Category Archives: Abstract 500w

Abstract 500w, Assignment Posts

Demolition and Reinvention

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Proposed Periodical: Urbanland

Demolition VS. Reinvention

“Culture is experienced in the present time as the fluid gamut of structures that define our experience of living  …  We may use language to communicate and knowledge to exchange, but it is only when we look at the story of language, the body and origins of knowledge, that we can contextualize them, and understand their role as elements of culture.”  (Shah, 2012)

Architecture is a reflection of culture. Not only for the heritage of styles from old times, but also because of people’s real lives and stories that happened in the buildings.

However, development is always the theme. In the past two decades in China, 20 percent of the citizen had encountered inhabitant demolition due to the change of the urbanization. The confliction between government and general public has been sharpened to a point where government are forced to apply suppression. Though there is nothing wrong with the government devoting on the development of the city, humanity is still an essential factor that cannot be ignored. Therefore, this such intensive atmosphere makes us rethink about how to achieve the balance between urbanization and humanism.

In order to achieve the interaction between humanism and urbanization, urban designer and architects should devote more on reinventing the old buildings rather than demolition and reconstruction.

According to the latest estimates of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the world urban population is expected to increase by 72% by 2050 (AHTH, April 2012). Thus, urbanization is an on-going trend. However, because of the lack of far- sighted urban-planning, a lot of old district and culture heritage has been destructed. Part of the destruction influenced citizens’ right of residence. (Fu, 2012)

Moreover, the analysis of great examples of successful reinvention would be incorporated. For example, Shanghai, as an international modern city, still determined to maintain lots of old cultural district. At the same time, they demanded to integrate such districts into the city pace by adding the commercial elements. Tian-Zi-Fang, a famous old neighborhood formed by “Nongtang” (a kind of traditional alley in Shanghai), was reinvented successfully. The whole construction and native residences was all kept, thus the first floor was redesigned in to stylistic café and creative groceries. Thousands of visitors are attracted to here every day, funding wise helping the maintenance of the district. Such example shows us one possible way to solve the confliction. For different sites, we can adjust the method, making it adapt to the real-life that could eventually lead humanitarian approach toward the growth of the city.

Due to the unconsciousness of the importance of humanitarian architecture, and the lack of the conservation policy, designers tend to ignore the cultural meaning of the existing buildings and demolish them when a new program is launched. If we can reinvent the old buildings, furthermore figure out the way to fit them into modern urban- planning, the heritage of the culture will be kept, people can feel the respect from the government and the development process of the city can be tracked by the later generations.

Source:

Helena L. Jubany. “The Social Responsibility of Architects”, Social Responsibility in Practice. June 29, 2011.

Stewart Brand. Emergence, desire lines and predicting behavior, “All buildings are predictions. All predictions are wrong”. How Buildings Learn, 1994, p. 160-178.

Vikas Shah. Thought Economics, The Role of Architecture in Humanity’s Story, June 2012.

Xusheng Zhang.  Four Modes to Change the old neighbor, June 2010.

Chi-Wei Yang, GuiYangLouShi web, Reinvention of old new building:  great examples, April 2014.

Siliang Fu, STLBEACON, Major Chinese cities face urbanization and demolition, June, 2012.

 

Photo credit to Lucy Wang, 09/15/15

Designed by: ARCHSTUDIO’s

http://inhabitat.com/archstudio-inserts-a-modern-teahouse-into-an-ancient-chinese-structure/

Abstract 500w, Assignment Posts

Architecture + Furniture = Spatial Adaptability

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Thesis Statement: Architects should design flexible office environments with the usage of adaptable furniture that allows the users to interact with the furniture to create spatial environments best suitable for their work flow.

Periodical: ArchDaily

Design for productive working environments, such as offices, tends to be the hardest to tackle since everyone who works in that environment has different ways of being the most productive. With this in mind how does an architect design for the different spatial environments that people work optimally in? If architects designed spaces with adaptable furniture in mind this would allow users of these environments to manipulate the room layout to create these spatial environments that increase their productivity.

In recent years there has been a trend with stress in the work place rising. There have been estimates that the United States loses 105 billion dollars in revenue annually in work productivity because of mental health issues. There has been research done in the social sciences studying the psychological, physiological, and behavioral outcomes of this long term strain people undergo in the work environment. As designers, creating adaptable versatile work environments can help better the well being of workers and increase productivity (Preston, Mark S. 2007).

Back in the late 1990s, offices started to claim to be versatile environments when many of them weren’t. It had become difficult to try and accommodate for the growth and need for flexible space (Machado J, and Mikhail, M. 1999). One solution to this problem would be for architects to design with the future in mind, and how office spaces need to adapt fast as they are growing on a weekly basis. At one point in time, when there was a steady slow increase in offices, businesses were able to to just expand as needed. However, this is not the case in today’s market. There is an extreme lack of flexibility in office environments, and it is our responsibility as designers to help solve this problem (Machado J, and Mikhail, M. 1999). There is also the problem of ergonomics in the work environment. Most furniture designed is based off of human averages, however there are all different shapes and sizes of people, thus designing with adjustability in mind will increase work production (Steinfield. E, and Jordana, M. 2012).

Knoll, one of the top design and research based companies that solve practical workplace needs, released a research study containing an outline for designers on how to shape the workplace. In a study of workplace environments four points and their importance in the work place were discussed. Flexible furniture is one idea that allows for the users to rearrange the floor plan based on group or individual needs; allowing for formal and informal collaboration to increase (O’Neill, M. and Wymer, T. 2009). Adjustability is on an individual basis allowing the user to control and create a comfortable work environment best suited for their needs (fixing the monitor screen, adjusting chair, etc.). Access to power outlets and networks is also and important part, and providing them in the right places through storage units, wall units, etc. allows for easy work flow. Expression allows for adaptable environments to become places to exchange ideas and facilitate communication (O’Neill, Michael 2012).

By architects designing work spaces with the use of adaptable furnishings and accessories there can be a variety of different types, sizes and locations for the users to create themselves (Ouye, J. 2011). This idea to allow the user to design might be foreign to architects and designers, but in order to create a comfortable and low stress work environment, people ultimately know what is best for them and providing adaptable furniture to manipulate how they wish will be a positive for both employer and employee.

Works Cited:

Machado, Jamie U., and Mikhail L. Marsky. “Flexible Furniture   System with Adjustable and Interchangeable Components.” Google Books. N.p., 31 Aug. 1999. Web. 27 Sept. 2015.

O’Neill, M. and Wymer, T. (2009). “Design for Integrated Work.” White Paper, Knoll, Inc., New York, NY.

O’Neill, Michael, Dr. Adaptable By Design: Shaping the Work Experience. N.p.: Knoll, 2012. PDF.

Ouye, J. (2011). “Five Trends that are Dramatically Changing Work and the Workplace.” White Paper, Knoll, Inc., New York, NY.

Preston, Mark S. “Karasek’s Job Demand-Control Model: A Multi-Method Study Examining the Predictive Validity of Instrumental Feedback as a Second-Order Moderator Variable.” Order No. 3272354 State University of New York at Albany, 2007. Ann Arbor: ProQuest. Web. 27 Sep. 2015.

Steinfeld, Edward, and Jordana Maisel. Universal Design: Creating Inclusive Environments. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. Print.

 

Photo By: Isaac Krady

Designer: Isaac Krady

Media Page: https://www.behance.net/IsaacKrady

 

Abstract 500w, Assignment Posts, Draft 1000w, Final 1500w

Killing Their Offspring: An Investigation into the Dark Side of Architectural Education

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   Thesis: The style of the typical architecture education encourages high stress environments and unhealthy lifestyles, and needs to change for the sake of the students. A lighter workload, healthier relationships between students and professors, and an emphasis on the well rounded student will create happier, healthier, and better architects in future generations.

 

     While this abstract could be posted in many architectural periodicals, I chose to post it in Archdaily. Posting at this location guarantees a large audience that has experienced architecture education and has the ability to support my thesis in several ways as practicing professionals, students, and related design professionals.  In addition, there is already a large base of discussion on the topic on their website.

   

      Architecture School. After describing the endless time commitments, the harsh reality of critiques, the professors that push students beyond limits, the sleep lost, the poor health choices due to stress, and the sacrifices students make for their passion, non “archies” scratch their heads in confusion, “sounds like a lifestyle”, they mumble. But does it have to be? Looking to other models of education for different professions shows vividly different experiences. Other professions and educational systems develop successful graduates, without forcing weekly all-nighters. Why is architecture education the way it is?

srudio pic2

     Architecture education encourages lack of sleep, an absence of daily exercise, and poor eating habits. Students sacrifice involvement in extracurriculars and time with family and friends to make deadlines. In 2000, several architecture student deaths were reportedly caused by exhaustion or accidents related to exhaustion (Giermann, Holy). Aside from the physical drain, architecture school has adverse affects on a student’s mental health as well. Students entrust (and pay) professors to educate, nurture, and empower students, yet their interactions with students prove the exact opposite.  In more than one report, it has been shown that over half of the students surveyed have seriously considered quitting architecture school (Mitchell, Leon, Linova, Squires, Daros).  Words such as anxiety, depression, stress, hopelessness, and fear are found repeatedly in studies on architecture students mental health. However, society depends on architects to envision the world. How can society depend on a group of mentally unhealthy people to successfully construct the future world?

     Several studies have been published on this topic, inclduing Danielle Mitchell’s Studio Culture: Reviewed to University, Toronto’s GALDSU Mental Health Report, and the American Institute of Architecture Students’ Toward an Evolution of Studio Culture. These publications show alarming trends relating to studio culture internationally. Even more alarming, many of the studies have been published between 2000’s and 2015, yet there are no records of any of the reports yielding results or creating change in the architecture education in question. Why is there a lack of action on behalf of faculty, staff, and students alike? What can be done to begin movement on all fronts of this fight? The architecture profession is a constantly evolving and growing field, and its time the educational model does too.

However, several architects see no need to change the current state of architectural education. Since these aged architects have endured the exact same experience (and survived), they insist the only problem is over sensitive students. For example, ArchDaily hosted a discussion regarding 24-hour studio culture and if it should exist. Many architects from around the world weighed in. One in particular had an interesting comment, saying, “I just graduated from a 3.5 year Master of Architecture program. While it was an immense amount of work with long and very stressful days, I got through the program without pulling a single all-nighter, and often finished a day ahead of major deadlines…While architecture school is definitely grueling, studio culture is perpetuated by the students, not by the program,” (Rory Scott). Another student, Ann, featured in Boyer and Mitang’s Building Community: A New Future For Architectural Education and Practice comments on the positive outcomes of studio culture saying, “A value of it (studio culture) being so rigorous and taking so much commitment is that you leave with a commitment to the field.” Unfortunately, the reality of the problem is that students/architects like Rory and Ann are the exception, not the rule. All architects can agree that the architectural education has many positives. However, they can also agree that architectural education is not perfect and striving to make architectural education as beneficial, enjoyable, and healthy as possible will benefit both the educational field and profession alike.

Architecture education can be changed for the better. Following is a set of adjustments that will help create a more rounded educational experience for students, faculty, and staff. They include a change in critique day, a re-evaluation of language in the student/professor relationship, and a change in attitude about the education system and profession. These changes are meant to respect the accepted architectural education system as it exists, but with long needed refinements. They are meant to better student-professor relationships, increase mental, physical, and emotional health of the student, and promote a healthier studio culture in general.

The first change to improve the effectiveness of architectural education comes in a change in critique day. Critiques are a huge part of studio culture and architecture education. When done correctly, they can be informative and extremely helpful. However, many students find critique day to be more about public humiliation than education value. Boyer and Mitgang suggest alternate forms of student evaluation. For example, the “round robin” format applied at the Miami University of Ohio. In these critiques, four critics talk with students individually about their projects, while students not being reviewed at that time may join the small circle. This format seemed to foster more open dialogue and more participation by students themselves. Not only does this reduce public embarrassment extremely, but increases the effectiveness in the review with more student involvement.

The next adjustment is meant to better relationships between students and professors. One of the most harmful interactions between students and professors come when professors speak extremely critically or harshly of a student’s work. Professors hope to demonstrate their point by using offensive language or attacking students, which only backfires most of the time. These hurtful words are often discouraging to students, ruining a student’s self confidence and willingness to work. In one example, a student at Pennsylvania State University was told that she “shouldn’t sleep for the two days before next deadline.” However, a lack of sleep has been proven to undermine student productivity, rather than enhance it (Durmer and Dinges). Lack of sleep can also result in increased anxiety and depression (Durmer and Dinges). Ironically, this shows that the professor’s offensive comment will result in the exact opposite of improved performance. Another illustration of harmful comments comes from an anonymous student group surveyed in Boyer and Mitang’s numerous studies. “Do you want a family, or do you want a career?” was asked to a group of frustrated students. Compared to the twelve to sixteen credit hours the average undergraduate takes per semester, architecture students carry eighteen, twenty, or more (Boyer and Mitgang). Students are already sacrificing so much to create quality work for their professors. When they are told that they have to make even further sacrifices, it is truly discouraging to students. Talented students may leave the field, adopt unhealthy habits, a poor mental state, or question why even try so hard in the first place when faced with such negative surroundings.

The final proposal will be the hardest to undertake, but it is arguably the most important of the three. It is crucial that there is a change in attitude towards architecture education. “Architects need to get out of the centuries-old philosophy that one must earn a ‘red-eye’ badge of courage by surviving school in order to be a ‘real’ architect,” says a Connecticut architect surveyed by Boyer and Mitgang. Another anonymous architect weighs in the on the topic, saying, “I think it’s the result of the male dominated profession- a competitive, prove your manhood, I’m tough and I can take it sort of thing”. Finally, Aaron Koch, of the AIAS taskforce to redesign studio culture, states, “architecture schools should be places for growth and prosperity, not environments where students ‘put in their time,’ learn ‘how to survive,’ or complete an experience that could be compared to ritualized hazing.” This thought process is only becoming more and more detrimental to our profession. In fact, Boyer and Mitgang cite that architecture deans are not seeing the untalented and unmotivated students leave the profession, but rather, those with a gift for architecture and incomparable work ethic. We are literally killing our own offspring with the idea that architecture school hardships are just part of the process. It does not need to be this way!

 studio10Architecture school gives so much. It creates determined, strong-willed, and knowledgeable students. It gives endless skills and experiences to its students. It introduces amazing, thoughtful people that will be remembered for life. Mitchell’s study strikes a chord with every architecture student, saying, “It has been a great experience that I never want to repeat again”. It is time to begin implementing changes that will help maintain the beauty and effectiveness of architecture school, without draining students mentally, physically, and emotionally.

1      Boyer, Ernest L., and Lee D. Mitgang. “Building Community: A New Future for Architecture Education and Practice: A Special Report.” Princeton, NJ: Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, 1996. Print.

2      Ockman, Joan, and Rebecca Williamson. “Architecture School: Three Centuries of Educating Architects in North America.” Cambridge, MA: MIT, 2012. Print.

3      Nazidizaji, Sajjad, Ana Tome, Francisco Regateiro, and Ahmadreza Keshtkar Ghalati. “Narrative Ways of Architecture Education: A Case Study.” Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences 197 (2015): 1640-646. Web.

4      Ulusoya, Mine, and Emine Kuyrukcu. “The Meaning and Importance of the Traditional Architecture in Architecture Education; Gönen Winter School Model.” The Meaning and Importance of the Traditional Architecture in Architecture Education; Gönen Winter School Model. N.p., 18 Aug. 2012. Web. 05 Sept. 2015. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042812026961>.

5      Salama, Ashraf, and William O’Reilly. “Architecture Education Today.” N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

6       Ellis, William R. “Re-Designing Architects: Education, Research and Practice.” Journal n          of Architectural Education 25.4 (1971): 85-92. Web.

7       Holly Giermann. “AIAS Launches Survey to Promote Healthier Studio Culture” 15 May        2015. ArchDaily. Accessed 27 Sep 2015. <http://www.archdaily.com/631700/aias-launches-survey-to-promote-healthier-studio-culture/>

8      Leon, Joel, Roxana Linova, Jocelyn Squires, and Alex Daros. Mental Health Report.  Rep. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

9     Mitchell, Danielle. Studio Culture: Reviewed. N.p. N.d. Web.

10  Rory Scott. “Is a 24-Hour Studio Culture a Good Thing in Universities?” 19 Mar 2015. ArchDaily. Accessed 13 Dec 2015. <http://www.archdaily.com/611433/is-a-24-hour-studio-culture-a-good-thing-in-universities/>

11 Durmer, Jeffrey S., M.D., Ph.D., and David F. Dinges, Ph.D. “Health Consequences of Sleep Deprivation: Neurocognitive and Psychiatric Disorders.” Sleep & Safety (2011): 33-51. Perelman School of Medicine. University of Pennsylvania, 2005. Web. 13 Dec. 2015. <https://www.med.upenn.edu>.

12  Koch, Aaron, Katherine Schwennsen, FAIA, Thomas A. Dutton, and Deanna Smith. “American Institute of Architectue Students Redesign of Studio Culture…” American Institute of Architectue Students Redesign of Studio Culture… AIAS, Dec. 2002. Web. 13 Dec. 2015. <http://www.slideshare.net/andrewwilliamsjr/american-institute-of-architectue-students-redesign-of-studio-culture-report2002>.

photo credit: http://greentour.psu.edu/sites/stuckeman.html, http://www.rca.ac.uk/media/images/RCA_6-13_154.width-1000.jpg, http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8309/7974841525_e5f2023f69_b.jpg

Abstract 500w, Assignment Posts

Adaptive Reuse in Detroit

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PROPOSED PERIODICAL: THE ATLANTIC (CITY LAB)

THESIS: Rather than allowing old, industrial buildings fall to ruin, the city of Detroit should revitalize these buildings to become sustainable and viable centers of activity through adaptive reuse.

SUMMARY

On July 18, 2013, the city of Detroit filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy. A city that once was bustling full of citizens and a booming automotive industry has since suffered economic turmoil. Its people left after the success of the postwar years, a 63% decrease in population since 1950 and a 26% decrease since 2000. The unemployment rate varies from 27.8% (2009) to 10% (2015). It has the largest violent crime rate seen in any city in the United States. Most startling is the amount of unused, abandoned land. There are currently 78,000 structures accompanied by 66,000 lots currently sitting idle, falling to ruin in the city of Detroit. These abandoned sites become magnets to violent crimes with 60% of reported arson cases happening here. Rather than allowing old, industrial buildings fall to ruin, the city of Detroit should revitalize these buildings to become sustainable and viable centers of activity through adaptive reuse. Adaptive reuse is the act of creating new built opportunities within existing built forms. It involves the repurposing of a structure that is usually abandoned and in unceasing decay. Adaptive reuse can accommodate for the social, political and economic progress within a community. It is found most often that these abandoned, industrial buildings are located in prime, dynamic spaces such as along a waterfront or in proximity to historic landmarks. It is a sustainable approach for architectural design, especially in cities such as Detroit. By reusing the existing structure we decrease the environmental pressure resulting from transportation and production of materials. Instead of inevitably becoming a burden on a community, an industrial building can serve as a hub for urban life and create opportunities for natural urban development.

Adaptive reuse has proven successful in other industrial locations such as the Highline Park in New York City’s Meatpacking district, Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco, and Station Square in Pittsburgh. The ability to bring life to these once booming industrial centers is key to bringing life to the city as a whole once more. Michigan Central Station is a critical structure for adaptive reuse. With a space large enough for a train on the ground floor and an 18 story tower with hotel and office space above, this is prime real estate sitting vacant. Another site is the Harbor Terminal building. This huge warehouse currently sits vacant, but is an ideal candidate for adaptive reuse that could be turned into a multi-functional building. Hotel Eddystone and Park Avenue Hotels are other great locations for adaptive reuse. These abandoned hotels can serve as the catalyst for creating a new residential community.

Seeing the success of great urban works in cities such as Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and New York City, we believe adaptive reuse is the future for the success of revitalizing cities in our coming generation. As students pursuing sustainability leadership degrees, the “greenness” of a building is a cause we support. We can take these old buildings, install updated systems, insert new program, and create a sustainable, viable space for the community. We believe that adaptive reuse could be just the change Detroit needs. While proposals have been made for sites such as Michigan Central Station, no actual renovation has begun. Action is needed.   

SOURCES:

  • Thornton, BJ. “THE GREENEST BUILDING (IS THE ONE THAT YOU DON’T BUILD!) Effective Techniques for Sustainable Adaptive Reuse/Renovation.” JOURNAL OF GREEN BUILDING 6.1 (2011; 1901): 1-7.
  • BINDER, MELINDA LORR. “ADAPTIVE REUSE AND SUSTAINABLE DESIGN: A HOLISTIC APPROACH FOR ABANDONED INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.” University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2003.
  • Meltzer, Emily. “Adaptive Reuse of the Seaholm Power Plant: Uniting Historic Preservation and Sustainable Practices.” ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2011.
  • Donofrio, Gregory. “Preservation by Adaptation: Is it Sustainable?” Change Over Time 2.2 (2012): 106-31.
  • Hollander, Justin B., Niall Kirkwood, and Julia L. Gold. Principles of Brownfield Regeneration: Cleanup, Design, and Reuse of Derelict Land. Washington: Island Press, 2010.
  • Green, Jessica M. “Adaptive Reuse in Post-Industrial Detroit: Testing the Viability of the Engine Works.” ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2008.
  • Ro, Sam. “11 Depressing Stats About Detroit.” Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 18 July 2013. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.
  • Spivak, Jeffrey. “Adaptive Use Is Reinventing Detroit.” Urban Land Magazine. The Magazine of the Urban Land Institute, 14 Sept. 2015. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.

Photograph of “The concourse, looking east” in Michigan Central Station                                                                                                               Photography: Zach Fein                                                                             Architects: Warren & Wetmore, Reed & Stem.