UB Spring 2017 Online Discussion: Architecture Reflects Cultural Contexts

University at Buffalo – State University of New York
ARC 211 – American Diversity and Design – Spring 2017
Online Discussion Question
Xuantong Deng
!

Week 2 Module
Thread 1: Response to Media/Society Chapter and TED Talk on Photographs
FROM: 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
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?
When I was young, I hear things about twin towers on 9/11 ,and photos shown by mass media. I
was very scared at that time, feeling inconceivable. In my imagination, twin towers were a kind
of huge buildings, and they can be destroy. However, such terrible happened. In this case, when
people in the world didn't know too much about terrorist groups, mass media played a key role,
making the whole world know those photos immediately, and the world became more united to
revolted terrors. Indeed, unity of the world could be the most powerful weapon for revolting the
terrorist groups, and those photos shown by mass media had great effects on it.
!
http://stevetilford.com/2016/09/11/911/attachment/911/

Thread 2: Response to Articles on Hats as Communication Design
FROM: “Fashioning Protest for the Women’s March on Washington” and “The Worst
Design of 2016 Was Also the Most Effective”
NOTE: Use the first three part of the SEE-IT method of critical thinking (State, Elaborate,
Exemplify) to address the following questions:
Typically, we do not think of hats as elements of mass media or social media. However, the two
hats (red and pink) discussed in the articles certainly have taken on that role. Why are the two
hats (red and pink) mentioned in the articles vehicles of communication design? What meanings
do each of the two hats carry? In terms of communication design, how are they similar? And how
are they different from one another?
The articles indicate that there are two kind of hats "red hats and pink hats". First, "red hats "
means "Make America Great Again" claimed by Donald Trump. When people wear that hats, it's
showed that they support Trump's view, and they want to make America great again.
Nevertheless, "pink hats" was made to rebel against Donald Trump's view with sexual
discrimination, which make women fight for their rights. Women who wear "pink hats" support
feminism. This two kinds of hats represent two different political views, feminism and sexism,
and they are both bland designs.
!

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/21/politics/womens-march-protest-hats/
Week 3 Module
Thread 1: Response to “Industrial Design” by John Heskett and "The Incredible
Inventions of Intuitive AI" by Maurice Conti
Thread 1: In his chapter on industrial design (written in 1987), historian John Heskett claims that
the methods of mass production introduced by Henry Ford in the U.S. involved new concepts of
the standardization and integration of the production line that were adopted across the
world. With Ford’s method, work could be completed by relatively unskilled workers; it was
more efficient and with this method, products were made more quickly and cheaply than
previously possible.What were some of the social consequences of Ford’s production line? In
other words, how did this system change our U.S. society? Do any of those changes remain with
us today? Now consider Maurice Conti’s TED Talk, and the predictions he makes about
production. How do you think manufacturing processes will change in the next twenty years?
How do you think these changes will affect our U.S. society?
Ford's production line still exerts many positive effects on a industrial society. This production
line overcome a problem that machines for factories had low efficiency, because machines can
only do one certain job. Ford's production line combines different devices and forms a line in
order to make machines can do more jobs at the same time. This method of assembly line not
only benefits for producers but also lower the prices for buyers. Through this way, products were
more readily to the lower class, so not just a few people could afford a car. As far as I can see, I
believe that Ford's production line still works after twenty years. However, with the rapid growth
of technology, there should be improvements of old patterns like Ford's production line, and as
Conti claims, machines and computers will help us to do something impossible.

http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/91581-the-moving-assembly-line-turns-100
Thread 2: Response IDEAAwards and Cradle-to-Cradle Video
Thread 2: 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? Please provide your own example of a product
that uses Cradle-to-Cradle design. Describe and cite sourcesWhich 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? Please provide your own example of a product that uses Cradle-to-Cradle design.
Describe and cite sources
According to the video, an IDEAAwards product defied the concept of cradle-to cradle. Actually
the processors in the laptop resisted the concept of cradle-to-cradle. There are several reasons for
how those technological products defy the C2C. For one thing, materials used for technological
products like metals are non-renewable, because resources in the Earth are limited. It's a great
expenditure for the Earth that factories use a mass of non-renewable resources to produce. For
another, in technological products, there are many metals and chemical components that can not
be reclamation, which means it causes destruction and pollution. However, for instance, there is
a pattern of production has been raised recently in the south of Chinese coastal areas called
Sustainable Development pattern, which abides by the concept of cradle-to-cradle. This pattern
of production advocates Green Design and Ecological Design, which means that drawing
materials designedly from the nature and focusing on recycle. The idea for this pattern is three
"R": Reduce, Resue, and Recycling.

http://www.wearesubrosa.com/press/idea-2012-bronze-research-award/
Week 4 Module
Thread 1: Response to All Module 4 Materials
Thread 1: 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.)
According to this week's materials, I believe that Trinity Church, built in 1887, can really
represent the past. It was a typical building, reflected in various kinds of building in the world.
There was a very interesting characteristic of the church that is its shape. As a church, with the
worship, the church was designed in the shape of a cross. Actually, this building, reflecting the
times of Medieval Europe, raises a new building. Through those old buildings, the sensibilities of
past were represented.
On the other hand, a work of architecture for representing the present and future is the center of
social justice leadership, and it challenges cultural context because of its modern designs. In fact,

there are less and less interactions between people today, so this kind of buildings can link
people together, like Jeanna Gang's statement that architectures are relationship builders, at lease
in todays day. If there are more building designs like the center of social justice, people would be
forced to create relationships with others.
!
https://springfieldmuseums.org/program/bso-trinity-church/
Thread 2: Response to Ballantyne and Zumthor Articles
Thread 2: 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.)
According to the articles by Andrew Ballantyne and Peter Zumthor, there are two opposite
viewpoints about the architecture in present. For one thing, Ballantyne advocates artistic designs
of building, and he claims that if there is no artistic designs for a building, it's "as lifeless as an
empty shell". For another, Zumthor believe that buildings should be designed for purposes but
art. People need to use those buildings everyday, so people tend to think highly of buildings'
functionality.

http://www.architectureartdesigns.com/property-developers-embracing-artistic-design/
Week 5 Module
Thread 1: Response to Levy Article
Thread 1: 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?
The place where I grew up was in the south of China, which is the capital of the province. As the
political and economic center of the province, the city actually has a great amount of population,
fixed population and floating population. In order to relive the pressure of population, capacity

was designedly limited for per square kilometer, which means there are regulations to make that
the capacity of buildings in a region meet the needs. For instance, buildings in a downtown
district should have a great capacity for reliving local visitors flow rate. In this way, problems of
population were solved, and it not only exerts positive effects for government to regulate the city
but also make people's life better.
In my personal points, although one-child policy works in China, the growth rate of population
was still increasing. Indeed, the growth population became a problem for us, and it negatively
influent our life. Therefore, plan of cities seems to be significant.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing
Thread 2: Response to Pruitt Igoe Project, Talen, and Larson
Thread 2: 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?
According to the materials, the Pruitt Igoe was actually a failure in planing. Due to the
unreasonable designs of the Pruitt Igoe, there were many hidden troubles,like huge cost of
making building, when it was constructing. Nevertheless, if the Pruitt Igoe was designed
differently by Larson and Talen, it should be more stable and effective. For one thing, Larson
believes that the Pruitt Igoe will be stable if it was more compact. Constructions should be closer
to each other, and the use ratio should be increased, instead of using about 30 buildings for being
11 stories. Additionally, Larson raises another method: vehicle-sharing. In this way, the
efficiency of transportation has been increased, meeting the needs of people's trips. For another,
Talen's way to plan the Pruitt Igoe differently is lowering the cost of building, making buildings
more affordable. It's kind of way to solve the problem fundamentally.
As far as I can see, infrastructure of the Pruitt Igoe should be focusing on. Instead of spending
money on making big buildings, constructing base installations, like roads, may be more
effective for making people's life better. At the stage of development, construction of
infrastructure play a more important role.
http://smartcommunities.typepad.com/suzanne/2012/02/the-tragedy-of-pruitt-igoe-what-have-
we-learned.html
Week 6 Module
Thread 1: Response to F.L. Olmsted

Thread 1: Displaying his plan at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Frederick Law
Olmsted stated that "Buffalo is the best planned city, as to its streets, public places, and grounds,
in the United States, if not in the world." What was the basis for this claim? Would Olmsted still
make that claim today? Why or why not?
Olmsted, who was known for being the designer of the most popular parks like the Central Park
in the United States, claimed that "Buffalo is the best planned city, as to tis streets, public places,
and grounds, in the United States, if not in the world." He advocated that parks make people
closer to the nature, and he raised an idea that making a connection between park and park in
order to allow people transport from park to park, which park system exerts many conveniences
for locals and visitors. Indeed, in Buffalo, a big park can not meet the needs due to the
circumstances. In fact, it causes traffic pressures that there is only a big park without a developed
and systematic transportation like the NYC. In my opinion, I do agree with Olmsted's idea of
designing of park system. Under this circumstances in Buffalo, it really need several parks linked
together instead of a big central park like the Central Park in the New York City. Plus, Buffalo is
not like it used to be, which many buildings and streets are changed today. New developed
systems should be raised.
http://library.buffalo.edu/maps/buffalo-wnymaps/location/olmsted.html
Thread 2: Response to Walter Hood's Work

Thread 2: Identify something that should be memorialized either on UB's campus or in your
hometown. Imagine that you are the person who will oversee this project, and that you are using
Walter Hood's 'triad of investigations' as your approach to the project. What would your
landscape intervention commemorate/memorialize? How will you use Hood's 'triad of
investigations' to design a new landscape intervention? What do you imagine that the design will
be? (Either written or visual descriptions are acceptable).
I'm very exciting to talk about a memorialized building in my hometown, the Shanghai Oriental
Pearl TV Tower. It is standing like a giant on the other side of Huangpu River. It's visited by
thousands of people from all over the world. The Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower, which can
be seen from far away, is 468 meters tall, and it's the tallest TV tower in Asia and the third tallest
in the world. From the TV tower, people can get a clear view of the whole city. Its construction
started in 1991 and completed in 1994. Soon after that , it was opened to the public. Now, it has
become the center of the culture, entertainment and tourism in the city of Shanghai. Indeed, the
Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower is the symbol of rapid development of Pudong in recent years.
If the Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower is redesigned in Walter Hood's way, it will be a different
style of architecture. Using Walter Hood's way, focusing on the landscape, will change its
original style of modern building. I prefer to plant many trees surrounding the tower, but those
trees can not be tall, because I want to avoid that a presumptuous guest usurps the host's role.
Another aspect I want to focus on is the use of color. In order to be closer to nature, it should be
warm-toned like green or bright yellow. I'm not sure that my design of the Shanghai Oriental
Pearl TV Tower works in Hood's way, but it must be more interesting when it's been redesign in
another building style.
http://
www.chinatouronline.com/china-travel/shanghai/shanghai-attractions/oriental-pearl-tv-
tower_171.html

Week 7 Module
Thread 1: Response to the Brookes
Thread 1: The abolitionist poster, the Brookes, is an iconic image that often is included in
exhibits that explore issues of race and power. It was commissioned by Thomas Clarkson in
1788, and the Committee of the Abolition of Slavery used it to inform and shock the
public. While some consider the poster as an important component of the abolitionist campaign,
it recently “has been strongly criticized by some individuals and groups of African heritage as
providing a very limited view of the history of the transatlantic slave trade, resistance and
abolition (Hudson 2007).” The lesson here is that how a viewer sees an image is dependent upon
his/her social, economic, and cultural position. Keeping this in mind, find another iconic graphic
that addresses racial issues and post it for others in your group to view. (Add it to your response
by clicking on the picture in the tools section. Do not add it as an attachment that needs to be
opened.) How do you interpret the graphic? What is its meaning? Now imagine that someone
from a racial and cultural background different than your own is looking at the same graphic.
Briefly describe this person. How might s/he interpret its meaning? How might this differ from
your interpretation? What are the possible reasons for these differences? (Consider the three
assessment principles mentioned in the article to help you: a technology of vision, an instrument
of empathy, and a symbol of control.) (NOTE: Limit your response to less than 250 words.)
BLACKLIVESMATTER, as a current issue in the United States, always be focus of concern in
the world. The picture was took in a demonstration, and those people mightily advocated the
equality between black and white. As they claimed, is black man's life worth less than white?
People actually should be born with equality no matter what skin color.
However, the issue about black has never been solved properly. Indeed, shooting accidents
continually occurred on black people in the United States. For instance, a 18-year-old black
young man got killed by a white police in Missouri. Even though the black young man, who was
unarmed at that time, had unlawful acts, he can not go so far as to be killed. Additionally, a 43-
year-old black vendor has been arrested due to selling false smokes. Although he begged for
mercy many times, he still was strangled by the polices on the spot. With those accidents'
sparking, many Americans were infuriated. Many people started to think highly of the black
issue, realizing the importance of racial equality. In my opinion, people worth equally, and there
should not be racial discrimination. Black people should not be harmed even killed

http://illuminati.wikia.com/wiki/Black_Lives_Matter
Thread 2: Response to Charles Davis and equityXdesign's Work
Thread 2: Critique either the MLK Memorial or the National Museum of African American
History and Culture using equityXdesign’s core beliefs and/or design principles. (Use the
beliefs or principles that are most relevant to your critique rather than all of them.) (NOTE: Limit
your response to less than 250 words.)
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is actually a landmark of human rights
campaign's development. It's a sculpture of Martin Luther King. Dr. King was a preacher and
also a civil rights leader. He became well known for his efforts of equal justice for black
Americans, and he was against people being judged because of the color of their skin. As a result
of his civil rights efforts the flowing laws were passed; the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the
Voting Rights Act of 1965. Although Dr. King was always trying to help others, there were
plenty of people who disliked him because of the stand he took for justice. He was assassinated
on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. In order to commemorate a here who was standing out
for the African Americans, the MLK Memorial was established in Washington, and it, planing for
20 years, was unveiled in 2011. Indeed, Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech "I have a dream" have a
great significance of rights movement, mightily impressed the world.
http://www.jimijonesvisuals.com/blog/martin-luther-king-jr-memorial

Week 8 Module
Thread 1: Response to "Landscape Stories" Chapter
Thread 1: First, let’s start with your own home. Describe a place in your home (indoors
and/or outdoors) that you think of as representative of your own ethnic background and
discuss why you consider this place to be ‘ethnic’. –OR-- Describe an object in your home
that you think of as representative of your ethnic background and discuss why this object is
considered to be ‘ethnic’. (If possible, add photo/s.) Is this object or place something that
you will keep or continue when you establish your own home? Why or why not?
Now let’s move into your community. In “Landscape Stories,” the authors show how
landscape architects develop a historical narrative that sifts through and interpets the
culture and material of underrepresented groups. Think about the community where you
grew up. Describe and discuss any evidence of cultural influences on the physical
environment in your community. If possible, describe evidence of the cultural influence of
an underrepresented group. (If possible, add photo/s.) Is this cultural influence being
acknowledged or preserved from future generations? Why or why not? (Limit your response
to 250 words.)
Traditional culture, represented in many shapes, reflects ethnic spirit of a nation. In my home,
there is a model of the Great wall, a representative building in China. Representative buildings
can be not only symbols of a nation but also bear the weight of ethnic spirit. In China, there are
many representative buildings of world renown, and the Great Wall is one of them. The Great
Wall, located in the north of China, was known for years in the world. It was also called the "Ten
Thousand Li Great Wall" in China because it's more than 6000 kilometers long. The Great Wall
has a history of over twenty centuries. The first part of it was built during the Spring and Autumn
Period. During the Warring States Period, more walls were put up to defend the borders of
different kingdoms. Indeed, the Great Wall symbolizes the spirit of resisting the invasion and
safeguarding motherland. Therefore, the Great Wall always has special significance for Chinese
people. Chinese have a saying that "He who does not reach the Great Wall is not a true man". By
this token, the Great Wall can be the symbol of China, representing the national spirit of China.
In fact, China was not prosperous and strong enough, and it was invaded many times in
history. The Great Wall actually exerts many cultural influences on Chinese
community, stimulating Chinese people with firm resolve to fight with intruders and protect out
country.

http://www.history.com/topics/great-wall-of-china
Thread 2: Response to Article on Sports Branding
Thread 2: 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?
In my opinion, sports branding should not use ethnic
references. Indeed, sportsmanship, advocating justice and fair, should not carry with racial
discrimination. Every athlete fight for their team, or their cities, states, and countries, but they
should not reject others. Sports are lofty in order to build people's bodies and make friends.
That's why Olympics holds. The Olympic Spirit calls on that everyone has possibility to do
sports without discrimination in any shapes. The mission of Olympic Spirit is "to build a
peaceful and better world in Olympic Spirit which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of
friendship, solidarity and fair play". Therefore, ethnic discrimination should not be represented
by sports branding.

http://glantz.net/blog/controversial-logos
Week 9 Module
Thread 1: Response to "Visualizing Gender" Chapter
Thread 1: 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?
Gender issue always is the focus of concern in the world. Unfortunately, serious gender
discrimination exists in many places and becomes a tough problem. Many people who oppose
gender discrimination were trying to protect woman's rights and find out the reason why the

society did not pay attention to gender equality. As far as I can see, the approach "Stories in data"
can express the gender issue better. This image, is about the "GENDER PAY GAP", shows the
differences of earnings between women and men. Obviously, women's earnings are lower than
men's, even Hispanic/Latina women's earnings are only 50% of men's. It really causes people to
think deeply about what makes the obvious gaps. Without doubt, women are also capable like
men. Through obviously showing the data as an image, more and more people will realize how
gender issue serious.
https://berniesanders.com/issues/fighting-for-womens-rights/
Thread 2: Response to Bathroom Bill
Thread 2: Last year, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed into law a bill that repealed
local LGBT anti-discrimination laws, and required people to use the bathroom that corresponded
with the biological gender written on their birth certificates. This prompted massive backlash.
McCrory stated, “You know, we all have to make adjustments in life. And we’ve had the proper
etiquette situation for decades in our country, and all of a sudden through political correctness
we’re throwing away basic etiquette.” Just this past Thursday, the North Carolina General
Assembly passed a bill to repeal the law while placing a moratorium on nondiscrimination
measures.
Should people be required to use the bathroom that corresponds with the biological gender
written on their birth certificate? State why AND state why not. In other words, to receive
full credit for this question, you need to present an argument for both sides of the issue. As

a designer, how would you solve this gender dilemma? Use the SEE-IT method to respond to
this question.
It's a concern problem that should transgenders, as a crowd that have special identities, be
required to use the bathroom that corresponds with biological gender written on their birth
certificate. Actually, the problem is about another question that transgenders should be defined as
a man or woman. In my opinion, they should not be required to use the bathroom that
corresponds with the biological gender written on their birth certificate. people, even the law,
should respect the transgenders' wills, which they want to change their gender to another one.
Instead of the original gender, they prefer another one, so that is the reason why they want to
change. Without respect, laws are kind of insignificances. In order to solve this gender dilemma,
I, as a designer, believe that providing special bathrooms for transgenders may be a good way.
Because there are still many people have ill feelings about transgenders, providing another
bathrooms for them is appropriate in order to avoid conflicts.
http://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/24518/1/trans-people-could-be-fined-4-000-
for-using-the-bathroom
Week 10 Module
Thread 1: Response to Hidden Ways
Thread 1: Author Steven Flusty categorized five types of disciplinary architecture that perpetuate
what he calls urban spatial injustice: 1) stealthy, 2) slippery, 3) crusty, 4) prickly, and 5) jittery.
Go out into the city of Buffalo, and find/photograph two examples from the list of five. Identify
what type of space you’ve photographed and why it might discriminate against a specific
population. Identify the location where you took the photographs, and make certain you are in at
least one of the two photographs.

This photo was took in UB, which is kind of slippery of discrimination. This design will actually
cause inconveniences for specific population, making a embarrassing situation when they want
to upstairs. Without elevators, there should be other facilities designed for specific population to
deal with this situation.
This photo was also took in UB. Obviously, there is no button for opening the doors. It can be
imaged how difficult specific population, like people who use wheelchairs, open the doors.
Indeed, those buttons were setting in teaching buildings of UB, but people still lose sight of other
places. Discrimination still exists, so there should be more concern and love for specific group.
http://pezcame.com/cHVzaCBidXR0b24gZG9vcnM/
Thread 2: Response to People Like Us
Thread 2: After almost two decades of public assistance, Tammy Crabtree took herself and her
family off the welfare rolls. But her job cleaning bathrooms at a local Burger King barely paid
the bills. Crabtree wanted to do better and hopes to go to college and become a teacher.
Imagine this scenario. You are a designer who works at the well-known firm, iPD(Integrated
Planning and Design). You work on a team with planners, urban designers, policy designers,

architects, and social designers. You have been tasked to develop/design a way for Tammy
Crabtree and her family (and others with situations similar to Tammy’s) to move themselves out
of poverty. What will your team to do to help Tammy and her family achieve their goals? What
approach will your team take to address this difficult problem?
In order to accomplish Tammy Crabtree's dream, my team, as a designer, need to do following
steps. The first step is change her life quality. Instead of directly financial assistances, I think
finding a suitable job, depending on her situation, for her is better. Every one has unique talent of
something, and I will dig it out. In other words, providing a job that she is good at seems to be
effective. After changing Tammy Crabtree's life quality, she's self-confidence has been built.
Second, Tammy Crabtree need to receive basic education if she want to accomplish her dream.
She will have qualities after she got education, and she can try a new job that is more
challenging. In this way, Tammy Crabtree can improve herself step by step.
http://thefreedomchase.com/2014/10/27/ive-given-chasing-dreams/
Week 11 Module
Thread 1: Response to Carroll Article: “(Re)forming Regent Park: When Policy Does Not
Equal Practice”

Thread 1: The development of Regent Park is phased, and there are several more phases to the
project. What actions could be taken to ensure more social integration for the older people living
in the ‘new and improved’ Regent Park?
Old people, without doubts, need to be cared by the society. In order to guarantee old people get
enough cares and helps, the development of Regent Park seems to be significant. There are
several actions of Regent Park's development should be taken.
For one thing, impeccable medical cares should be provided. Old people's health is one of the
most important considerations, so medical cares should be efficient and advanced. Medical
Center, established in the Regent Park, should have enough capacity to avoid or deal with
emergency situations of old people's health, because old people's health conditions are unstable.
For another, Life Center, including gyms, music rooms, and entertainment centers, also should be
established. Through doing moderate sports or listening music, old people can relax, improving
life quality. Maintaining a good psychology, for old people, is a good way to be physically and
mentally healthy.
http://nursingthefuture.ca/blog/?p=188
Thread 2: Response to Enriquez TED Talk: “What Will Humans Look Like in 100 Years?”
Thread 2: 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?
According to Enriquez's assertion, it seems to be possible that people live 120 years of age and
beyond because of advances in bio-medical technology. If his assertion is accurate, extended life
spans will cause many problems. Obviously, aging of population is one of the most serious
problems. China, for example, implemented one-child policy in 1995, which limited a family can
have only one child in order to control over-increase of population. This policy do have some
positive influences on control population's increase, but it exists many hidden dangers. In recent
years, this policy has been canceled, because there are many problems. Now, aging of
population, which was caused by one-child policy, is serious in China. I think the extended life
spans will cause same problem as the one-child policy. For a single family, an adult not only
need to raise children but also support the old. It could be a white elephant for them. For a
country, more and more facilities should be established like old people's homes. Actually, the
government should pay more and more funds to support old people. Although people gain
extended life spans because of advances of medical care, there are still many serious problems.
Therefore, extended life spans exert negative effects on the society.
https://www.slideshare.net/EJ_aga/pe-pua-marcelino2000
Week 12 Module

Thread 1: Response to PPT, Smithsonian, and Roy
Thread 1: 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.
For one thing, this picture is showing a disabled restroom, which design assuredly brings
conveniences for the disabled. With attention to the disabled, disabled restrooms have been
popularized in many country. When disabled use this restroom, they can use the handrails
without tools like wheelchair. Indeed, it exerts positive influences. In order to improve this
example, I think there should be a button for asking help. Actually, there can be emergency when
disabled use restrooms, so there should be a way for them to get helps.
On the other hand, there are still many normal restroom without disabled design. This picture, as
the negative example of the Low Physical Effort principle, shows that some people think little of
disabled design. It can be imaged how inconvenient when disabled use this restroom.
http://www.dline.com/toolbox/?id=18

Thread 2: Response to Survey, FIXED, and Stelarc
Thread 2: 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?
Technology is always the primary productive force, developing the world in any
field. Additionally, technologies do change our life rapidly, and they can bring people new idea
and knowledge. People, as far as I can see, should learn from the history of emerging
enhancement technologies and reproductive technologies. In this way, there can be positive and
negative influences.
Technologies of emerging enhancement and reproduction can help people to solve medical care
problems like infertility. Indeed, infertility becomes a hot topic and serious problem in recent
years. Through emerging enhancement technologies and reproductive technologies, people can
have a child in many different ways. Plus, those technologies can also deal with genetic diseases,
which are tough issue in medical science.
However, emerging enhancement technologies and reproductive technologies have risks. It can
lead to genovariation when those technologies use on human. This kind of unnormal multiply is
dangerous because it can not be guarantee that the baby, people "create", is a normal human.
https://www.awrsd.org/district/departments/district-technology-resources/

Week 13
Thread 1: Response to Titicut Follies
The state of Massachusetts tried to ban the 1967 documentary Titicut Follies, arguing that
director Frederick Wiseman had violated the patients’ rights by not getting written permission to
film them. The case went to court, and Wiseman argued that he had consent from their legal
guardian, the institution. After a judge ruled in favor of the state, the legal appeals carried on for
several years: in 1969, Massachusetts allowed the film to be shown to doctors, lawyers, and
health care professionals; in 1991, a superior court judge ruled it could be released for the
“general public,” as privacy concerns were no longer at issue, so many years later.
Should Wiseman have been allowed to film the residents of Bridgewater Massachusetts
Correctional Facility? Why or why not? How might this film be of value to designers
(communication designers, product, designers, architects, interior designers, planners,
landscape designers, systems designers, and/or social designers)? In other words, what
might they gain from this film that they could use in their work?
In my opinion, Wiseman should have been allowed to film the residents of Bridgewater
Massachusetts Correctional Facility, and it should not be banned from the public. It was an
authentic depiction of real situation, which people's living conditions were very tough. Indeed,
exposing the situation, people got poor live conditions in Bridgewater Massachusetts
Correctional Facility, will exert positive effects on making the society pay more attention. In this
way, people in that area are more likely to gain helps and supports from the society. Additionally,
Although Wiseman didn't get individual written permission to film them, he do had "legal
guardian." Therefore, it wasn't wrong that Wiseman filmed them in Bridgewater Massachusetts
Correctional Facility.
Plus, this film was also significant to designers. For one thing, this film was influential to this
designers, indicating the problems of design that designers need to consider when working on a
design. Designers, for example, need to consider how to improve the system of care in that area.
Instead of inefficient system of care, a effective and impeccable care system can immensely
improve local living conditions.!

http://www.mass.gov/eopss/law-enforce-and-cj/prisons/doc-facilities/bridgewater-state-
hospital.html
Thread 2: Response to PPT, The Architecture of Autism, Public Space
Prelude: Wolf Wolfensberger's seminal work "The Origin and Nature of Our Institutional
Models" posited that society characterizes people with intellectual disabilities as sub-human and
burdens of charity, He argued that this dehumanization, and the segregated institutions that result
from it, ignored the potential productive contributions that all people can make to society. He
pushed for a shift in policy and practice that recognized the human needs of those with
intellectual challenges and provided the same basic human rights as for the rest of the population.
The Scenario: Imagine that you and your four children live in Amherst, New York in a $650,000
home at the end of a cul-de-sac on the edge of a ten acre woods. The town has purchased a one
acre lot three houses away from yours, and plans to build a group home for ten intellectually
challenged adults.
As a resident of the neighborhood, would you support or oppose this proposal and why?
You've learned additional information about the residents of the proposed group home in your
neighborhood. In 2013, three of the ten intended residents exhibited challenging behaviors
including screaming, public masturbation, repetitive rocking, and echolalia (elective
incontinence). However, these behaviors have not occurred since then.
How would this change your opinion about the construction of the group home in your
neighborhood?
The residents in your neighborhood voted (14-3) to reject the town of Amherst’s proposal to
build a group home in the neighborhood. Town officials agreed that the home would not be built
in your neighborhood if you and your neighbors could develop a workable alternative.
What are some possible solutions that would allow the residents of the home to be provided
with “the same basic human rights as the rest of the population”?
I agree with this proposal as a resident of neighborhood. According to few reports of any
occurrences in resent years, this group of people would not cause any disruption or disturbance
in my life or in the life of any residents residing in the surrounding neighborhood. Actually, they
do have rights to decide where they live, so, as a resident of neighborhood, I don't have any
problems with the proposal.
It can change my mind if it had been voted 14-3 that the group home would not be constructed.
There must be reasons why it was 14-3, so it may not be a good choice to construct the group
home under this circumstances.
For the solutions, providing other suitable places for them may be good way, protecting their
basic rights

. !
http://www.radarsign.com/traffic-calming-applications/neighborhood-speed-control/
Week 14
Thread 1: Response to The Connection Between Religion and Urban Planning by David
Engwicht
In his article, David Engwicht discusses the fact that religions (of all types) have played major
roles in the development of our cities. Today, places of worship are primary components of
almost all urban centers. Author Lorne Daniel writes “From their often active role in supporting
people who live in city centers to their iconic influence on design and use of space, religious
structures tell us a lot about our history, our current needs, and where we might be headed in the
future. This is an aspect of our urban future that planners and urbanists should attend to.”
Identify a place of worship with which you are somewhat familiar. (If you are not familiar
with any places of worship, do a bit of research on one in your own city or town.) Show a
photograph of this religious structure. (You may use photographs from the web.) What
roles has this place served in the development of your city/town? How has it influenced the
design of the area around it? How has its role changed over time? What roles could this
place of worship play in the future development of your city/town?
Mount Putuo, as a renowned site in Chinese Buddhism, is a place of worship in my hometown.
There are many famous Buddhist temples, which were built hundreds years ago. I have been
there when I was about 10, and I was not familiar with Chinese Buddhism. However, I was still
feeling that Mount Putuo is a real kind of place of worship. Mount Putuo is one of the four
sacred mountains in Chinese Buddhism, so it play an important role as a Buddhist holy land. For
Chinese Buddhism's believers, Mount Putuo is their place of belief. Surrounding designs are
classical style, which are kind of religious buildings with Buddhist signs or frescoes. In the
future, Mount Putuo will still play a important role of being the place of worship, because it will
be nicely protected and improved.

!
http://english.cri.cn/725/2006/04/26/202@81780_1.htm
Thread 2: Response to Prospects for the Future of Diversity and Design
Consider the quote in your syllabus from educator Michael J. Shannon: “Design, as vision in
action--the intersection of understanding and creation--is a universal human capability that can
play a fundamental role in social evolution, in the process that transforms resources, energy, and
information to make our world.”
At the beginning of this course, we discussed the idea that we are all designers regardless of our
profession or field of study. We’ve asked some big questions along the way, and the conclusion
section of our textbook raises additional issues that require input from people who might not
consider themselves to be part of the formalized design professions.
Think about your own major and/or future profession. What is the biggest challenge,
problem, or question that your field needs to tackle right now? What do you plan to do to
address this challenge, problem, or question either as part of your studies or professional
life?
My major is economy. As far as I can see, the biggest challenge is prediction, which means we
need to predict all emergency situations of economy, like financial storm, in order to protect
people's properties. As we known the Great Depression, it was a severe worldwide economic
depression that took place during the 1930s. If the emergency situations like the Great
Depression can be predicted, we can keep the damages of them to a minimum level. Therefore, I
believe that predictions of emergency situations in economy are what I need to learn, and they
are really the difficult parts.

http://burkemedical.net/2014/10/reports-shows-burke-medical-center-provides-jobs-
generates-11-million-for-local-and-state-economy/

UB Spring 2017 Online Discussion: Architecture Reflects Cultural Contexts

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