FINAL THOUGHTS

I have truly enjoyed my Theory and Criticism class this semester. My classmates have been wonderful and I have learned alot from Dr. Chapin. Her insight and knowledge has been a true blessing. The input and dialogue with my classmates has caused me to stretch and think about design from new and different perspectives. I am truly grateful for this experience, the knowledge that has been imparted to me and the people that were a part of it.

Thank You,

Heather

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Cultural Approahes to Environmental Design

Haneen and I presented on the Cultural Approaches to Environmental Design. Below is some of the information we presented.

What is Culture?

Culture is a term used by social scientists to describe a people's whole way of life. To social scientists, a people's culture consists of all the ideas, objects, and ways of doing things created by the group.

Culture consists of learned ways of...

• Acting
• Feeling, and
• Thinking, rather than biologically determined ways.

According to British anthropologist Sir Edward Burnett Tylor

There are three important characteristics of culture:

• Culture is acquired by people
• A person acquires culture as a member of society
• Culture is a complex whole

Basic Elements of All Cultures

All cultures have features that result from basic needs shared by all people.

• Every culture has methods of obtaining food and shelter
• Every culture has ways to protect itself against invaders
• Every culture has ways of organizing family relationships, including marriage and systems of kinship
• Every culture has religious beliefs and a set of practices to express them
• Every culture has forms of artistic expression such as carvings, painting and music

In order to consider how much does culture impacts the design of environments we must first look at different types of environments. In residential/housing the role of culture is quite strong. In non-residential/commercial environments culture tends to play less of a role. When talking about cityscapes... they all look the same.

In class we discussed why culture might be disappearing from our cityscape's. First, the modern movement brought buildings and interiors that were simple un-ornamented. Second, as we travel more easily cultures have begun to merge.

When speaking of the similarities among culture in environmental design, Amos suggests that the "idea that culture is not completely variable but has major constancies and moreover, that some apparently variable aspects are expression of underlying contents or universals."

The impact of culture on the environment varies with the...

• Type
• Overtime
• Different Groups
• Different Situations and Contexts
• Interior Design

According to Mustafa Pular in A Structured Approach to Cultural Studies of Architectural Space,

Culture can be broken down into three components:

• Technology

Know-How Knowledge- accumulated body of solutions

Technics- tools, implements, etc.

• Knowledge

Symbols and Cognitive Schemata

Two types: Informational and Theoretical

• Value System- set of value judgements that are central to the solutions of a man's problems

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http://www.photosdirect.com/

Sources:

Rapoprt, Amos Some Further Thoughts on Culture and Environment

Pultar, Mustafa A Structured Approach to Cultural Studies of Architectural Space

Community,Interaction and Gathering Places

Admittedly, before this presentation, I did not know much about "social justice". I had an intrinsic understanding but did not know the term. I found the concept most enlightening.

What is Social Theory?
Social theory is the theoretical framework to look at and study social phenomena and relationships.
What is Social Justice?
Social justice is a movement that focuses on a socially just world. It is based on human rights and equality.

Incorporating social justice into the design process is a matter of changing our perspective to consider the broader scope an impact of the materials and processes we as designers specify. Just as with environmentally friendly design, social justice requires we adjust the way we look at the design decisions we make.
Ways we can incorporate social justice into Interior Design are:

• Getting the opinion of the community on projects
• Choosing the right location for a project
• Considering the form and shape of the building
• Considering landscaping and the natural design
• Specify sustainable and socially just materials
• Building the project using local resources (people, materials, etc.)

In regard to community, the way in which Europeans and Americans approach the concept are very different. The European culture is enmeshed in community, whereas, America is not. All you have to do is look at the "cookie cutter" housing developments in suburban America. We are disconnected and fragmented from our neighbors and community.

Oldenburg offers a solution in that of the "Third Place". A place that people go to all the time that serves and support and provides for social interaction. Hopefully we all have a "third place".

Environments: Masculine and Feminie Perspectives

For class, Kristin and I presented a discussion on Gender Theory and Environments: Masculine and Feminine Perspectives. I have always understood the male dominated system we find ourselves living and operating in... I didn't realize that this system is ingrained in our living spaces as well. I would like to take a moment to present some of the imformation that I found particularly interesting and somewhat disturbing.

When it comes to men and women there tends to be two specific relationship structures, Collective and Individual.

Characteristics of Collectivists Structures are:

• Focus on the group
• Social System based on lineage
• High degree of separation between men and women
• Status achieved through group oriented consumption

Individualistic Structures are:

• Focused on the individual
• Open social groups
• Decline in the degree of separation between men and women
• Status achieved through individual consumption

Among Collective Structures there is a great deal of sexual segregation that translates into living/home life as well. Men are viewed as high status, pure, social nature and public. Whereas, women are viewed as low status, polluted, animal nature and private. Therefore, men are oriented towards public spaces where women are relegated to the private spaces of the house.

In Individualistic societies men move from the public realm into the house (which become less private and a display for others). Women become more public because her private realm is interrupted. This is particularly seen in the 20's with the "Flappers". "She caused as stir not only because she rejected the traditional female role but also because she seemed to appropriate a male one". This is a woman after my own heart.

Work Place Environments

We recently discussed work environments in class. Tiffany and Haneen presented a well organized informative PowerPoint along with a fun tasty exercise.


HISTORY OF THE OFFICE

In the early 1800's there was no difference between office and home. The office was just a room in the house that was designated as a place where business was done. If the business grew more of the house was used as office space. As time went on an entire house could be dedicated to the running and maintenance of the business.

The Industrial Revolution changed the face of offices as they became more production based. This was due in part of the population growth and advances in food production and medical science.

With mass production the bullpen office system was developed. In the 1900's Taylor introduced his management principles based on the concept of a machine running a complex organization. His layout became known as the bullpen layout. This layout established a visual hierarchy where the supervisor could keep a close watch on the employees as they worked.

Over the years the evolution of office spaces reflected changes in attitudes about work. In the 1960's "office landscape" was introduced functional side-by-side undivided work stations for clerks to allow for chatter. In the late 60's Herman Miller created Action Office furniture system with low dividers and flexible work surfaces. This system later became known as the "cubicle". In the 1980's with middle management exploding, the sea of cubicles was born. 1994 brought the virtual office where employees did not have a personal desk. Productivity nose-dived and the concept was quickly aborted. Currently, networking systems have become very popular. They allow for a degree of privacy but not enough to guard against personal calls.


OFFICE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR

Providing for human needs in the office environment is very important. Some criteria to consider when designing for offices are:

• Physical Needs- Need for territory and personalization
• Need for Privacy- Independent and free from distractions
• Community Needs- Do not feel isolated from co-workers

As designers we should keep these needs in mind when designing for office spaces. Office plans are not just about function.

LAYOUT

"Space planning in office environments is very important. It is concerned with the functional, effective, productive and flexible working areas that optimize the use of space within the constraints of the building and offices." There are several standard space planning scenarios.

• Conventional- traditional plan where there is distinct separation between departments and personnel hierarchy.
• Open Plan- provides flexibility but loses privacy
• Modified Plan- synthesis between the convectional open plans of office space planning

Image:

www.photographersdirect.com

Queer and Feminist Theory

" To reperesent anything out of the norm is to be "queer". " Twiz

I must admit when I saw this topic on the syllabus I wondered "What could that be about?". I must say I am no more clear today than I was then. So what I understand about Queer Theory is that it is undefinable. We really don't know what queer theory is as it defies definition. All I really gathered is that it encompasses and embodies all that is "outside" of the "norm" or ordinary. To me... normal is a very fluid thing. This includes but is not limited to sexual orientation. One might say that it is more about social constructs tat about sexuality and gender.

The second topic discussed during this particular class was Feminist Theory. Well, I am here to say I am a feminist. Yes, I said it. This is not to say I hate men... because in fact I like men... I do however hate the male dominated structure of our society and realize that it is something I have been fighting against for a long time. One thing I learned is that whatever your feminist slant there is a theory for it, just take your pick. I'm going to have to look much deeper into this issue.

Image:

www.twizart.com

Body, Motion and Memory

By looking at the graphic representation above it is clear that you cannot separate who you are from your environment. The lines, if there are any, blur when it comes to the mind, body, environment connection. Dr. Chapin used the example of when a child draws a picture of a house most of the time they draw windows as eyes and the door as a nose.

A theory that ties mind, body and environment is that of Body Image Theory. This is the concept that there is a connection between all experience and that they are dependent on the three dimensional body and our physical environment. It can lead us to a better understanding or our surroundings and how they impact our behavior.

Therefore, as designers, we must be aware and conscious of this connection n ad design spaces that incorporate this connection.

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www.hnhealth.nsw.gov