During our first week in Historic Preservation Field Study, we visited old Salem in Winston Salem NC. Here is my first attempt using a Moravian tool to shape a piece of wood that I earlier split from a log to make shingles.

A learning place essay

A learning place

As a class we studied our studio space, and brought together a body of information. This information consisted of, current conditions, current problems, what currently works, students and faculty opinions on the current conditions and what changes they would like to see. We also went over precedent images of how we could apply these changes to our spaces.

Some of the topics covered included, lighting, furniture, electrical, and how to address white walls. Some of the solutions students came up with were, portable electrical outlets, solar energy, and smart boards. I especially like the idea of a smart board. With how many presentations we do and how often we collaborate, this is a good way to express our ideas and share information. There were also many good ideas on how to integrate furniture and lighting. Enclosed pod space with task lighting was proposed as a way to provide private work areas.

Another subject addressed was how to make the space more inspirational. The majority of 2nd and 3rd year students surveyed found the studio spaces un-inspirational, 2nd and 3rd year students were found to also be the students who spent the most time in studio. One suggestion was to leave the space more by walking to other parts of the campus or to just spend more time outdoors. Another way thought to enhance inspiration was to leave our mark on the building by adding color to the white walls or covering them with group or individual projects. During faculty interviews, many different teaching styles were expressed and these needs also need to be addressed when thinking about our studio space.

There were many amenities students would like to have in the Gatewood building. As IAR students we spend a large portion of our time in studio. Having some added conveniences would make our time in studio a little more enjoyable.  Of the expressed wants and needs having an area for meal preparation and a lounge area for relaxation were high on the list. Also having a coffee shop or just an area with appliances to prepare coffee and meals would cut back on transit time to and from studio for coffee or meal breaks. Showers were an expressed want, but highly unlikely, just a place to change and freshen up would increase comfort in the studio space.

Overall the students proposed some very good ideas and conducted excellent research. We need to have access to private work areas and additional computer workspaces. Since so much time is spent in studio food/beverage prep areas are necessity, even without formal areas for this, students have found a way to make little areas for this purpose. However it is not enough and a larger space with a few more appliances is needed. Areas for rest and to freshen up are also a necessity. As students we need to take more initiative in applying changes we would like to see in our studio space. There were many good ideas, and I believe we are off to a good start to understand and implement these changes.

Community

To me community means coming together for a common goal. At UNCG our common goal is to earn a college degree. Within the larger overall UNCG community there are smaller communities of which all the members are earning the same degree. The IAR community is one of these smaller groups. In our community we foster ideas and use our creativity to apply solutions to common problems in the design world. I chose an image of children playing to represent community because I feel like children are free creatively and in any community that freedom of expression should be valued. Children can learn to cooperate despite their differences, and they generally embrace these differences. I believe a community is made of many different people with different talents and perspectives. And together these can make for a 'rich' experience.

Stewardship

Authenticity

Authenticity to me is a feeling, it is something that resonates deep within each of us. It is our authentic self. It is from this place that we can recognize truth in the world and circumstances around us.

I chose this photo to represent this value because it is the Earth and sky meeting to kiss. The Earth and the sky are two things, which are solid and absolute. And to me the kiss represents love, which is authentic.

I did this photo with our local co-op grocery store as my inspiration. Deep Roots Market to me represents the values of, Community, Stewardship, Authenticity, and Innovation, among other values as well. It creates a community by offering shoppers the chance to have a voice by becoming an ‘owner’, that way owners have a voice and vote on important issues rather than shareholders. The staff is made up by volunteer ‘owners’. It is a grocery store for the local community.

Single expression

puzzle

Cultural Self Portrait

Cultural Self Portrait

Reflected Ceiling Plan, Lighting Plan, Data Communication Plan

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