Chabon, M. (2009, 16 July). Manhood for amateurs: The Wilderness of childhood. The New York Review of Books, 56, 12.
In Manhood for Amateurs, the Wilderness of Childhood, Michael Chabon describes the loss of childhood imagination, ingenuity, and play. Through examination of his personal memories of childhood adventures, Chabon outlines his belief that adventures and experiences happen for children in the freedom of ‘wilderness,’ an un-organized and un-reserved place. Chabon begins to study why, in today’s society; children are so protected but only mentions inaccurate fear. He then begins to examine the implications for the future. Chabon’s article is a thought-provoking reflection on one aspect of how childhood today is different from the past.
Whitehead, C. (2001, 11 Nov). The Way We Live Now: 11-11-01; Lost and Found. New York Times.
The Way We Live Now is an assessment on perspectives. Colson Whitehead describes ‘his’ New York and how it has changed and will continue to change and yet always remain the same. Whitehead uses the every-changing New York to demonstrate that place is how we remember and define it. Whitehead successfully describes how perspectives change through his experiences in his neighborhood. A neighborhood being the places you perceive as yours; that remember you when no one else was watching; that remember you for how you experienced them.
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Proshansky, H., Fabian,A., & Kaminoff, R. (1983). Place Identity: Physical world Socialization of the Self. Journal of Environmental Psychology. 3, 57-83.
Place Identity: Physical World Socialization of the Self defines place identity by reviewing the development of self-identity. The paper defines ‘self’ “as a tern which describes the individual as a total system, including both conscious and unconscious perceptions of his past, his daily experiences and behaviors, and his future aspirations.”
Theorist’s examples outline the concept that one’s sense of self is static and changes with experiences just as place-identity will. Place-identity is defined as a ‘complex cognitive structure’ of varying values, attitudes, thoughts, tendencies, and behaviors. These characteristics are said to be developed through a person’s engagement in place. This paper explains the purpose of place-identity as a context to inform a person’s behaviors and actions in place.
Cooper C. (1974). The House as Symbol of Self. Lang, J., Burnette, C., Moleski, W., & Vachon, D. (Eds.), Designing for human Behavior: Architecture and Behavioral Sciences (130-146). Pennsylvania: Dowden, Hutchinson, & Ross, Inc.
Cooper’s paper, The House as a Symbol of Self, is an exploration into the meaning of ‘house.’ Cooper gives many examples of how unconsciously we desire our house to be a symbol of who we believe we are. Cooper shares examples of literature that exemplifies the importance of house and accounts past and cultural instances where houses were made as sacred. The paper’s intention is to provide a ‘think piece’ for readers, drawing no concrete conclusions however warns that architects and designers should be cognizant of how their own personal perspective and experiences could influence their designs.
Aciman A. (1997). Shadow Cities. Aciman A. (Eds.), Letter of Transit (19-34). New York: New York Press.
In Shadow Cities, Aciman paints us a picture of Starus Park in New York, a fond place in a strange city. Through Aicman’s description and reflections, the reader is able to realize that the places you know are only what you know of them and make them. Like Whitehead’s The Way we Live Now, Shadow Cities presents the concept that experience and perspective generate our understanding of place.
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MODULE 2-BODY AND PLACE
Epp, Gayle. Furnishing the Unit from the Viewpoint of the Elderly, the Designer and HUD. Boston, MA,
1980.
Epp’s study examines the furniture needs of the elderly. The study reveals that both designers and HUD under estimate the amount of furniture the elderly prefer; what type of furniture they most commonly owned; and the desired location of their furniture. The article demonstrates findings well through description of the study as well as illustrations of results. The study fails to report on neither how the elderly felt about their space nor how they felt about the purposed furniture layouts prepared by designers. The study raises questions like:
-Should designers be more carefully considering the needs of individuals over developed standards and previous education or experience?
- Are there generational differences in types of furniture used and preferred layouts? What was the age range of the elderly? Have any changes developed since the 77-78 MIT study?
- Although it seems the author is intending to raise awareness that the space allocated to the elderly isn’t sufficient and HUD standards need to be reevaluated, from a designer’s perspective it raises the question of whether design principals or personal preferences are more valuable in space.
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Lang, J. (1987). Anthropometrics and Ergonomics. Creating Architectural Theory, The Role of Behavioral Sciences in Environmental Design (126-134). New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Lang describes anthropometrics and ergonomics as a response to the physiological and psychological well-being of humans. He defines anthropometrics as “ the study of human physical dimensions, capabilities, and limitations. He says ergonomics is “focused on peoples and the machines.” Lang attempts to present basic issues of concern to designers such as human metabolic processes, illumination levels, color perception, sound and noise, and barrier free environments. He successfully explains, through examples, why the ‘intuitive understanding of human physiology’ did not provide an adequate design guideline. Lang did not present fully how anthropometrics and ergonomics help address the environment behavior fit. He touches lightly on how social and curltural norms as well as socio economic stance may have an effect on a person’s reactions in space but does not touch on how other humans effect people in space. Lang frequently states that there are studies for various issues that can help inform design decisions. This chapter is a broad overview of mnay complex topics imperative to design. Lang is successful in presenting the importance of the issue but fails to address possible solutions.
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Monaghan, P. (2000). Modern Play Spaces May Be Safe, but They're Stultifying, Some Experts Say. The Chronicle of higher Education. Retrieved from: http://chronicle.com/article/Modern-Play-Spaces-May-Be/6750/.
Monaghan describes the changing nature of play through his own experiences with his children. By studying planned play spaces like Chucky Cheeses, Monaghan’s article examines how the changes to society are affecting societies to come. Monaghan successfully presents the investigation of changing childhood and its implications in space. Through a common language and experience, Monaghan prompts his audience to consider how children act and react in space and how it differs from their childhood. What is not considered is the child’s perspective. Chucky Cheese may be a planned space of tubes and ball pits but maybe it is a space shuttle or pirate ship to a child. Does the type of space an adult plans really effect how a child will ultimately experience it? Play cannot really be planned as it is not scripted and is different for each child.
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Panero, J. & Zelnick, M. (1979) Human Dimension Anthropometrics. Human Dimension and Interior
Space, A Source Book of Design Reference Standards. New York: Watson-Guptil.
Panero and Zelnick outline the intricate field of Anthropometrics. They define anthropometrics as ‘the science dealing specifically with the measurement of the human body to determine differences in individuals, groups, ect.” In this chapter, full of graphics and charts, the author’s examine anthropometric data, from its history, to the data inception, type, and limitations. They warn that designers should be aware of the complexity of the disciple and be cautious in application. Although Panero and Zelnick address the complexity of anthropometrics, like Lang, they do not suggest solutions for designing to many measurements of human beings or suggest a suitable application for measurements. Epp’s study reveals that HUD standards for the elderly need to be re-examined. Are the standards for our designs, based on Anthropometrics, still valid?
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Ulrich, R. S. (1992). How Design Impacts Wellness. The Healthcare Forum Journal, 35 (5), 20-25.
Ulrich reveals how design choices can have positive and negative effects on patients in hospitals. Ulrich suggests that lowering stress of patients by increasing positive distractions in space, such as art and a window with a view, will speed recovery. Ulrich’s article is an early reflection on how hospitals design’s effect patients. Although he has a valid argument, Ulrich fails to describe well how he came to his conclusions. He also is only examining the effects of design on patients without consideration of staff and visitors.
Hospitals are a place where the effects of designs are easily quantified and therefore design is valued. Designs of other types of spaces need to examined for the effects and evaluated as well.
It is important that designers and hospitals work in conjunction to create a healing environment. Designers and Hospitals need to be aware of the potential effects of design changes and prepare for a change in policies and procedure to accommodate the changes.
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MODULE 3-PERCEPTION AND COGNITION
Bull, M., & Back, L. (2003). Introduction: Into Sound. In M. Bull & L. Back (Eds.), The Auditory Culture Reader (pp. 1-18). Oxford; New York: Berg; Sensory Formations Series.
Introduction: Into Sound, is the opening chapter of Bull and Beck’s The Auditory Culture Reader. The Introduction: Into Sound presents the concept that sounds can have both positive and negative effects on experiences. Bull and Beck highlight how hearing, a sense perceived as secondary to vision, can be manipulated by our perceptions. The Introduction: Into Sound declares that when sound is utilized as a tool, it can contribute to our understanding of the world. Bull and Beck caution that deep listening is the way to truly employ sound as a tool. The objective of Bull and Beck’s volume, The Auditory Culture, is to integrate sound studies from diverse disciplines, presenting both their beliefs on how sound should be studied and the importance of sound.
Questions raised:
-What causes sense memories to become embedded?
-What aphoristic reflections are present in sound studies?
-Does sound perception and ensuing cognition differ greatly from visual perception and ensuing cognitions?
-How does sound impact sustainability in the built environment?
-Are their collective unconscious perceptions of sounnd?
Jargon:
Aphoristic-short saying expressing general truth.
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Carpman, J., & Grant, M. A. (2002). Wayfinding: A Broad view. In Handbook of Environmental Psychology. Sage.
In Carpman’s chapter, Wayfinding: A Broad View, wayfinding is defined and examined by interdisciplinary professionals with the goal of illustrating wayfinding needs as a holistic practice. Carpman discusses wayfinding elements, perspectives, literature, and obstacles. Carpman describes wayfinding as a behavior and sees successful wayfinding as a ‘combination of behavior, operations, and design” (Carpman and Grant 1982, ).
Although the chapter is a complete account of wayfinding it does not make mention to how cultural or generational differences could impact wayfinding. In order to employ a successful wayfinding system, one must fully understand the user’s perspectives and perceptions, which are impacted by experience. Carpan also only notes the potential contributions of environmental psychologist to wayfinding ease, when environmental behavior is the root of wayfinding and should be integral to its implementation.
Wayfinding is important to developing a sustainable environment. A space that can be successfully navigated, operated, and enjoyed should be utilized fully and for longer than a space that just does not work.
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Heschong, L. (1979). Thermal Delight in Architecture. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Heschong’s essay, Thermal Delight in Architecture, describes temperature experiences as a sense. Through the experience of convection and evaporation on the body, humans have developed emotions and attitudes towards temperature. Heschong believes that constant thermal experiences in space are not necessary. She describes human’s desires for temperature ranges for two reasons, balance and contrast.
In contrast to Bull and Beck’s, Introduction: Into Sound, Heschong feels that senses need to be experienced together. She says “each sense contributes to the fuller comprehensions of other sensory information” (Heschong 1979, 24). Heshong describes how humans use their senses and past experiences to determine temperature conditions. For example, Heshong mentions the image of polished marble which humans would image being cool.
In sustainability, the perception certain colors and materials contain can be utilized to cool a warm space or warm a cool space. Heshong’s belief of human’s desires for temperature ranges could be accomplished with operable windows in a built environment.
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Lang, J. T. (1987). Cognitive Maps and Spatial Behavior. In Creating Architectural Theory: The Role of the Behavioral Sciences in Environmental Design (pp. 135-144). New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
In Cognitive Maps and Spatial Behavior, Lang discusses how people depend on cognitive maps, images that have of an environemt, to place themselves in space. These cognitive maps are a series of elements that exist together and help define each other. The cognitive map is built from previous experiences in space and helps dictate how we act in spaces.
Lang describes cognitive mapping as a “process whereby people acquire, code, store, recall, and decode information about the relative location and attributes of the physical environment. They are models of reality and reflect individual and group perceptions.” It is noted that the way in which a person creates their map determines the importance of particular features of their maps and this is based upon the person’s experiences. Lang discusses some of the characteristics that result in map similarities, such as socioeconomic status, gender, place of residence, work, length of residence in a location, and transportation types.
Like Carpman’s Wayfinding: A Broad View, Lang’s work describes the importance of wayfinding. Lang however described wayfinding through the use of cognitive maps while Carpman prefers operational solutions.
The essay consolidates many studies but relies on the reader’s previous knowledge of some concepts, especially the Gestalt Laws.
Jargon:
Kevin Lynch, who recognized in his studies what makes cities imageable, found environmental images to be categorized as:
Identity- “objects in the environment having the quality of figure in a figure-ground relationship”
Structure- “objects having a spatial relationship to one another.”
Meaning-“emotional or practical utility of elements.”
He found that there are five categories of elements that humans use and defined them as:
Paths-“channels of movement"
Edges- “boundaries that break or contain or run parallel to the form.”
Districts- “areas that have recognizable identity.”
Nodes-“ places where intensive activities occur.”
Landmarks-“ points of reference that are external to the observer abd are singled out because that are easily distinguishable visually.”
Christian Norberg-Schulz studies acknowledged three parts of cognitive maps:
Places-“specific loci
Path-“continuous elements that provide an overall structure.”
Domains-“ areas that contain similar elements which are defined by closure.”
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Owen, D. (2010, 25 January). The Dime Store Floor. The New Yorker, pp. 33-37.
In The Dime Store Floor, Owen demonstrates the importance smells have in memory and perception. While re-visiting his childhood, Owen shares memories of spaces as experienced by his sense of smell. He demonstrates how his perspectives shaped his actions and eventual expectations and how his perspectives have changed over time. The story validates how all senses from previous experiences can effect how elements in space are perceived. To promote sustainability one must be aware of how user’s perceptions are going to impact their behavior in space.
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Tonkiss, F. (2003). Aural Postcards: Sound, Memory and the City. In M. Bull & L. Back (Eds.), The Auditory Culture Reader (pp. 303-309). Oxford; New York: Berg; Sensory Formations Series.
Tonkiss’s chapter, Aural postcards: Sound, Memory, and the City, presents sound as an element we experience in cities. Mirroring Bull and Becks, Introduction: Into Sound, Tonkiss says that visual senses are secondary to hearing although “ears cannot discriminate the ways eyes can.” (Tonkiss 2003, 304). Like Heschong and Owen, Tonkiss also highlights the importance of non-visual senses in perspective and perception. Sound becomes embedded in our memories just as other senses.
Jargon:
Metonym-“aural fragments that speak of something larger.”
Recall-“the melding of space, sound, and memory.”
Resonance-“ a movement in the air like sound you can touch.”
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Gertner, J. (2009, 19 April). Why isn’t the brain green? The New York Times.
Gertner’s article, Why Isn’t the Brain Green, presents humans-dimensions research as a method for determining why Americans aren’t more conscious or concerned about sustainability. Humans-dimension research is a social science that “focuses on the metal processes that shape our choices, behaviors, and attitudes.” (Gertner 2011, 1) Through Gertner’s experience with the Center for Research on Environmental Decisions and interviews with the National Research Council he reveals how humans are the cause of and solution for sustainability issues.
The article highlights several key elements of human behavior that are important to integrating sustainability into American culture. An example is how humans process risk, both analytically and emotionally. Gertner’s article also states that methods of communication are key. Decision science research revealed that nudges and frames will effect human decisions. Frames are a way to manipulate people’s decisions by utilizing their cognitive biases. Nudges guide human’s choices to avoid poor decisions from cognitive deficiencies.
To find the solution to sustainability issues, we must ask how we can use human behavior research findings to successfully drive American’s towards sustainability. We also must be sure to realize the source of the research findings as the results may differ depending on location, experience, socio-economic status, and other variables.
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Kwok, A.G., & Rajkovich, N. (2009). Addressing climate change in comfort standards. Building and Environment, 45(1), 18-22
In Addressing climate change in comfort standard, Kwog argues that designing buildings to align with results of thermal comfort research will increase energy efficiency and decrease carbon use while safeguarding the building for future climate changes. Kwong’s article compares static and adaptive thermal models. A static model considers the physical effect of air and radiant temperature, humidity, and air velocity on humans where discomfort is measured by the physical response. The adaptive model considers peoples responses by behavioral, physiological, and psychological adjustments. Kwong contends that we need to design to a “mesocomfort zone…between optimal thermal environmental conditions and the boundary area at which involuntary physiological human response occurs.” (Kwong 2009, 19) Kwong’s article successfully outlines how to enhance policies by including mitigation and adaptation strategies into building codes and standards. She explains design strategies to consider people’s behavior in space.
Weber, R. N. (1997). Manufacturing Gender in Commercial and Military Cockpit Design. Science, Technology, & Human Values, Vol. 22 (2), 235-253.
In Manufacturing Gender in Commercial and Military Cockpit Design, Weber discusses how cockpits have been designed to fit the ideal male profile of a pilot in the military. Weber shows how design has determined the user. This article highlights issues of discrimination by design. Weber explains the process of design and procurement for military contractors and attempts to explain possible reasons why accommodations have not been made for woman and smaller scale men. Weber concludes that changes to anthropometric data could change standards and therefore affect design and engineering. The article prompts the question:
-Why has anthropometric data not been updated? Now only has there been a change to society and the culture of our country, but overall stature has changed.
-Why has technology not been implemented to allow for adjustments to cockpit controls and seats to provide a universal design?
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