IAR 221: Final Blogpost

The object I chose that is very important to me is a cast iron skillet. I cook everyday and I had a cast iron skillet handed down to me by my mother. The design of the skillet is very simple yet very sophisticated at the same time. Just like it is in the picture, my skillet has little pouring spouts so that the skillet doubles as a shallow pot or frying pan. Secondly the material the skillet is made from is very substantial and can hold up to anything. The material is also a very good conductor of heat and cooks food evenly. The only down fall is this skillet has to be picked up with a towel or else you'll get burned. 

The space I chose is a bathroom. In my opinion the bathroom is not just a place where you use the "rest room". I see it as a place of healing and a time to be calm. Usually your always going to be in the bathroom yourself. In ancient times Romans and Greeks would go to basilicas to take baths to be socially accepted. Being clean in our society is an important trait. It's a place of cleaning, freshening up, and looking our best.

The building I chose is Falling Water. I really appreciate the designs and consideration that went into Falling Water. All the rooms and spaces in this house reflect the ideas I also have about my own home. Now days rooms in house are built very large stating that this is where you going to be most of the time. Personally I would love to have a small room like falling water that forces you to go outside and enjoy the out doors on the balcony.

The place I chose is The Friendly Shopping Center. Friendly shopping center is where I do most of my shopping because of the close vicinity of all the stores I need to go to. It's very helpful. They design of friendly shopping is built and designed based on gathering. I observed a lot of circles and columns while I was there, which in my opinion are very welcoming. The stores that reside in the shopping center are food stores, clothing stores, theaters, electrical, repair, etc.

flickriver.com

wright-house.com

bathroomremodelcost.info

left4dead.wikia.com

IAR 221: Good Design for All

Downtown

Downtown Greensboro

In my opinion downtown Greensboro is good design for all. The reason why I chose downtown Greensboro is because I define it not only as a place, but also as a space. When I'm downtown I observe so many different aspects that cater to people's needs such as the bus stops, the bike lanes, street parking, restaurants, work buildings, outside venders, etc. I usually run a lot of my errands in downtown Greensboro and one of the things I appreciate is close vicinity of the different types of places I need to go. Most of the time they are walking distance, which is very convenient. Coming from the country where you have to drive everywhere, this is a big deal. I also love the live nature of downtown. There are a mixture of newly built building as well as run down buildings. In my opinion this contrast shows the history and character of Greensboro. 

A lot of different special events happen in downtown Greensboro. Whether its a concert, a new grocery store's grand opening, or festival, people begin to gather and make downtown come alive. To me this kind of reminds me of the Agora in ancient Greek times, where everyday business and life took place.

Source
greensboronchotels.com

IAR 221:Modern Architecture

Falling Water

When I think of modern buildings before its time, Falling Water always comes to mind. Falling Water was built in the 1900s by Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright is famous for his modern style homes and buildings. While visiting Falling Water a week ago I was informed that the client of Wright wanted a sort of modern getaway cabin in the woods. Although Wright used materials that were very ancient the design however is not. Falling was also a building with style and substance. I feel these days you have a lot of modern aesthetically pleasing buildings with wasted space. In Falling Water no space is wasted. The bedrooms are very small because Wright felt that was just a place for rest not to hang out all day long. The living room and cantilevers have the most multifunctional space.

I feel that the reason people in the 20th century tried so hard to be modern is because they felt like designers borrowed from the past too much as many people do. Design is one of those things where it is hard to be original because a lot of things have been done before. I also feel that whoever influences you as a designer often reflects the work you do. In Wright's case he was either trying to break the rules of what he had been taught or he was influenced by his mentors. 

Picture Source

wright-house.com

IAR 221: Object Space Building Place

For my object I chose a disposable coffee mug. The object screams "I'm on the go". Its a portable coffee cup that could essentially hold anything you want it to. Being a college student, I usually see a lot of these on campus, but the most prominent places you would receive or see these coffee mugs in are cafes. 

The shape of the coffee mug gradually gets wider as it gets taller. This design allows for it to sit comfortably in the hand as you carry it. The brown paper also reminds me of recyclable material, but its there for protection from hot liquids.

The overall language that I'm receiving from this object is fast paced, quick, easy, warm, and good design. Not only does the coffee give you a quick joult of energy, but the good design of the vessel that holds the coffee makes the experience even quicker. 

IAR 221 Salisbury Cathedral: compare & contrast

Sources:

http://uncg.edu/~pllucas/Gothic%20Cathedrals/website%2003.31.08/timelineNEW.html

IAR 221: Dark Tunnel

The value of your structured walls.

Where does your tunnel lead.

Is there color at the end?

Or does it lead to nothing?

Layer upon layer tells many stories.

The depth of your wisdom is beyond understanding.

IAR 221 The Delight of College Ave.

I really enjoy College Ave. on our campus. Personally I feel that this long axis with its many circles is a path that leads to the buildings that most people go to on a daily bases. Along this axis are dorms, lecture halls, restaurants, etc. The firmness of college ave is strong due to it being made from bricks. In the center on college ave the bricks get warmer which keeps away the accumulation of ice in the winter time making it safe to walk. The patterns in the bricks are aesthetically pleasing. It consists of alternating bricks, different colors, and radial circles. As far as commodity the layout of the bricks also appears on other parts of the campus. In my opinion this layout is the most pleasing to me. The circles on College Ave. sometimes have a axis though not perfect to the buildings, which gives the circles meaning. I view College Ave. as one of the most important pathways on campus. Many students congregate this pathway everyday, which expresses the importance of it.
When viewing circles around the world it makes me wonder why this shape is so important and how it became popular all around the world. Going along with Cory's post about the golden arches being derived from Roman culture, we have to accept that all the symbols and shapes that we know are from ancient cultures and nature.

IAR 221 BB3

IAR 221 Circles, Groves, & Stacks

This circle is located at Jefferson Suites on the UNC Greensboro campus. This radial circle is the entry way in to the building. I feel that circles make people want to gather around and socialize with each other. The different layers of circles also emphasize the middle of the circle even more.

This is an example of groves. These columns are located in front of the EUC. The columns sort of represent trees in the way that they are grouped together. The columns are also set up in a way that makes the entrance look very welcoming with the rectangular openings.

This is an example of stacks. These stacks are located in the entrance of the EUC. The different color panels on the stacks adds repetition which emphasizes the stacks even more. Stacks represent a lot of things. When stacks I think of power. Whoever or what ever is at the top is the most important.

Rituals

I personally think that environments influence rituals. I think this because we as humans naturally adapt to different environments in order to live better. Its seems kind of backwards to me to change your environment based off you rituals.