The reading about research, “Research Starts with A Thesis Statement,” builds on what we just read last week, showing us that inquiry-based research helps us see a larger field of information than if we go into research already knowing what we want to argue. Using last week’s questions (what aspects about spaces for reflection do we want to learn more about? As an architecture student, what are ways that reflection is an important consideration in built spaces? What are some places you would consult for your research?), let’s add on to that to ask what do you find when you start to research reflection, and what terms do you add to narrow your search? Add a comment that includes:
- a resource you found
- a link to it
- what genre the resource is–what kind of text is it?
- what it tells you about places for reflection
- what you think of the source
- what question or questions you have after reading, and what question or questions it makes you want to find the answer to.
Comment on at least one classmate’s comment, asking follow-up questions or making observations about what they found.
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While in search of reflection, I would try to look for other architects’ experience in life and how their experience and reflections could help me move forward in the career. One story called “Jane”, ( https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/archive/jane-the-story-of-an-architect ) explains her experience as a architect and allows me to reflect upon it because it showed me that architecture might be very hard at times but in the end it’s all worth it. I think of the source as very motivational because in the beginning it didn’t seem she would get that far into architecture as she stated she was on “very little money and little sleep” and as she progressed she started to gain confidence and work hard towards her goal and achieve it by winning many awards in her field.
This is an interesting resource–did you read about who Jane is? What you’ve shared here is an example of a text that is itself reflective, but also includes aspects of architecture for reflection. I want us to focus more on that second meaning, but great to also include the first when possible. How was the studio a place for reflection? Or the shed?
Since one goal for Project #2 is to consider genre as we accumulate resources, what genre is this text? What expectations do you have about texts in this genre? If you’re not sure, maybe someone else in the class can help identify it?
This website seems like it would be useful to bookmark–we can also use our efforts for Project #2 to generate a list of links that will be helpful as you develop your architecture careers.
What I looked for in my reflection research is what the life of an architect is like. I came across this article https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/049-objects-of-design/. The article is called“Objects of design” by Bob Borson. He shows more about this field than just designing buildings and how designs can influence other designs. Even though I already knew this, reading about it let me get more knowledge on it. Bob Borson speaks about a design from years ago called the “Eames Plyform Leg Splint” that is 80 years old. In the article it states “It’s clever, solved a problem, was inventive in its solution, and had a major impact on the world of design, even if you didn’t realize it. It took the invention of “The Kazam! Machine” to bring their idea to reality … and the idea of bending and forming plywood was born.” This design helped the world of design and inspired others. He also illustrates different designs on chairs, something simple I look at differently now. This led me to reflect on what my design style is, I don’t really know what it is but on my journey to find it I know what to reflect on.
Thanks for linking us to that interesting blog post! Even if you don’t read all the way through (though I encourage you to!), that first section that Jayda writes about is really interesting–an example of how technology benefits design, how design can aim to reach everyone, how an object can become iconic, and more.
What’s really interesting for our purposes is how it gets us to think about objects. The post’s author, Bob Borson, uses the term materiality. Look this word up, and get familiar with it if you aren’t already. Let’s take that idea that materiality matters and apply it to our consideration of spaces for reflection. What does it matter what materials are present in your space? How does their materiality, affect their usefulness in creating a space for reflection?
Another question about spaces for reflection that we can take from this blog post: What would you want to sit on in a space for reflection?
When researching the meaning behind reflection, the terms I would include in my search to narrow specifically what I want would be, What’s the best environment for an architect to reflect? I found an article called “10 essential habits of successful architects”, (https://www.bdcnetwork.com/blog/10-essential-habits-successful-architects). I relate reflection being a habit so I thought this article would be helpful and it was. Reading the article I came across a subheading that said “Get out of the office”. Under this they advised Architects to leave their office and make site visits to construction sites they are working or will be working on. They mention that there are many benefits to analyzing their work and I believe analyzing is a form of reflection. In other words they mention that reflecting on your work and making improvements is beneficial. Thinking is also another for of reflection and I came across another subheading that said, “Think”. Under this it mentioned that you as an architect should let design ideas come to you as opposed to copying them. It also mentions that innovation will develop when you are able to think/ put your thoughts together in order to solve problems. This represents reflection since you are thinking on your designs and reflecting on how you can improve on your style and problems that come about. I feel as if this source was helpful. For this source I have no questions.
I think that your provided informations are very helpful and important. Every single Architect needs to know all this 10 habits to success. All these habits are important and if anyone misses any of them they might make mistake and make everything way too complicated to deal with. For example if someone do not listen to something they might miss something very important, that they need to know to complete the task.
Thanks for sharing this helpful blog post, and I hope this blog as well will be useful for everyone in our class.
Kevin, you highlight the really important “get out of the office.” Can offices be places for reflection? John Gresko, the author of the blog post, seems to suggest otherwise, that we need to get out of our work space to really be able to think (and see, and listen, etc).
So it seems like one question that comes out of this reading is what is a space for reflection for architects in particular?
As my reflection research i looked up for what is like “A day in the life of an Architect”.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C5vCGB8Xx0) In the video an professional Architect describes what does an architects life looks like. I think it is very important to know before a person finally decides what profession he wants in the future. In the video he explains that experienced architect has great job. In the video this person works from home and he also has time to go out and do something else. I think that Architecture is less stressing that other jobs.
I also looked up for another video too “how to think like an Architect” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmHoGicPQQQ). In the video also a professional Architect describes, what details we need to do before we start drawing plans, sections and others. In the video he shows us that wether is very important detail to focus on, before we arrange the rooms.
In overall both videos were very helpful. The first video thought me what it’s like to be an architect, it thought that i will need work hard and get experience to be a successful Architect. The second video showed me, to never forget details. Both videos are well performed and I don’t have any questions for now.
While looking into it in search of reflection. I came across a video which can really make you think about landscape on why these “smart cities” are built. In the youtube video “Adam Greenfield on the Dangers of Smart Cities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6z2S1Y1IgQ&feature=youtu.be .In his speech Adam Greenfield talks about the influences of “smart cities” to the community or to the public. He says that smart cities have nothing to do with the city but treating the urban environment as a marketing commodity. It shows that the place for reflection is meant more for the ones above “the higher ups in the government” where they can use all the technologies in the cities like cameras, satellite polls, etc.. to keep everyone else in check. In the video Adam Greenfield states “smart cities see democracy as a disruption, when they say minimize disruption they actually mean minimize democracy”, I see reflection in it because it’s a very clever way of controlling the masses in cities. This video got me thinking alot about all these futuristic cities built during our time. It feels more like they are making it as a marking tool then for the people’s satisfaction. This led me to think about what kind of architect I want to be and what journeys will have to go through in order to succeed.
Something that I took into consideration when researching architecture is the certain lifestyle they live. One resource I found is http://liraluis.blogspot.com/2008/06/lifestyle-of-architect.html. The article is called “The lifestyle of an Architect”. The purpose of this article is to explain the up and downs that architects may face. Something that was mentioned that I’ll learn to live by is to make sure you enjoy what you’re doing so that it doesn’t feel like work. The author states “But what if what you do for a living is what you are passionate about? Then the line is blurred between what is work and what you enjoy doing. The result is that work becomes “not work” anymore. I for one happen to love what I do.” I think that this source is interesting because it reminds me about something important that may go over people’s head. A question I had while reading was were there things that had to be sacrificed in order to live the lifestyle that they actually enjoy and not just doing it only for the money.