communities within communities

our studio 'synchronized swimming' outside Gateway Plaza on a cold, cold day

So excited by the great work being generated by my studio class this semester. Right now we are exploring multiple-family housing, looking at what works and what doesn't. Here are some of the students' thoughts:

“This chapter has taught me to consider the residence, work with the governing body throughout my process, and pray to God for a good design.” – Clairissa Anderson

“If these cookie cutter homes with community pools are suppose to be a way to bring people together, why is that, that's not always the situation?” – Tracey Wright

“We need to research why certain communities work, so that we can better design for the future. Let’s bring everyone together as one big positive community.” – Hope Talley

“It is necessary to cooperate with a design itself and its given surroundings to fulfill the designer's duties.” – Young Moon

“Altogether, I want to learn how to be more thoughtful in my design so that I don’t create places that ignore the people, but rather embrace them.”- Kelsey Rhodes

“If structures are built solely for the purpose of sheltering humans or building eye-catching homes, they are not answering all the needs of a neighborhood’s community.” – Felicia Dean

Learn more about this studio here.

they sat so we can stand

The International Civil Rights Center & Museum opened its doors today in Greensboro, and I could not miss being a part of the crowd that honored it with a visit. As I entered the Center, I had to make a huge effort not to let a tear run down my face. I was deeply moved as I witnessed that many of the visitors were people who had lived those years of uncertainty and drastic social changes.

Another thought came to my mind. I don't think the four young men who walked in Woolworth's 50 years ago today, sat down and requested service had any idea that their courageous act would contribute in changing an entire nation. And I don't think they ever suspected that the place from which they were kicked out would today become a landmark for social justice. These young men simply sat down, so we can stand.



-Edgar

design spotlight: i.arc

follow the links below to learn how other disciplines within the interior architecture department are impacting the community through design:

[us] urban s t u d i o -a design/build studio- broke ground this past tuesday on a project that will house five underage mothers who are in need for a shelter to live.

the uncg IIDA campus center was involved with an all night design charrette this past friday to develop design ideas for the renovation of the local salvation army family store on lee street. click here to read more from news + record.

group photo taken at 3am after stomachs were filled courtesy of steak and shake!

students hard at work developing design ideas for the interiors of the salvation army store

design spotlight: greensboro october exhibit

thanks to lily glover for the find - look whats happening in october in greensboro,nc:

"There is an exhibit at the Blue Diamond Gallery on Elm Street this month that would be worth seeing. I feel that art and design are very closely related. Art galleries, like the Blue Diamond Gallery, are full of inspiration for designers. This particular exhibit will be lasting until the 31st of October and will feature the art of five local artists, Sterling Edwards, Vicki Johnson, Scott Harris, Ken Hobbson and Windy Lampson as well as the international artist Michelle Courier. Designers can pull inspiration from color, texture, composition, subject, and meaning of the artwork. I especially enjoyed the work of Scott Harris through his use of unique compositions as well as geometric forms, like in the image shown above. Sterling Edwards was also noteworthy with her use of texture, creating blurred landscape paintings with her short brush strokes. The use of repetition in Windy Lampson’s Sugar Packets is a common theme in many furniture, graphic, product and architectural designs seen today. Both artists and designers alike take inspiration from the environment surrounding us, why not get inspiration from each other?"