According to British anthropologist Sir Edward Burnett Tylor
There are three important characteristics of culture:
Basic Elements of All Cultures
All cultures have features that result from basic needs shared by all people.
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...
According to Mustafa Pular in A Structured Approach to Cultural Studies of Architectural Space,
Culture can be broken down into three components:
Know-How Knowledge- accumulated body of solutions
Technics- tools, implements, etc.
Symbols and Cognitive Schemata
Two types: Informational and Theoretical
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Sources:
Rapoprt, Amos Some Further Thoughts on Culture and Environment
Pultar, Mustafa A Structured Approach to Cultural Studies of Architectural Space
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".
Individualistic Structures are:
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.
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.
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Interestingly enough with the increase in public awareness concerning the environment we still continue to behave in ways that are contrary and damaging to our own health and the health of the planet. We are disconnected with our natural world. Just because we behave in ways that are not environmentally conscious does not mean that we are not concerned.
Studying peoples relationship with nature can provide insight into the way they treat the environment. To further understand the connection between peoples behaviour and actions psychologists have examined the flowing...
An interesting concept to me was the "biophilia hypothesis". This hypothesis attempts to explain why people desire to relate and be in the natural environment. Those who study this look to the popularity of outdoor activities and our fondness of natural scenery as evidence of this phenomenon. However, it is noted that there is considerable variability in the extent to which people are drawn to nature. To further emphasize this concept Kristin and Ashley went on to talk about the "ecological self and nature relatedness". These concepts talk to the interconnectedness people feel with the earth and how damage to it really damages ourselves and the appreciation and understanding we have with living things. I must say over the past several years my own connectedness to our earth and environment has been of increasing concern.
Nature and its importance to healing and health dates back centuries and across cultures. Positive health outcomes can be measured by using nature and healing gardens into the health care equation. By reducing stress through natural features can reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, lessen pain whereby shortening hospital stays. Ecological Restorative Theory researchers search for quantitative and credible information that proves that gardens are an efficient and cost effective way to improve health outcomes and patient satisfaction.
By incorporating healing gardens into the design of hospitals and other healthcare facilities helps to reduce the uncomfortable and unpleasant association of the expedience. The goals of healing gardens are to:
Additionally, characteristics of a healing garden include:
Kristin and Ashley when on to talk about many other topics in reference to these spaces. Some of the additional topics included:
All of which were extremely informative and interesting.
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The second topic for today's class had to do with the value of things and how objects become meaningful to people. I have many things that are important to me. I have wooden box that was handcrafted by my brother sitting on my night stand. This "thing" is important to me. What is even more interesting is that I have chosen this box to house some other "things" that are also important to me. I have a silk horse Christmas tree ornament that came from a set that we had as I was growing up. My silver baby rattle. For Christmas one year I got a plaque that said "Heather's Room" it was the first item I received with my name on it (Heather was an uncommon name but my brother, Michael, was always getting things with his name on it). I never put it on my door because I was afraid it would fall off the door and break. The list goes on... but this treasured box of mine contains many of my treasures. Some of these things became meaningful because someone gave them to me others through association. Objects becoming meaningful to us through several different processes. These include:
Lastly, everyone in the class brought in a "thing". I was most intrigued with the things that were meaningful to my classmates. I loved hearing the stories of why these items held such importance. It made me smile.
