coming full circle

[COMMUNITY]
definition - a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage ; a locality inhabited by such a group (dictionary.com)

Communities are everywhere from an apartment complex to a certain group of friends to an actual town. To give a general example, over the course of first year interior architecture, we have all formed a special bond that has made us our own little community apart from the rest of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. To refer more to learning of this week, Leland M. Roth reflects upon rising communities of the later 1900s. Roth points out how Euro-American Modernism accomplished and reaffirmed communities. He defined a community as being a place to "create environments for groups of people living and working together in ancestral traditional ways" (Roth, 607). New projects were being conducted to rehouse entire villages, which started the creation of housing complexes. What made housing complexes so successful is that they have "a consistent design that results in a related family of forms and [...] an appropriateness of scale and an organization of spaces that arise from the ethos of those who will live there " (Roth, 607). Areas that are sometimes seasonal also tend to create communities, for example renting houses at a seaside resort creates a certain community in summer months. Roth also talks about smaller communities by mentioning Seaside, Florida. In this community, designers Andre Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk wanted to create a "community based on movement on foot" (Roth, 607) and was able to achieve this by shortening the distances between buildings. This seaside example shows that communities can be formed in all sorts of ways to accomplish different types of communities.

An original community that I have experienced during the summer months is in Oak Bluff's, Martha's Vineyard. Oak Bluffs is a fairly small town on the island of Martha's Vineyard and in the middle of the town, there is a circle community of what is now called gingerbread houses. These houses have been around for decades and have created a community within themselves separate from the rest of the small town of Oak Bluffs. It is a very interesting place to visit as it is simply a small circle of petite houses that are designed and shaped just like gingerbread houses. They are owned by people who like to decorate and paint their houses in all different colors. Similar to the Seaside community in Florida, the gingerbread community houses are located within inches from one another, not allowing for any automobiles, just walking and socializing with those on the porch next to yours. This circle is so much of a community that they even have a community common area in the center of the circle neighborhood where announcements are given and small events are held. The small community is also equipt with its own mini church for the 80 or so residents.



[INNOVATION]
definition - something new or different introduced (dictionary.com)

In architecture and design, new ideas are usually always introduced, even if some aspects are borrowed from previous times. The most recent and commonly talked about innovation in architecture since the late 1900s is the idea of sustainability. According to Roth, considering sustainability in architecture is by "designing architecture to support and facilitate human community [that] arises from the social concern for the safety and continuance of the human family" (Roth, 608). What Roth means is that designers and architects are now looking towards the concern of the planet and using building materials that require less intrusive extraction of the raw materials and less toxic production processes, and less consumption of nonrenewable energy. The Proximity Hotel right here in Greensboro, North Carolina Built is recognized as the "greenest" hotel in America as it uses 40% less energy and 30% less water than a comparable hotel. The Proximity features ultra efficient materials and the latest in building technology with Otis' Gen2 elevators, which reduces net energy usage by capturing the system’s energy and feeds it back into the building’s internal electrical grid and 100 solar panels on the roof generate energy to heat water. In addition, it incorporates oversized windows which allow abundant natural light and fresh air. More improvements like these are what researchers believe could change the future for the better.


[STEWARDSHIP]
definition - the position of someone who is appointed by an organization or group to supervise the affairs of that group at certain functions (dictionary.com)

As the Proximity is a great example of where the future needs to be, all the talk about sustainability is greater than the actual effort. The Proximity is a great example of a start to stewardship. It is a building that took all measures to create a completely sustainable building. Massey relates to sustainability as an overriding issue that “has grown in importance on a global level, and for the field of design generally. As awareness about issues such as scarce resources and global warming is raised, so government policy in the developed world calls for a more responsible use of precious materials and energy” (Massey, 219). The use of different materials from renewable sources and material processes are in demand, especially with interior designers. For example, some woods are being banned to stop deforestation, so other materials like bamboo, which is renewable, is more desired. More architects and designers are starting to be stewards, but others also need to take hold of these principles and really start changing the world around us. Otherwise, this eco-friendly goal is never going to be achieved and the earth is never going to be saved.


[AUTHENTICITY]
definition - The quality or condition of being authentic, trustworthy, or genuine or not corrupted from the original (dictionary.com)

Authenticity is a great quality to have as it can achieve personal independence, growth and overall, a better self. To connect these ideas to design and what I have learned from first year interior architecture is that I believe authenticity = personal style. Teachers and fellow students can give their opinions and tell me what they would change about projects, but in the end, its something that I create and design. All designs must make sense to the project assignment, but also to me. I need to like the final product to be able to turn it in. Sometimes I feel like this aspect of design and my style growth has been lost in some of my projects because I took too many of the ideas from teachers to try and understand what they were saying. These projects ended up being more of other peoples design styles rather than my own. Once I realized this, I was able to make a compromise, some turning out in a success, others not. Successes and failures are always hard to call, but I feel I have taken the time to distinguish a style that is represented in most of my work. In the end, authenticity is what having your own design and style is all about. Its original -- its your own -- its something that signifies how you see things and that can, but never should be changed.

For my Sacred Space model project, I came up with an idea that I loved and I followed my gut. To me it was extremely successful in all ways and requirements of the project, but the overall success or failure is unknown yet:


The other part to the Sacred Space project was to create a board that resembled our design in many ways. Even though most of the ideas that came through to the final product were mine to begin with, I took into consideration suggestions that were given to me early on in the plan critique. I feel this product has also resulted in a high level of success:

linking material cut-outs to where they are located in the room shown by the perspective - an idea I created.

[IN SUMMARY]...architecture is something that has been around for thousands of years and as time goes on, problems and changes come about. Over the years, architecture has been the provider for forming communities, starting innovations, prompted stewards and overall creating numerous authenticities. From the start of the ancient times to modernism now, these facts hold true. It has made one of the biggest impact on human lives whether or not everyone realizes it. Completely the full circle from the words of Roth, "Architecture is the art we cannot escape; it is over, under, and around us virtually every second of our lives. [...] It [is] impossible to say how architecture around the globe will develop in the century now opening -- except to say that it will be ever changing and stimulating" (Roth, 612).

[PAIRING] down

[MEDITATION : CELEBRATION]
definitions :
meditation - continued or extended thought; reflection; contemplation (dictionary.com)
celebration - to observe with ceremonies of respect, festivity, or rejoicing (dictionary.com)

In Design Studio, we are to design a space for graduate students to be able to go and have a sense of meditation and celebration. Creating this type of space for a student is very important, especially an IAR student. From a long day and night of stress day after day, it should be essential that one can go and reside to a place of comfort and relaxation: to refuel. The space, however, should also be a place of social and pleasing situations where students can go and converse with each other. The room that we are testing our design skills on is located in the Gatewood Studio Building, which creates restrictions of how much we can do with the space. For me, I find the water and anything related to the ocean very relaxing, but it is also a place of pleasure and comfort to just hang out. The ocean soon became my inspiration for my meditation and celebration space. To separate the conditions in a public and private sense, I created a glass wall with stones in it to be natural, but also a barrier. The private space being a place for meditation has minimal furniture, low qualities of light and open space. My celebration space is more for those who want to go to chill and socialize, which is why I created the entrance way to lead to this space with box chair seating. Many of the forms and shapes of my design are organic, which I feel can be incorporated into both a meditation space and a celebration space. Using color, light and shapes have all contributed in my design for a spectacular space under these certain emotions.

[LIGHT : SHADOW]
definitions :
light - an illuminating agent or source (dictionary.com)
shadow - a dark figure or image cast on the ground or some surface by a body intercepting light (dictionary.com)

Considering light is greatly important in design because it effects moods and casts shadows that influence the design. In the space that I created for graduate students, I used light and shadow in developing a meditation and a celebration space. My celebration space is a large open room that is full of light, but the light is dulled because of my window fixtures of frosted glass with small holes that let light shine through. Instead of letting light blaze through, the holes create intricate lights of color on the floor. The meditation room, however, is located in the east, not allowing a lot of light shine in at any hour of the day. For this space, I decided to keep the windows regular, letting in as much sunlight as possible. I also created a clear wall with rocks in it that allows for some light to stream into the private space.


[TRANSPOSE : JUXTAPOSE]
definitions :
transpose - to change the relative position, order, or sequence of (dictionary.com)
juxtapose - to place close together or side by side, esp. for comparison or contrast (dictionary.com)

Transpose and juxtapose are greatly reflected in my Precedent Analysis building for Patrick's Design Theory and History class. In a March 1999 article of the Washington Post, journalists questioned whether "[Can] a single building bring a whole city back to life? More precisely, can a single modern building designed for an shipyard by a laid-back California architect breath new economic and cultural life into a decaying industrial city in the Spanish rust belt?"The city of Bilbao wanted to emphasize culture in its efforts to attract new businesses, create a tourist industry and maybe even support new jobs. The Guggenheim Museum became that key component for this Revitalization Plan of Metropolitan Bilbao. This city plan aimed to transform the city into a service metropolis within a modern industrial region in the European arena. As the saying goes, “location is key”, the Guggenheim accomplishes this theory very well by bringing the community to the water and attracting tourists from all over as it juxtaposes the surrounding city. It is also an industrial area providing the focus for numerous other urban regenerations that are transforming the city and is a catalyst for development in the former warehouse district. Juxtaposing the Guggenheim with the surrounding city of Bilbao, the effect creates a transformation that is needed and wanted.

[LITERAL : ABSTRACT]
definitions :
literal - following the words of the original very closely and exactly ; not figurative or metaphorical (dictionary.com)
abstract - expressing a quality or characteristic apart from any specific object or instance (dictionary.com)

If I were to explain one concept that first year IAR has taught me was to be abstract instead of literal. Coming into the program, I was creative, but now I am a different creative. Our first assignment to create a space for a leaf was the hardest battle I had to face yet so far. The assignment seemed so foreign to me because it required you to think "outside of the box". My first ideas and sketchmodels were extremely literal, as were many of my classmates. During critique, Tommy made many of us realize the difference between the two ideas. My final product ended up being a window or pocket that only let part of the leaf be shown, which allowed us to view the beautiful qualities of the leafs' veins. As the year went on, IAR has now trained me to think differently and now it is hard to go back to a literal sense. The most recent abstraction that I created was the window project, but I feel my celebration and light model incorporates more on an abstract image clearer. With its random shapes colliding into one another creates this image that can be interpreted in many ways according to the viewer. No one way is right with an abstract image, but a literal image has a general meaning. For example, most of my drawings for my building board are literal images - exactly like a photograph.

abstract --^

literal --^

[MONOLOGUE : DIALOGUE]
definitions :
monologue - a form of dramatic entertainment, comedic solo, or the like by a single speaker ; a prolonged talk or discourse by a single speaker (dictionary.com)
dialogue - conversation between two or more persons (dictionary.com)

The intention of my design for the window project was to create a piece that served as a monologue and a dialogue keeping in line with the requirements of light effects. I accomplished these qualities in my design through its shapes and structure. The different sized squares complement each other in the structure creating a certain monologue within the design. The shapes and components speak to each other in an orderly and meditative way. Even though they are organized in a disordered way, the simple shapes hold harmony throughout it the overall project. To expand even further, I designed the structure in a way to create a dialogue with the exterior view outside my window. In some of the boxes, I put a backing on them with holes that were drilled through to mimic the silver cylinder that is connected to the outdoor metal shop. The way my boxes frame and mimic elements of the outdoors creates a reaction of celebration for the exterior moving beyond the expectations of the project.


[IN SUMMARY]...all the words from this week are determinants of design and its elements. By saying this, I mean that they are all terms that can be used to describe a design and what to consider when you are designing.

action verbs

[SPECULATE]
definition - to engage in thought or reflection; meditate (dictionary.com)

This past week, I traveled to Boone, North Carolina to experience a little more of the south before I went back home to Rhode Island. With fellow friends from Boone, I experienced my first hike of the North Carolina mountains. As we reached the top of our climb, I was amazed at the spectacular view. The layers and layers of mountains served as a great place to connect with nature and feel a sense of meditation. It was a great place for letting your mind wander and to just observe God's creation was an uplifting experience. I could have sat on that top rock for hours speculating everything as my mind opened and all troubles seemed to go away. I feel it is very important for everyone to find a place like this where they can go and feel a sense of relief and be able to think and reflect. My typical place for meditation is by the ocean from where I live, but now that my life is in North Carolina for months at a time, it was important for me to find this place in the mountains to be able to escape to in times of meditation. After letting your mind rest, it is then also easier to bring new ideas and designs to my projects.



[COMPOSE]
definition - to make or form by combining things, parts, or elements (dictionary.com)

Combining things, parts or elements is always a hurtle in design that must be jumped. In Design Drawing, we practiced how to create a drawing composition using either our Fallingwater or Monticello experience. For my composition, I chose to reflect my ideas about Fallingwater because I enjoyed its organic forms and the ideas of nature coming together forming an inspirational image. To create our overall image, we gathered various images of the interiors and exterior, plan and elevations and created a layout combining all elements and chose a medium. I felt most confident in watercolor for this piece because I felt it would be more successful in blending colors and images together to create an overall more "flowing" composition. I found this project beneficial, enjoyable and I was mildly pleased with the result of my composition.

--picture of suzannes project

[ENERGIZE]
definition - to give energy to; rouse into activity (dictionary.com)

When composing my MDF model that was to incorporate light and shadow, I also kept in mind the idea of creating energy within my piece. My celebration story was of a surprise party that was given to me years ago, which is a very happy and energetic event. My natural object also had a sense of energy as it was a ball of spiky, distorted triangles protruding from a center. For my project, I created a design that involved numerous distorted triangles that formed a intertwining design that reflected light in a special and intricate way. The random triangles and the way they were arranged created a very energetic and exciting feel. Energy can be created in many forms and medium, such as shapes, colors or textures. A group of painters between the years of 1905 and 1908 tended to use "vivid colours in shocking contrasts", which was their way of creating energy in their pieces (Massey, 95). These techniques of major contrasts and dramatic colors shaped the Art Deco period.



[SHAPE]
definition - the quality of a distinct object or body in having an external surface or outline of specific form or figure (dictionary.com)

Everything and everyone is a shape. In art and design, we are forced to look at shapes and understand them. Different shapes created different moods and have certain purposes whatever their function may be. For my studio project, I designed a piece that worked with light and one repeat shape of various sizes: the square. I used the square in a stacking, random way with overlapping or no overlapping. I feel the square is a very harmonious shape which reflected in my project as a meditation piece, but also celebrating certain squares with different light effects. Some of the squares are large with some being smaller. Also some squares have a transparent blue-backing on them or others have a backing with various holes that create a sparkling effect when light shines through, which creates a celebration for each of these boxes. Shapes are very important in art and design. Even Winston Churchill realized how important shape was when he said that “we shape our buildings, and afterward our buildings shape us.” (Roth, 515). Moving forward, something as simple as a square can create many feelings and artistic opinions.

-picture of my box project and maybe a sketch of it

[STRETCH]
definition - to extend, spread, or place (something) so as to reach from one point or place to another ; to extend, force, or make serve beyond the normal or proper limits (dictionary.com)

Always told to "stretch your imagination" and think "outside the box" to be successful in art and design. For me at first, this concept was very hard for me to pick up. I used to be a strict literal thinker and through the projects of first year interior architecture, my mind has opened up and I have broadened my horizons to think in a more abstract way. For centuries, designers and architects could not get away from previous ideas of the ages, but finally, architect Frank Lloyd Wright stepped away from the norm and created a new "stretched" idea to Modernism. Frank Lloyd Wright "could not accept the restrictions of the Modern Movement, rejecting its characteristic use of pilotis and regular blocks. In the 1930’s, Wright continued to develop his own personal style which he considered more expressive of American values” (Massey, 85). Wright incorporated nature in his pieces by using rock-masonry walls, walnut furniture and fixings and huge windows that create harmony from the inside out.With his organic style of Modernism, Wright became recognized through the ages and has created truly remarkable buildings, such as Fallingwater, which we visited a few weekends ago.



[IN SUMMARY]...each of the words provided this week have to do with bringing feelings to projects. For me, being able to de-stress in the North Carolina mountains was a great tool for me to later be able to compose projects. These projects are usually intended from the start to have a certain feel. The project I explained, I aimed to create a very energetic design through the shapes and arrangement or composition of my pieces. All of these ideas for a project require us as designers and artist to stretch our minds and think differently than normal minds. That is what makes us successful and unique, as well as our projects.

roadtrip

First year Interior Architecture took a [ROADTRIP] to Virginia and Pennsylvania to witness some magnificent pieces of architecture and design. The trip was a wonderful learning experience of Monticello and Fallingwater and was fun! I dedicate most this week's OPUS to my traveling experiences...


[ROOTS]
definition- the source or origin of a thing (dictionary.com)

In both Monticello and Fallingwater, Thomas Jefferson and Frank Lloyd Wright both kept the concepts in the roots of their design. In Jefferson's design of Monticello, he kept to its roots by using natural materials from his land to create materials for the building. He used the clay to make brick, masonry of stone for the cellar and columns, and the surrounding trees for structural timber, as were the nails for the remodeled house. By using what was available to him, Jefferson was able to keep to the roots of Virginia. Jefferson wished to capture a Roman Neoclassicism design, which he did, in addition to adding American roots, especially in his entrance room with Native American artifacts hung all over the walls. As we moved along on our roadtrip, we also encountered Fallingwater, which stuck to its roots of its landscape. Wright successfully incorporated the roots of the houses' location on a hillside over a waterfall by creating a design that integrated well into the landscape with layers that are simple and nature-looking. A majority of the house is made of natural rock and the large level sections remind me of large rocks and from the inside out, all the windows make you feel like you are connected to nature.

[COMPRESSION/RELEASE]
definitions:
compression- to press together; force into less space; to cause to become a solid mass; to condense, shorten, or abbreviate (dictionary.com)
release- to give up; to free from confinement (dictionary.com)

Compression and release are opposites that effect the look and feel of anything. In terms of room design, compression and release relate to different feelings of openness or closeness.

In Fallingwater, Wright uses both ideas in different areas of his residence. In all the rooms in the house, Wright designed the ceiling to be lower than normal, not only because he believed it was space that could be used, but to also create a sense of compression that subconsciously makes you feel like you belong in the space, as it is slightly taller than an average person. While walking through the house, I felt this idea was most recognized in the bedrooms as they were smaller in size as well as shorter (meaning the ceiling). Wright also created a release in his design of Fallingwater by combining his main living area with his dining area, creating what is called a great room. By combing the living styles into one room means that no walls are separating or designating a space. This creates a large, open and spacious area that provides a sense of freedom and activity. The walls of windows that Wright uses to border the entire room adds to the feel of relaxation and pleasure of the space. A benefit of a great room is that it provides for more entertainment and larger social events. During the tour, the tour guide mentioned how the Kaufmann's would host parties in their great room, which was a new concept in the early 1900s.

[CONGRUENCE]
definition- the quality or state of agreeing or corresponding (dictionary.com)

Whenever designing a space, it is essential that the environment in which it surrounds is considered. If a building does not coordinate with its surroundings, the structure looks out of place and may stand out negatively. Fortunately, both Jefferson and Wright considered the spaces in which their designs were to go and created a positive relationship with the building and its environment that made it be considered "good design".

Monticello is designed on the outside to be very grand and massive-looking, which relates to the effect that it is on top of a large hill, that if the building was smaller, it would look miss-placed. Monticello also takes great advantage of light source that is provided by the lack of trees around the building with multiple skylights, letting natural light flood into many rooms of the house. This additional lighting "enlarges" the rooms, creating a special relationship with natural light. Fallingwater has great congruence with its surroundings. As Massey points out, Fallingwater is “built on a rocky hillside, the concrete structure cantilevers over a waterfall. The emphasis is on the organic, with rock-masonry walls, N.C. walnut furniture and fittings, and huge windows creating a harmony between the natural beauty of the setting and the interior living space” (Massey, 85). Congruence is established between the use of materials, design of horizontals and verticals, and natural surroundings of Fallingwater.


[MATERIALITY]
definition- material nature or quality (dictionary.com)

The use of material is just as important as a building's congruence with its environment. In a way, material and congruence go hand-in-hand. If a material does not suit the design, the final product is not going to look right. The solution that Jefferson and Wright took to this approach was to use materials that were native to the land or that look like its surroundings. Jefferson used most of his materials from the land for Monticello, such as the clay, masonry and timber. The use of the land material makes the building look like its suited for its environment and is a successful congruence. Fallingwater also incorporates materials that are not necessarily from the environment in which its located, but the materials that are used have the same look and feel like its natural surroundings. “Wright adapted a design of horizontals and verticals and the use of natural materials to create a uniquely American style of expression” (Massey, 51). This past week, we also explored materials by researching and making a "material board". The materials I learned about were copper, granite and teak. The most interesting things I learned about these materials is that copper is used for most , granite is popular for rockclimbing and teak is .

[CONCEPT]
definition- an idea of something formed by mentally combining all its characteristics or particulars; a directly conceived or intuited object of thought (dictionary.com)

All the qualities of design are formed around a certain concept or set of ideas that come together to create something with meaning. Jefferson wanted to show off his creation and wanted Monticello to be seen. This concept was achieved by its location and environment. Monticello is set on top a massive hill that overlooks the towns below. The structure is placed with very few trees around it, making it even easier to see than if it were surrounded by trees. Monticello's desire for openness contrasted Wrights idea for his home. Instead, he wanted to create a private place for his family to vacation. To create this idea, Fallingwater is set way back in the woods of Pennsylvania next to a secluded waterfall. This way, his family could enjoy being together without any other people bothering them as they were completely away from other civilization.

[IN SUMMARY]...the different aspects of a piece of architecture, roots, compression/release, congruence, materials, and the concept, are all important to understand. Being familiar with these these terms will help when designing and learning about or describing spaces in general. Especially a buildings roots and material are important to appreciate the structure. Learning about these words and connecting them to our roadtrip, I have developed more of an appeal for Monticello and Fallingwater --- more than I already had from the personal experience.

between silence + light

[CRAFT]
definition - an art, trade, or occupation requiring special skill, esp. manual skill (dictionary.com)

In any art form, craft is essential. Craft reflects skill, craftsmanship and knowledge in any way that it is created. During the Arts and Crafts Movement of the later half of the 20th century, social reformer William Morris believed that good design was linked with a good society. Anne Massey points out that this movement believed in "turn[ing] our artists into craftsmen and our craftsmen into artists" (Massey, 12). This meant that the designs were to be of the people for the people and a source of pleasure to the maker and the user. People thought it would be better for all if individual craftsmanship was revived and the worker would produce beautiful objects as opposed to products of mass production. Handcrafted work aimed to direct availability for the middle class particularly, however, due to new materials of iron and glass, expenses and time made it usually only possible for the more wealthy to purchase these new creations.

Recently, our class traveled to Virginia and Pennsylvania to experience the architecture created by Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater. Both of the pieces we visited had some problems with craft that resources are dealing with now, however, when considering the time periods they were constructed, both forms represent great craft. Monticello, which is located in Charlotteville, VA, began construction in 1769 and was complete 1809. It is a great example of craft as a whole and of its individual parts. Most of the materials used to build the building were made right there at Monticello: the bricks, the nails, the hinges and the structural timber and the limestone for making mortar, were quarried on Jefferson's land. As mentioned in the guided tour, all of the hinges left in the house now are the original hinges that Jefferson brought to the design in the 18th century. A great learning source was provided on the lower grounds of Monticello that express Jefferson's need to fine craft and self-sufficiency:

As this sign illustrates, Jefferson would have his own slaves at the young age of ten to sixteen to do his personal blacksmith and woodworking for Monticello. Taken from a letter that Jefferson wrote to Benjamin Austin Monticello, he believed that "to be independent for the comforts of life we must fabricate them ourselves". From this belief came the manufacturing of 5,000 to 10,000 constructed handwrought nails a day by the children slaves. Although it seems cruel, Jefferson's eye for craft reflected in the over construction and look of his design. Below is a sketch I drew while examining the building from the outside in the back of the building.

Similar to Monticello, Wright wanted to create Fallingwater as a spectacular building. First of all, Wright designed and built the structure into a hillside over a thirty-foot waterfall. This could only happen in the years of construction between 1936 and 1939 by the use of new technologies. Although it was only possible to understand the structure, geometry and physics to build the house, over time, craft has decreased through material sense as the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has been forced to replace pieces of the building, such as the windows. This flaw, however, does not overpower the decision that Fallingwater is a high craft structure. The photograph below is one that I captured during the trip at Fallingwater.


Craft is also thought of something being clean, perfect, timeless, and incorporating a datum. When walking through Fallingwater, I was immediately drawn to the low square, bright-colored seats that Wright had designed himself. They are very clean cut, still in "mint" condition today and incorporate a physical datum right through the center of the seat horizontally, but also a datum of idea and purpose. I feel the design is very unique and appreciate its sense of craft.




-picture i drew of monticello
-frank lloyd wrights chair

[PUBLIC/PRIVATE]
definitions:
public - open to all persons (dictionary.com)
private - belonging to some particular person or confined to or intended only for the persons immediately concerned (dictionary.com)

In architecture, it is not always obvious that certain rooms and spaces are designed for public use and private use. Many times, people know that bedrooms are places where people have their own space and kitchen, the "heart of the house", is the main source for entertainment and everyone to be. However, designs and details of the space to make them these desires are not always clear. Robbie G. Blakemore highlights these points that began to become pronounced int he 19th century architecture and lifestyles: “the stratification of the interior was highly complex; spaces were designed for women, men, children, and servants. Rooms were designed for specialized activities within each area" (Blakemore 393). During the Art Nouveau period, attention was drawn to these spaces of privacy, but also the importance of public spaces such as dining rooms, living rooms and entrance halls. Distinctions can be made between private and public spaces simply by details. Using light to distinguish between a public and private space is one example. At Fallingwater, Wright seemed to use this light idea by creating dark hallways that lead to the family member's bedrooms. This was to deter any visitors from entering into private areas and instead, they were brought to a naturally bright area from many windows that leads them to their guest house. The guest would also be allowed in the dining room and great room, which were beautifully lit up by natural sunlight. Finding light specifically in the house that represented a private space was a nautical-type fixture that I spotted in the bathroom. This light did not cast very much light, clearly making the bathroom and shower area an unpopular and private space. Fallingwater itself is clearly designed to be a private home as it is tucked away in the woods, away from any major crossings. At Monticello, Jefferson used lighting in a way to reflect public and private spaces as well. First off, Jefferson claimed 1.3 of the house for himself only. This was accomplished with a bedroom of curtains and walls completely surrounding his space. For the remains of the house that were considered public were the dining areas, entrance way and the living room. One instance being the dining room that occupied skylights, which allowed large amounts of light to flood through. Monticello itself was constructed atop a huge hill, making it clear that he wished for everyone to be able to view his creation as a public space.

[TECHNIQUE]
definition - method of performance ; the manner and ability with which an artist, writer, dancer, athlete, or the like employs the technical skills of a particular art or field of endeavor (dictionary.com)

Everyone has their one ways of doing things, including designers, who have their own techniques in their designs. Personal techniques are built upon experience and skill, which set a certain preference, whether it be in rendering, designing, drawing, lettering, or building. IARC has encouraged that we develop our own techniques and styles in our creations. I feel I have started to find my personal style, which can be reflected through my trading spaces project where I feel I have taken Nicole Robert's space and completely transformed it into my own. I admire a various amount of detail in my art forms and to render my interior space, I found using prismacolor markers best highlighted my realistic images. With the markers, I am able to create textures, three-dimension and bold forms, for example in the wood floors. For other sketches that I create in my sketchbook, I mostly use my drawing pen and sometimes highlight areas with watercolor.


A building that is a great example of personal technique is the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain from the 20th century. Designed by Canadian-American architect, Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim was built with much thought and care. His museum is considered one of the most spectacular buildings of the 20th century and of the Deconstructive era. To choose the materials, Gehry experimented under different conditions, settling for nothing less then perfect for his design. He first looked at stainless steel but found that it always appeared to have a "velvety" sheen, whether in sun or shade and it was too bright in full sun and too dull under clouds. Instead he wanted a material that would catch light in the randomness of the curves, which is what titanium could accomplish. In addition to titanium slabs, Gehry also incorporated glass walls, which adds transparency and light, limestone, and a steel frame. Gehry's choice of materials reflected his technique of architecture. All of Gehry's works were special, as if they were meant to be a gift. The photograph below shows the titanium panels, a section of glass wall with a steel frame and a limestone floor.




[LANGUAGE]
definition - any system of formalized symbols, signs, sounds, gestures, or the like used or conceived as a means of communicating thought, emotion, etc. ; communication of meaning in any way (dictionary.com)

Language acts as any form of communication whether it be spoken, written or visual (etc.). Language should be used as a tool to help improve ideas or to connect different cultures and time periods. Leland M. Roth describes the 19th century architecture as speaking from the past. During this time eclecticism, “the informed and selective borrowing of historical building forms and details, rooted in associationalism”, controlled design, but it was mostly of design from the past, which made it hard to create new designs for the future (Roth, 469). Through the time, many forms of eclecticism developed, however, I feel the overall nature of its designed were somewhat a barrier to developing new ideas. Architects focused too much on mimicking the past that it was hard for them to create something successful that accommodated both form and function. The language in this sense, was constricted. Stepping away from eclecticism and relating language and architecture in another way is to consider that a building should not only communicate with its own elements, but also with its overall surroundings. If an architect creates a magnificent building, it must fit where it is located. An example that does not work would be putting a skyscraper from New York City in a desert. An architect that was successful in communicating his building with its landscape was Wright's Fallingwater. The ways that he constructed layers going up a hillside reflects the nature and forms of the location: aka. it looks like it is meant to be there. At Monticello, Jefferson also designed his house to resemble pieces of the land as he used his land's clay for brick, stone for masonry and trees for wood. To bring design another step further, buildings can have a certain language with other places for example the glass, iron, walnut, and concrete that was brought to Monticello and Fallingwater.

In the design world, we communicate by the form of spoken, written and visualization. Through sketches, rendering and models, we are able to convey our ideas and thought processes in a visual way. For one of Suzanne's project, we were to design a room with the requirements of a dining area, kitchen and entertainment area. With this step alone, I was able to communicate my ideas and styles. We were then told to test different mediums and types of paper by "cutting" our creation into four parts. I chose to practice prismacolor markers on marker paper, watercolor on watercolor paper, single-color colored pencil on sketchbook paper, and colored pencil on marker paper. After experimenting with the different visual languages, I felt my marker on marker was bolder and more realistic, rather than my single-color colored pencil that is more abstract and serves a different purpose (more light). The colored pencil on marker was the least successful in my case, I feel, because I did not enjoy the texture that the pencils gave off. I like the more clean look of the marker. Overall, I liked this exercise because it make me learn more about drawing materials and how each language that the mediums created were unique in their own way. You just have to pick your favorite.



[VIRTUAL]
definition - existing or resulting in essence or effect though not in actual fact, form, or name (dictionary.com)

Something that is virtual, to me is something that is tangible, but in a way not really there. What I mean when I say this is, for example, in Fallingwater, Wright designed his space with walls of windows that gave the effect that you were not really inside, but in fact, outside, among the trees and sound of the water rushing down the waterfall. Even though in reality the windows were actually there and you were in a building, in your mind, the virtual essence made you feel otherwise. Also, spaces that use mirrors, which was used in various places of Fallingwater as well, create the illusion that the spaces are larger than they really are, creating this virtual effect of size. As Stoel described in studio class, making something virtual in our minds is by "doing something fake to make something feel real".


[IN SUMMARY]...I feel that craft, technique, language, and virtual factors are all forms of design that encompass and distinguish spaces that are private and public. Craft is important in the overall image of a design. Certain techniques and a designers language are portrayed in a space in observation and silence, not always formally speaking. Spaces can sometimes create a virtual feeling, if the space incorporates light, windows and certain effects that are not real. Public and private spaces that encompass silence and light in these forms are generally considered well-designed and are pleasing to its inhabitants.

[re]actions

[ROTATION]
definition - a turning around as on an axis ; regularly recurring ; movement or path on an axis (dictionary.com)

I am sure everyone has heard the theory that "history repeats itself". Well, as I have learned in Design Theory & History, this concept happens to be true for some design styles. For ages, rotations and repeats of design ideas have occurred. The design world, in a sense, has relied on changing trends to keep moving along, but also to look back on. Roth points out these rotations in design: “What precipitated these fundamental social changes was a cycle of interrelated sweeping reorganizations and upheavals that collectively can be labeled 'revolutions'. These revolutions are so interconnected that they can be thought of as operating in a circle, each feeding off into the next” (Roth, 439). These repetitions are caused by the world events or simple the designers ideas. During the Arts and Crafts Movement, the Gothic style from previous ages was revived to create an interior for a wealthy and eccentric client. The designer took inspiration from Gothic architecture , but critic John Ruskin "warned against the common practice of making one material look like another, and the effort to create a new style when Gothic could not be surpassed" (Massey, 10). Similar to the rotation of the earth, creating day and night, design processes revolve and change, never fully going away, just "disappearing" for some time.

[MOVEMENT]
definition - the act, process, or result of moving ; the progress of events (dictionary.com)

Movement can be seen in many mediums: physically or historically generally come to mind first. Movement is a continues progression that can be considered unavoidable. Design Theory & History revolve around different design movements throughout history. Currently, we have moved into the Arts and Crafts Movement of the nineteenth century. Starting in Britain, this movement can be considered the most important design reform to affect interior design. During the end of the eighteenth century, economically industrialization and urbanization were leading factors changing the way of life for the generation as a whole. The economy shifted to reflect the middle class, stepping down from the style of interiors dominated by the upper class. The Victorian age and Gothic Revival were inspired by social reform concerns and linking the notion of "good design" to a "good society". This vision of society reflected in interiors by taking pride in craftsmanship and skill. The rise of a consumer class meant that the worker could produce beautiful objects that exhibited the result of fine craftsmanship, as opposed to the shoddy products of mass production. Aesthetic ideals were borrowed from Medieval European and Islamic sources and Japanese ideas. Pieces of these cultures created a style that was very detailed with decoration being a main focus. As Anne Massey describes in her representations of "Interior Design since 1900", the Arts and Crafts Movement, specifically the Victorian taste, "cramming as much as possible into a room [was] to symbolize the owners wealth and status" (Massey, 10). This theory of "for the people by the people" was suppose to accomidate the thriving middle class, however, a realization came that the exquisitely made and decorated pieces could only be afforded by the very wealthy. Also, at first this fine craftsmanship and new economy provided for many jobs, until craft was not all that good. Leading writer on art and design of the nineteenth century Britain, John Ruskin saw "the ugliness which surrounded him as the unavoidable result of the miserable conditions for the majority brought by the Industrial Revolution" (Massey, 10). Only few craftsman were then employed to make such fine pieces, evolving the style to be known as the "aesthetic style". The Arts and Crafts ideal in America, however, was slightly different. America wanted to serve the market of the middle class consumers who wanted decent, affordable furniture that was achieved by factory methods.

this chair is an example of an everyday chair made by the craftsman of the Arts and Crafts Movement

Movement in time continued in our learning of Design Theory & Design as time moved to the Art Nouveau style that addressed the clutter and eclecticism of mid-19th century European taste. This movement advocated nature as the true source of all good design, which was encouraged by the Japanese approach.

[REFLECTION]
definition - an image; representation ; the replacement of each point on one side of a plane by the symmetric point on the other side of the plane (dictionary.com)

Reflection is a term that can be interpreted literally or more figuratively. Literal meaning an actual image is reflected through a device such as a mirror or a reflection meaning looking back to something that has happened. I decided to interpret both of these interpretations in my description, feeling they are both vital to the term.

Taking the more literal approach to reflection of seeing one's image exactly in front of them, I chose to relate my blog to one of my classes outside of IARC. In Nutrition, we are currently learning about energy balance, healthy body weight, dieting and exercise. Obesity has become an epidemic that America and the rest of the world has been suffering from for the past few centuries. There are many medical problems that are associated with obesity involving various chronic diseases and cancers. Something I found interesting was that someone who is extremely underweight has the same death risk of someone who is obese. With media being a large focus in the world today, especially to young adults, weight issues have become a large concern. In relation to this topic in nutrition, I felt it was appropriate to capture a girl who is skinny look at herself in the mirror thinking she is overweight. This issue with girls is upsetting, but completely normal, because of this body image that the media portrays. With health concerns becoming more popular, I feel this image will not change for decades, however, it could improve. Girls no longer will have to look at themselves and see their reflection displeasing.


A reflection of previous events is shown by the "Unit Summaries" writing assignment we are given in Design History & Theory at the conclusion of each learning unit. In this essay, we are to reflect upon overall themes and major design movements in the unit. In order to reflect on information such as this, I need to look through notes from class lectures and our class textbooks. Writing this reflection enables the writer to connect styles and concepts of that period and receive a better reasoning for them. It also enables the reader, who has no prior knowledge of the course, to learn in a more simple and straight forward manor, as the writing is not all formal, but instead includes facts and personal opinions.



[SOURCE]
definition - any thing or place from which something comes, arises, or is obtained ; origin (dictionary.com)

To me, a source is a way of inspiration.

In Design Drawing, we were assigned a project that required us to design our own interior under circumstances of including a kitchen, dining and entertainment area all in one space. Designing a room demands research through online, design magazines or store catalogs. To compose my space, I looked mainly at designing a room all of IKEA products. IKEA is a large, well-known business with 300 stores in 35 countries. This amount of worldwide business definitely provides as a source to many individuals looking to redesign a space. A reason why I admire IKEA products is because they strive to "create a better everyday life for many people by offering a wide-range of well-designed, function home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them" (ikea.com). IKEA fueled my mind. After choosing pieces that I felt worked together from IKEA's amazing website, I composed my room.


As we discussed in Design Theory & History, architecture and design styles change constantly around the world. How do different cultures witness or develop other countries designs? This means that continents use various sources to spread their ideas. Especially in this time, ideas of the east and west are blending and being incorporated into the others world. In the late 19th century, America began to be influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement of the Eastern world. Interior design in America became influenced by the "reforming ethics and naturalistic style of [William] Morris and his followers, which chimed with the frontier spirit and sense of individualism that were growing stronger as America began to establish a national identity in design" (Massey, 19). Various sources provide for style expansion to America specifically such as lecture tours held by leading theorists, the magazine The Studio, dominated in periodicals such as House Beautiful, trade of goods such as Morris & Co. exported to America, travel, and critic books. Through all these ways, styles and the appearances of American interiors can be the same style and appearance as those in Europe.



[ILLUMINATION]
definition - a supply of light ; decoration (dictionary.com)

When I think of the word illumination, I think of making something shine, stand out and "light up". Illumination is important for different aspects of life. It can refer to different meanings--

• illumination : the use of light sources
• illumination : the use of light and shadow in art
• illumination : artistic decoration, for instance including gold or silver pen to manuscripts
  

Use of light and shadow in art . Starting with a narrative of a celebration I have experienced and a piece of nature from our nature hunt, I was to "design and create an expressive and beautiful three-dimensional 'light skin'". We were to look at the integrating patterns created by out natural element and design a model using 1/4" thick medium-density fiberboard, one other linear element and adhesive. In creating our designs, the major priority was to consider natural light and how it interacts and applies to our final models. For my inspiration of nature, I used a spherical, spiky object that falls from a certain kind of tree and a celebration that stuck out to my mind was a surprise birthday party that was given to me by a group of my friends at the age of 12. In my final design, I felt these two subjects worked very well together, keeping in mind with the concept of light. I wanted to use light in my capturing of the obscure triangular shapes to the nature element and the excitement of a party. I captured these ideas by creating a fairly abstract figure of random and obscure triangles cutting into each other or through pieces. My linear element was pieces of wood skewers also in a random order setting the illusion that you cannot figure out which ones, if any, are holding the structure together. Light most importantly, was shown successfully: for one, there are many areas that light can explore in my design (not a solid structure)---light can go over, between, or under certain triangles; in any way that natural light hits my structure, it will cast these great, interesting shadows on the plane it sits on and on parts of the model itself; the shadows that are created on certain parts or sides of the triangles creates this sense of a color palette, as lighter and darker shades of brown are created. I strongly felt that I achieved my goals in created a very busy, exciting figure incorporating both my story and natural element with keeping light as a very important factor. To capture my model best in drawing form, I felt a gesture style was appropriate.



use of light sources . Interior spaces are composed of many forms of light: natural, candlelight or electric light. It serves as a function in most spaces, either for tasks, decoration, accents, or the general purpose of needing light during the dark hours. While studying the interiors of the late 19th century and start of the 20th century in Design Theory & History, I have learned of lighting in each one of these forms being occupied. Architect-designer Victor Horta designed a house for himself that contains a "skylight that illuminates a centrally placed staircase of white Carrara marble which forms the centerpiece of the whole design, winding up through three floors" (Massey, 37). Horta's use of illumination serves as a sense of direction up the stairs, grand entrance and a decoration rather than being functional. The skylight can be providing light in these non-functional ways, serving more as a directional piece because anyone who walks into the house is "led by this impressive stair to the upper floor of the house which contains the dining and drawing rooms", which are both important rooms for visitors in any house from the Art Nouveau style (Massey, 37).

[IN SUMMARY]...each of the five words from this week's opus have taken effect in all of my interior architecture classes, and even beyond to nutrition. Each word can then be referred to under the title of "reactions" because each have something else that relates or goes along with the concept in order for it to happen. This then creates reactions -- elements having an effect on one another. Rotation needs to have a purpose to generate the idea, such as taking elements from previous eras and incorporating them into a certain time period. A reflection needs sources -- something to produce or expand off of, such as a literal reflection needing a mirror or figuratively a source to relate to. That then leads to a source, which is the physical piece that creates reactions. And finally, illumination or the reaction to light. All these words are important in the design world as they are staples to creation that can effect other people around them.

grammar : syntax

[AUDIENCE]
definition - the group of spectators at a public event; listeners or viewers collectively that manifests interest, support, enthusiasm, or the like (dictionary.com)

Audience is a very general, yet broad idea since it is usually associated to be a lecture or presentation, when really the world is made up of millions of audiences. In a story, the writer is presenting his or her ideas to their target audience, or the readers. In the world around us, all the time people are observing and watching other people or objects, creating an audience to that specific event. My perspective drawing from the building project for Design Drawing is inspired by the auditorium on the first floor of the Ferguson building. This is the room that my Design Theory & History class is in and the figures sitting in the rows consist of the audience to the professor who commonly stand in the front. In my audience perspective drawing, I used hatching and shading to capture the depth of the different angles in the large space and I chose to draw my audience as black figures mimicking famous artist, but also to highlight the reason why the room is there itself---because of an audience.


In addition to people serving as an audience to other people, objects can speak to people. For example, forms of architecture can announce to people about the time period, culture and traditions through decoration, materials or structure. By the end of the third century, the Roman Empire had fallen apart. During this time, churches became of great importance as they represented the world itself. In a way, the churches were required to bring order from the crazy happenings of the chaos of the government falling apart. Roth describes the internal divisions and external invasions that disrupted civil life of the Roman Empire and explains the era of churches by saying, "civil and religious building forms therefore became both heavy and massive defensive refuges from the uncertainties of everyday life and impressive gateways to a promised better afterlife" (Roth, 301). In France, there was a lot of movement in church structures, but there was also a great amount of solidity, and the head of the churches were usually quite elaborate. This architecture communicates with the time of change and new inventions as the old time has passed. The audience understands how a new life is about to begin as the church are now the "reestablished centers of learning"(Roth, 302). These churches were commonly referred to as Romanesque, whereas in Italy, the churches were more Gothic. These churches were large, making them stand out in any position. They composed of transformation, fragments, repetition of identical forms, stain glass telling stories, up-lifting sequence, and arches. By viewing any Gothic cathedral, the audience would know that religion was a large part of social life in the third century. It was important to the people that they could bring earth to heaven. This is similar to early times when the Egyptians made the pyramids. The pyramids were designed to have the top be close to heaven because the Egyptians believed that the after-life was more important than life itself. In designing their structures, they used architecture to help them with their after-life desires. Any Egyptian new that "at first, the more elaborate tombs were built for kings and the first pharaohs" (Roth, 194) just by looking at the structure. The material used on the pyramids also communicates with its audience that there was not a lot for the Egyptians to work with. The structures were made out of sand and stone, introducing new interventions in architecture.


[RE]VISION
definition - a revised form or version (dictionary.com) ; making again or different

I feel revision is a necessity in almost anything. Connecting to the title and the formation of sentences, writing is always improved by peer-editing or self-checking. In design and architecture, it is nearly impossible to find something that is not revised. For every project in design studio, I revise and change the ideas a few times before I make a final proposal. These changes are shown through sketches or models. I find that the more I revise my work, the more I learn about it, find out what works and does not work, and how to push my ideas even further. Revising something can also be transforming an object into another form or media. An example of this concept would be the exercise from Design Studio when we were to explore the outskirts of UNCG and find a piece of nature that could inspire creative ideas. From this object, patterns and designs can be formed in two dimensional thumbnail sketches, which later will be further revised into three dimensional structures. The piece of nature that I found inspiring was from a tree on campus (I am not positive the name) that is round and the size of a golf ball with triangular spikes and holes all around the sphere. From its qualities, I revised its form into another version creating these patterns of circles, squares, lines, and triangles.



[CHARACTER]
definition - the aggregate of features, qualities and traits that form the individual nature of some person or thing (dictionary.com)

The term character can either be obvious or abstract. Characters are obvious in a story, but in a design, it is usually more abstract and manipulative. Character is what makes up every object and every person. Every object has a certain character by the way it is shaped, textured, scaled, or colored. Because of character, every object can then have a name that reflects its design. To provide examples of character in design aspects, each piece of furniture or interior utility below is influenced by its elements. The fuzzy chair and foot rest in the top left corner has more fun, young aspects through its shape, structure and material than the lounge couch below it that is more classic, neat and structured.

Character is greatly portrayed, and important, in people through what they where and how they act. In the first drawing nicknamed "the girl in the camo jacket", I was portraying different character qualities of the girl. The fact that she is wearing a camo jacket says something possibly about where she is from and her personal interests. Character is the reason why I labeled her as a "bad ass" -- from the reason that she came in late to class and is wearing something that resembles hunting, which most people refer to as a manly sport. Same effect applies to my sketches of the variety of shoes during one day of Design Drawing. Each pair of shoes shows a certain kind of character that that person who owns the shoes possesses. For example, it is clear that the person wearing the flats most likely has different qualities than the person wearing the converse sneakers. The way in which I draw these objects and people show character of myself in my drawings. The way in which I draw them---my techiniques--show my own unique drawing style. I like to use pen rather than pencil, shade by using hatching and try to create depth and as much life-like qualities as possible. I also like to write little captions or sayings around my sketches because I feel they make the drawing more interesting and enjoyable for the audience.



Character is the form of architecture is as noticeable as in people. Earlier in the semester, we studies Romanesque architecture of churches and learned that they are typically "tall, undecorated, [and] cylindrical piers carry semicircular arches opening into the side aisles" (Roth, 319). These qualities of a Romanesque church allow people to distinguish this form of architecture from other designs. That is what having "character" does.

Church of Saint Paul of The Cross

[TRANSITION]
definition - movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another; change (dictionary.com)

When I think of transition, I think of something having a certain pattern or rhythm that builds or repeats. In the Providence Airport in Rhode Island, they have this artistic passageway in the terminal that is shown below. The red seed-shaped figures on the top remind me of crab claws, which could relate to Rhode Island because Rhode Island is also known as the "ocean state". The overall size of the passageway is about 25 feet wide and 50 feet long. It represents a transition from one arch to the next as people walk under it to get to their gate, transitioning from RI to where ever else they are going. Ever since I was a little girl, I have always admired this piece of art that has interesting views from all angles. Walking under the structure, even at my age now compared to when I was little, is a great inspiring feeling as you do not know exactly what the form is. It leaves opinions open to its viewers. Another example of transition comes from one of my ideas for the nature models. I sketched my idea before creating the model of five triangles transitioning from one to the next through a linear element, which in this case is skewer. Going along with my proposal that transition is a pattern or rhythm, the triangles form a pattern and rhythm that was inspired by a pointy-ball of nature. I feel that the bent skewers give a wave pattern that moves the eye from triangle to triangle, making the transition smoother and sets an illusion of an ongoing pattern beyond the five triangles presented.





[DATUM]
definition - a single piece of information, as a fact, statistic, or code; (line) : the horizontal or base line, from which the heights of points are reckoned or measured (dictionary.com)

Although stories are usually complex with characters, transitions and symbols, datum is represented as the theme or underlying fact that the writer is trying to convey. Datum is a term in design that was introduced to me my first semester of IARC. Tommy Lambeth described it as "using something to define a specific line or space". In our recent building project in Design Drawing, my group chose to use a datum line on our presentation board. In order to create visual interest and a sense of movement or border for the board, we created an arch that extended from the top left to the top right. The datum is about a foot in height and 62 inches long. Some of our groups best perspective pieces are highlighted on the datum line, which leads the eye to continue looking at the rest of the drawings and diagrams throughout the board.


In a historical sense, in France during the early neoclassical era, many middle class houses were aggregated together to look like a single large building. The need for the neoclassical era was because the Rococo movement involved "excesses, asymmetry, and perceived disorderliness" (Blakemore, 283). Instead, architects strove for the opposite and to encourage the "relationship between architecture and social requirements" (Blakemore, 284). These French houses practiced this new relationship and formed a type of palace for themselves with a large square facade in the center. Acting as a datum, the houses defined a space that was either full of grass and trees or a fountain. It was a community space that people would gather and spend time with their neighbors. An example of one of these French enlightenment complexes is the Place de Vosges created by Henry IV in ca. 1605. This series of open plazas is marvelous as the middle class houses look like royalty and the facade is grand with large trees, stone paths, finely landscaped bushes and four fountains. Gates and iron fencing border the rest of the park continuing the datum that the building creates.

Place de Vosges

[IN SUMMARY]...Recently, we were asked to compare the terms story and design in an article-style essay. This assignment occupied all the words for this week's opus project : audience, revision, character, transition, and datum. Connecting to the title "grammar : syntax", each of the words below relate in some shape or form to the rules and patterns of story-writing, but also the design process. Every form of work is set for a particular audience, whether it be writing or design. Every form of work is also revised and hopefully improved before the final presentation. Character, either indirect or direct, is reflected in people, objects or scenes. Transitioning from one element to the next is common in all stories or particular designs and lastly, datum, the underlying information or directing line pulls everything together.