Edgerton, Sara

Since I was born into a family without education I have used self-determinism to seek out a better life for myself. While making a number of mistakes along the way I have learned that thoughtfulness and careful planning can yield better results over the long run. When faced with problems, it is best to practice tolerance in finding a resolution. When you make small changes to improve yourself and surroundings every day, it is the consistency, that proves change over time. Life can be what you make it to be, no matter what circumstances you come from.

Educan: Madrid, Spain Educan is an education and training facility in Spain for educating both dogs and their human trainers. The building design integrates housing for several types of wild birds and even bats to nest comfortably. The building itself is very large and has a warehouse size and elements to it, but is playfully painted with green, blue, red, orange, and yellow colors. Since the building is home to many different birds, the high ceilings with industrial pipes and beams are perfect for perching. The large letters hanging on the side of the building which spell out “Educan” are specially designed for bat nesting inside the letters. The roof is designed to harvest rainwater which is funneled into a large round trough that is available to be used by all animals. The round windows are placed at a height to benefit both dogs and their trainers, and the building is strategically insulated with a noise canceling pyramid foam to accommodate for loud barks. The floors are concrete mixed with pebbles for a natural feel to the dogs and the training rooms also have turf grass available for another type of natural flooring for the dogs to ensure a successful training environment.

Where is your memorable cultural place?

Under the Same Sun Installation: Alula, Saudi Arabia

This is an underground temporary installation, designed by Canadian artist, Stephanie Deumer. The installation is in the desert of Saudi Arabia and is completely powered by solar panels. Even though it may have a rural, desert location, the display is quite technological. In the middle of the installation there is a glass cubed greenhouse that houses native plant species. The greenhouse has a media projection of the outdoor area above ground. The projection is strong enough to make the plants grow and photosynthesize without the actual sun. The barrier walls are caged with local stone which holds the surrounding sand in place and the underground setting offers a cool refuge to the hot desert sun for visitors. The artist’s vision was to demonstrate the diverse purpose our sun serves, from physical need for plants to grow, to the images it produces on landscapes, to the heat it provides our planet.

Which space do you think best embodies equity, inclusion, and social justice?

SOI 16: Pattaya City, Thailand

Soi 16 is a bar/pub and music venue located in Pattaya City, Thailand on the famous street for nightlife in Pattaya called Walking street. The building has a highly structured, multi-level build, and was designed to mimic the atmosphere of a Thai streetside market. The steel gables and multi lined high ceilings and windows are made to copy the street look of power lines. The many metal elements are from the influence of motorcycles the Thai streets are usually busy with. The barstools are made with produce crates and the tabletops have street signs as their surface. The DJ booths are made to look like a food delivery truck from the street. The venue is quite large and can accommodate many guests at once. There are several ways to be entertained in this fun and vibrant setting in Pattaya City, from the live music, to pool tables, visitors are sure to have an enjoyable experience here.

Where do you want to live?

Tiny Module, Argentina

This is a tiny modular home in a wooded area in Argentina. The idea behind this design for a home is to simplify the living space so that the resident is able to place more value on the outdoor space. The design of the home implements a modern space with many windows to bring the outdoors inside. Much of the lighting is natural. When you are in this home, it is quiet and clear of distractions, you are in tune with the natural elements that surround. The home makes a minimal impact on the environment. This efficiency home is meant to be simple so that the resident is able to focus on other aspects of their life that are more important than having to maintain a large square footage home. With the new concept of tiny homes, many believe that tiny living is better living. What is the composition of the process of travel through a transportation facility in your memory?

Helsinki Airport Extension: Vantaa, Finland

This 43,000 square meter extension of the Helsinki Airport in Finland was designed to give their passengers a light and airy feel as they are departing and arriving. Passengers departing from the airport are on the upper level of the building, which has a large voluminous ceiling constructed of wood and the color of the gates sign is blue as to resemble the color of the sky. Arriving passengers are on the bottom level and walk into the large courtyard area which has a japanese style garden in the middle that opens to the above level with plenty of natural light shining through. The building is sided with very large glass windows that allow for boundless natural light and views of the sky which is often dotted with multiple planes arriving and departing.

Life Edited

The place of my desires is in Maui, Hawaii. It is a modern and environmentally responsible construction. The home is “off-grid” and is able to store more energy and resources than it takes to operate and live in. The bottom level of the house is used for a garage and storage space. The upper level of the home is the living area and has large windows and open areas to the outside to let in lots of natural light. Though the home has large windows in every room, including the bathroom, the rural site is secluded enough so that privacy is no concern. Since the home is located in the year-round warmth of Hawaii, the heating and cooling is minimal. The location makes for a great place to entertain in the warm open lanai space most months of the year. With a large water catchment system and storage tank on site, there is no worry of being without fresh water. At this home you can experience minimalist living without having to compromise luxury and comfort, while enjoying nature and quiet. The relatively small size of the home doesn’t take away from the option to house and entertain many guests at once.

What is your plan after this semester? -> After this semester, I’m taking the summer off to spend time with my seven year old daughter. I graduated this Spring, and once I have passed the teacher licencing exam for Family and Consumer Sciences, I will be looking for a teaching job in Northwest Arkansas. If that doesn’t happen, then I will be looking into starting a small business where I take in old unwanted household items and clothing and fix/change/alter them to be resold in my own thrift store and online.

In the field of interior design (or in your major), what does it mean to learn about Human Factors for Design? -> Human Factors for Design are so vast that it’s hard to put a quantitative value to it. We design spaces for our own level of comfort and desire. What is important to one person, may not be important to another, and vice-versa. We all have shelter needs that have to be met, but beyond that the design possibilities are infinite. According to Maslow, it is when we meet our wants that we can reach self-actualization.

During your learning inside and outside the classroom, did you encounter any difficulties? -> The drawing of the axonometric and sequence diagrams was a challenge for me. I am a Human Environmental Sciences major, with a minor in Natural Resources Management. I adapted though, and tried my best.

What did you learn by examining the interaction between behavioral and environmental factors? -> Our human behavior can be seen as a direct link to our environment. Small changes can have big impacts on our state of mind, and that “Home” is the most important built environment. Without a foundation we are unstable, and until one is secured, nothing else really matters.

What would you like to tell your instructor? -> Thank you for putting this course together and teaching it in the relaxed manner you did. I learned so much!