stationary

Opponents

2006-11-14T01:21:33Z

Opposition Type: PERMANENCE & ENTROPY
"Time/timelessness in physical realm"

Why do we need leaders? Because without them we're doomed to Lord of the Flies. The elections last 7 November 2006, whether you liked the results or not, occurred as a result of this opposition, of permanence and entropy, of forever and destruction. My first oppostition is of this form, or more appropriately, of man and himself. We lead eachother because without direction we feel lost. Politicians exist based on the premise that they are the solution to this opposition- they're here (in theory) to lead us, to "protect" our country and make it's decisions for us so we don't have to.
__Politicians actually breed more oppositions- between man and himself- when they act against their voters wishes and when thier decisions cause the lives of their constituents to be disrupted.

Opposition Type: Man & Nature/ Permanence & Entropy

The "question" is no longer a question: we're using the last of our finite resources in these coming years, and there has to be a change for the continuation of human existence. The solutions: sustainable design, forward thinking architecture, renewable resources, energy conservation, waste reduction, and putting our waste to work for us by powering homes.

Opposition Type: Mass & Form

SPACE: there's less of it. PEOPLE: there's more of them. Problem? Yes. Solution: Build up, not out, and more efficiently. FLW's Mile High Tower was the extreme of this solution, allowing more green space and less city clutter. Soleri's Acropolis was another, and leCorbusier's Northern Paris rennovation was a loos interpretation.

Opposition Type: Mass & Form

Traffic is one of life's horrendous oppositions. City, country or suburb, it plagues the population no matter where they are. Solution: London had it right- close off the city to all traffic but buses and taxis. Cars should not be allowed in the downtown area. Trains, buses and taxis are cheaper and friendlier to the environment. It wouldn't eliminate the problem, but it would help.

American Wasteland

2006-10-31T03:28:09Z

We drive to work to make money, so that we can put gas in our cars, pay the insurance on them, and fix them when they break... Given, yes, this is an overgeneralization, but even still the idea is realized.

AUTOMOBILES~~~ America's Passtime. The world's own cultural phenomena...

Circa 1905-- Henry T. Ford's factories begin mass-producing the Model T. Thirty years later, every American family has one; they aid in the facilitating the development of a large middle-class.

Our American Wasteland

Source: http://www.rareads.com/scans1/26431.jpg

]]> Automobiles are the "things" within this phenomena.
Clockworks are definative, measurable scenarios. There exist a number of mathematical formulas predicting the purchase and use of vehicles in American culture. These formulas show that these "things" (autos) are measurable in numbers, definative. There exists a fixed number of them, a number which is growing proportional to economic and demographic factors.
Frameworks of automobiles can be described in a number of ways. Structurally, the auto is made up of a literal frame and sidepanels of metal, an interior, electrical, and other factors. As they relate to the designed environment of American Culture, however, the frameworks of a car would be the roads on which it is driven, garages in which it sits, parking spaces where it resides... anything built or designed for the use of the automobile.

These clockworks and frameworks outline the PHENOMENA that is the automobile in American Culture.

..Here in my Room

2006-10-11T02:56:31Z

Genius Loci~ as I understood it, it is the location of the genius of space, which can be described according to Christian Norberg-Schulz and Roman concept as what a thing is, or wants to be..

]]> My Place: Bailey Hall
Experience the glory that is the only dorm on the St. Paul Campus. Four floors, institutional- style double and quad rooms only 15 minutes away from Minneapolis by way of a crowded Campus Connector. Beautiful scenery and spacious courtyards put the Coffman Mall to shame..
My Space: 221East
Here we enter my dorm room for my freshman experience. Double everything for my roommate and me: vanity, desk, surprisingly comfortable bed. Flourescent lighting and a window wall, ancient linoleum tiling and at least ten layers of yellow-white paint make it feel just like home, provided you came from an institution. Not bad at all- complete with television that doesn't pick up t.v. and not one but two refridgerators.
--Genius Loci: Black, metal frame futon, 6'x5'2"
Justification-- Center of room, where activity either happens or is observed from. Using the former definition, my (sadly) Wal-Mart-bought futon is the Genius Loci here in my room because it is the manifestation of what anyone enters a room to do, and all that my room could aspire to achieve. Being a bit of an extrovert, I employ my room to entertain, socialize, and chat, as well as for private activities of homework and reading. My futon is the avenue through which I travel these venues. It is also the typical site for intimacy and can be used for sleep. Anything one wishes to do in a room, including be on a computer or play video games, can be done while sitting, perched on, lying, lounging on or squatting on my Wal-Mart futon.

"You've got your passion, you've got your pride, but don't you know that only fools are satisfied... ..Vienna waits for you.." ~Billy Joel

/Users/Janni/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Modified/2004/Roll 7/PICT1139.JPG

"Knock 'em Down, Make 'em Bigger"

2006-09-25T23:21:39Z

Wasted Space. It's everywhere- look around wherever you are right this instant and you will find it, provided you're not in student housing.

Wasted Resources. Take a look at your garbage can. What's in there? Could you have reused any of it? Did you really need to have it in the first place?

Sustainability. Expensive; necessary. The only way to look at future architecture.

DON'T knock 'em down, then- fix 'em up; DON'T make 'em bigger, make them better, more efficient...

Picture courtesy of: http://www.hpsupplies.info/images/Lo-Landfill.jpg

]]> Julie Brand: "40% of what's in landfills comes from buildings."

There has to be a better way to live than this, yea? I thought so too. Check out this website: http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2003/01/13_helmsm_jacksonmeadow/

Sustainable housing and design are big issues in this century. Education is a key in this process of transforming society. What's frustrating to me, then is during this process we hit roadblocks of ignorance. Our own peers, young people, not understanding the importance of environmental education/ application! Absurd, but commonplace.

ADVOCATE for this issue: I joined MPIRG to help myself understand this issue more. JOIN~ write to rbartleson@mpirg.org. MPIRG also covers political and human rights issues- learn more at mpirg.org.

Midtown Xchange

2006-09-22T03:26:21Z

The neighborhood in which the former Sears distribution center downtown sits is one in disrepair, to put it lightly.

The building itself has been refurbished, though, now boasting clients such as Allina Health Care on top of the Midtown Market. The ceilings are open and large pillars are a staple in the entry across from the new parking auxiliary ramp that costs only $.75 for one hour of parking. I did not feel like I was in a bad part of town- the building is inviting, and as an architecture student interested in sustainability and using what we already have, I loved the fact that it was a rennovation rather than a demolition-rebuild project.

The flow of people within the market was constant, despite the fact that it wasn't very crowded. Energy is brought through the front doors and to the left, where the market begins. I'd say there is no other place I've seen that combines so many different cultures in one space. Specific shops emit unique heritage, which creates a flow about the large room and seems to move with the consumer, browsing shop to shop. Perhaps the greatest force is felt from the eateries, where Swedish, Mexican and Russian delicacies can all be tasted.

Overall the energy is positive. It's a wonderful place, one of the largest succesful rennovations completed in the U.S., finishing only two years ago. Over ten years the giant of a building sat dormant until finally, the funding and ambition were mustered to start and finish the monster project from 2000-2004. The history and former glory of this antique building are qualities that add to it's energy, and highlight an effort by the city of Minneapolis to re-enlighten it's former glories.