The High Line

Please click High Line for more information

In a city with such stringent limitations on space emerges a slew of outstanding ideas and innovations. With the ecological parameters we are facing with sustainability, designers need to be more creative than ever. Everyone is stepping up their game, creating landscapes filled with ingenuity, beauty, and sense of place. The High Line in New York is just one of the great examples of designing with immense limitations. If you thought Manhattan's west side was already too full, think again.  Landscape architects Field Operations with architects Diller Scofidio+Renfro have created a new park in this densely populated area 30 ft in the air! By using a railway built in the 1930's that ran 22 blocks above ground, the architects of the High Line created a new public green space while keeping historic roots of the city. Along with the benefits of a new green space comes a boom of economic growth for this area. The 1.5 mile above ground park will become the "Central Park" of the 21st century, with High Line branded restaurants, hotels, and retail sure to crop up around it (Sternbergh, 2007).

Winnipeg, also a place with rich historical roots in our railways should draw upon this example as inspiration to transform our down trodden railways into new public spaces be they parks or whatever. Using the land we already have is a practice that Winnipeg has failed to touch upon (note the increasing sprawl outside our city boundaries). Because we don't have such challenging limitations on space such as a city like New York, there is a tendency to become lazy. But that only means we need to be self motivated and take initiative to be aware of our land usage.

The guidelines and parameters we must meet to get our designs to the proper "green code" shouldn't be seen as a hinderance, but instead as an opportunity for designers to push their creativity to the furthest limits.

Class Reflection: October 23rd

A day away from school! Our second field trip was to visit the Jeld-Wen showroom. The presenter and sales manager gave a thourough presentation with an emphasis on the sustainable practices employed by the company. Although a successful presentaion, I agree with Judith in her hesitation to take them as serious environmetalists. Sadly, "being green" is a marketing gimmick these days. It is getting harder and harder for the consumer to determine what really is an eco friendly product. I felt that marketing was all Jeld-Wen saw in sustainable, even down to the choice of the renewal of an old building, which adds to their image. Another note in support of my opinion is the fact that these "green" chemicals are only available in their premium line, not to mention the use of PVC. Clearly it is not a universal concern for the company.
Again Judith's comment on their products seeming suburb like is the exact feeling I had. I myself am not a fan of artificial wood. Also, I was iritated by the weight put on their recycling practices. It is clearly beneficial to reuse excess materials in processing, but it is still new material. Post consumer recylcing and reuse are the practices we need to incorpoate to really lighten to load of industrial production inflicts on the environment.

Integrating Architecture and Food, A Match Made In Heaven

I was so excited to discover an event that centered itself on both food awareness and sustainable design practices. Slow Food Nation in San Francisco, California held the event with collaborative efforts by the 2008 Architecture and the City Festival to present a collection of films and presentations, and best of all, a large variety of tasting pavilions, each showcasing a different locally- sourced ingredient. What I find most ingenious, is that the pavilions themselves were all designed to reflect the type of ingredient they housed. For example, the cheese pavilion and the chocolate pavilion both incorporated and referenced elements used in their production, sourcing only recycled objects and materials in their designs.

Possessing a passion for both good food and good design, I began thinking about their relationships, and specifically how both food and architecture reflect their immediate environments and contribute a sense of identity to those places. In architecture, we draw inspiration from our surrounding environments to develop a distinct structural style as we have all seen in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Architecture designs, for example. Architects must also be aware of the topographical, geological and climatic specifics of the region, which largely determine the final outcome of the design.

When we think about food in association with architecture, some interesting parallelisms arise. Knowledge and availability of local and seasonal ingredients is so important in our efforts towards more sustainable food practices, just as the source of construction materials are important in sustainable design processes. Foods naturally relate people to their environments and help to develop a distinct local and global identity. More and more, chefs are looking to their own backyards for inspiration from the freshest, cleanest, most seasonal ingredients available, making for simple menu creations that emphasize the natural flavors of the ingredient.

A blending of all the right elements creates the framework for the perfect dish, or even the perfect design. Food has always been a great way to reach people, so why not educate them on the issues pertaining to smart, sustainable food strategies while integrating relevant, equally sustainable design approaches? Love the idea!

http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/09/03/slow-food-nation-2008-tasting-pavilions/

Sensitive, Sustainable Design

It is fantastic to witness how our Studio, Ecology and Design, and Natural and Human Systems projects are informing and building off of one another. Our group's ideas are expanding, and they reflect all that we are learning about sustainability and design. This blog, our projects, and our group meetings strongly reflect this. During our last meeting for the Ecology and Design project to redesign a Winnipeg environment, I was so inspired to see our excitement and engagement. Our decision to redesign Central Park, transforming it into a sustainable and interactive community center, reveals that all we are learning is culminating to influence and better our designs.

On that note, here is an article which outlines the redesign of low income housing units in Cape Town, South Africa. The firm MMA architects has won the Curry Stone Design Prize for its prototype. The architects have used indigenous mud and water building methods which have increased energy efficiency and they have created an "elegant solution for a low-cost, single-family dwelling [that] shows what can be done with simple materials and a sensitive eye to what local people need -- as well as what they bring to the table" (http://www.interiordesign.net/article/CA6601313.html?industryid=48741). In order to further reduce the cost of the dwellings the firm plans to employ volunteer labour from the local people. I think a very significant aspect of this project is the consideration of that which local people need and have to offer. As we move forward into our final projects, I believe it is important to continue to consider everything we are learning about sustainability and design, but also that we are sensitive to our users, and that we allow their input to better our designs.

Class Reflections, October 23rd, 2008

Our concern for the environmental impacts of manufacturing has become quite apparent, and rightfully so, since so much of what we make enters and conflicts with the environment’s natural processes. This was the overriding theme of our outing to Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors. The presenter was composed and articulate and I was truly convinced that their products were at the very top of sustainable technology. As the presentation went on however, I began to think more about the impacts of PVC on the environment and on our health. Working towards having little impact on the natural world goes beyond recycling waste materials and a reduction in resource use. The processes of production that flush chemicals and foreign things into the environment have just as much of a negative effect than anything else. Despite this, I did leave with much insight into the complex engineering of window design and technology. Although I do have to agree with Katie on this one, that perhaps the aesthetics should be left to the designers.

Class Reflection October 23

The Jeld-Wen field trip gave me significant insight into the technical properties of windows, of which I had little knowledge. It is important that Jeld-Wen is a company who consider environmental issues when designing their products. The company's incorporation of recycled materials into both their molded interior doors and their PVC windows is positive, and their involvement in LEED projects is encouraging. However, I too am critical of Jeld-Wen's use of PVC, which comprises eighty-five percent of their window sales. Furthermore, the fact that only their premium line is SFI certified (uses sustainable forestry practices), leads me to question whether Jeld-Wen is a company that has actually become green, or whether their green initiatives are smoke and mirrors, in an effort to make the company appear green. Equally discouraging was the fact that Jeld-Wen's windows are designed by Engineers! I was disheartened by the fact that these windows are dominating the market, and their esthetics scream prefab suburban. Perhaps they will wise up and hire some U of M grads in future years!

Making sustainable accessible!

In lieu of Katie's blog about the EQ3 project using the bottles, I wanted to post this link. It is a website for a company in San Francisco supplying reusable, recycled and remanufactured materials. I love the idea, and I think that people would be more interested in using such materials if they were more accessible. They are out there, but most of us don't know where to look. Also the access to workshops on using these materials, and on sustainable living, are a fantastic idea. The only way to make the changes we need to make is to bring them forward and into our everyday lives.

This goes beyond people's daily lives. It is also the responsibility of the companies providing the public with products to employ sustainable practice as the norm. Although I must commend companies like Jeld-Wen for their efforts in providing products with low toxicity, I believe that their claim as an environmentally friendly company is a stretch. Without a cycle of re-use of materials, they are inevitably always creating more waste. Perhaps Jeld-Wen could take back their windows when they are in need of replacement, and re-use the parts. A similar scheme is already implemented by a company in the flooring business called Interface Flooring. They rent carpeting, instead of selling it, and therefore accept the carpet after they are eventually replaced. They then refurbish the material, or recycle unused portions. Together with fantastic discoveries like the non toxic wood treatment by Jeld-Wen, and an attitude towards waste reduction, large companies can enhance the feasibility of attaining truly sustainable materials.

Buidling Resource

Reflections for October 23 Class Jeld-Wen

The salesman who gave us a presentation at the Jeld-Wen showroom was very well spoken and provided an array of different sustainability practices their company uses. After everything was said and done, I must say I don't think I was quite sold. Our guide kept on telling the class they used all recycled materials, but a fellow blogger (Ms. Lindsey Weller) brought up the issue that their recycling went to a limited extent. After the transfer of ownership, they would take no responsibility of disposing the product. Their windows and doors would still most likely end up in landfills, majority of them non-biodegradable. They advertise under the banner of recycled materials when really what they do is not waste any of the raw materials they extract. There was no mention of actually using materials from former plastics or wood from waste materials beyond their own. They also use the quote 'walking softly on the Earth' on their website which I feel is a false statement. Their windows and doors still contain PVC's and their Auralast wood doesn't decay. How is creating a product that will take hundreds or more years to return back the Earth a 'soft' impact?

I do commend them for their initiatives on trying to be as sustainable as possible. Long lasting windows and doors will reduce the amount of waste and perhaps save those who can afford them some money in the long run. I just feel that we need to be smart consumers by analyzing if a company's procedures are as green as they make them out to be.

Giving Back to the Grid

Finally, an incentive for me to go to the gym. I've always had reservations about going. Mainly, because I could never piece together why I needed to spend so much money at a facility that consumes so much energy just so I could burn a bit off. All that energy expended by hundreds of thousands of people at gyms just ends up being lost everyday. The most logical thing to do would be to harness this energy people are PAYING to get rid of. Capturing the energy we burn is a more sustainable way to work out, but also more economically feasible for the gyms who would save on electricity bills. In turn that should slash prices on gym fees for customers too. Personally, I think this would put back some of the fun into a grueling work out. Knowing that I could contribute back into the system would motive myself and I'm sure many health conscious environmentally conscious folks to get active at the gym. Perhaps one day we can have this technology in our homes getting everyone to participate in a bit of physical activity on a regular basis. A reduction in North American obesity and energy consumption, talk about killing two birds with one stone.

The inventor, Lucien Gambaroto also makes a few important points about individuals and their ability to contribute at all levels. We don't have to be inventors or government officials to make changes in our environment. Each and every one of us has the ability to enforce change and we have to take responsibility for the decisions we make. As consumers we can choose to support services who are finding alternative ways to fuel themselves. We can write letters to government, invent our own source of energy, and even something as simple as educating others is contributing on some level. 

Creativity is key when solving any problem and luckily its a resource that is in abundance in the human population. I have a theory that if we have enough brain power and creativity to inflict so much damage to the Earth, there is certainly enough brain power and creativity to fix it.

money money money MONEY

A lot of what we talk about on this blog are new ways to design buildings, or to re-design spaces keeping in mind ecology and sustainability. Today as I was doing my internet rounds I read a dwell blog post that talked about the tax incentive that is available in the US for individuals who make eco-conscious renovations to their home.

Being a closet economic enthusiast I recognize the need for incentives to instill change. Of course we, as educated and naïve students, wouldn’t dream of not utilizing our knowledge base to create beautiful environmentally aware structures, but for the average home owner their biggest concern is the bottom line. Tax incentives much like the one’s in the United States exist here in Manitoba through the government, as well as through Manitoba Hydro. Being educated on tax incentives such as these is important so that as designers we can push our clients (hopefully we will all one day have some…) into making the right ecological decisions that will be beneficial for the environment as well as their pocket books!

Sustainable the New Postmodern?

In conclusion to a recent class, Jae shared his vision for the future of design. He stated that while previous stages of design included modernism and postmodernism, the next phase of design would be 'sustainable'. Jae warned us that as designers we would have to negotiate, and possibly even abandon our esthetic and creative desires in favor of sustainability. To really become sustainable, Jae insisted that we must relinquished some control of our designs to sustainable materials.

These insights enlightened me and made me aware that I struggle with these issues. In particular, when I designed my garment for our last studio project my greatest challenge was to let go of my desire to create a beautiful esthetic, and to instead allow ecological fabrics and the garment's function to dictate its form. Jae's comments inspired me to remove some of my own esthetic taste and become more sustainable. Since reflecting on these ideas, I have also become more aware of how my own preferences can limit my design choices.

As we move forward into a new era of sustainable design our greatest challenge will be to rethink our notions of beauty, or the artistic whims that Jae described. However, once we negotiate the use of sustainable materials and our own vision as designers, we will be free to create exciting new esthetics.

An example of this forward thinking design comes from 5468796 who in their redesign of EQ3 have:

"identified a large surplus of glass water bottles from restaurants in [Vancouver] as a material resource that typically ends up in the landfill. Instead, the bottles will be used to clad the existing facade to create a visually engaging and environmentally friendly feature - filtering daylight and protecting interior furnishings. The project’s innovation lies in its ability to combine opportunities for branding, community involvement and a new, greener direction for EQ3." (http://www.5468796.ca/)

Here the firm has merged its creative vision with sustainability. 5468796's innovation creates an interesting, fresh, and beautiful environment, exemplifying the sustainable phase design is moving towards. -Katie

Chicago's Crystal Palace

This is an amazing example of a building that is designed around the use of natural light. It is The Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies in Chicago, designed by Krueck + Sexton Architects. It just jumped out at me, and I love how it enhances the exterior light quality of the street as well as the interior atmosphere. The multifaceted facade brings the sky down in its reflections. i think this was the draw for me. When I travelled for that long time I realized one thing that I love about Winnipeg... you can see the sky anywhere, even in the middle of the city. In big cities the buildings are so tall, and there is so much light pollution that the sky just seems nonexistent. This building gives life to the concrete jungle.

I'm happiest outside when I'm actually inside.

I am simply amazed by all of the interesting designs that have been put forth at the Venice Biennale of Architecture. The latest that caught my eye is the Japanese Pavilion

“The Japanese Pavilion itself is made to appear as an artificial environment or an element of topography. The original outdoor space overlaps with the space that emerges between the ephemeral steel structures covered with glass, causing the appearance of a doubled, ambiguous space. The condition of space produced here makes us aware that everything in it - the plants inside and outside, the furniture, the architecture, the topography, and the environment - exists simultaneously.” Stolen quote.

Blending and blurring the exterior and interior elements allow the individual to experience space much more organically. During Urban Media Lab, our first few weeks together as a class, we were told to photograph spaces that incorporated elements of the interior into the exterior and elements of the exterior into the interior. This pavilion goes the extra distance to completely blur the distinctions between the two and introduces the notion that distinctions need not exist.  

Living in Winnipeg where frigid temperatures hold our exterior environment hostage, structures much like the KAIT Studio, also designed by Ishigami, limit the separation between the interior and exterior environment and allow for a space that can be temperature controlled. This would allow individuals much like myself, who are reluctant to go outside and experience the environment full force, an opportunity to do just that in the comfort of our own classrooms.

Another perk to designing spaces that work with the existing natural environment, as opposed to against it, is that people are then able to appreciate the environment around them. The idea is that this appreciation will lead them to make more thoughtful choices when it comes to sustainability.

A New Sound

After the lecture on lighting, I wondered about other electromagnetic waves our bodies are constantly submerged in that we can readily detect. The first one that came to mind was sound. Similar to light, sound is another type of radiation that our senses are able to pick up. It is also a natural by product of when we talk, when two objects come into contact with one another, basically whenever air is disturbed (which is almost all the time). There are very few occasions where I find myself in complete silence, even when I sleep I can still hear the wind and cars passing by. Although sound waves contain much less energy than light waves, we shouldn't ignore the fact that it is still a form of energy that constantly surrounds us. A source of energy that we can potentially harness on a smaller scale. This article from Science Daily explains how turning excess heat into electricity by using sound is an efficient way to recycle waste heat.

To see article, please click Sound 

Energy is all around us and in vast amounts, the only problem is tapping into these sources. Opening our eyes and ears to new solutions often found in the most obvious places is necessary to move forward in our search for usable energy. Diversifying and expanding our energy resources will also result in more stable and resilient energy supplies for future generations to come.

Are you afraid of the dark?

During last week's lecture on light I was most interested, and most disturbed, by what Dr. Mallory-Hill described as light pollution or light trespass. I have been reflecting a lot about this issue as I have recently moved into a new condo which does not yet have blinds! The past weeks lecture enlightened me (excuse the pun!) to how intrusive light can be, and I now realize that my sleepless nights are likely the result of the blaring lights of Osborne Village trespassing into my bedroom. Light emitted during the night serves many different purposes. The light flooding my unprotected windows comes from the advertisements of businesses, but also from the street lamps that help drivers navigate the winding street. On one hand night lighting seems necessary for security, on the other it is harming the circadian rhythms of animals. Birds are chirping throughout the night in the anticipation of the dawn that artificial lighting makes them believe is on its way, and I can't sleep. Suburban flood lamps and downtown eatery signs are drowning out the milky way. Rome is one city that has taken the initiative to dim its lights in an attempt to reduce light pollution, and to save energy. In a new era of sustainability we have to consider the issues around everything that effects human and natural systems, which I am beginning to learn is EVERYTHING. The necessity of night lighting is something I cannot deny, but I would like to continue to investigate this issue in the hopes of learning about solutions that can bridge the gap between the security night lights provide, and the harm that they cause.

Read this article by Sarah Rich, it examines the issues and debates around light pollution, and includes photos by photographer David Allee who is trying to make the most of light tresspass by turning the suburban night-scape into art. However cool these photos I am still not convinced they replace the stars they are over-shining.

Class Reflection October 16, 2008

I enjoyed Dr. Shauna Malory-Hill’s presentation and felt that all of the information she presented was very useful. The points that I found the most interesting was the importance of designing spaces that are able to adjust our eyes appropriately. She outlined the importance of designing lighting in the interior that will allow the eyes to adjust.

It was nice to learn the difference between sunlight and daylight and I am happy that I learned this before I was put into a situation where I used the wrong term and embarrassed myself… I also found it very useful to be introduced to the different lighting sources. In all honesty I find the warm light that is emitted from incandescent bulbs to be the most flattering, but I am coming around to the high efficiency LED lighting of the future. I find it quite odd to think that future generations may not ever see the light incandescent bulbs emit.

I found that the presentation on ‘light carving’ shed a new light (excuse the pun) on the design process. Designing spaces to interact with natural light, while at the same time not inhibit others from doing the same is very important. I found it very motivating to see a masters level student experimenting with this sort of challenge. Being at this level where everything seems challenging and somewhat overwhelming it’s inspiring to know that at some point in our career we will be able to focus our time and research on something hat really inspires and interests us. The idea of light-carving is unique and interesting and being shown an example of existing software definitely excites me for the possibilities that lie in the future of my design career.

i AM feeling rather sleepy...

Seeing Katie’s latest post I thought it would be an appropriate time for me to link another blog’s coverage of an exhibit NAI Maastricht exhibit entitled State Alpha, on the Architecture of Sleep. The exhibit talked more about the psychological aspects of sleep rather than the conditions that are most contusive to a good nights sleep. Perhaps in lieu of creating a sterile sleeping room within studio we could begin practicing Inemuri, or set up a bed that has sign up sheets? Here's the link for the review of the exhibit, the site itself is worth a adding to your blogroll, not only does it have one of the best names out there but they frequently profile art and architecture that matter.

Class Reflection October 16, 2008

Dr. Mallory-Hill's presentation articulated the importance of light in our environments. I found her description of light pollution, and of the effect of light on our circadian rhythms to be especially interesting. When she informed us of the correlation of shift workers, who are exposed to light during the night, and cancer I became particularly concerned about our own late nights of light exposure! Perhaps we should pioneer the design of a 'sleep environment' in studio, inspired by the concept of sleep rooms for medical residents. This environment would incorporate beds, it would be quiet and it would be dark.

Sustain without invention!

I recently have noticed a poster for a unique movement in Winnipeg. It especially stood out to me since I am a person living on my own, without a vehicle. On top of that, since signing my life over to the Faculty of Architecture, affording a vehicle is not possible. The poster was advertising a car sharing community, so to speak. It's catch heading is "Need a car? But only sometimes?". This is exactly how I feel... I think I might have actually said "yes" out loud. I think that this type of initiative is exactly the type of thinking that must accompany new design, new product, and new invention. It is true that there are thousands of brilliant solutions out there to help people lessen their impact on the earth. From low-flush toilets and low-flow shower heads to electric cars, our everyday habits are leaving a much shallower footprint on the environment. However, truly the best solution is to CHANGE the way that we do things. If we all still own a vehicle, electric or not, they must still be produced, they must still take up space, and eventually they will need to be disposed of somewhere. By sharing a car, we will take public transit more, save money, and lighten the landfill load by lowering the quantity of vehicles being produced, and thus disposed of. Just as we do not have to flush every time, and I'm very sure we all could take shorter showers, sharing a car is a step into a greener evolutionary society, without any technology at all!

I Love The Whole World...

The Discovery Channel has come up with a brilliant new commercial that manages to instill a deep sentiment of love and appreciation for the Earth in anyone who watches. It is a rare occurrence when you come across a commercial that is so moving, you begin to think, wow, now this is how all advertising should be. To watch it is truly a one-minute humbling human experience that puts into perspective what we are all apart of and what we are really trying to preserve. There is a part of me that feels reassured that this innate love for nature exists in all of us, (Biophilia, E.O Wilson) and that ecological competence will be acquired unconsciously once we develop this love and appreciation even further.
A truly powerful display of what is so much overlooked in this world... Enjoy!

Reflections for Class October 16

Two guest speakers joined us in this week's class. The first was Dr. Shauna Mallory-Hill with her lecture about lighting and its effect on people. Our bodies are constantly submerged in electro magnetic waves and one we can predominantly detect with our senses is light. Because we are constantly submerged in light during our waking hours, its important that we create spaces with proper lighting for the health and well being of people. 

When studying light, we have to understand the dynamic relationship between our eyes and light to create a successful environment. Our eyes have developed in specific ways to help us survive in the natural world. We define objects through visual contrast, are able to accommodate from near to far objects, can conceive depth perception by having eyes located on the front of our head, and are able to come to conclusions of what we see by cognitively linking past experiences with our visual experience. Our eyes have evolved to a high level of sophistication, but they still aren't perfect. We still have trouble adjusting between light to dark, more notably bright to dark (it can take up to 30 min for your eyes to fully adjust). As designers we have to keep our eye weaknesses in mind so we don't create potentially vulnerable situations for pedestrians at night.

 

The most predominant source of light we have been using since our species existence is the sun. Next is fire, candles, gas lamps, and finally the advent of electric lights. We were told the difference between sunlight and daylight. Sunlight is direct light from the sun, usually very strong and undesirable, whereas daylight is indirect light from the sun controlled by architecture. Daylighting is often used when creating structures with lots of natural light because of the reduced effects of glare and the heat of the sun. In moderns times, we are now trying to go back to these earlier notions of using the sun as lighting. Our current artificial lighting needs are consuming massive amounts of energy, creating environmental degradation. At the same time also creating negative health impacts on people, disrupting circadian cycles and the release of melatonin (hormone that helps us sleep). It has only been 150 years since artificial electrical lighting was introduced to society, not allowing enough time for our bodies to make the proper adjustments. Sleeping disorders and other sleep related illnesses have surfaced in the recent years showing the negative impacts of artificial lighting.

Dr. Mallory-Hill also presented to us various lighting bulbs giving us examples of various energy efficiencies. The most interesting one to me was the LED lighting that produced no by product heat and had a life time of 80 years. This new lighting technology could potentially reduce our electric energy consumption drastically if made available to everyday consumers.

The next speaker we had was Daniel J. Petrak a former graduate of this program, also interested in light and more so thermal  modeling. His main focus is on using the aspects of natural light as a means to derive the form. Daniel went through the process of his thesis showing us a program where he could perform a technique called light carving (a term David claims to have coined). On this program he was able to create architectural forms based on where the light would come into contact with the structure. He also showed us a software program where you were able to design structures with various climatic conditions at play. 

 

When designing with sustainability in mind, we must sometimes give up our artistic whim and let the ecological parameters guide our creation of the form. Including these ecological parameters at the start of the design will result in something with a more successful, integrated design.

Class Reflection: October 16th

In this class Prof. Mallory-Hill lectured us on the uses of light in architecture. I really enjoyed her lecture. She really succeeded in slowly intoducing the subject on a broad scale, and then introducing more specific topics. I liked her use of a timeline in explaining the evolution of light in the built environment.

Humans have been tied to designing shelters based on the availability of natural daylight. From the design to positioning of structures, the sun has been a dominant factor, dating back to pre-history. My reaction to that section of the lecture is that with the invention of the electric light, we drifted away from integrating natural light into building design, and we regret it. Just as the industrial revolution succeded so immensly due to the excitment convenience, designers seemed to enjoy the freedom of control over interior lighting. However, we took it too far, and discovered that natural is the way to go. Now we are retracing our steps, and bringing the sun back inside!

In relation to the effects of artificial lighting, I was most effected by Prof. Hill's address to the importance of darkness. It is shocking how much we are blindly effected by everyday aspects of life. Most people would never consider that turning on a light in the middle of the night can potentially cause health problems- specifically interference with our nervous and metabolic levels, or Circadian Rythyms. The night light being quite a bit dimmer has an added value in my books!

Class Reflection, October 16th, 2008

Dr. Shauna Mallory-Hill’s presentation on light, strangely enough got me thinking more so about darkness than light itself. The absence of light is just as important as its presence. My fellow classmates and bloggers have made these issues of the negative impacts of light apparent as well, as expressed in their lighting suggestions to improve the studio environment. I find it amazing that the environments we create have such an effect on our sensory functions. This idea of light trespassing and light pollution intrigued me because people express such strong reactions and emotions to the wrong levels of lighting. You experience this, but you don’t really think about how your feelings are a direct reflection of a designer’s inconsideration for that one thing. I admit I’m slightly overwhelmed by the amount of thought that must go into what we might think are the small decisions. Every decision made has a direct effect on the way we experience a space.

Often we become concerned and preoccupied with form while leaving function to follow, but as our second guest speaker, Daniel Petrak, E. I.T M. Arch expressed, form can be most effectively generated by the other important issues at hand, such as in the context of ecology and sustainability. I found his studies and innovations on thermal modeling to be especially compelling and they inspired me to approach design in a new way. His analysis of daylight movement as a way to initiate the form of a building was well researched and developed, yet the outcome still possessed a kind of effortless beauty. We must always be lead by a larger purpose when we design, this I’ve realized with my own studio work. It’s such an obvious thing, however I’ve had to learn this through my own processes. When an idea is driven by superficiality, I struggle to fit the other essential components into the design, however when my thought is driven by something purposeful and meaningful, everything else just follows and fits into place effortlessly. This is so simple to say, but I believe one of the greatest challenges as a designer. It is something I will carry with me throughout my entire design education.

Colour Your World!

Vaike's recent lecture on colour has increased my own interest in the psychological effects of colour on humans. Her descripitions of the historical significance of colour, of its ties to individual landscapes, and of our own bodies inherent relationship with colour, have made me aware of the relevance of colour in our environments. I now believe that in architecture colour can and should be as important as form, to shape the intention of a space. Bright energetic colours might increase productivity, while calming colours could be used in environments where stress is a factor, such as hospitals. Check out the Bioscleave Fun House designed to help people live longer, healthier lives. This project employs bright, lively colours to give life to a space and the people who inhabit it.

In consideration of our upcoming project(and celebration of my getting this video posting right!)I thought this video would be appropriate. I first saw Elizabeth Redmand in a magazine. The idea behind her flooring system is similar to the night club flooring Jae showed us in the first class. What I really liked about her version of this tecnology,in comparison, is the scale. It is accessible and realistic. It is something you could potentially install in existing spaces, as opposed to having to design a new space around it, like the dance floor. She took a common "energy-harnessing" idea and designed a realistic application, which I feel a lot of the time is half the battle as a designer.
I think in our context in this class, and on this blog,the most important thing about this video is to realize that Elizabeth is still a student, just as we are. It goes to show that no matter where we are in our design careers, we all have the power to make a differnce. At any age! At just 23, this young woman is marketing one of the most innovative new products out there today. Who knows if we may make a powerful discovery in the next project that could lead us to bigger things!?

Somewhere over the rainbow....

It seems as though color can provide more than just therapy! New photo-voltaic panels have been designed that capture a broad spectrum of light, creating naturally occuring instances of refracted light. The future of this technology suggests actual rainbow farms! Can you think of anything more fantastic!? It is amazing what humans have accomplished, and that things that once would only seem like a dream are actually becoming reality. If only Dorothy could see us now....

Sleeping our way to a better future

Ever since entering into the Faculty of Environmental design I have been grappling with meeting deadlines and functioning off little sleep. The question that often pops into my head after a 16 hour school day is WHY? Why do we need to do so much in so little time? This question doesn't only apply to this faculty, but in all different professions, life styles and cultures throughout developed worlds. Just looking in the past 100 hundred years we see such an explosive rate of technological advancements and change. Twenty years ago most people didn't even have a cell phone, now most people don't keep the same phone for more than one year. I'm not suggesting that human development is something that is negative, but perhaps the rate that we are developing at is just too fast. The rest of planet earth is struggling to keep up with our needs and demands. Ground water aquifers are been pumped so fast they can't be replenished, soil erosion is happening at a rate where nutrients in the soil can't restore itself, forests, wetlands aren't given enough time to regenerate leaving many species of animals homeless and vulnerable to extinction. Is it absolutely necessary to have twelve hour plus work days? 

Reflecting on our own North American culture, why are we so keen on having everything as fast as possible and why have we built a consumer culture that only wants to consume more? This 'have it now' mentality resonates throughout a variety of aspects in our culture. From our food sector with fast food restaurants where a full meal is ready under one minute, to electronics where after a year a technology is considered 'outdated'. With all the gizmos, gadgets, toys, and things to do in this day and age, we feel like there's so much that needs to be done and so little time to do it. This way of living isn't good for our health or our mental state. What I would like to really know is does it have to be this way (I'm open to anything)? I've been dabbling with the idea that if everyone got more sleep, it would be better for the environment and the overall health of people in general. When we sleep we use minimal amounts of energy compared to when we are awake. No lights, t.v.s, laptops, Blackberrys, etc. are in use consuming energy. With more sleep, people would feel healthier, more alert, and probably more productive. I understand that the production and flow of goods might be slower if we all slept a bit more and worked less, but the slower rate of production could mean a slower rate of consumption. With happier, healthier workers the quality and life span of products would be higher. 

 

I know this more sleeping solution is unrealistic to many people, but I think we do need to start asking more questions about why the way things are and ask if they can be changed to create a better functioning society? When creating new technologies and products we should keep in mind if the product will take time away from the consumer or will it make their lives easier? And there is a difference between a product that is an unnecessary distraction and products that are designed for the health and well being of people. For example, instead of creating more fast food joints, why not have more locally produced food markets so it's more accessible and affordable to cook you own meals? We shouldn't be afraid to question anything and everything. If more questions are being asked, more answers will be produced. Being complacent is no longer an option for the challenges we must face in the years to come. 

In relation to our last lecture about colour, I cam across another blog which touches on the subject of colour and sleep. The blog describes the different effects different colours have on the body. They also give examples of architecture specifically designed for sleep and napping rooms running at $12 for a 20 min nap.

Class Reflection October 9, 2008

Although I had an appointment and unfortunately was not able to attend class, the girls’ summaries gave me a good idea of what was discussed.
I was very interested to hear about the healing properties of color, and the potential of designing an environment based upon these principals. As I mentioned after Vaike’s first lecture, I am interested by color’s ability to convey information and feelings without the use of words or symbols. When designing spaces, color presents the opportunity for the designer to utilize it to change the implications of the space.

The homework was assigned last time we saw Vaike, and reviewed last class was something I too really enjoyed doing. I found it fun to do because each color reminded me of different times throughout my, and specific objects or experiences that have come to represent to each of the colors. The many ways Colors are able to transverse language and cultures and their many uses and therapeutic properties only make them that much more important to incorporate into our designs.

Class Reflection: October 9th

This week's class was Vaike's second lecture. It was a follow up on her introduction to color in architecture from her previous lecture. We began the class by sharing our personal reactions to the colors she assigned us to meditate on. I was intrigued by how similar everyone felt from visualizing each color. People are obviously directed, albeit subconsciously by all the color we interact with. I find this fascinating, and the inclusion of color in Interior Design is part of my reason in choosing it as my focus.

It goes without saying that I found Vaike's color therapy spa inspiring. I share the passion she has for color, but also in helping people. I think it is becoming more and more evident in society today that alternative medicine has been underminded. Treatments like the one Vaike introduced us to are slowly being woven into the general fabric of healing and well being.

I plan to learn more on this topic in my career, and will incorporate it into my designs.

Reflections for October 9 Class

The insights about colour and their effects on people are an important tool to creating well designed interior spaces. Living in a climate such as Winnipeg where we have to spend so much of our time inside, we need to pay attention to every detail. Creating classrooms with soothing colours would help make a more relaxed learning atmosphere, perhaps lowering the amount of anxiety and stress caused by school. Making a space that people want to occupy is one way to increase productivity. The assignment Vaike assigned on colours helped me better understand how the built environment can affect my mood and thoughts, the only problem with generalizing the reactions of colours is not all of the reactions are universal. When I compared my answers with those of a colleague I found our reactions were completely opposite.

Class Reflection October 9

This class continued Vaike Ruus’ lecture on colour. The focus of this second installment was primarily on the healing potential of colour.

Vaike began by informing us that John Oates felt that light was an essential nutrient to our bodies, like that of any other vitamin, water, or air. I feel that this perspective is an interesting and accurate way to look at light and colour, and it is one I had not considered before. Throughout the lecture Vaike stressed the importance of light and colour to our well-being, and she also outlined the healing power of the two.

During the lecture, Vaike made us aware of Edwin Babbit, also known as the “colour prophet”, who wrote The Principles of Light and Colour. Babbit was instrumental in the filed of colour therapy where he advocated using colour to heal. In his practice he took his direction from the ancients, who understood the importance of light and colour to health. Babbitt used various techniques, including coloured water, to heal his patients from illnesses like tuberculosis and pneumonia.

Colour puncture is another technique that Vaike mentioned, which is similar to acupuncture, but which uses colour to heal illnesses like depression and diabetes. Vaike also touched on the chakras developed in ancient India, which give cues about the energy of the body. I was interested to hear Vaike speak about Babbit and colour puncture which I was not aware of, and also to have her include the Chakras of which I have some knowledge.

During the later part of this lecture, Vaike included a presentation of her own work. For her design of a spa environment, she used colour and colour therapy to inform the space. Here Vaike allowed colour to determine the esthetic of the built environment. Her knowledge of colour theory and healing were the foundation for her design.

Lastly, for this class we were to complete a homework assignment about our own reaction to colours. I felt that this was an important exercise because gave me information about how colours affect my inner state. In the future, I would like to remain conscious of this exercise, and to build on it, using elements of colour theory to inform my own designs. -Katie

skeletons aren't only in our closets.

I recently read a review of SmartCity a Festival Emergencies conference held in Paris. Festival Emergencies is an 'international festival of electronic cultures and new art forms', which this year is focused on “urban activism and artistic interventions in public space”.

One of the presentations that really interested me was mOmentoMoNUMENTO put forth by one of my favorite architectural firms, Exyst and an equally interesting Brazilian collective, Coloco.

Coloco have, for the last seven years, been studying the phenomena of skeleton dwellings. These dwellings have emerged because industry and housing, as a result of urban sprawl, are being pushed further and further from the cities core and have left large buildings that once defined the cities central area vacant. Groups of individuals have begun to inhabit these dwellings and organize the space to suit their needs. Government sometimes will intervene and other times allow the individuals to occupy the space in an effort to re-establish the cities center.

Exyst utilizes temporary interventions mixing experimental architecture, graphic art instillations, film, music and even food-related programs together to impact and diversify the urban environment. They are also hip to the skeleton dwelling phenomena and have recently began to focus on alternative cheap housing and as an experiment sent 450 architecture students to inhabit one of these skeleton dwellings the project: Republique Ephemere is definitely worth a gander.
Together Exyst and Coloco are combining their experience-based knowledge and teaming up with Cultures France, a French arts initiative to engage with other nations (for those of you who don’t speak French), to offer a traditional French monument (eg. The statue of liberty) to Brazil. The Sao Paulo government has offered up an abandoned building built in 1965 to the two architectural forces to be reckoned with to do what they please. The architects have a year to make it work.

I really like the idea of collaboration between those in need and the government on such a grassroots level. The inhabitation of abandoned buildings also seems like a good way to get things moving in a positive direction. Individuals living without a fixed address or in dismal public housing situations would be able to take control of their living situations, and abandoned city buildings could once again serve a purpose. Perhaps this notion may seem somewhat un-realistic in a city like Winnipeg I truly believe that with a little bit of guidance, collaboration between government, individual and design professionals, successes like what Coloco and Exyszt have observed may be possible.

Class Summary: EQ3 Tour

The tour to EQ3 was a nice change from being in school! I was excited to get a glimpse of the design world. I thought the presentation they gave at the beginning was interesting, and made me feel better about all the cardboard I so painstakingly cut: maybe one day I'll actually have to do it again. It would be really great to see your designs on the floor at the store, it is definitely a dream for me. I did feel as though the lifestyle did not seem as exciting as I imagined. I think that this feeling I had only reinforces the stress they put on the feasibility of your designs in the presentation. Do not fall in love with what you are creating! Inevitably changes will need to be made to get to the point of production, and that is reality. I think you get into design with a dream in your mind, and then the world kicks in and wakes you up. I think that that was the most important thing that I got out of the experience. I was disappointed however that such a new company was still so far behind in sustainability. It is these fresh young organizations that have the greatest power to make the right decisions from the get-go. I enjoyed the tour, and absolutely felt it was beneficial, but it did not leave me feeling as though I'll been knocking on their door in 5 years!

Class Reflection October 2

Our visit to EQ3 gave us the opportunity to witness how a successful (Winnipeg!) furniture company negotiates the integrity of their designs with the constraints of mass production. The design team's presentation of their design process, from inspiration to final product, was informative, and it revealed that the designers must balance their own esthetic desires with the perceived desires of the public, and of course, a financial bottom line. While EQ3 has become a successful company by producing reasonably priced, modern furnishings, I found it discouraging that their designs were more market then creative driven. While I understand that just as price is determined by the intersection of supply and demand, so too EQ3's products must sell to the masses, however, I must admit that all that beige left something to be desired.

Furthermore, I agree with Lindsey that it is discouraging that EQ3 does make sustainability more of a consideration in their designs. With several members of the EQ3 team being U of M ED grads I expected to see more initiative into ecological design and sustainable practices.

Looking good while helping the world

Multi disciplined designer Rogan Gregory is not only helping people in the world look better, but also starting a new eco ethical way to go about it. A product designer turned fashion designer, his diverse designs range from industrial furniture to edgy avant-garde styles in his Rogan collection to light and casual everyday wear in his Loomstate Collection.

For the purpose of this blog, the clothing line of focus is his third line, called Edun. What is so enticing about this specific line besides that he’s partnered up with Bono? Asides from the fact that the clothes are beautiful, they are also made in an eco-ethical fashion. The goal of Edun is “to bring trade not aid to developing nations”. I guess their motto goes after the old saying “give a man a fish; you have fed him for a day. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime”.  With production sites in Tunisia, Peru, and India they are able to meet demands while being able to give more focus to African sites, specifically Tunisia. Rogan and his partners realize the reality that it’s much easier and more cost efficient to source out of places like China, but have committed to creating sustainability wherever they go. Eventually, they would like to get to the point where the factories are benefiting as much as they are.

It's companies like Edun that are really making a difference. They are people who take the more complicated and most likely more expensive route so that more people are able to benefit. This just goest to show that no matter what discipline you're in, you have choices, but most often the right choices are harder to make into reality. What I think makes Rogan so successful is his ability to understand this paradox between sustainability and our culture. He understands that people aren't readily willing to change their way of life. He knows that people won't buy something that is lacking aesthetically, nor will he make it. By creating products that are eco-ethical, but don't compromise the quality of culture, Rogan is successfully making sustainability into reality. 

It would be beneficial for young companies such as EQ3 to look into eco-ethical ways of manufacturing. As innovators in modern design,  they can not only influence people's decisions in aesthetics but also begin a new wave of more sustainable manufacturing practices.

Class Summary: EQ3

EQ3 is a Winnipeg based company under the Palliser umbrella whose mission is to bring affordable modern design to the masses. Oft compared to Ikea their designs offer a clean unified aesthetic and are priced somewhat reasonably. The company is a well-oiled machine that runs smoothly thanks in large part to its integrated staff and close-knit design team. It was interesting to see what working for a large company would feel like and to see the gives and takes that occur when designing for the masses.

Recently our class went to their head offices to hear what their design team had to say. The presentation began with an overview of the EQ3 brand, mission statement expansion plans ect. Although already making a splash in Canada and overseas, EQ3 is still a very young company, only 7 years old. Based on EQ3 founder Peter Tielmann’s philosophy that modern design should be available inexpensively EQ3 designs for a certain demographic of trend conscious young professionals.

Tielmann seems to be focused on creating a more beautiful world whilst at the same time operating a profitable business. A lesson that, as design students, is important to learn. The design team cited the pressures of getting their designs manufactured cheaply and efficiently as their biggest constraint, which often means abandoning parts of a design, or their design as an entirely. I think that this is really important for us to understand, feasibility of the design can be more significant than the design itself. The challenge then becomes creating designs that are inspirational and beautiful whilst at the same time allow for ease of production.

The designers’ comments also helped to contextualize the importance of designing with a green lens. Most some of the manufacturing processes and materials used to create their products did not seem to be the most ecologically sound however, when pressed with a question on the matter - by bog group member Ms. Lindsey Weller - the design team passionately re-enforced the importance of green design. EQ3 has recognized that not only is designing with the concepts of ecology in mind important for the general progression of our environment but, perhaps more importantly, it sells. As I have bogged before we are seeing a huge interests in the environment and all creative fields are finding ways to incorporate principals of ecology and sustainability into their designs. EQ3 is no exception and has research and development teams working on finding more sustainable ways to manufacture their goods.

Although EQ3 does seem to be showing a commendable interest in converting some of their manufacturing processes into more eco-conscious alternatives, we are heading into a recession and the challenge of bridging the gap between green design and inexpensive design may become quite challenging. I think that this is something that, as potential designers, emphasizes the importance of making it our own prerogative to design products that can be manufactured easily and inexpensively.

When we took a tour of their factory, there were minimal amounts of workers and hundreds upon hundreds of boxes of product, a clear implication that much of their product is produced overseas. In fact, I believe that custom upholstery is compiles the bulk of what is produced here. I think that as fuel prices continue to rise manufacturing locally will become more and more important.

The presentation concluded with us being asked to design a chair. Throughout the presentation the design team talked at length about the difficulties in designing a chair. We all waited for our opportunity to flaunt our creative juices three of us won and were awarded EQ3 Harijuko figurines for a prize. The prizes also acted as an indicator of brilliant business EQ3 runs, in that they recognize the need to expand their brand beyond furniture. Our classmate’s designs that were chosen represented those that were both innovative but perhaps more importantly represented a certain ease of manufacturing.
All in all I found our trip to EQ3 informative and for those of us who are interested in industrial design I thought that it put into perspective what being employed for a large company could feel like, and things that we should start thinking about now, in terms of ways to keep our own design integrity while at the same time designing for someone else.

Reflections for October 2 Class EQ3

The trip to EQ3 was a great glimpse into a potential career path for graduates of this program. I found the insight from former grads to be informative and useful.  One of the many pieces of advice that really stuck out in my mind is about not getting too attached to your designs. When creating products in the real world, more economical solutions will often cause our original designs to change. Compromising is a skill we will need to learn to prepare for the business side of design. This was clearly demonstrated through the miniature chair design competition, where the chair picked was chosen because of the affordability to make it. Marcello's chair design was chic, but at the same time could easily be put into production because the molds already existed. I found the tour part of the factory a bit too quick, but nonetheless interesting to see the process a piece of furniture had to go through to end up in a store.

Brooklyn Hip to Sustainable Scene

When I conduct my continual search for designs that succeed and inspire, I have come to develop a certain criteria. In my view, a successful design must embody the spirit, needs, and desires of the user. Through creativity, its form should also communicate its function. The design should innovate in favor of the natural environment and finally, the design should reflect a care for esthetic beauty and detail.

Brooklyn's children's museum expansion designed by Rafael Vinoly Architects, is the latest installment in my search. The museum's expansion opens this fall, and it provides a lovely example of incorporating human factors and sustainable design, without sacrificing esthetic beauty. The museum's whimsical facade creates an inviting entry and reflects its young patrons. Inside the structure, the architects have further integrated their users by employing children's ergonomics to develop handrails and installing porthole windows at different heights, accommodating their various sized clients. The architects have thoughtfully communicated the purpose of the building through its functional, and esthetic details. But perhaps most importantly, they have also made it New York's first LEED Silver Certified museum.

Here is an example of designers who have taken a holistic approach to design. They have succeeded in creating something beautiful, fun, user centered, and sustainable. I hope to do the same!

Building your own wind turbine

Backyard wind turbines would be a great and cheap way to generate power in a city as windy as Winnipeg. By building our own sources to generate energy we can starting giving back to the system not to mention save ourselves a whole lot of cash. Here is the definitive guide to making your own wind turbine for under $150! The astronomer (yes he's probably a genius but he claims its really not that hard) who built the turbine gives you a detailed step by step list of instructions, breaks down all the prices of parts, even showing the prices of generators on eBay. 

Click to find out how to harness energy in your own back yard.

The road to finding alternate energy sources able to sustain our wants and needs is not going to be an easy one. We all need to work hard and be self motivated to think of our own solutions instead of waiting for solutions to be discovered by someone else. Because the more ideas we come up with, the better armed we will be to face the many problems we need to confront.

Class Reflections , October 2nd, 2008

For as long as I’ve known of the EQ3 design store I had no idea that it was founded and based in Winnipeg. It was interesting to see former environmental design students working for such a company, actually realizing their own designs and having them recognized globally. However, as Lindsey mentioned, I found it strange that such a young company put little emphasis on sustainable design initiatives specific to EQ3. Despite this, awareness of this issue was very present in the designers. They expressed the difficulty of implementing sustainable design practices when a company’s priorities put little weight on environmental awareness.
It also dawned on me how impersonal design truly is, and I know that this is a reality, but somehow I still believe that design must fulfill a personal desire on top of everything else. There are so many niches in the design realm. The possibilities are endless, and although a part of me still loves flipping through catalogues filled with the latest season’s trendy furniture and sleek accessories, I’m not quite sure I find myself contributing to that aspect of design.

Touching the Earth Lightly

With so much innovation occurring in the design world today, particularly sustainable design, I find it incredibly hard to pick and choose the ones I like most. Sometimes however, one really thoughtful, creative design or designer manages to push all the boundaries and stand out among the rest. One that I find fulfills all of these requirements is Lambert Kamps and his Air Bridge design. Perhaps what I find most intriguing about his designs are the concepts behind them and the fact that he uses air as a main part of the structure. One idea he emphasizes in this project is that not all things in the built environment need to stand as permanent structures, but can exist only when they are needed and disappear when they are not. The Air Bridge is essentially an inflatable tube-like bridge that is temporarily blown up to extend up to 15 meters and hold up to 12 people at a time in its tunnel. The beauty of his design is maybe not so much in the practicality of it, but more so in the experience. Imagine bouncing along a long pillow of air floating above the water’s surface. This is a structure that literally touches the earth lightly. I like to think that there are times when foregoing function for experience is accepted in the design world, and I feel that this is just one of those instances.
I fell upon Lambert Kamps’ designs in a little book called XS. The book features designs that center on conserving space and ecological sensitivity. Among this one are many other ingenious designs that may well redefine the way we approach contemporary architecture.

Here is a link to Lambert Kamps webpage