Thursday, July 22, 2010
First thing to read!!! (with the new posts)
Going to the Expo clarified a lot of things for me about the communication of information, which will be most of the real program of my thesis project. I became pretty interested in the ways that interactive digital displays has changed the communication of information, and what that does to architecture. This is a little snippet/essay that sort of sums up my conclusions about the challenges of integrating informational technology into spaces.
The new millennium has ushered in the age of virtual reality. People seek out spatial simulations for almost everything, from training to fly an airplane to navigating a new city. The power of this virtual technology is in its ability to create a controlled experience. By using auditory, visual, sensual, and textual cues, simulations can communicate information with unparalleled speed. The creators of virtual reality can also provide for a seemingly limitless number of different experiences. The downside to a completely controlled experience is twofold. First, these simulations must provide a constant level of stimulation. Even if a player in a virtual reality game makes a wrong turn, the consequences are to his ability to achieve his goal, not the quality of the space that he occupies. Second, because every aspect of a virtual experience has been designed, the opportunity for new and original experiences is actually limited. Thus people tend to assume a passive role in a virtual experience.
In contrast to virtual reality, architecture is limited in its ability to communicate information. A space can not instruct a person to operate a plane. But because architects cannot control a complete experience, buildings encourage independent initiative and are capable of creating original, unforeseen experiences. Any person that has experienced the joy of walking down a hallway to see the view from a window has experienced the power of architecture to encourage personal initiative.
So... given that, what I am trying to show with this series of diagrams is how designers coped with the challenge of creating good spaces while still taking advantage of new technology. This is something I wrote about my first diagram, which will be the next post, so you can use it as a guide to see what I'm talking about with the rest of the diagrams.
South Korea’s pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo of 2010 demonstrates an excellent strategy that takes advantage of both interactive technological components and spatial organization. In many of their displays, the architects physically separated the user’s input from the digital output. When a person manipulates the device, they can see both the way that they are manipulating the device and the way that their input changes the output. However, those that are behind the person can only see the way that the output is being changed by the user. This creates first a feeling of suspense: what is creating these changes? Second, it adds an element of theatricality: the person manipulating the device becomes a performer of sorts because their bodily contortions are being viewed simultaneously with the output of the device. They become a part of this exhibit.
The new millennium has ushered in the age of virtual reality. People seek out spatial simulations for almost everything, from training to fly an airplane to navigating a new city. The power of this virtual technology is in its ability to create a controlled experience. By using auditory, visual, sensual, and textual cues, simulations can communicate information with unparalleled speed. The creators of virtual reality can also provide for a seemingly limitless number of different experiences. The downside to a completely controlled experience is twofold. First, these simulations must provide a constant level of stimulation. Even if a player in a virtual reality game makes a wrong turn, the consequences are to his ability to achieve his goal, not the quality of the space that he occupies. Second, because every aspect of a virtual experience has been designed, the opportunity for new and original experiences is actually limited. Thus people tend to assume a passive role in a virtual experience.
In contrast to virtual reality, architecture is limited in its ability to communicate information. A space can not instruct a person to operate a plane. But because architects cannot control a complete experience, buildings encourage independent initiative and are capable of creating original, unforeseen experiences. Any person that has experienced the joy of walking down a hallway to see the view from a window has experienced the power of architecture to encourage personal initiative.
So... given that, what I am trying to show with this series of diagrams is how designers coped with the challenge of creating good spaces while still taking advantage of new technology. This is something I wrote about my first diagram, which will be the next post, so you can use it as a guide to see what I'm talking about with the rest of the diagrams.
South Korea’s pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo of 2010 demonstrates an excellent strategy that takes advantage of both interactive technological components and spatial organization. In many of their displays, the architects physically separated the user’s input from the digital output. When a person manipulates the device, they can see both the way that they are manipulating the device and the way that their input changes the output. However, those that are behind the person can only see the way that the output is being changed by the user. This creates first a feeling of suspense: what is creating these changes? Second, it adds an element of theatricality: the person manipulating the device becomes a performer of sorts because their bodily contortions are being viewed simultaneously with the output of the device. They become a part of this exhibit.
Back to South Korea's Pavilion
This is a diagram of their 3d Movie space. It really is sort of redundant, emphasizing the way that the space creates both the dual role of performer and viewer.
The UAE
This is a series of two diagrams from the UAE pavilion:
The first diagram shows how they placed the columns so as to create layered views.
The secon shows how the designers replicated a traditional storytelling experience.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Interesting Article...
Check out this article.
This is a N Y Times piece about Obama's decision to send 1,200 troops to the border between Mexico and the US. First, it shows how important immigration will become in the coming months, as Obama will most likely try to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Second, it shows the range of responses government can take to deal with illegal immigration. Third, it shows the many different layers of this permeable "wall" / "international border." There's the actual border, which is a political line that can be located geographically and guarded with soldiers and fences and checkpoints. Then there are the different legal barriers to keep illegal immigrants from living any sort of open existence. The Immigration Court is only the last of many barriers to illegal immigrants.
This is a N Y Times piece about Obama's decision to send 1,200 troops to the border between Mexico and the US. First, it shows how important immigration will become in the coming months, as Obama will most likely try to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Second, it shows the range of responses government can take to deal with illegal immigration. Third, it shows the many different layers of this permeable "wall" / "international border." There's the actual border, which is a political line that can be located geographically and guarded with soldiers and fences and checkpoints. Then there are the different legal barriers to keep illegal immigrants from living any sort of open existence. The Immigration Court is only the last of many barriers to illegal immigrants.
Output
So I realized today that I've been thinking about illegal immigration from a pretty narrow perspective. Up until now I've mostly been focusing on the experience of the individual vs. the rational abstraction of the state. This was fruitful, because I could definitely imagine a good project contrasting the really poignant experience of someone who is uprooted/in jeopardy with the cold rationale of the government. But I've always thought there is something very one-dimensional about projects that explore a duality. It is very easy to slip into hyperbole.
So my third dimension on this issue is public reaction to illegal immigration. How well informed is the average New Orleanian about illegal immigration? Do people that live in this city even have an idea of how many illegal immigrants there are here? We in New Orleans should start a dialogue about the impact of illegal immigrant on this city, the positive and the negative, and about the way that we feel that illegal immigrants should be treated when the government apprehends them. My project should increase awareness of illegal immigration and foster discussion about how we should deal with this issue.
My first material study will (I hope) be deployed this weekend. I'm going to weave together chipboard pieces into a strip that is about 1.5 feet wide, then attach it to a bench. More on this project later as it gets more fleshed out. Definitely check back in for pictures!
So my third dimension on this issue is public reaction to illegal immigration. How well informed is the average New Orleanian about illegal immigration? Do people that live in this city even have an idea of how many illegal immigrants there are here? We in New Orleans should start a dialogue about the impact of illegal immigrant on this city, the positive and the negative, and about the way that we feel that illegal immigrants should be treated when the government apprehends them. My project should increase awareness of illegal immigration and foster discussion about how we should deal with this issue.
My first material study will (I hope) be deployed this weekend. I'm going to weave together chipboard pieces into a strip that is about 1.5 feet wide, then attach it to a bench. More on this project later as it gets more fleshed out. Definitely check back in for pictures!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Topic!
Remember, this is being written a year before my thesis is going to be presented. So read this with One. Heck. Of. A. Grain. Of. Salt.
My project is going to be some sort of intervention into the United States Immigration Court in New Orleans, Louisiana. (1 Canal Street New Orleans, LA).
Immigration interested me as a topic for many reasons.
a) SCALE:
My project (I've already decided) is going to be small scale, probably a series of walls that are going to be inserted into an existing space. However, by tying the project to an issue of a much larger scale, the wall can be symbolic as well as just experiential. For the most part the design moves that I make will be directly tied to the spaces that they create. But now, the wall is also more significant than my specific site, so that I can attempt to deal with, for example, the architecture of power, which has a lot of interesting precedents (Panopticon, etcetera.)
b) Relevance to New Orleans:
Until Census data becomes available in December 2010, it is not certain how much the Latino population in New Orleans has risen in the years since Katrina. But most estimates imagine a 6% leap, from 3.1% of the population before Katrina, to 9% post-Katrina. This population jump is important to New Orleans for two reasons:
i. It is directly related to the trauma that has shaken New Orleans in the past.
ii. It will shape New Orleans in the future, changing the make-up of the public school system, the demands on the public health system, and the needs and wants of the people of New Orleans. http://www.immigrationhereandthere.org/2008/03/nuevo_new_orleans_latino_immig.php
iii. The huge influx of illegal immigrants, which for at least the reconstruction period of New Orleans constituted 25% of the labor force (http://www.allbusiness.com/educational-services/colleges-universities/4095620-1.html), was a very explosive issue (http://www.sptimes.com/2005/10/23/Worldandnation/Who_s_rebuilding_New_.shtml) at least during the months following Katrina, and probably until now.
c) human interest:
Each individual coming before this court is profoundly invested in the proceedings. The Court can decide whether they are deported or can stay in the United States. Becoming a citizen, apart from the legal standpoint, shapes one's self-awareness and sense of identity. Being deported, on the other hand, touches on deep fears, and creates a visceral sense of dis-orientation. All of these feelings have great spatial potential.
Relevance and Function of the Site:
The Immigration Court of New Orleans decides the cases of illegal immigrants that have been detained in New Orleans. It can recommend the removal of immigrants, or recommend that their legal status be regularized.
My project is going to be some sort of intervention into the United States Immigration Court in New Orleans, Louisiana. (1 Canal Street New Orleans, LA).
Immigration interested me as a topic for many reasons.
a) SCALE:
My project (I've already decided) is going to be small scale, probably a series of walls that are going to be inserted into an existing space. However, by tying the project to an issue of a much larger scale, the wall can be symbolic as well as just experiential. For the most part the design moves that I make will be directly tied to the spaces that they create. But now, the wall is also more significant than my specific site, so that I can attempt to deal with, for example, the architecture of power, which has a lot of interesting precedents (Panopticon, etcetera.)
b) Relevance to New Orleans:
Until Census data becomes available in December 2010, it is not certain how much the Latino population in New Orleans has risen in the years since Katrina. But most estimates imagine a 6% leap, from 3.1% of the population before Katrina, to 9% post-Katrina. This population jump is important to New Orleans for two reasons:
i. It is directly related to the trauma that has shaken New Orleans in the past.
ii. It will shape New Orleans in the future, changing the make-up of the public school system, the demands on the public health system, and the needs and wants of the people of New Orleans. http://www.immigrationhereandthere.org/2008/03/nuevo_new_orleans_latino_immig.php
iii. The huge influx of illegal immigrants, which for at least the reconstruction period of New Orleans constituted 25% of the labor force (http://www.allbusiness.com/educational-services/colleges-universities/4095620-1.html), was a very explosive issue (http://www.sptimes.com/2005/10/23/Worldandnation/Who_s_rebuilding_New_.shtml) at least during the months following Katrina, and probably until now.
c) human interest:
Each individual coming before this court is profoundly invested in the proceedings. The Court can decide whether they are deported or can stay in the United States. Becoming a citizen, apart from the legal standpoint, shapes one's self-awareness and sense of identity. Being deported, on the other hand, touches on deep fears, and creates a visceral sense of dis-orientation. All of these feelings have great spatial potential.
Relevance and Function of the Site:
The Immigration Court of New Orleans decides the cases of illegal immigrants that have been detained in New Orleans. It can recommend the removal of immigrants, or recommend that their legal status be regularized.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
