Space

The title of the previous post got me thinking. Does it really make sense? Space without Borders? The conventional way of thinking would suggest that a space cannot be a space if it is not bordered by something. In fact the only entity that science has yet to identify the borders of we actually refer to as Outer Space. Which, of course, implies that it is beyond space. Any element wishing to call itself a space must by conventional wisdom have borders. What is to delineate one space from another space unless there were a border? The space within a car or the space within a house are simple, with physical, mechanical boundaries. The space within a Basketball court or Soccer Field are defined by rules and norms. Professional or backyard, the players and fans know that the space within the boundaries of the game are far different from that outside. What about the space of the Ocean or the Atmosphere? Even the self-defined idea of personal space is bound by social norms. All space is defined by limited borders.





But what if it's not?





Many people say the aim of design is to define space. If that is the case than the designer can determine the size and location of any type of space they want. What about the area rug? Does the area rug define space? According to our previous definition, no. The area rug has no physical borders or social norms to keep a visitor from walking on or around the rug (unless of course you grew up in a formal Victorian house with one of those rooms we just don't go into.) The rug is simply a covering for the floor. Then why not carpet? Obviously the owner desires a softer material under their feet. Despite our rigid definition of bordered space, many people view a rug as separating one space from another, or breaking up a space. The edges of the rug form an informal border around and within a space. One that is continuously penetrated by people, pets, and furniture. The conversation then turns to the occupancy of space. Say a chair, (perhaps the nice high-backed Victorian chair you were never allowed to sit in,) is placed in a room so that half the legs are resting on the hard wood and half are on our lovely area rug. Which space is this chair occupying? The short answer may be "both," or possibly, "neither. Perhaps the chair is contained within, and defining it's own space. If the area rug is serving to "break up space." Then perhaps the chair is partially in a space within a space. If this is the case then all space can then be defined further by the space it occupies. Like a complex Matryoshka Doll, space can continually be refined and defined by the space with occupies it and it is occupied within. The rug defines a space within a room, within a house, within a village, within a county, within a state, within a country, within a continent, within the Earth, within the Atmosphere, within the galaxy, within Outer Space.

Thanks for letting me work that out.

Space without Borders

I just finished browsing through an essay by Eyal Weizman titled Lethal Theory. Primarily, it recounted the interactions between the units of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Palestinian guerrilla fighters in the Palestinian city of Nablus in April 2002. Truthfully, I did not read the entire essay, I may at a later point, but my interest was piqued early in the article by a discussion on the movements of the troops within the city. With such a saturation of soldiers within the cramped confines of the city the guerrilla fighters expected the IDF movements to be predictable, marching through streets and the paths of least resistance. In an interview with Brigadier General Aviv Kokhavi, commander of the Paratrooper Brigade of the IDF, Kokhavi told Weizman

We interpreted the alley as a place forbidden
to walk through, and the window as a place
forbidden to look through, because a
weapon awaits us in the alley, and a booby trap
awaits us behind the doors. This is because the
enemy interprets space in a traditional, classical
manner, and I do not want to obey this
interpretation and fall into his traps,
I want to surprise him!

Space without borders was borne. Not wanting to be predictable and fall into traps, the IDF began moving through the city in "Swarms," blasting and crashing their way through walls, forbidden to walk through doorways or alleys. From one room to the next, zigging and zagging through the city. One home at a time they closed in on the enemy.

The really enticing part of the story is how they came upon this solution. From the onset the commanders realized there was a need for a new way of thinking about and perceiving space. Brigadier generals and common soldiers were studying Architectural text. In an attempt to transform their method of interpreting space within the city. Allowing them to find more creative solutions than simply using a door for a door. The military was training so-called "operational architects."

As a traditional type of architect, I think about the space and the interaction of the residents after the "operational architects" perform their work. A space of square rooms on all sides, perforated by a large earthworm, (or possibly an over-zealous koolaid man) in an erratic pattern winding through the city. Redefining spaces within the homes by installing openings where there used to be none. Imagine the new relationship you would have with your siblings if suddenly there was a direct connection between your two rooms. Even worse, with your neighbor who until recently only shared a common wall, but now a secret passage hidden on both sides by a large bookshelf. Perhaps you would be lucky enough to receive a passage from the upstairs hallway to the dinning room below. Install an fire pole and never have the kids late for dinner again!

The Machine Stops

The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster, 1909

I have read about this short story for a while now and have finally found the time to read or, more appropriately, listened to it. I stumbled onto a mp3 version that I could listen to during work. Although if I had known how short the story actually was I would have perhaps put more effort into finding a written version. Truthfully, it shouldn't take more than an hour of attentive reading to finish this off.

I digress.

I was very taken by the amount of drama, especially in contrast to the seemingly lack of traditional plot. The message was as clear as the story was brief however. And in the end I found myself like the small geek at the beach party in the Labatt Blue Light commercial exclaiming how "we have to fight back against technology before it takes over the world!"

Forster was far before his time when he wrote about the encroachment of technology into our daily lives. And since then there have been numerous replications of his dramatic story in both written word and video. It was such a video that alerted me first to this story from a link over at BLDGBLOG to a short video of the same title by the Freise Brothers. Definitely worth a look.

Image from the Freise Brothers video, The Machine Stops

Perhaps after some people who happen to find this blog and who have happened to read to book, or have been intrigued enough to listen to the story read to them we may have a further discussion about the merits of the story and its increasing relevance to modern society.

Engagement

WERE ENGAGED!

This is rather old news but I felt it the best way to begin my casual online discussions.

Prior to my engagement I knew two things about when I "pop the question." First, I wanted it to be special, and Second, I wanted it to be a surprise. I had repeatedly told my fiance that I would not propose. I was successful on both accounts.

The Story:

The Cabin

Some old friends of the family own a cabin in the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Nearly every summer from as far back as I can remember my family would hook up the camper, load up the gear and pile into the truck to head up to the New England states for a few weeks. Either on the way up or the way back we always stopped at their cabin to spend a few days in the mountains. Their cabin is in Twin Mountain, New Hampshire, about a 10 minute drive from the base of the tallest mountain in the Northeast; Mt. Washington. (Home to the worst weather on Earth!) Every summer we drive to the base of the mountain, tour the museum, stare up at the summit and watch the famed cog railway operate as it has for over 100 years.

The Cog at the Summit

This past summer was the first that my brother and I would not be able to travel with my parents on the vacation, for my part due to my acquisition of a "real job." A few weeks before the trip my then girlfriend and I decided that we could spare a few days off, lets drive separately as far as New Hampshire and actually climb Mt. Washington. We had never tackled a climb like this before, especially on such little preparation, so we invited my brother along to help us keep our pace up and get us back down at the end of the day.

The summit the day after our hike...much better weather

It was my brothers presence that solidified in her mind that this would not be the trip she would get a ring. On top of that, it was well understood that permission was required from her father before I was to ask. This was only a slight complication as he was in Afghanistan working as a civilian contractor at the time. To abbreviate just a bit, I received permission, scrambled to purchase the perfect ring, enlisted the help of my family for some of the technical details, and was able to keep the entire endeavor a secret.

Early on the day of the climb we arrived at the base, got some maps and headed up. Skipping many hours of climbing details, we reached the summit in a misty rain. After a lengthy reprieve and lunch we stopped at the observation deck (there were very few people observing anything due to visibility at about 20ft.), before we headed down.



Skipping some more details about the exact phrase and conversation at the time...she said yes. She was ecstatic, but quickly her mood dropped when I told her I had to take the ring back for the hike down. (Her hands have a tendency to swell from the exertion) The six hour return trip from the summit was less than idea for all of us, the trail was rough and the weather was even worse.



Thawing out back in the truck it all she affirms that it was all worth the trouble.

Happily Ever After....

Progress

In a repeat attempt to be a more consistent blogger I will try to begin posting more day-to-day events. This is not to drone on about seemingly irrelevant going-ons that I happen to observe but, hopefully, this more casual view of writing on this venue will assist me in approaching the blog more frequently. Also, I have been watching the daily update of many blogs and have continue to be ashamed at the non-updating status of "The Voice" (as I pioneer an abbreviation of the blog title in yet another attempt to view blogging more casually). Truthfully, I have no excuse. The Juice and I began this blog as an attempt to recapture the meaningful, if not altogether riveting, conversations that we shared during our time at college. To this point we have exchanged more in-depth theories across the paintball field than we have discussed via this website. I intend to reverse this, not only to promote intellectual discussion, but some non-intellectual, and at times, some down right ridiculous, all the while keeping a electronic record or our rantings and ramblings to peruse and pick-up at whatever point we desire.

So...I begin the casual blogging so that all my know of my life.

Firecracker Fun

Brown bottle (above).



Have you ever wondered what a sparkler looks like inside a glass bottle? Check out the pics. The end result was somewhat of a lantern effect, though the ensuing smoke rendered the bottles useless after just one sparkler. Good thing the empties had not been moved far from my bonfire pit!

Green bottle (above). Just lit brown bottle (below).

Dryer Road

All my life I have lived within minutes of the most organized single track experience in the region and I am ashamed to say I had never been...until last week. The past two weekends we gathered at Dryer Road park in Victor, NY and had a great time. The trails range all skill levels and offer a great experience for everyone from beginners to the most advanced. The pump track and slalom run round out the park for all biking interest groups.

Most of the trails are short, but spiraling around a hill top, the mix of uphill climbs and downhill descents offers great relief. Although the map is a bit deceptive, I personally respect the subtle humor of many of the trial names. With names such as Elevator, Ribbon Candy and Humpty Dumpty you have a good idea of what you are in for before leaving the trial head.

I can assure you I will be frequenting this trails system all summer long, especially with our upcoming move from Downtown to East Rochester. Anyone stumbling accross this page wishing to join for an informal ride please get in contact. We are always looking for more people for the ride.

Drawings or Models?

Today I am working with some original blue prints and recreating some sections from those drawings. The funny thing is, my desk and adjoining work surface aren't even deep enough to accommodate the oversize 36"x48" drawing sheets. This brings back the topic of spatial relations and requirements. With the use of CAD and 3D computer modelling (BIM) the space needed to produce a drawing set is greatly reduced. No more drafting board/table or the additional layout space necessary for the overflow of paper and drafting tools.

It is interesting to think of the progression of our fine profession. Originally, everything was done by hand...now it is almost all done with the help of computers and digital files. Unless you're in Architecture School, it's hard to even give away drafting supplies. Hard copies of anything are only used for an additional record of the digital files. Most municipalities still require a paper copy of a drawing set (as do contractors), but I can see the day when it will all be done digitally. Revisions will be downloaded to each individual's 3D computer model of the building and automatically updated. No more worries about missed addendum sketches or coordination issues between trades!

With the pace of the growth and development of technology, I certainly see this as becoming the reality of the not-so-distant future. Clients will likely even come to designers with an existing model or maybe something that they have created themselves. We may not need the paper copies of drawing sets at that point, except as the napkins for our coffee drips. Even though I see the digital future of architecture, I still love the feel of pen on paper and actually sketching an idea out. Computer models will likely take over as the dominant means of communication for Architecture, but I will still hold on to the antiquated hand drawn sketch with all of its simplicity and beauty.

Spring Cleaning

It never ceases to amaze me what a little cleaning can do. Yesterday, my girlfriend and I spent the day cleaning out our bedroom. That cleaning included moving a large dresser, recliner, and several storage totes. The stuff only made it as far as the dining room, but the resulting impact on our bedroom is amazing. I woke up this morning and almost did not recognize the place! It definitely is interesting to think about the volumes of spaces that we occupy...and how altering that volume can change the way the space feels or the way that you feel within the space. Interior design at work!

Posting...

As my friend, and fellow contributor, Mr. T has said "posting has become like doing extra credit for a class which you are already doing well in." I have also come to feel this way as of late. It's really difficult for me to dedicate time to sitting down and posting. Maybe I should just post my random thoughts, instead of trying to come up with something philosophical. ...Though that is a nice excuse for not updating the blog as often as I should.

Anyways, where I am going with this post is just to say that I would like to be more spontaneous with my posts and also with my thinking of what I should post. This blog was created on the premise of being a learning exercise, a way for its contributors (and readers) to grow and develop. This will be my renewed initiative to do just that. Not only will I seek to post anything that pops into my head as interesting or a good point for discussion, but I will also seek to chronicle some of the milestones in my life. This blog will serve as a medium for that continued exploration.

Single Track

To continue to establish the breadth of topics that we will attempt to cover within this blog, today’s post is all about single track. All of us who contribute to this blog are avid bicyclists, especially the off-road type and although it has been more difficult since leaving college, we enjoy getting together to ride occasionally. Unfortunately, the current Monroe County laws prohibit off-road cycling in any of the County parks, however the Genesee Regional Off-Road Cyclists (GROC) are working hard at petitioning the policy-makers into respecting the rights of this growing user group.

My Ride

Actually, it is due to this difficulty of finding proper locations to fulfill this off-road riding urge that I have taken to reading and learning about the sport that I love so much. When I moved to this city I was able to encounter my first true experience with single track. Prior to joining the metropolitan landscape as a “city-dweller” my only experiences with off-road riding consisted of mountainous hiking trails, littered with massive jaw-jarring root sections and nose-diving runoff ditches, and on the other end of the spectrum, wide, flat gravel trails that once supported the expansive rail-road infrastructure. Hardly exciting in any case, but I didn’t know any better.

Single track riding, I have discovered, has become for many a way of life. Much as activities such as rock climbing, white water kayaking, or back-country snowmobiling can, single track riding is the essence of pure euphoria for most Mountain Bikers.

When the snow finally melts, the spring rains run their course and the narrow dirt trails finally drain of all their retained moisture, all that is left is a small, hard packed, dusty trail. But that is enough. The rolling contours of a well-designed single track trail, the tight corridor cut through the dense wilderness, and the communion with nature experienced from the saddle of an iron steed.

For those who follow a more logical path, Single Track is exactly as the name suggests: a narrow path that moves with the contours of the wilderness, designed for single-file use, wide enough only for a single hiker or biker to travel at a time. These sort of trails bring the rider, or hiker closer to nature, enveloping them in a tunnel of green that is impossible with larger ATV trails or fire roads.

I have come to enjoy, even crave the thrill of carving around the sharp turns and negotiating the challenging technical areas of the trail. With a group or solo, the experience is compelling for those aware enough to recognize it.

As a closing, here is a video of one of the great memories from our college riding experiences for your enjoyment and our reflection. It is good to remember to always wear your helmet because the laws of probability will eventually catch up with you.

VotI

Graffiti Creator

J. Ruskin

This is the first page of Audels Masons and Builders Guide published in 1924 that I recently acquired from my Great Uncle's estate.



In today's fast-paced lifestyle and rush-job project schedules,
I believe it is a good reminder for Architect and Builder alike.

Zoology

Each time I visit the Buffalo Zoological Garden I am overcome with nostalgia and the powerful sense of history. This past weekend I did just that, in a sort of follow up visit to my research trips last year.

RESIDENTS DURING MY LAST VISIT

During my last year at school I spent many hours studying the forms and functions of the Buffalo Zoo in anticipation of an attractive new addition to the facility. My senior thesis design project was based around this new addition, as well as the revitalization and reorganization of the zoo. As the construction company was building Rainforest Falls, the new walkthrough exhibit that utilizes the concepts of immersive design and natural barriers, I was developing an alternate project. Using the same zoological concepts I incorporated a bit more “architecture.”

THESIS PRESENTATION BOARD

The history of the third oldest zoo in country is a great one, and while I find the story fascinating, unfortunately there are far too many intricacies to fully develop a competent discussion on this venue. The original Zoological Garden, as well as many of the other public parks throughout Buffalo, was designed by the great American landscape architect Fredrick Law Olmstead in 1875, and until now, very little of the original form has been altered. Olmstead’s formal organization and symmetrical balance have been preserved, I believe, to the benefit of the zoo.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO ZOO

COURTSEY OF CANISIUS COLLEGE

VIDEO INSTITUTE

So many of the “modern” zoos simply result from a series of disconnected additions and renovations as funding becomes available. As a result the visitor circulation, exhibit organization, and overall cohesion of the facility suffer greatly. The advantage of age that the Buffalo Zoo has is clearly apparent, from the large iron gates at the entrance ticket booths to the universal rusticated buildings. Unfortunately, due to size limitations, the newly opened Rainforest exhibit had to compromise some of the primary organizational principles of the sites. Fortunately, the designers saw fit to use similar rustication techniques on the exterior cladding of the exhibit as on the existing buildings.

GOOGLE EARTH VIEW OF BUFFALO ZOO

PRIOR TO RAINFOREST FALLS

The Design Thesis I presented last spring featured a very literal interpretation of Olmstead’s formal symmetry as well as a rather fantastical budget for the sparse funding of a small zoo. The design was based on the most ideal conditions available, a feature I am afraid was lost on the limited vision of the guest critics. I spent much of the allotted time studying zoo design principles, learning much about topics such as deep green design, landscape immersion concepts, naturalistic enrichment, and basic zoo visitor circulation. Many of these lessons were taught by Jon Coe, a renowned Australian landscape architect who specializes in zoo design around the world. I am sure in the posts to follow I will discuss several of these concepts. It is an extremely interesting and inciting opportunity to design a common area for the human program requirements and that of any number of additional species with a vast array of additional program requirements.

I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO INTERVIEW THE ZOO CURATOR

DURING CONSTRUCTION. I WAS GIVEN A TOUR OF THE

FACILITY WHILE THEY WERE BUILDING THE CLIFFS

ANGEL FALLS IN BUFFALO NEW YORK

At some point in the future I hope to break into the zoo design arena. Have the opportunity to combine architecture, landscape design, and environmental program requirements in a cohesive project. To blend the lines between human visitors and animal residents. To weave the circulation paths of animal, visitors, and zoo keepers. To weight the sensitive balance of priority between animals and humans. To tackle the problem of creating a regionally distinct exhibit within a larger uniform context.

Alright, it has been a little more than a week since I was supposed to start posting pictures of some of the places I have been...but the wait is finally over. This picture takes us to one of my visits to Venice, Florida. The first picture should help warm some things up as we sit here in the cold of Upstate New York. Also, did you ever wonder how pineapple grow?Check out the picture below...

Upcoming Posts

I am currently working on a few post ideas that should hit the blog in the next week or so. One of which will likely be a weekly/bi-weekly posting of pictures of places which I have visited. I think that Mr. T will be doing the same, as each of us has a vast number of cool photos from across the country. Check back regularly to see what new adventures we chronicle next!

Friday the 13th...

Not only is this Friday the 13th, but it's also the day before Valentine's Day. For those of us who do have someone, it's the last-minute time to get gifts before the big day and make any remaining preparations. It's also just a great time to think of your special someone, or anyone in your life which you love. For anyone who stumbles upon our blog, enjoy the big V-day whether or not you have someone. Be appreciative of all the gifts you get (physical or emotional) and tell the people closest to you that you love them.

Image Practice

I started playing around on wordle the other day at work. Using my vast resourcefullness I used what I had and made this word cloud out of the door hardware specification I was working on.

Links

In our continuing endeavor to learn more about this magical process of blogging, I am using this post to practice creating a link. I have decided to dually share some background with those precious few of you out there who may happen to stumble upon this page. I live in the smallest city that has ever installed a subterranean subway system. Is there anyone out there who knows where I live? Further, if you removed all of the trees from this image, you would be able to see my apartment.

Post up

Mr. T and I will be posting on this blog as an exercise to further our exploration of all things architecture and design. We hope to find some fulfillment through the written word and discussion of everything from the banal to the most profound of topics. Eventually, if you do follow our rants and thoughts, you should see us develop through this experience. At least, that's the idea...