system. When Buffalo wanted a copy of Central Park, Olmsted noticed that the way the city was organized, he cannot just fit one grand park into the city. Olmsted
turned down the idea of putting a park into the city, and proposed putting the city of Buffalo, into a park.
I do not believe Olmsted will still make this claim today. Designs that I do like about the city, interestingly enough, is actually the work Olmsted did; after Olmsted himself declared it was the
best planned city. I am not 100% sure of the entire design of Buffalo prior to Buffalo but I do believe their were circles. The circles offer a complete 360 view of the environment, until it all
disappears when you turn into a street. Olmsted enjoy this aspect of the element of, surprise; leading up to a wonderful view, or "picturesque" moments. One thing, that I hear many people praise
able their city of Buffalo, besides Olmsted's work, is how they are surrounded by water, and this claim baffles me. Buffalo is surrounded by water, Lake Erie to the West, Falls to the North, and
Buffalo River along the South. If the water is so important, why does it take an effort to appreciate it. It seems so far, and out of reach. The city should have been pushed, all the way to the
shoreline. Sure, Buffalo as such a spectacular view, by what does one have to do, to see it?
Industry was an important characteristic of Buffalo. It was so important, that because it was so much easier, to simply build the factories on the shore, the industry was granted priority; fine, I
can understand this. They are also a big issue with letting highways, cut right through the city, so let it run on the edge, out of the way, so highways was granted priority; again, fine, I can
understand this. But at what cost? Today, industry left behind abandon buildings, taking up the shoreline. If it were up to Olmsted, he'll give the priority of the view to the people. The same way
he fought for Niagara Falls, through Free Niagara, today he will fight for "Free the Buffalo Shoreline."
14
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?
Sources:
• Fredrick Law Olmsted: Designing Western New York - PBS
(Ryan Phillips)(Ryan Phillips)

Response to Walter Hood’s Work (1/2)
My landscape intervention will commemorate Buffalo's history. When I will go out site seeing, I will notice that many of the streets in Buffalo, are similar to the names of buildings and streets
that are on campus. Later, I will learn about this indivisibles in class; enlighten by their part of Buffalo's development. Granted, on UB's website, each building as a namesake section, I believe it
will be informative, and attractive, if large structures, resembling what the particular person did for the city of Buffalo, accompanied with pictures and a brief summary of what exactly they did,
what inspired the structure, and who helped design it.
Triad of Investigations:
i. Everyday Mundane
a. Both UB north and south campus consist of academic buildings, entertainment buildings, residences, and eatery's, connected by streets and walkways. This creates a network
similar to a city.
b. "The objects that facilitate these actions are ubiquitous and often go unnoticed." (Hood pg. 38)." The city" of UB is an environment that facilitates basic life needs around an
academic core. Both students and faulty follow a schedule, either it be between attending work, or attending class. This routine can cause much of this UB network to be
overlooked, but the this network is essential to keeping UB running smoothly.
ii. Commemoration
a. Within this network, or "city" of UB, many of its locations are named after key individuals in order to honor their legacy to Buffalo. Buffalo was once a major, and booming city.
Being in Buffalo for about two years now, and shortly traveling around a bit, I have noticed that much of Buffalo's economy depends heavily on University at Buffalo. Because of
this, UB should embracing this relationship by both honoring the history of Buffalo, while at the same time honor its future.
 
15
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).

Response to Walter Hood’s Work (2/2)
iii. Life Ways
a. As mentioned prior, Buffalo's economy depends on University at Buffalo. "The city" of UB and the city of Buffalo are both respectfully carrying a life of its own. Although, UB is
apart of Buffalo, everyone life there lives differently. To further strength this relationship, everyone that lives on campus, needs to be open in learning about the lives the goes on,
on the outside, and Buffalo natives needs to be open in learning about the lives that goes on, on the inside.
1. By taking it one step further, and not only just naming a building after a person, have our new leaders design grand, captivating sculptures. Even if you are a commuter, and
already a Buffalo native, coming onto campus should feel like and extension of your hometown. UB is consisted of students from many different hometowns. The sharing
of cultures is important to the longevity of a city. With our future, coming together, informing everyone of Buffalo's history, while at the same time, showing what Buffalo
can look like in the future, is an amazing clash of ideas.
b. By just naming a building after a person, it soon loses its meaning. The buildings facilitate a purpose. For example, the purpose of Ellicott is housing and nourishment. That
purpose of the building overtakes whatever name it was given. But by bringing our future and diverse minds together, we can bring forward enlightenment of history plus offer a
glimpse to the people of Buffalo, of what talent minds as to offer for what is to come for their city. 
I imagine the designs will be large, visual pieces of art. They will require analyzing plus the act of reading the accompany summary to get the complete story. It will not be just a simple statue of
the person. It will be more than that. For example, in front of Fargo Quadrangle, named after William G. Fargo, will be a sculpture of a boat, depicted to be traveling down the Erie Canal, into
what appears to be a bank, while the boat looks like blocks of gold bars.
16
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).
Sources:
• Timeline of UB History
• UB Buildings
• Hood, Walter, and Megan Basnak. "Diverse
Truths." Diversity and Design: Understanding
Hidden Consequences. Ed. Beth Tauke,
Korydon H. Smith, and Charles L. Davis. New
York: Routledge, 2016. 38. Print
(Wells Fargo)

Response to the Brookes
Operation Wetback
I interpret this graphic, along with the title of the operation as discriminatory. America basically used the Mexicans, and when they didn't need them anymore, they created a legislation to deport
them back to their country. A person of a different racial and cultural background from my own, such as an extreme conservative, the might interpret this by ignoring what initiated the problem in
the first place. During WWII, they were a lot of vacant jobs, so America made an agreement with Mexico referred to as the Bracero program. It was a temporary program, put in place to allow
Mexicans to fill the void of labors to work here for a wage. What Operation Wetback exposed is how America can be disorganized and how quickly things can become racially divisive. During
the Bracero Program, it was understood it was temporary, and Mexican's will have to someday return. But rather than just doing just that, creating a system that transported them back, instead it
was advertised as a disastrous illegal immigrant issues (sounds familiar?) that needs to be solved hastily. So hastily in fact that even American Citizens were among those deported. This differ
from my interpretation because as a proud American, I can still remain conscious of my country's faults; faults that we can witness repeating itself this very day. Possible reasons for this is
because America, by design is discriminatory, contrary to popular belief, and contrary to what we preach.
17
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.)
Sources:
• Handbook of Texas Online, Fred L. Koestler,
"Bracero Program,"(DailyStormer)

Response to Charles Davis and equityXdesign's Work
MLK Memorial
1. Learning to See: Historical Context Matters. "Most see who we were and who were are." Prior to finalizing the MLK Memorial, the designers had to first understand the history of
MLK and the historical context during MLK's lifetime in juxtaposition to the present day context of the Mall. In addition, its position of the imaginary axises between Abraham Lincoln
and Thomas Jefferson is also important historical contextual strategy. With this placement, the designers created the opportunity for the audience to also interpret its meaning, putting them
in the position of answering the internal question of the impact of identity.  
2. Be Seen: Radical Inclusion. MLK Memorial was placed in front of two symmetrical large rock masses inspired by King's line, "Out of a Mountain of Despair, a Stone of Hope." This line
can be interpreted as the process of solving the issues of discrimination. By 'identifying barriers that exclude and eliminating them.'  
3. Foresee: Process as Product. Eliminating the system of racism and inequity is a process that is in progress, and will still be in progress in the 'foreseeable' future. Spaces on berm were
designed to place plaques honoring those who were apart of the Civil Rights Movements. They are so spaces that were left blank. These blank spaces are left for individuals for future
contributors. "These empty spaces formally suggest that the Civil Rights Movement is not one to be consigned to history, but one that will continue to evolve in the future" (Davis pg. 26). 
18
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.)
Sources: 
• Davis, Charles. "No Longer Just a
Dream." Diversity and Design: Understanding
Hidden Consequences. Ed. Beth Tauke,
Korydon H. Smith, and Charles L. Davis. New
York: Routledge, 2016. 19-35. Print.
• equityXdesign. "Racism and Inequity Are
Products of Design. They Can Be
Redesigned." Medium. N.p., 15 Nov. 2016.
Web. 16 Mar. 2017.
(US National Park Service)

Response to “Landscape Stories” Chapter
An item in my house that represents my ethnic background is a large flat iron frying pan known as a Tawa. A Tawa is traditional used to cook roti, a dish from my native land Guyana, South
America. I will keep this item because one of my favorite dishes is Curry with Roti.
My community, architectural-wise, lacks diversity. All of the shops are universal, so focusing on what is lacks seems more appropriate to discuss. The only ethnic places are the
independent restaurants, such as pizzerias, and Caribbean and Dominican restaurants, and my local barber shop, and beauty supply store. It is difficult to determine if these locations will be
preserved. Due to the fact these locations are not commercially owned, they are a number of factors that can result in the businesses closing shop. I believe, the beauty supply store as the best
chance of being preserved because a beauty supply store serves hair products for all ethic backgrounds. A lot of products you can not find in your local drug store. But no matter what you back
ground is, you'll be able to find the hair product appropriate to your ethnic background. In these two images I received from the Internet, we can see the tawa being used to make roti.
19
First, let’s start with your own home. Describe a place in your home (indoors and/or outdoors) that you think of as representative of your own ethnic background and discuss why you consider
this place to be ‘ethnic’. –OR-- Describe an object in your home that you think of as representative of your ethnic background and discuss why this object is considered to be ‘ethnic’. (If possible,
add photo/s.) Is this object or place something that you will keep or continue when you establish your own home? Why or why not?
Now let’s move into your community. In “Landscape Stories,” the authors show how landscape architects develop a historical narrative that sifts through and interprets the culture and material of
underrepresented groups. Think about the community where you grew up. Describe and discuss any evidence of cultural influences on the physical environment in your community. If possible,
describe evidence of the cultural influence of an underrepresented group. (If possible, add photo/s.) Is this cultural influence being acknowledged or preserved from future generations?
Why or why not? (Limit your response to 250 words.)
(CaribbeanPot.com)

Response to Article on Sports Branding
I do not see anything wrong with current sport team names. Maybe because my ethnicity is not the target of a sports brand, it is difficult for me to relate. Even when changed my perspective,
and I put myself in the targets point of view, it is still difficult for me to comprehend why it will effect me. I believe, in order to determine if changing a sport's team name is necessary, we have to
ask the "victims" themselves. If the so called victims, do not feel victimizes, offended, than the name can remain. This is important because a lot of time, people love to fight for a cause, in which
the ground in question, doesn't even care. For example, we love to say, "Don't say that, or do that, that is disrespectful to our troops, that fight for this country." Than when you ask a soldier their
option, they respond by saying, "I respect what both sides have to say, but personal, it did not effect me."
20
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?
(keywordsuggestions/unknown)

Response to “Visualizing Gender” Chapter
The approach being used is get the idea. The designer used the approach to communicate a gender issue by depicting a woman's face, with a search bar, strategically places over her mouth, with
the phrase, "women need to " and with the top search results. The approach is effective in this example because it depicts the forms of suppression woman face in our society, and it is giving the
message that "woman need to be seen as equal." This graphic could be improved by generating a different phrase. I love the concept of this ad, but the phrase, "women need to..." really bothers
me. Even when its concluded to form a positive message such as, "woman needs to be seen as equal," it bothers me because who are we to say what "women needs to....." It is almost paradoxical,
with a message saying woman should be equal and free to do what they want like anyone else, yet, with the same breath, saying "women need to...."
21
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?
Source:
• U.N. Women's Google ad campaign
(U.N. Women)(U.N. Women)(U.N. Women)

Response to Bathroom Bill
S) I do not believe people should be required to use the bathroom that correspond with the biological gender written on their birth certificate. At the same time, this is an important issues, with
more and more people identifying with gender's that doesn't match their with the one on their birth certificate, it creates complexities and genuine concerns with those with immoral intentions
that will like to take advantage of certain loops holes in the law.
E) As a designer, I will solve the gender dilemma by continuing what we have been doing all along, offer unisex bathrooms. We always had unisex bathrooms, and it never been an issue. The bill
only creates an issue that was never present before.
E) Before the bill, if a person wanted to use the bathroom, they'll simply used the one they felt most comfortable using. With the bill, it creates an uncomfortable environment for all parties.
I) The gender dilemma did not become a dilemma and a controversial issues until after North Carolina Governor signed the bill into law.
T) Why is the government involved in gender identity issues?
• Because people have genuine concerns and except someone to solve a number of these issues addressed in a community. The government sometimes feel obligated to make drastic
responses, but at times it may make a issue worst or make a non-issue into one.
22
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.
(Peacock Panache)

Response to Hidden Ways
Two examples of disciplinary architecture that I was able to find were:
• Crusty. When I visited River Fest Park. It felt like I was walking for hours *hyperbole* in search for an opening to enter the park, and rush to find my way to the dock and take in the
view
• Prickly. While on the train, on my way downtown, I noticed the bench. It is very shallow. With its very short profile, this makes it only remotely comfortable for only seating upright and
not laying down.
23
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. List the
location of where you took the photograph, and make certain that you are in at least one of the two pictures.
(Ryan Phillips)
(Ryan Phillips)

Response to People Like Us
Working with my firm iPD, I'll aid those in poverty by designing a state of the art institutional complex, with an occupying day care. In this complex, it will offer classes for those who have plans
to get an education to pursue there dreams. It will also facilitate a place perfect for children. Children can take lessens, and play with other children. This organization will be private, non-for
profit, charity and will provide a form to all participants, to get filled out by their employer. Due to the fact, not all jobs give their employees the opportunity to work, plus help pay for classes,
this organization will work to be compatible with any place of employment. No matter what that policy is at your current place of employment, we will find a way to collaborate with your
employer to help fund your classes.
Problems this institutional complex with solve:
• They are many cases in which having a child puts the breaks on personal dreams.
• Not all employers offer the opportunity to help cover the cost for education.
• If the employer does offer this opportunity, time management becomes an issue and finding a person to help watch their children.
• To become a teacher/professor, one will first have to practice in a real life sitting. This will be a perfect place for up incoming teacher/professors to practice. (This lowers the cost for the
organization.)
In this institutional complex, each participant will be able to take their classes, while being in the same facility with their child. The cost will be covered by a negotiation with
participants employers, from donations, and the remainder by the participant themselves; depending on how much they can afford. This state of the art facility acts as a day care for both parent
and child. It creates a strong bond. Not having to worry if their child is safe, and the child witnessing their mom/dad working hard to better her/his life.
24
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?
(World Landscape Architecture)

Response to Carroll Article: “(Re)forming Regent Park: When Policy Does Not Equal Practice”
Actions that could be taken are the establishment of a community board, allow seniors to live in any of the buildings and also create protean designs.
• With a community board, it will involve the community, and omit any instances where there is a policy change, and members of the community is not informed. The community board
can consist of any amount of tenants, with any social, economical background, regardless of age. If the community board proves to be successful, and exceed 10 people, the community
board can elect one or two representatives that will attend developing meetings. During the meetings, the community board are allowed to make interjections, give advise, make request,
and everything necessary to feel involved in the process. The tenants might not have the billions of dollars, but they are the "experts."
• Allowing seniors to live in any of the buildings will solve the issue of seniors ending up residing on the top floors in tall complexes. Also, lets say hypothetically, a senior as a lot of
groceries, in a senior only building, who is going to help them? Another Senior? Allowing seniors to co-exist with other age groups, they can be given priority to the units on lowers floors,
plus it'll increase encounters with people of different age groups, whom may be more suitable to lend a helping hand.
• "What appears to be an opportunity for contact on paper is not realized in daily life." (Carroll 218)
• We can all agree that designing, or creating something, without any extensive research has the potential of failing. Sometimes, we have to try something out first, and learn from
our mistakes. In this example, the designers put all of their faith into an idea that only worked on paper. In cases such as this one, if a plan is not proved to work in real life, it
should be designed with flexibility in mind. If it fails, it can easily be fixed without high cost.
25
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?
Source:
• Carroll, Mary Jane. "(Re)forming Regent Park:
When Policy Does Not Equal Practice."Diversity
and Design: Understanding Hidden Consequences.
Ed. Beth Tauke, Korydon H. Smith, and Charles L.
Davis. New York: Routledge, 2016. 209-21. Print(West Side Rag)

Response to Enriquez TED Talk: “What Will Humans Look Like in 100 Years?”
One issue designers face today are the disconnections of communities. As technology advances, people are spending more time away from interacting with nature. So if the life
expectancy dramatically increasing, nothing will change for designers, but current issues will get worst. Today, people are going back to the practices of ancient times, and moving to different
towns a lot. "We Americans move on the average every five years." With ease of travel, only becoming more easy, people are not going to choose to settle in one place for extending periods of
time. If people are expecting to live longer, than people are definitely going to want to travel more. Staying one place will get old. As people get older, they become less mobile, if people have the
ability to remain youthful, and mobile for longer, they are going to take advantage of this.
So do designers have to make any major accommodates for longer life spans? No. Their main focus will be the same as they are for cities today, design spaces that will attract visitors. Just like
what Buffalo is doing today. Societies might become even more reliant on technology for communication but environments would just become more flexible in catering peoples needs. Parts of
cities will become more like amusement parks. A ride or attraction only as a short life span, before the park breaks it down, and put something else in its space. Just like we see today, on how
quickly 'new' devices become obsolete. Same will happen with the environment. It will be ever changing, more than ever, for the main purpose of attracting even more people every "fiscal" year.  
26
For this question, we will focus on Juan Enriquez’ Life Two civilization, whichalters 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?
(ImgSnap.com)

Response to Power Point, Smithsonian, and Roy
I'll choose the Universal Design principle of Flexibility in Use, because I feel like the example provided in the power point was poor and inadequate. (I am right handed, yet can not recall a time I
used my right hand to insert a key in a lock.) With the traditional design of a cabinet, it will be difficult for one in a wheelchair to reach deep into the cabinet to retrieve an item; causing one to
lean out off their wheelchair. In my kitchen at home, I have these cabinet with pull out shelves. Under the stove, they are three cabinets, with six large shelves that we use to store pots and pans. It
closely resembles the ones in this photograph. These shelves are perfect for those whom are getting too old, losing mobility, and find it hard to bend down, and reach into the cabinet for a pot or
pan. This design is also great for those in a wheelchair. If you are in a wheelchair, it might be difficult to reach deep into a cabinet to pullout a pot or pan. With this design, you can pull out the
shelf, bringing the item closer to you. We also have these type of cabinets over by the oven. I believe its intended purpose is to be used as cooling racks for baking, but we just use it for storing
baking accessories. Here we can see a design, perfect for those whom have a disability, such as lost in mobility, or in a wheelchair, and also being utilized in my house whole, even though no one
is disabled. While for us, it offers a great way of visually identifying its entire inventory, for others, it will offer a great way for easier access. Although it may be unnecessary, one way to improve
this positive design is by making the shelve electrically powered. This eliminated the task of having a person in a wheelchair, or a person with limited mobility to have to pull the shelf out.
27
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.
(Shelf Genie)

Response to Survey, FIXED, and Stelarc
They are not much lessons we can learn from history that will aid us with the current topic of enhancement technologies. The range of capabilities we are discussing now, are uncharted
territory. "Human enhancement is no different than human." (FIXED) In a way, this makes sense. Humans are the ones the create these technological possibilities. But at the the same time, we
have to ask ourselves, where do we draw that line. I believe it should be used towards the goals of eradicating the concept of disabilities but not for enhancement.
"Human aren't broken, but technology is." (Hugh Herr) This concept has been taken too far. I can not think of any positive consequences of designing our bodies and the bodies of new
borns because I find it to be unnecessary.
Ethical quandaries these technologies pose is why? Why is any of this necessary? We have naturally evolved hundred of years without it, and extending our life span by the use of technology
on the ethical realm, why cross that line to achieve unnecessary goals?
In the video with Huge Herr, we see two amazing achievements, first Lisa Mallette emotional response of being able to walk again, and last, Adrianne Haslet-Davis being able to dance again.
Here is where I draw the line. Technology should only be used to make people do "normal" things, and not enhance the body to exceed the normal. "What human need to improve
them." (FIXED) We do not need to be improved; artificially at least. Maybe the only improvement humans should work on is being more emphatic with one another.
We may already have a real life Tony Stark, (Elon Musk) but I don't think we need a real life Iron Man.
28
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?
Source:
• Herr, Hugh. "The New Bionics That Let Us
Run, Climb and Dance." TED. TED Talk, Mar.
2014. Web. 25 Apr. 2017.
• "The Science/Fiction Of Human
Enhancement." FIXED. N.p., 13 July 2014.
Web. 25 Apr. 2017.
(Iron Man/Paramount)

Response to Titicut Follies
Ethically, no. I believe Wiseman should have not been allowed to film the residents. When it comes to granting access to ones privacy, a legal guardians as to give the okay. But I don't agree with
a legal guardians granting such access against the participants well. For example, think back to when we had to get permission slips signed to go on a field trip, or attended a summer camp that
required a permission slip to allow them to take photographs and put them on advertisements or their website. You would first have to make the decision if you want any of those things before to
hand that slip to your parents. In this case, Wiseman should have first asked the residents permission than followed by (only if they agreed with his terms) asking the institution's.
As for how this can aid a designer, in the 21 century, I would very must hope treating people with respect comes natural. The name of this place alone is demeaning, "Correctional Facility."
Today, that sounds no different from a prison/jail. This place lacks all forms of humility. As I say this again, before you watch this video, I would hope one already desires the need to design any
space as if their own family members or one's self had to utilize it.
What we can take from this film is, remember we are all equals. While it is important to gain knowledge in the hopes of one day using that data to help a person, remember that person you are
treating like a lab rat, is a human. While you do the inevitable task of testing a person, make sure the "facility" they are in is not harsh and hostile. Maybe we can first start with changing the idea
of design a facility to designing a home or community. Not making the residence feel trapped or caged. While they might struggle in the outside world, it is our responsibility to make them feel as
if they weren't closed off, and have freedom.
29
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?
(Legion/FX)

Response to PPT, The Architecture of Autism, Public Space
This is a challenging conundrum. At first, I would allow it because it is probably difficult for them to find a beautiful neighborhood and probably getting rejected anywhere they go. But when I
learn about their past, it does not help the situation at all and only makes me go from welcoming them to no longer favoring the proposal, despite the fact those behaviors did not occur in awhile.
Learning that my neighbor for the most part rejected the proposal does not effect me at all. Before learning about the group of adults history, I would challenge my neighbor to keep an open mind
and to rethink things. But with the knowledge that my neighbors were also informed by their past, it makes me understand their decision.
A workable alternative can be to locate a neighborhood that predominantly consist of residence of the 50+ age demographic. In this neighborhood, they would not have to worry about a good
amount of parents who mainly reject the proposal because they are worried about their children.
Also, this might not be apart of the question, but they should also warn and train the local police department to handle any incidents with the adults in the neighborhood with care.
30
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”?
(Ryan Phillips)

The Connection Between Religion and Urban Planning by David Engwicht
A place of worship in which I am familiar with is my elementary school, St. Nicholas of Tolentine. This school/parish is located in Jamaica, New York.
St. Nicholas of Tolentine plays a great role in the development of this town and as of 2016, it celebrated its 100th year. The church is open 24/7 and anyone can work inside for a place to pray,
seek peace, and further more. If a person has any other issues, the church also as a rectory center, open 7 days a week, where there are staff they have a broad range of resources to aid them with
anything they need.
St. Nicholas of Tolentine was in this location long before many people resided here. After the introduction of St. John's University down the block and the establishment of many public
housing complexes in the area, population made a dramatic increase, and the church became the foundation of holding the town together and keeping it stable.
Due to the fact that it was at this location, prior to the development of the remainder of the town, this means it influence the design of the area around it. It is surround by public housing on all
four sides of the school/parish's property. In the early 19th century, there was a stream of Irish settlers seeking a place to live. Today, it is an extremely diverse neighborhood. The second most
dominate language is Spanish and the church accommodates by offer mass in both English and Spanish. It also gives a place of residence for those whom are apart of the church and also offers
free Pre-K.
The school/parish has a gigantic parking-lot/play ground, every single Saturday, it is used to host a flea market.
In the future, I believe it will play the same role as it does today. It will continue to hold the community together with healing, and continuous aid; leading a helping hand to those in need. As
the town develops further, the parish would will always have the resources to engage with the community and brining it together.
P.S. Interesting fact, the current President of the United States lived in the adjacent neighborhood, Jamaica Estates, and moved out at the age of 4. His elementary school is also located on the
same street, Union Turnpike.
31
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?
Source:
• http://stnicholas-queens.org/parish-history/(sntschoolny.org)

Response to Prospects for the Future of Diversity and Design
The greatest challenge in my major and something I am looking forward to solving in my future profession is diversity in housing developments. We touched on these issues on week 5: Urban
Planning and Design and on week 11: Diversity Issue-Age.
People are too often neglected in the design process and seem to have little value to housing developers. One of the biggest examples of the complete neglect of people is the topic of
gentrification. The only ones that matters are those whom are in a higher eco-class. Going all the way back to Pruitt-Igoe in the 1950's to the present Regent Park, "Poor Door," and many more
examples illustrates we can not learn from past failures. Referring back to Week 5 material, "10 Towns that changed America" we were introduced to the towns of Pullman and Greenbelt. These
two town were created for the working class, and it proves that successful affordable housing can be done, but now we have to work on making it diverse.
What I plan to do, in order to solve this problem, is to be influenced by the success of the previous mentioned towns, and the many other towns in our history was successful in offering a
place of residence at an affordable cost, the only difference, I would not exclude people due to the color of their skin. I will not exclude people due to their religion, gender, age, and further more.
In the towns the succeed, people of color were excluded and more money and attention was applied to see forward its success. The towns that failed, little money, resources, and attention went
into it. Eliminating discrimination would solve this. As we learned on week 11, neglect of people's value is also a problem. In this case, decisions were made without their input. Involving them
in the process will solve this problem.
32
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?
(MIMOA)

ARC 211: American Diversity and Design: Ryan Phillips

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Similar to ARC 211: American Diversity and Design: Ryan Phillips

Similar to ARC 211: American Diversity and Design: Ryan Phillips (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

ARC 211: American Diversity and Design: Ryan Phillips