Last Class Reflection

The past semester has challenged, enlightened, worked, and inspired me. When I saw Judith's heading of "Reflections from our last class" I honestly felt quite sad! I'm not sure that this blog is a forum for discussing feelings though, so on that note, and in a more intellectual manner, I would like to reflect briefly the last class lecture, and then I would like to touch on the class as a whole.

The presentation of green roofs during the last class gave me further insight into the possibility of integrating non-traditional landscapes into the urban context. What is it about Germany? The last lecturer originates in this design hot bed and her presentation reflected the innovative values that seem to inform many German designs. I believe that to create these innovative designs, narratives are critical. The speaker's presentation demonstrated how narratives informed, shaped, and strengthened her garden designs.

Although Jae mentioned that he did not want us to blog on his installment of our last Natural and Human Systems lecture, I am compelled to. His presentation intrigued me because it outlined the kind of alternative projects that can be explored in architecture. When Jae presented some of his projects I understood more clearly what he reiterated throughout the class, he has advised us to become deeply involved in the culture of design. His photographs of late night meetings and collaborations with artists and designers reflect the kind of experiences I hope to have. His projects were innovative and conceptually strong, and this is the kind of design I want to participate in in the future.

As this class has shifted Judith's appreciation of natural systems, my perceptions have also changed. I am starting to experience the pull and the culture of design. This class has made me realize the relevance of everything, especially in an era of sustainability. Designs that succeed, that count, consider and account for as many factors as possible. We have learned that these factors are cultural, economic, social, sustainable, esthetic, sensory, and the list goes on and on and on...

Reflections for Last Class

Our last lecture for the semester was given to us by Anna, a professor from the landscape department. Originally from Germany, Anna brought to the class a huge knowledge base of green roof's and a variety of different practices. The green roofs that were shown as examples from Germany were outstanding. Some places looked as if you wouldn't even know you had neighbours because the buildings and its rooftops were completely outfitted with greenery. The main difference in the number of green roof's here in Winnipeg versus Germany was not due to climatic factors, but instead the difference in our laws. In Germany, developers must compensate to add more green space if they are to build something. This is a concept that Winnipeg should definitely start looking into. 

The different layers that are needed to create a green roof and different soil levels to accommodate certain plants were explained to us. We also learned the difference between a Green Roof and a Roof Garden, the latter being accessible to the public and the prior only used for ecological purposes. Some may say green roof's are "tarting up  a building", but I believe green roofs are an excellent way of integrating the built form and nature. The roofs provides us with heating and cooling services and water retention, at the same time putting green landscapes back into the city.

Jae ended the semester with an anecdotal experience in his architecture career involving, 14 cats, a dying woman, and a grow op. My views about design have definitely changed and expanded as a result of Natural and Human Systems. My human-centric thoughts that design is for people first has definitely changed with the realization that architects design for everyone and everything (including cats). I must say overall I really enjoyed the variety of people who lectured in our class. I found the blog to be extremely effective in getting students to explore all the innovative types of designs and technologies out already in development or practice.

Class Reflection: Last Class!

It is incredible to think that we are almost through an entire semester. It was a long time, that seemed some how to fly by all at the same time. I feel as though everyone around me has learned so much, and already come such a long was as designers. This class did exactly what Jae intended it to: stimulate out minds and support our design process and understanding. I am happy to say that I have learned alot from this class and have developed a strong appreciation for the importance of the systems that weave everything we interact with together. This has also scared and even overwhelmed me in that the considerations that should be addressed as designers are endless.

The term came to a close with a lecture from a German green roof expert (who is the wife of the German landscape architect who presented in a previous class). I was not aware of the specifications that came with green roofs. This just goes to show how far ahead Germany is. It is so amazing that they have legislation that forces people to compensate for any destruction of nature! If only we could follow in their footsteps. The only way for major change to take place is through the government. We saw this in the comparison of areas on either side of the American border, along the Alberta area. I enjoyed seeing the projects that she had done, they made me even more interested in landscape as a focus. I love the idea of picking out specific trees to fit in a certain space. It really must feel good to be a part of bringing nature into a space.

Class Reflection, November 27, 2008

The presentation on green roofs by Anna, (a professor from the landscape department) really helped clear my mind of some biases that may have altered some of my own thoughts on green roofs. I am intrigued to discover the cultural history and folklore behind the conception of green roofs, having always retained this idea that green roofs were quite modern and a only a recent response to a lack of green space in our urban centers. I especially loved Anna’s own landscape project entitled Five Courtyards, which demonstrated a kind of natural containment, where the vegetation kept within certain boundaries while maintaining it’s natural state and growth patterns. The challenge is in choosing the right species for the right space, and avoiding the possibility of placing restrictions on things that do change and grow. This surrendering to the natural environment and allowance to take it’s own pace is what I find so refreshing about environmental design.