ARC 211 Final Project

1. University at Buffalo – State University at New York
ARC 211 – American Diversity and Design - 2017
Online Discussion Questions
Ethan Taylor
"Design Architecture." Startrekmeshes. N.p., 29 Mar. 2017. Web. 12 May 2017.

2. About Me (ARC 211): Ethan Taylor
Diversity and Design has changed the way I think about a lot of things, including how almost everything in the
world is influenced by design, from political issues, like transgender bathrooms, or Donald Trump’s hat design, to
racism. I learned that everything in the world is structured, and it is important to have the knowledge of how these
things work. I really enjoyed the parts of the course where we were asked how we would design something in a
way that it would solve a particular issue, because it showed that the first part of design is something that we have
always had, architect or not: critical thinking. This course has changed the way I not only think about design, but
how the world is influenced by these subtle factors. 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.
(photo taken personally)

3. Introduction
This thread provides you with an opportunity to "meet" each other and initiate a connection with participants in your group.
In responding to this discussion thread, please introduce yourself and provide us with one interesting fact about
yourself. After posting your introduction, take a look through and reply to some of the others. The purpose of this exercise is
to develop a sense of community. You might find that you share similar experiences and can help each other in many ways
throughout the semester.
Hello everybody. My name is Ethan Taylor, and one interesting fact about me is that I am a big buffalo sports fan from the area. I am
a sophomore student in the Business major, although I don't know yet what I want to do specifically within that major. I am taking this
class for American Pluralism credit, and I have heard good things about this class so I'm excited to see how it goes.
Young, Karen. "Buffalo, NY Print." Etsy. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.

4. Response to "What is design?" from Hello World
On “What is design?” from Hello World: Where Design Meets Life by Alice Rawsthron
The author opened her chapter with the example of Ying Zheng, the ruler of the Qin empire, one of the most powerful and
enduring empires I the history of China. She explained how design innovation contributed to Ying Zheng’s success. For
example, in the development of weaponry, he resolved many problems by standardizing parts, and this single innovation gave
his armies great advantage over other armies.
For this discussion, let’s move away from 246 B.C. China, and into the U.S. Describe an innovation or invention (can be
current or historical) that gave advantage to a group of people in the U.S. or to the population as a whole. What were the
social impacts of this innovation? Were any groups negatively impacted by this innovation? For example, the
telegraph, developed and patented in the United States in 1837 by Samuel Morse, permitted people and commerce to transmit
messages across both continents and oceans almost instantly, with widespread social and economic impacts. This heightened
communication speed allowed business persons to make decisions with up-to-date information, often resulting in big profits.
Those without access had to rely on out-dated information, which put them at a disadvantage.
One invention that gave an advantage to the population as a whole is the telephone. It has helped people to communicate with each
other without physically seeing the person. This is very convenient when some quick information just needs to be told to somebody
without the need to see that person. The social effects have included the fact that people socialize with each other more often now that
it has become easier to communicate. However, the negative effects have been further changes made on the telephone to a cell phone,
and now the iPhone. People communicate more often now than ever before since it is easier, but also have less face time with each
other simply because it is easier to text.
M, Marven. "Marven." Telephone Invention. N.p., 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.

5. Response to “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.)
The Intolerable Acts of 1774 were passed by England that restricted the U.S. colonists' rights, and required them to provide food
and shelter to British soldiers living there. This impacted a diverse group, the colonists, as their rights were being played
with. It placed an emphasis on England's power over the colonies, as well, and made the American colonists more willing to
fight. In this way, these acts helped lead to the Revolutionary War, making them extremely important in America's history.
Shi, David, and George Tindall. "From Colonies to States 1600-1776." Chapter 4: From Colonies to States 1600-1776 | America, Essential
Learning Edition: W. W. Norton StudySpace. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.

6. Chapter in Media/Society and TED Talk Photos that Changed the World
Where would you place the images shown in Photos That Changed the World into Croteau and Hoynes' diagram entitled
“Model of Media and the Social World”? Identify a mass media photograph taken in your own lifetime that has served as an
icon of an event. (Feel free to add an attachment.) What roles does this photo play in the communication of the event?
I would place the images shown in Photos that Changed the World into the readers and audience section of the diagram
because most of the photos are taken and displayed in a way that they appear for an audience to see, as they all have great
meaning. A mass media photograph taken in my lifetime that has served as an icon of an event is the photo depicting the
current photo of where the Twin Towers were, but not currently existing anymore, but the reflection in the water shows the
Twin Towers. This was an iconic photo because it showed that despite the terrorist attack, the memories of those who lost their
lives were still in everyones hearts.
Smith, Colin D. "Flash Fiction Friday." N.p., 10 Sept. 2015. Web. 01 May 2017.

7. “Fashioning Protest for the Women’s March on Washington” and “The Worst Design of 2016 Was Also the Most Effective”
Typically, we do not think of hats as elements of mass media or social media. However, the two hats (red and pink) discussed
in the articles certainly have taken on that role. Why are the two hats (red and pink) mentioned in the articles vehicles of
communication design? What meanings do each of the two hats carry? In terms of communication design, how are they
similar? And how are they different from one another?
The two hats mentioned in the articles are vehicles of communication design because they both have their own message. The red hat
was mentioned to have the worst design of 2016 because it didn't really have any style, and it was plain. It is simply just bold letters in
caps, saying Donald Trump's slogan, "Make America Great Again". The women's hats were in response to Donald Trump, when he
referred to grabbing them by their genitals. They were saying "no", as well as protecting their own bodies to themselves. In terms of
communication design, the two hats were similar because they portrayed their own beliefs very well. The two hats were different
because they represented completely opposing views, as the women wore their hats in response to Trump.
Bump, Philip. "Hey, Let's All Make Our Own Donald Trump Hats." The Washington Post. WP Company, 06 Oct. 2015. Web. 01 May
2017.

8. 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?
Some social consequences of Ford's production line were a new job opening, but also old jobs closing. People could now find a job
opportunity on the assembly line, but some jobs were lost because despite the fact that people worked on the assembly line, the
machine did much of the work. This made some people lose their jobs, but also made production faster and more efficient. I think
manufacturing in the next twenty years could become very electronic. The world is very electronic now, with everyone owning and
using a cell phone for their jobs. Supermarkets have gotten technical with self-checkout lanes and electronic weighing for fruits and
vegetables, making many people believe that supermarkets will be run by machines some day. Amazon just recently released a plan to
make a supermarket completely based off of an app that people scan as they walk in the store. These sound like good ideas on paper,
but they will also cause many people to lose their jobs, and people lose touch with others, as a conversation with a cashier turns into
an unpleasant situation with a touch screen that perhaps has problems functioning.
17, TONY SWAN. "Ford's Assembly Line Turns 100: How It Really Put the World on Wheels - Feature." – Feature – Car and
Driver. N.p., 30 Apr. 2013. Web. 01 May 2017.

9. Response IDEA Awards and Cradle-to-Cradle Video
Which of the 2016 IDEA Gold Award products seems to defy the Cradle-to-Cradle concept developed by architect William
McDonough and chemist Dr. Michael Braungart? How does this product resist or disregard the concept? Do you know of any
products that embrace Cradle-to-Cradle design? If so, please describe.
State: The Belkin Car Power Valet seems like an example of one of the IDEA Gold Award products that resists the Cradle-to-
Cradle concept.
Elaborate: It uses the car's power to generate a charge for a cell phone, which inevitably uses more gas, which is not a renewable
resource. A smarter idea would be a solar-powered cell phone charger, which would be a great example of cradle-to-cradle, as it
would help move the circle of resources that McDonough and Braungart used.
Exemplify: An example of a product that embraces the Cradle-to-Cradle design is the Nike shoe that Will McDonaugh showed
in the TED talk, where it was renewable/biodegradable. He also showed an example of a building that makes more energy than
it uses to operate, and planting grass on rooftops. These all are examples of cradle-to-cradle design because they make energy,
rather than use it, or are reusable so that the problem of wasted resources slowly goes away.
"Belkin Car Valet™." World Design Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

10. Response to All Module 4 Materials
Your readings and viewings this week present different ways of thinking about architecture. Mies Van der Rohe describes
architecture as “The will of the epoch translated into space.” Andrew Ballantyne describes architecture as the background for
life. Jeanne Gang describes it as the act of building relationships. All agree that architecture can change based on context and
culture. Choose two works of architecture from any of your materials this week—one with sensibilities about the past and one
with sensibilities about the present and/or future. How do each of these buildings either reflect or challenge their cultural
contexts? (Use the SEE-IT method to respond to this question.)
The Jefferson Memorial challenged cultural contexts because it drifted away from British architecture that was used in Colonial
Virginia. Instead, Jefferson used Ancient Rome's architecture designs, perhaps to show that America was going to be the new Rome.
Or at the very least, he could have been showing that America was going to be different from Britain. He forgot simple things, such as
steps that had to be put in later on, but it was a new scheme for a new country. It is now one of the most historical buildings in the
country.
The Walt Disney Concert Hall also reflected cultural contexts because it was designed using the spirit of Walt Disney, himself. Frank
Gehry made it a fun environment, but also designed the hall in a way that the acoustics would be perfect. It reflected the culture of
Walt Disney and Disney World, but as Gehry said, he wouldn't make a design with Mickey Mouse, but he would use a spirited
environmental design.
National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

11. Response to Ballantyne and Zumthor Article
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.)
Both Andrew Ballantyne and Peter Zumthor wrote about how there should be some sort of connection with architecture. Much like
my example in the other discussion board post about how Gehry designed the Walt Disney concert hall with the spirit of Walt Disney,
there was a connection made there that gave him the "feel" of Walt Disney. This is a type of connection that Ballantyne and
Zumthor both wrote about. Zumthor wrote something that really caught my eye, saying the whole of architecture makes sense of the
details. He compared architecture to music, saying Bach's music is based upon a clear structure, and the structure fills in the rest.
Architecture is similar in that the structure allows the rest to fill itself in. Ballantyne was slightly different, saying architecture is like
artwork. He says that looking at something can help to make a point of view about it, but it isn't everything. Much like art, there is
something beyond the structure that can be analyzed. It is more abstract, and less concrete. Therefore, Ballantyne and Zumthor both
saw architecture as a "connection" and "feeling", but Ballantyne was slightly more abstract, whereas Zumthor was slightly more
concrete.
"LA Phil." Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

12. Response to Levy Article
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?
I grew up in Tonawanda, New York, about fifteen minutes away from the city of Buffalo. Buffalo is a very unique city in that it used
to be a very large city with lots of transportation and machine-worker jobs available, but as I was growing up, these jobs were less
readily available and the transportation was long outdated, as the Erie Canal is far from a means of transportation anymore. However,
as I have grown up, the city has started to grow again, now with the Harbor Center being built, and Canalside becoming a great part of
the city. Canalside is one of the biggest architectural impacts to happen to Buffalo in my lifetime, and now there are events that go on
there, and in the winter there is ice skating and hockey available, and over the summer there are concerts and outdoor events. Buffalo
is drifting away from the steel mill city it once was when it was prospering, and slowly becoming a large city again, but with a
different style. The old steel mills are being replaced by Buffalo Riverworks, which is taking complete control of that area of
downtown. With the city on the rise, people are staying here for jobs instead of looking elsewhere, and it is bringing the city together.
Buffalo has always been a close-knit city, now more than ever.
"Our Summer." Canalside Buffalo. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

13. Response to Pruitt Igoe Project, Talen, and Larson
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?
Three strategies for rebuilding Pruitt Igoe in ways that promise to be more successful are to add better, safer conditions for
water, plumbing, etc., adding more diversity, and adding more shops around the area. Talen would probably try to design it
with more diversity because it wouldn't single out one single group. Larson would add more shops and stores around the area
so that it was more convenient. I think this point is very important because if they were living in poverty, they would need to be
able to get food near them and they probably did not own a car to get to the nearest shop. If they didn't have shops nearby, they
should have had some sort of free transportation to get there. Two of my strategies were in line with Talen and Larson, with
diversity and adding shops nearby. I believe all three of my strategies would be very successful, as it would make the area safer,
more diverse, and convenient. These three things were lacking in Pruitt Igoe, and they are very important components.
Marshall, Colin. "Pruitt-Igoe: The Troubled High-rise That Came to Define Urban America – a History of Cities in 50 Buildings, Day
21." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 22 Apr. 2015. Web. 01 May 2017.

14. Response to F.L. Olmsted
Displaying his plan at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Frederick Law Olmsted stated that "Buffalo is the best
planned city, as to its streets, public places, and grounds, in the United States, if not in the world." What was the basis for this
claim? Would Olmsted still make that claim today? Why or why not?
Olmsted said that Buffalo is the best planned city because of the way it was designed, with parks connected to one another and most
main streets connecting downtown Buffalo to the city, and then to other suburbs. I thought about that statement, too, and realized how
true it is. The main streets of Buffalo, including Delaware, Elmwood, Main Street, etc. all connect the city to its suburbs. Delaware
Avenue stretches from Downtown Buffalo to North Tonawanda, and Elmwood stretches to the City of Tonawanda, turning into the I-
290, which connects as far as Lancaster, and Main Street stretches as far as Williamsville and Clarence. In that way, I think that
Olmsted would still make this claim today. The Olmsted Parks still in existence today would also support his claim, as Delaware Park
is perhaps the best park in the Buffalo area, and it stretches close to Forest Lawn, as well as the Buffalo Zoo, and the homes located in
Delaware Park are the most expensive homes in the City of Buffalo by a landslide. These areas are great for community, as well as the
Buffalo lifestyle.
"University at Buffalo Libraries." Olmsted Parks and Parkways in Buffalo, 1914 - Map Collection - University at Buffalo Libraries.
N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

15. Response to Walter Hood's Work
Identify something that should be memorialized either on UB's campus or in your hometown. Imagine that you are the person
who will oversee this project, and that you are using Walter Hood's 'triad of investigations' as your approach to the
project. What would your landscape intervention commemorate/memorialize? How will you use Hood's 'triad of
investigations' to design a new landscape intervention? What do you imagine that the design will be? (Either written or visual
descriptions are acceptable).
There is currently an area in Downtown Buffalo, right next to Buffalo Riverworks, where there are abandoned grain mills. This area
has a lot of open space next to it as well, and it is in a nice area, overlooking the water near canalside. If I was designing this project, I
would get rid of the abandoned building and gravel around it, and plant grass in that area. Once the grass was planted, I would add in a
park, with trees, with a trail around the area, perhaps to be used for hiking. It's overlooking the water, which would make it a very nice
park in downtown buffalo. It's a large enough area to be used as a hiking trail, albeit a smaller-sized one. It could possibly be
compared to Glen Falls in Williamsville, minus the waterfall. However, it still would be overlooking water and it is downtown, which
is unique to the area.
"Buffalo Riverworks." U&S Services, Inc. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

16. Response to the Brookes
The abolitionist poster, the Brookes, is an iconic image that often is included in exhibits that explore issues of race and
power. It was commissioned by Thomas Clarkson in 1788, and the Committee of the Abolition of Slavery used it to inform and
shock the public. While some consider the poster as an important component of the abolitionist campaign, it recently “has
been strongly criticized by some individuals and groups of African heritage as providing a very limited view of the history of
the transatlantic slave trade, resistance and abolition (Hudson 2007).” The lesson here is that how a viewer sees an image is
dependent upon his/her social, economic, and cultural position. Keeping this in mind, find another iconic graphic that addresses
racial issues and post it for others in your group to view. (Add it to your response by clicking on the picture in the tools
section. Do not add it as an attachment that needs to be opened.) How do you interpret the graphic? What is its
meaning? Now imagine that someone from a racial and cultural background different than your own is looking at the same
graphic. Briefly describe this person. How might s/he interpret its meaning? How might this differ from your interpretation?
What are the possible reasons for these differences?
This image can be interpreted as white supremacists during the Civil Rights Movement who did not want African-Americans to have
equal rights. As a Caucasian male myself, I am pretty embarrassed by this image. It shows how badly we screwed up at a time that
African-Americans were just trying to receive equal rights that they truly deserved. It amazes me that some people could discriminate
based on color, and if an African-American were to see this picture, they would describe it differently than I had. My emotion was
embarrassment and disappointment, whereas their emotion could be described as anger or sadness, knowing their ancestors has to deal
with this discrimination back in their time. They may not even describe these people as white supremacists, but instead as white
people, because we have a poor history of racism due to this time period. It was a cruel time period for African-Americans, and a
period of poor judgment for whites. I don't think anyone today would disagree that segregation and inequality as a whole for African-
Americans was wrong, however, there were many people split on this idea fifty years ago.
Taylor, Tate. "La Couleur Des Sentiments." Graine De Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

17. Response to Charles Davis and equityXdesign's Work
Critique either the MLK Memorial or the National Museum of African American History and Culture
using equityXdesign’s core beliefs and/or design principles. (Use the beliefs or principles that are most relevant to your
critique rather than all of them.) (NOTE: Limit your response to less than 250 words.)
The MLK Memorial helps commemorate all that Martin Luther King contributed to the Civil Rights Movement and exhibits the
equityXdesign's core beliefs. It has quotes along it, as well as keeping Martin Luther King's ideals in memory. It represents a time
where African-Americans were very much discriminated against, and hopefully we can look on the memorial in a way that it shows
how much the country has changed over the past fifty years, and it may have never happened that way if it weren't for Martin Luther
King Jr. That is why it is such an important memorial for King as a person, as well as a civil rights leader.
"At the Lorraine Motel." National Civil Rights Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

18. Response to "Landscape Stories" Chapter
First, let’s start with your own home. Describe a place in your home (indoors and/or outdoors) that you think of as
representative of your own ethnic background and discuss why you consider this place to be ‘ethnic’. –OR-- Describe an object
in your home that you think of as representative of your ethnic background and discuss why this object is considered to be
‘ethnic’. (If possible, add photo/s.) Is this object or place something that you will keep or continue when you establish your
own home? Why or why not?
Now let’s move into your community. In “Landscape Stories,” the authors show how landscape architects develop a historical
narrative that sifts through and interpets the culture and material of underrepresented groups. Think about the community
where you grew up. Describe and discuss any evidence of cultural influences on the physical environment in your community.
If possible, describe evidence of the cultural influence of an underrepresented group. (If possible, add photo/s.) Is this cultural
influence being acknowledged or preserved from future generations? Why or why not?
One item in my house that can be considered ethnic is the German flag hung in my basement. My family is very German, and takes
great pride in it, so we have a flag showing our background. It isn't necessarily something that I would keep at my house in the future
when I'm on my own, though, mainly because I don't think a flag in a house is a necessity. It really doesn't fit in well in my house
besides the basement, and it worked a lot better at my old house when we actually had a flagpole. When it was on the flagpole at my
old house, it symbolized my family's background and gave people an idea of who we are.
In the community that I grew up in, there were a lot of people within my neighborhood in very similar circumstances as me. There
were kids next door that were the same age as me, and came from very similar social situations as I did. However, a couple blocks
down the street, there were rental houses and these homes were beat down, making it a very different neighborhood than mine. We
were all within the same community, but these two neighborhoods were so close and very different. These people were poorer, but
everyone still got along as one community.
"Germany National Flag-Information." Facts.co. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 May 2017.

19. Response to Article on Sports Branding
Recent controversies about sports branding focus on ethnicity. The Washington Redskins team is just one example of the
larger controversy, but it receives the most public attention due to the name itself being defined as derogatory or insulting in
modern dictionaries, and the prominence of the team representing the nation’s capital. Should sports team branding designers
use ethnic references (Fighting Irish, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Braves, etc.)? Why? Why not? What are some of the complexities
of this issue?
I think some of these team names are perfectly fine because they embrace a certain ethnicity. The reason why the Redskins had so
many problems is because the name was derogatory. It was offensive to certain groups, and those groups made complaints. However, I
think when you see a team like the "Fighting Irish", many Notre Dame fans are Irish people. They embrace the team name because it
symbolizes who they are, and doesn't offend them. In fact, it does just the opposite. It gives them a fanbase to embrace their culture.
However, the Washington Redskins had a team name that offended Native Americans, and so it was a trickier issue.
"Facilities." UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

20. Response to "Visualizing Gender" Chapter
In their chapter “Communicating Gender,” Maya Ganesh and Gabi Sobliye discuss two primary visual advocacy approaches:
1) get the idea, and 2) stories in data. Find a new example of either of the two visual advocacy approaches to gender issues,
and post it in this thread. Cite the source.
First, identify the approach. Then explain how the designer uses the approach to communicate a gender issue. Is the approach
effective in this example? Why or why not? How could this graphic be improved?
http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/0072820144/student_view0/chapter15/index.html
This website suggests something called the "Gender Schema Theory", where children learn very young how to react to certain ideas
due to early experience. Therefore, children many years ago who are now adults may have trouble adjusting to visualizing gender
because they never learned as children how to adjust to the situation. However, children today can be taught how to react in that given
situation. This will work well in today's society, where everyone is quickly adjusting to progressive ideas, much better than the past
few generations. So, if children are taught at a young age, or perhaps not even taught, but instead just experience positivity in
visualizing gender it can help make society a little bit more progressive in that aspect.
"Visualizing Gender Identity: Binaries, Spectrums, and More." Pinterest. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

21. Response to Bathroom Bill
Last year, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed into law a bill that repealed local LGBT anti-discrimination laws,
and required people to use the bathroom that corresponded with the biological gender written on their birth certificates. This
prompted massive backlash. McCrory stated, “You know, we all have to make adjustments in life. And we’ve had the proper
etiquette situation for decades in our country, and all of a sudden through political correctness we’re throwing away basic
etiquette.” Just this past Thursday, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a bill to repeal the law while placing a
moratorium on nondiscrimination measures.
Should people be required to use the bathroom that corresponds with the biological gender written on their birth certificate?
State why AND state why not. In other words, to receive full credit for this question, you need to present an argument for both
sides of the issue. As a designer, how would you solve this gender dilemma?
I think that gender isn't necessarily always corresponding to what is written on someone's birth certificate. A very large majority
of people identify as what their birth certificate recognizes them as, but there are some people who really and truly don't see
themselves as that gender. And, if they make the corresponding surgery to change themselves into the opposite gender, then
who is to say that they can't use their current gender's bathroom?
However, I also do understand that some people may feel uncomfortable in a private bathroom around someone who was born
the opposite gender. It may make them feel as though they are being "peeped", however, my argument for that would be that I
highly doubt that anyone would go through a gender transplant just for the purpose of looking at women in the bathroom.
What I would do if I was designing bathrooms, dealing with this problem, I would make a third and fourth one-toilet, small
bathroom, mens and womens. In these bathrooms, someone who may feel threatened in the other bathroom can use the one-
toilet bathroom with a lock on the door so that they are the only person to use it. I think that there wouldn't be too many people
who feel threatened, so that bathroom wouldn't need to be used as often, unless people just want to be in the privacy of
themselves regardless.
Wynne, Kelly. "COD to Introduce Gender-neutral Bathrooms." The Courier. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

22. Response to People Like Us
After almost two decades of public assistance, Tammy Crabtree took herself and her family off the welfare rolls. But her job
cleaning bathrooms at a local Burger King barely paid the bills. Crabtree wanted to do better and hopes to go to college and
become a teacher.
Imagine this scenario. You are a designer who works at the well-known firm, iPD (Integrated Planning and Design). You work
on a team with planners, urban designers, policy designers, architects, and social designers. You have been tasked to
develop/design a way for Tammy Crabtree and her family (and others with situations similar to Tammy’s) to move themselves
out of poverty. What will your team to do to help Tammy and her family achieve their goals? What approach will your team
take to address this difficult problem?
If I were in charge of resolving this issue, I would design a set of low income housing for people like Tammy to be able to afford. My
team would encourage Tammy, and others like her, to live there, as a temporary means, at least until she was out of college. This will
become easier now, as well, with SUNY schools becoming free tuition for families with incomes below $100,000 a year. Thus,
Tammy could afford to live in one of the low income houses as well as going to college full time. My team could offer a day care in
the housing structure so that Tammy's children were taken care of while she is away at school and work.
Albast, Laura. "This Week in 'No Poverty': Reducing Poverty in Bangladesh."AIESEC. N.p., 21 Oct. 2016. Web. 01 May 2017.
Response to Hidden Ways

23. Response to Hidden Ways
Author Steven Flusty categorized five types of disciplinary architecture that perpetuate what he calls urban spatial injustice:
1) stealthy, 2) slippery, 3) crusty, 4) prickly, and 5) jittery. Go out into the city of Buffalo, and find/photograph two examples
from the list of five. Identify what type of space you’ve photographed and why it might discriminate against a specific
population.
The first image is an image of downtown Buffalo, showing the train tracks alongside Shea's Buffalo. This area is an example of
stealthy, where this area of Main Street can not be driven on. It discriminates against people who drive, rather than take the subway. It
is a difficult area of the town to navigate.
The second image is an image of downtown Buffalo, coming from the corner of Main and Church Street. This is an example of
jittery, because there aren't too many people around that area, so it is very quiet compared to other parts of downtown. This could lead
to more crime occurring in the area.
"Downtown Buffalo, NY." Visit Buffalo Niagara. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

24. Response to Carroll Article: “(Re)forming Regent Park: When Policy Does Not Equal Practice”
The development of Regent Park is phased, and there are several more phases to the project. What actions could be taken to
ensure more social integration for the older people living in the ‘new and improved’ Regent Park?
There were many phases in Regent Park, as noted there were "triumphs and tragedies", many highs and lows. There definitely
was a fair amount of segregation, to a certain extent. There was a lot of poverty and crime that came about, and many people
refused to improve themselves or try to find a better living area. This kind of makes sense, because when Regent Park was first
created, it was a great project and many people wanted to live there. However, as the years went by, people became too
comfortable there and lost their work ethic, knowing they could stay there. These families became broken down, living around
crime and in poverty. One action that can be taken to ensure social integration for older people living in Regent Park is to house
them near the other families, so that they can understand each other and be taken care of. This would help to allow them to
meet new people and be taken care for by the youths.
August, Martine. "How 'revitalization' Is Leading to Displacement in Regent Park." Thestar.com. N.p., 05 May 2014. Web. 01 May
2017.

25. Response to Enriquez TED Talk: “What Will Humans Look Like in 100 Years?”
For this question, we will focus on Juan Enriquez’ Life Two civilization, which alters fundamental aspects of the body. We are
living longer than ever before in human history. Enriquez argues that, because of advances in bio-medical technology, the
possibility of living to 120 years of age and beyond is quite possible for many of us in this D+D class. Assuming that his
assertion is accurate, how do you think extended life spans will change our societies and built environments? What new issues
might designers face because of extended life spans?
Extended life spans may overpopulate the world because people could potentially live 33% longer than usual, aging to 120 instead of,
perhaps, 90. The environment could become overpopulated, and problems like crowding, homelessness, and climate change could all
change drastically in a negative way. However, it is definitely good news that people may be able to extend their lives longer.
Designers may need to build more skyscrapers and multi-story buildings due to this new idea. Large cities like New York City and
Los Angeles use this scheme because of how crowded those cities are, but if people are living longer, the world may be overpopulated
in smaller cities as well. These buildings should be multi-story, but due to the amount of elderly people living they will certainly need
elevators. Many architectural designs will change, and the buildings we have now will certainly be outdated, but you could say that
about any generation.
EconoTimes. "Human Life Could Be Extended Indefinitely, Study Suggests."EconoTimes. N.p., 09 Feb. 2017. Web. 01 May 2017.

26. Response to PPT, Smithsonian, and Roy
The two most frequently mentioned models of disability are the ‘social’ and the ‘medical’ models. The medical model of
disability views disability as a medical ‘problem’ that belongs to the disabled individual. The social model of disability, in
contrast, draws on the idea that it is society that disables people, through designing everything to meet the needs of the
majority of people who are not disabled. There is a recognition within the social model that there is a great deal that society
can do to reduce, and ultimately remove, some of these disabling barriers, and that this task is the responsibility of society,
rather than the disabled person.
In the Smithsonian online exhibition, the story about the superhero hand, and Elise Roy’s TED Talk, you saw examples of
ways to engage disability that use the social model rather than the medical model. In the Disability and Design PowerPoint,
you were introduced to the concept of Universal Design (UD) (sometimes called inclusive design, design-for-all, or human-
centered design). Certainly, UD embraces the social model of disability. In this same PowerPoint, you saw positive and
negative examples of each of the seven principles of universal design.
For the Module 12 Thread 1, please select one of the seven universal design principles, and post photographs that show both a
positive and a negative example of the principle. Then address the following question: How do your examples empower or
disempower various people? Describe the specific features of the positive example and the specific features of the negative
example. Discuss ways that the positive example could be even further improved.
These two are examples of equitable design. The handicap buttons accommodate for people who cannot walk, and can be very helpful.
They can use it to open doors can make it easier for people with disabilities to get from place to place. These buttons can be found all
over University at Buffalo's campus, which is a very good thing. There are many people over campus in wheelchairs, and so they are
benefited with these buttons. They don't have to rely on others to open the door for them.
The telephone is an example of negative equitable design because blind people or deaf people may have a tough time using them.
Deaf people will not be able to use it at all, and blind people won't be able to see the buttons. However, it can be noted that this
telephone is outdated, and iPhones are now made with Siri in order to accommodate for the blind. This shows that design is headed in
the right direction.
“The 7 Principles." Centre for Excellence in Universal Design. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

27. Response to Survey, FIXED, and Stelarc
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?
Enhancement technologies could be very helpful to people, but there are many consequences to be considered. For example, if we
design the bodies of our children, the outcome could be problematic. The design may not work the way we imagined, and the children
become disabled. Most importantly, there would be a lot of ethical problems with enhancement technologies. For example, people are
made the way they are through normal, everyday life design. If people were to change themselves, or others, this would almost
certainly be a political issue, especially if there were drawbacks associated with it.
Reuters. "Reproductive Technology Linked to Birth Defects, Childhood Leukemia." Http://www.deccanchronicle.com/. Deccan
Chronicle, 05 Feb. 2016. Web. 01 May 2017.

28. Response to Titicut Follies
The state of Massachusetts tried to ban the 1967 documentary Titicut Follies, arguing that director Frederick Wiseman had
violated the patients’ rights by not getting written permission to film them. The case went to court, and Wiseman argued that
he had consent from their legal guardian, the institution. After a judge ruled in favor of the state, the legal appeals carried on
for several years: in 1969, Massachusetts allowed the film to be shown to doctors, lawyers, and health care professionals; in
1991, a superior court judge ruled it could be released for the “general public,” as privacy concerns were no longer at issue, so
many years later.
Should Wiseman have been allowed to film the residents of Bridgewater Massachusetts Correctional Facility? Why or why
not? How might this film be of value to designers (communication designers, product, designers, architects, interior designers,
planners, landscape designers, systems designers, and/or social designers)? In other words, what might they gain from this
film that they could use in their work?
Wiseman should have been able to film the residents considering he was allowed inside the facility. Especially considering the
documentary was of value for the designers, it held a lot of important information, which should be used in film. Knowing what
goes on inside the correctional facility can give them plenty of knowledge for designing the building, with what rooms can
contain what. The privacy concerns should really not be a problem considering it's an informational documentary and it wasn't
disrespecting any of the people that were recorded.
"Titicut Follies." Zipporah Films Titicut Follies. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2017.

29. Response to PPT, The Architecture of Autism, Public Space
The Scenario: Imagine that you and your four children live in Amherst, New York in a $650,000 home at the end of a cul-de-
sac on the edge of a ten acre woods. The town has purchased a one-acre lot three houses away from yours, and plans to build a
group home for ten intellectually challenged adults. As a resident of the neighborhood, would you support or oppose this
proposal and why? You've learned additional information about the residents of the proposed group home in your
neighborhood. In 2013, three of the ten intended residents exhibited challenging behaviors including screaming, public
masturbation, repetitive rocking, and echolalia (elective incontinence). However, these behaviors have not occurred since then.
How would this change your opinion about the construction of the group home in your neighborhood? The residents in your
neighborhood voted (14-3) to reject the town of Amherst’s proposal to build a group home in the neighborhood. Town officials
agreed that the home would not be built in your neighborhood if you and your neighbors could develop a workable
alternative. What are some possible solutions that would allow the residents of the home to be provided with “the same basic
human rights as the rest of the population”?
This is definitely a tricky issue, in that these people should be allowed equal rights but it is in a residential neighborhood. These
people should be given similar amenities but not in the same spot as a neighborhood. Yes, they may be "discriminated" slightly,
but it is to make sure these neighborhoods are a good environment from children and some of these actions cannot be
neighborhood-like. It should be proposed that the group home be placed somewhere else in the Town of Amherst, non-
residential.
"Amherst GOP Is Rumored to Be Planning a Conservative Party Coup." The Buffalo Chronicle. N.p., 05 Dec. 2016.

30. Response to Prospects for the Future of Diversity and Design
Consider the quote in your syllabus from educator Michael J. Shannon: “Design, as vision in action--the intersection of
understanding and creation--is a universal human capability that can play a fundamental role in social evolution, in the process
that transforms resources, energy, and information to make our world.”
At the beginning of this course, we discussed the idea that we are all designers regardless of our profession or field of study.
We’ve asked some big questions along the way, and the conclusion section of our textbook raises additional issues that require
input from people who might not consider themselves to be part of the formalized design professions.
Think about your own major and/or future profession. What is the biggest challenge, problem, or question that your field
needs to tackle right now? What do you plan to do to address this challenge, problem, or question either as part of your
studies or professional life?
My future profession, banking, may be encountering a problem in that the world is becoming more progressive, and the banking
industry is very strict. If someone were to interview with a tattoo, they may be unable to get the job. Things like this may be
challenging coming soon, as the world is becoming more progressive as a whole. This relates to a previous module, where we
discussed trans-gender bathrooms and how progressive we may take it. The trans-gender bathroom example is one of many ways that
the world is getting more progressive, and it may be an ongoing problem in traditional industries, such as finance/banking. One way to
address this problem would be to allow certain things, like tattoos, obviously to a certain extent within the job force. This may make
people feel as though they are accepted in a traditional community, even though they may be a bit more progressive.
Bond, Casey. "Afraid to Try an Online Bank? You Need to Read This." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 22 Jan. 2014.
Web. 12 May 2017.

31. Response to The Connection Between Religion and Urban Planning by David Engwicht
In his article, David Engwicht discusses the fact that religions (of all types) have played major roles in the development of our
cities. Today, places of worship are primary components of almost all urban centers. Author Lorne Daniel writes “From their
often active role in supporting people who live in city centers to their iconic influence on design and use of space, religious
structures tell us a lot about our history, our current needs, and where we might be headed in the future. This is an aspect of
our urban future that planners and urbanists should attend to.”
Identify a place of worship with which you are somewhat familiar. (If you are not familiar with any places of worship, do a bit
of research on one in your own city or town.) Show a photograph of this religious structure. (You may use photographs from
the web.) What roles has this place served in the development of your city/town? How has it influenced the design of the area
around it? How has its role changed over time? What roles could this place of worship play in the future development of your
city/town?
One place of worship in which I am familiar is St. Andrew's Catholic Church on Sheridan Drive in Kenmore, New York. It may not be
a historical place of worship, but it is the church that my family attended when I was a child and it was connected to the school that I
attended growing up. This was a family church, and it gathered many people of similar taste together, which is why it was surrounded
by neighborhoods. The design was easily built for neighborhoods considering they could attend mass on the same street. It also is
connected to St. Andrew's Country Day School, so these neighborhoods surrounding it made it nice for children to have a local school
down the street. It was definitely that way for me growing up, and it gave a sense of community to these neighborhoods, which is very
important to families.
"St. Andrew's Parish (Kenmore, New York)." Home | St. Andrew's Parish | Kenmore NY. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2017.