Seeing in Color...group model

Seeing in Color

self-reflection

1. This course has opened my eyes to design. Before I would have only noticed if it was a pretty building, space or object. However by taking this course, I notice whether the building, space or object is well designed and useful for the everyday life. I think to myself, is it a safe place or object, what is its purpose, is it functional and so on. By taking this course I have a better understanding and appreciation for design and all aspects of design. When designing for projects now and for later tasks, I have the knowledge of different characteristics I may incorporate in my own design.

2. Le Corbusier is a well-known designer and architect. He is best known for his modern outlook on design and protecting the environment. One of his most famous is Villa Savoye. Modernism can be seen all throughout the building. It is free of a structure frame. Bands of windows wrap around the structure to allow as much natural light possible. The building does not sit on the ground, which allows for an open area that is covered for outdoor functions and is weather protected. The roof is where the actual landscape appears. This is where green design comes into play. We as designers and architects still are trying to bring modernism and green design to the world. Slowly but surely it is making its way to a new way of designing for the 21st century.



3. Even though we seem to always turn back to the past when it comes to designing, there are innovative methods to all past designs. Today, the big “thing” is going “green”. With green products one can get recycled products that sometimes feel but definitely look like the real thing. Hardwood floor is a good example. Real hardwood floor is bad for the environment by depleting natural resources. By using recycled hardwood floor there is less tree’s that are cut down. Although “going green” is great for the environment, not everyone is so keen on it. Changing the way a person lives or does something is a very difficult undertaking. People today still do not accept change very well. But when a new idea comes about such as “going green” it takes years for people to understand and appreciate what has been done and or will do.



4. Educations in the 1950’s and the 1960’s have had a large influence in the way students are educated today. During the 50’s and 60’s disabled children were allowed to attend school. Currently, they are allowed in public schools and treated like any other student. Desegregation was just beginning in the 50’s and 60’s allowing African Americans to attend the same schools as white children. In today’s world one may see many different races in a school. Back then more people were starting to attend school. The GI Bill had been created allowing veterans to attend college paid by the military. Today this still stands and even more people are attending college. In college today age, race, or gender does not matter.

My Sister's House Team Statement

The Combination of geometric and organic shapes flowing through the space gives a sense of embracing and comfort.

My Sister's House Narrative

With all the many charrettes, project analysis, and researched artists and so on, I have progressed in understanding and designing of My Sister's House. The charrettes are small but helps me as well as my team to gradually progress in our design. The project analysis have helped me to progress as well. They allow me to see what I have done wrong, missed or need to improve on. It is always best to have other opinions. The researched artist have allowed my team and I to see many ways of design in our decade. There is sculptors, painters, fashion designers, architects and more. They each have characteristics that we took to inspire they way we wanted My Sister's House to look and feel. Our inspirations were mainly shapes, color, community, comfort and embracing.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Dragon Fire October 5, 2007

Our goal for my sister’s house is to allow the design to provide a welcoming, calming, and safe atmosphere while encouraging a positive outlook on life.


Today is my first day visiting the shelter where I’ll be staying for a while.
I’m excited and nervous at the same time.
Okay, I’m here and the place looks really nice from the outside.
It’s a uniquely constructed building, unlike the other plain shelters I’ve seen.
It’s time to see what the inside is like.
I walk into the lounge area and am overwhelmed with the sensation of being at home.
The room is suited perfectly for my son and me.
He points out how cool the recycled blue jean couches and curtains are.
He wants to take the pair he has on and make something with them.
I ask him if we could wait until he grows out of them, that shouldn’t take long.
I appreciate how resourceful they are by reusing the jeans; maybe they could let me in on a few tricks.
As we stroll into the kitchen my eyes are drawn to some very attractive cabinets.
I’ve never seen cabinets like these before.
They look like glass but feel more like plastic and they seem to have been dyed in a ray of beautiful colors.
This room is already one of my favorites,
it instantly raised my spirits.
There’s also fencing hanging horizontally from the ceiling used to hang pots and pans,
another resourceful idea.
Next we go into an office area,
another one of my favorites.
The room is sectioned off into private areas by using these dividers that look and feel a lot like the cabinets in the kitchen.
The dividers open and close by simply pulling them one way or the other.
This room will be perfect for when I need to do my schoolwork.
I’m about to be starting high school so I’m sure I’ll have a lot.
Finally I make my way over to our room.
It’s very nice and already has a few decorations.
There are several lamps hanging that are made from that same plastic-glass material I saw earlier in the kitchen and office.
They’re so cute and look like they came straight out of the 50s.
This place is amazing and I’m so blessed to finally have a place for me and my son to call home.