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Final Presentation

Final Presentation: comprehensive design studio

By:Adulsak Chanyakorn

            Graduate students just finished their final presentation for comprehensive design studio on Friday, December 7, 2012. At the beginning of the semester, we were assigned to design housing or hotels for the legacy site for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. After 4 months of design development, the final presentation pointed out some interesting points. In order to succeed, the project requires hard work to develop a detailed design, which clearly conveys the ideas, but it also needs a presentation manner. This is one significant part of the process to achieve the goal.  Some of my colleagues started to explain their intricate designs by simplifying them to straightforward diagrams and interesting graphics, which drew the attention of the audience very well. On the screen presentation, they carefully selected and showed only significant graphics and drawings that contained the main points because the presentations had a time limit. Hence, their presentations were very concise and ended with effective results.

Another point that I have observed throughout the semester is design development manner. Since I have spent a lot of time in the studio, it seems to me that people who allow themselves to develop their designs through a variety of techniques such as physical model studies, freehand sketches, etc. along with computer aided software, had good results in their design in many aspects. In contrast, people who used only computer aided software from the beginning of their designs tended to end in a different way. I have discovered that it’s better to allow ourselves to explore design through different methods and that it’s essential for creativity.

I also have learned and shared a lot with my colleagues through conversations or working as a group during 

the studio period. There were many times that I improved my design through these discussions with faculty 

and classmates. Peer review is a useful collaborative tool, which also helped me refine my design. I expect 

to  learn and improve my architectural skills more with my colleagues in the 2013 spring and summer 

semesters.

Lebbeus Woods

The Architect: Lebbeus Woods

By: Brad Hoepfner

        I honestly don’t think that I have ever written about an architect in particular and I am fairly certain that I will not be able to remotely describe how the famous architects of our recent history think or approach problems, but I think writing about Lebbeus Woods would be very appropriate for this blog.

Lebbeus Woods recently passed away this year on October 30, 2012. To give everyone a little background information from Wiki, he studied architecture at U of I and engineering are Purdue. Lebbeus even became a professor of architecture and taught at Cooper Union in New York and in Switzerland.

        Wood’s designs were rarely constructed, but they were very influential to other architects and students alike. Much of his work was put on display in museums around the globe. Many of these designs did seem and look outrageous but he did believe that many of these designs could have been built. Blogging even became an important part of his life, encouraging debates and conversations about architecture and other subjects.

        Woods is best known for his radical re-imaginings of cities in crisis: the order of the existing being confronted by the order of the new. Woods stated, “the interplay of metrical systems establishing boundaries of materials and energetic forms is the foundation of a universal science (universcience) whose workers include all individuals.” Woods was a great thinker and architect that worked within our lifetime, please take a look at some of his work and try to consider the way he thought about the city in crisis and what we could do in the future.

Metrolink Station

North Hanley MetroLink Station

By:Chris Harpstrite

One of the sites I am currently researching for my thesis is North Hanley MetroLink station. Recently there was a Walkabout hosted by Citizens for Modern Transit, this Walkabout is meant to show the public, investors, etc. about the opportunities for transit oriented development around a specific station. North Hanley is the third busiest stop on the MetroLink path, and has great potential for transit oriented development.
            The North Hanley station has a large parking lot surrounding the station and this was a topic of much discussion during the Walkabout. The parking lot has over 1700 spaces, however, with limited lighting and safety measures for people, it becomes a danger to the public, and becomes a big obstacle for TOD.
            There were many suggestions that came up about how to help improve the area, but none really stood out as being primarily focused on TOD. Some long term goal were established though, they include: incorporate more housing, add mercantile, support more business opportunities. Zoning always seems to get in the way with efforts for TOD, I have read this in many of the books I am currently reading, and even have a book that strictly focuses on zoning for TOD. This will have to be considered when designing next semester.
            The North Hanley MetroLink station seems to be a reasonable choice, however, I would still like to do more research on potential sites. Until next time…

The City of Chicago

The City of Chicago 
By: Chris Pacanowski
        As get more involved in my research for my thesis project I realized that I was looking more into the ideas of architecture and possibilities with new technology, which is always a good thing to know but I wanted to look into the city of Chicago specifically. Since my project is located in the city of Chicago I wanted to look at the history of the city and find out why exactly my site is an abandon waste land and what was planed there to begin with. Luckily there is a book called Chicago central area plan which take historic plans and gives them to the public to inform them on what Chicago was thought to be. When looking at the city of Chicago and its history there was one event that had changed the city in every way. Originally the city of Chicago was so spermatic and dispersed in separate areas but one event had changed that and the way that the city was designed, the Chicago fire. The Chicago fire basically created a clean slate for Chicago, and this was a new time for Chicago and urban planners. Within 10 years of the great fire the city of Chicago became the second largest city. The city also had great things coming for it that not only helped the city flourish but establish its new found architecture excellence. The first large event was the worlds Columbian Exposition in 1893. It was just after that when the first real master plan of the city was completely thought out. Daniel Burnham had developed an idea to plan out the whole city and make it all cohesive. The city of Chicago also had two more events they had the world’s fair in 1933 and in 1992. Due to the large events city master plans had started to develop and began to set up the city for greatness.
        As I will continue to read this book I will look all of the historical plans that are provided in it and try to figure out exactly what was thought out for my site, and why things didn’t work on it. Just quickly skimming the images I had noticed that at one point in time the site I have just south of Roosevelt was thought to be a residential community with direct access to transit to where the world’s fair was thought to be. Seeing that and understanding that there is great opportunity to be able to connect directly to the city and other parts of the nearby south side.

Aging in Place

Aging in Place

Colleen O’Malley

         Another component to examine in my research thesis process is location. When looking at location, I will be focusing more on a permanent location allowing for boomers to age in place. Providing a universal design will allow for this necessity. Aging in place is defined by the National Association of Home Builders as “remaining in one’s home safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level. It means the pleasure of living in a familiar environment throughout one’s maturing years, and the ability to enjoy the familiar daily rituals and the special events that enrich all our lives. It means the reassurance of being able to call a house a ‘home’ for a lifetime”.

        Some components that are included in the concept of aging in place are health services, in-home care, home maintenance, transportation, and socialization. The term aging in place can refer to the renovation of an existing home or new construction.

        Universal design goes beyond the accessible, adaptable, and barrier-free concepts of the past and recognizes, respect, values, and attempts to accommodate the broadest possible spectrum of human ability. The university concept emphasizes user-friendly design, aiming to accommodate the needs to people of all ages, sizes, and abilities, including the changes people experience during their lifetime. All of these features will be considered in the design of a university affiliated retirement complex.