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After taking an in-depth look at ecology by mapping, researching, precedence, and site visiting our studio divided into 3 separate teams (each further developing their own respective concepts and projects of ecology).  While looking at ecology’s most traditional definition, we became partial to the notion that ecology is about the interaction/relationship between organisms and other organisms (more specifically humans).  Taken a step further, we defined human ecology as the interdisciplinary study of the relationship between humans and their natural, social, and built environments, and from there developed a few initial goals/ideas:


..design a cultural center originating at the historical 5 points

• ..connects the existing primary HS with sports complex
• ..re-purpose existing land/bldgs into complex (interior and exterior spaces)
• ..serves as a place of culture, safety, promotion, sustainability, community relations
•           ..bus/transportation hub                        
•           ..after school programs (latch key programs)
•           ..plays, sporting events, practices, tutoring, media center, sustainability HUB
• ..locate environmental 'nodes' scattered throughout the boundary
•           ..measure water usage, CO2 emissions, etc. (similar to Oberlin)
•           ..all info reports back to environmental HUB @ cultural center to teach kids
•           ..exposed soil section and/or culverted water to show effects
• ..pedestrian/biking bridges for safe connections to periphery 
•           ..designate bike lanes + colored sidewalks to connecting nodes

..an overall venue to promote human relations (of all ages/backgrounds/colors) + instill a sense of pride and well being in a now declining region + primary focus being on children/education (i.e. the future of the area) + adaptive way to resolve issues that utilizes both environment and technology

During the weekend design charette we developed 3 primary concepts that existed on 3 different scales as a means to comprehensively rejuvenate the declining region of South Collinwood: 1) a linear park 2) community gardens and 3) a cultural center.  By layering these 3 designs in a specified area (defined primarily by schools/education) of South Collinwood we were successfully able to incorporate issues of population decline, lack of identity/pride, struggling economy, safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

 

        As we were kicking through the leaves, walking across the creek, and ambling along the wooded trails on our first site visit, I must admit it was extremely refreshing.  It reminded me of my childhood, when my siblings, friends, and I would cavort in our back woods for hours.  However, now that I have aged, I look at the same woods with a totally new perspective.  As a designer the idea of what processes are taking place around me, as well as the consequences of said processes, is constantly filling my thoughts. 
        As we are now beginning to more thoroughly study ecology as an urban influence, I realize how loosely modern cities have incorporated ecology (if at all).  After having read Mark Johnson’s Ecology and the Urban Aesthetic the fact that synthesis is required across the board is blatantly apparent.  By collaborating on all levels of design, whether it be the designers themselves (i.e. architects, planners, landscape architects, ecologists, etc.) or within the systems/process of cities, so much more potential is created.  The aesthetics of design, while immediately gratifying, are only a fragment of the overall scheme; as Johnson states, “[it] may be pretty, but does it improve the environment for people or for the regional ecology?”   Too often we neglect any relationship we should have with our environment and instead impose our will upon it, or rather “domesticate it” as a means to fulfill our immediate concern.  We are now beginning to realize, as urban centers are drastically changing, that the prosperity of unifying systems such as architecture, landscape, and infrastructure in a singularly cohesive plan acts as a means to revitalize both environment and experience.
        As our group begins to analyze the Nine Mile Creek area adjacent to Lake Erie we are focusing our efforts on vacant areas as a means for opportunistic ecological design.  After investigating all aspects of vacancy (i.e. land use, land plot, land bank, demolition, foreclosure) within the given Nine Mile Creek region, we will now utilize the weekend to narrow our concept of ecological design as it applies.  The above map is an example of our initial vacancy investigation which was created using the newly-learned GIS for accuracy/amount of data, and then photoshopped for a higher level of graphic quality.  The different layers of vacancy are depicted, in addition to documenting where there are primary clusters of vacancies throughout the site (thus suggesting the opportunity of larger scale design).       

It is unsettling to realize the emphasis that is now placed on economy over ecology.  As society has constantly become obsessed with the notion of money and technology we have sacrificed almost all resources in order to obtain it.  Because we are now all coming to the realization that our actions have consequences, it is up to designers and planners to take the lead and sustainably create for the future.  As designers, we have come accustomed to amalgamating various disciplines in order to successfully devise designs that appeal in multi-faceted ways, thus avoiding static, inflexible ideas at all costs.  The same is true in nature.  It is an integration of numerous systems that combines and works together in a symbiotic way as a means to benefit the whole.  While studying Ecology it is important to note that it is not only investigating the environment, but also how the organism within that environment acts/reacts with it.  Humans have the most influential impact of all organisms, and because that is so we also have the greatest responsibility (one that we are not currently living up to).  By focusing our efforts on the concepts above we will be able to successfully create more awareness, responsibility, and positive impact on the world that we live in, and by doing so we will not only prolong our existence but also make it one that is more healthy, ecologically and economically sound.       

A presentation made for my Theories of Architecture course in regards to Deconstructivism and how Daniel Libeskind initially began as a Deconstructivist, but then progressed onto his own Conceptual style of Architectural design.

Initial assumptions and evaluations were conducted and documented on the concept of Water as an Urban System and any and all ways that it was thought to apply.  What was then realized was the drastic influence that water has on all design concepts.  It is perhaps one of the most directly influential systems, especially in terms of physical geography/topography and sustainability.  The exercise began with a simple piece of trace paper, on which all aspects of water that were thought to apply were written (see above), the major categories being: Natural, Artificial/Mad-made, Physical States, Processes, Draingage/Geographical Control, Sources, Uses, Problems/Consequences, Genres, and Urban Impact. Next, diagramming began on 3 primary scales, from the basic water cycle to water infiltration (comparing proper vs unsuccessful methods) to a word mapping diagram that combines a transect study with water uses in order to determine the degrees of influence of water at all of the scales of an urban region.  It was found that although uses and methods tend to vary from specific transect to transect, a majority of the problems can be resolved by very similar solutions, thus alluding to the fact that a well thought re-design of certain aspects of water [use] could have a very drastic effect on all levels.  A more detailed analysis will now be conducted using mapping at several different scales of West Creek in order to figure how the surrounding regions are currently dealing with issues of water as an urban system, as well as how it can be altered for better, more sustainable and influential means.