Morris, Megan

This year, I am striving for more consistency in my life. I really appreciate having order and a certain level of cleanliness applied to each area of my life, especially my house. I think I can better achieve this with optimism toward challenges, faithfulness in my God, and determination for the days to come. Being successful in college takes a lot of courage, something I am still working on. However, I know if I push through, I will find serenity at the end of the day or the semester. Implementing empathy for others and for myself regularly is a large part of this continuous growth. It will be important that when I confirm this success and growth, I always remember humility.

Where do you want to work?

MATERIA BAKERY

Materia Bakery is located in Mexico City, Mexico and is inspired by the goal of being the antithesis of a classic bakery. The structure and interior are clad in raw materials, further enhancing the focus on raw and healthy ingredients. This concept was intended to help users feel guilt-free in their bakery indulgences. The design approach is just that, of raw materials such as wood, steel, and concrete in a conglomerate with one another on the interior. A terracotta and brown interior produce warmth and insinuate earth, while an olive green exterior reminds users of botanics.

GIASA Real Estate office

The GIASA Real Estate office is located in Argentina and was completed in 2019 by EFEEME arcitectos. The goal of this project was to have space for agents to work that would attract new clients throughout the city. The concept goal for attraction is the interior “windows” and presence of translucency throughout the project. Because of the storefront windows on the exterior and the corrugated transparent panels on the interior, work being done can be seen by passerbys. The larger main panel divides the entire space by each of its functions, and thus, helps with acoustics throughout. The curved lines of furnishings and partitions create a smooth flow for users throughout the building.

Where do you want to be treated?

Small Hotel by CAPD Architects

The Small Hotel by CAPD Architects is located in Hiroshima, Japan and was completed in 2019. This project is specifically unique because of its “unmanned” identity. There is no staff working this hotel, because there are capsules that users may occupy as needed, (booked through a website). The space is meant to be wide open and welcoming. Comfort is controlled through raw materiality and ambient lighting. Capsules can accommodate up to two people, with the social area making them want to come back.

Dentista Amsterdam Dental Clinic - i29 Interior Architects

The Dentista Amsterdam Dental Clinic was completed in 2021 by i29 Interior Architects. This project stood out to me as being good design for human health because it uses bright whites, calming greens, and natural woods throughout the space. This project incorporates biophilic design by producing a garden in the center of the building. The garden must be walked past by patients in order to get to their treatment room. The design also includes a generous amount of natural light, and aesthetic white ring lights where necessary. The lobby is monochromatic and the rest of the building blocks spaces by color. I would look forward to going to the dentist if my dentist’s office looked like this.

Where do you want to live?

KOPI Jewellery Boutique / NOKE Architects

KOPI Jewellery Boutique by NOKE Architects was completed in 2020 and is located in Poland. The owner and lead designer was inspired to create this interior by her travels to Morocco, saying she wanted the interior to feel like “a luxurious moroccan tent.” The space utilizes soft, organic forms, reminiscent of the jewelry forms themselves, to lead users throughout the space and make it feel immersive. The heavy fabric of the curtains that line the wall emphasize the lightness and brightness of the small jewelry. It draws the eye to the sparkly objects and creates focus. To further achieve the Moroccan desert effect, the walls are coated in neutral colored sand, and there are recesses that act like carved out mountainous forms. The ribbon-like wall element directs customers to a mirror, where they are likely to interact with an employee.

The Roof House - Looklen Architects

The Roof House by Looklen Architects is located in Thailand and was completed in 2019. The house is an extension of a former house and built around a central courtyard with an existing tree. It is a perfect square size 16x16 meters. Being built around the courtyard means that each space in the house is specifically zoned and do not interact with one another. The separating of spaces increases the usage of each individual space because users are forced to move intentionally from one to the next.

How is the authority of gov. and religion expressed in space?

Casa Fundamental Kindergarten – Gabriel Castro + Marcos Franchini + Pedro Haruf This project was completed in 2017 in Brazil. It is an elementary school meant for rigorous academics and founders believe that the space itself impacts the childrens’ learning– much like a Montessori school. Integration with the surrounding community is a primary factor in this project, taking the children outdoors into their neighborhood. Material switches from the existing structure helped with acoustics and temperature. Architects describe the space as “industrialized,” leading to streamlined activity and safer workspace.

LIBERTY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Liberty United Methodist Church was constructed by Dake Wells Architecture and spans 18,000 square feet. I chose this project because of its relation to human scale. The architects intentionally produced a horizontal language as people move throughout the building, leaving the most dramatic and voluminous space in the worship center. Materials are muted across the sequence, and then gradually increase in color and intensity once the worship center is reached. This religious center was landscaped spiritually with the Holy Trinity in mind, and provides a biophilic indoor-outdoor experience for its users.

What is the composition of the process of travel through a transportation facility in your memory?

Bus Station of Rio Maior – Domitianus Arquitectura

This project was completed in 2005 in Rio Maior, Portugal. This bus station was a part of the “Strategic Plan of the City,” making it either the first or the last thing that visitors of Rio Maior see on their trip. The structure is a single continuous piece of concrete, with glass partitions and wood separating the first and second floors.The transparency allows users on the interior to enjoy the greenery on the exterior, and on the exterior, the cities functions are reflected back to passerbys. The singular module represents a simple, whole understanding of the building structure.

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

House of Wine / CHYBIK+KRISTOF

This is the House of Wine located in Znojmo, Czech Republic. This project was an adaptive reuse aiming to convert two adjacent but distinct spaces, all while maintaining respect to their differing historical properties. The focus was on responding to the original structure and function of the building (new and addition). Architects transformed the space from being rectilinear in nature to curvilinear– and have “treated the space as a heritage site.” The building now functions as a historical exhibition space and wine bar where civilians can learn more about Moravian wine culture.Because only the outer shell was maintained, architects chose to construct organic forms inspired by traditional wine cellars for the interior. The organic forms serve as the social seating space and are interconnected by hallways and stairs. The town is full of architectural monuments of all different centuries and styles. Therefore, the asymmetrical windows throughout this space allow visitors to form a relationship between the new architectural feat that they are sitting in– while also viewing and thinking about the architecture beyond.

Human Factors Affecting Academic Performance

Optimism Social

I chose to alter my axonometric view of the House of Wine by CHYBIK+KRISTOF and combine it with the play area from the Casa Fundamental Kindergarten. The House of Wine was unique to me because of its organic form and playful environment. Because of all of the existing stairs, I believed it would pair well with stair-like play environment of Casa Fundamental. The social stairs now lead users down to the original seating area that is now built in for people to move around it. The space feels open with high ceilings and wide circulation, making it the perfect environment for socialization. It is also unique because the House of Wine is a heritage site that invites visitors of the city in. Therefore, with its adult playspace, it would definitely be an optimistic tourist spot to stop in while one is in the Czech Republic.

The Space In my experience at the University of Arkansas, I have investigated many study spaces and work areas. Some are preferable over others depending on the work I am doing and my mood, but my favorite, to date, is the fourth floor of Mullins Library. There are so many reasons that factor into this decision. The first factor is 1) proximity. Mullins Library is near my car in the Stadium Drive Parking Garage, so it is not a long walk back and forth– especially in instances of inclement weather. It is also near the Student Union, where there are plenty of food and drink options to take a quick break and grab a bite to eat. It is also near the studio, which makes going back and forth to my desk or to meet with classmates or professors a simple task. Yet, it is not inside of the studio, making me feel stressed. The second factor that makes Mullins Library third floor the most beneficial place for myself to perform well academically is 2) ambience. On the third floor, there are various lighting options over various seating areas. If I have a large exam to study for, I will choose a bright conference room with an office chair, white lights, silence, and a hard surface for writing on. If I am casually doing homework with friends, I would probably choose a womb chair, place my computer on my lap, have lower lighting, and friendly conversation. Several other elements of the successful ambience include temperature and like-minded people. It is cool enough in Mullins to keep me alert and focused, but not so cold that I am uncomfortable. Lastly, the best part of the ambience is that everyone else who is in the room is also there to get work done. Unlike studying in the Union or outdoors, I can visually see that every other person around me is focused on school work. This encourages and motivates me to do my part, as well. Finally, the third factor that helps me perform well is 3) safety. I am generally a night owl and prefer to complete my work in the evening and night. When I am in Mullins late at night, not only do I forget the hour, (because it is bright and there are so many other people around), but I feel safe. After a certain hour, Mullins is only available to enter through a student ID card. It is also centrally-located on the campus, so there is less of a chance for something bad to happen compared to the outskirts. As aforementioned, it is also a short distance between the library and my car, and it is well-lit at night. This way, when I want to continue working on campus, it does not matter how late I stay. I know I will be safe.

The consequence of these human factors is that many people will choose to populate Mullins Library. For its proximity, ambience, and safety, large numbers of students, including myself, will choose to migrate to this area instead of another workspace. This is turn, means that there has to be constant maintenance and upkeep of the space, as well as a set of rules that the collective agrees to adhere to. The University of Arkansas will continue to have to spend money on updating the space and its amenities, but they also get a return in the fact that students are using the space.

Introduction In an article by Jin-Woo Park and Young Kyung Ryu on the effects of airport servicescape, (Park & Ryu, 2019), Park and Ryu claim that out of all the variables they studied, only physical servicescape had a significant effect on cognitive and affective satisfaction. Basically, the nuance that airports users cared about and were affected by the most was the physical building and its interior around them. Knowing this information, it becomes apparent that attention-grabbing techniques are needed in transportation design in order to have the desired outcome upon users– otherwise, most won’t notice the difference. I will address the objective of attention-grabbing, their respective design elements, and the response from users due to experiencing those elements.

Geelong Truckstop In one example, the Geelong Ring Road Rest Area in Victoria, Australia, an eye-grabbing design element was needed in hopes of minimizing the risk of truck-driving-related accidents. Oftentimes truck drivers drive for so long and so far that they become extremely fatigued and cause a wreck unintentionally. The designers of this project, (BKK Architects), goal was to create a space that was attention-grabbing enough that it enticed truck drivers to pull over and take a break. The attention-grabbing element in this project consists of a spire-like roof with bright red and blue glowing colors on it so that it may be seen from afar, (See Figure 1). Architects compare the project to that of a lighthouse on a peninsula, (Geelong Ring Road Rest Areas - BKK architects). The results of this project is that you would see truck-drivers stopping on the side of the highway that they might not have before, taking a restroom break, and potentially eating a meal or taking a nap. Thus, decreasing the chances of a fatigue-related accident.

Bus Station of Rio Maior In another example of attention-grabbing transportation spaces, the Bus Station of Rio Maior in Rio Maior, Portugal was meant to capture visitors’ attention when arriving to and exiting the city. Local policymakers passed a “Strategic Plan of the City,” (Gallery of bus station of rio maior / domitianus arquitectura - 11), in hopes of increasing memorability of the city and leaving a fondness with visitors so that they are more likely to return. Designers chose to catch visitors’ attention by creating a singular fluid structure out of concrete, plastic, wood, and glass. Its form follows the natural landscape, but its formal perfection and continuous nuance are what speak volumes to passerbys, (See Figure 2). From the exterior, viewers see their own reflections and life happening. From the interior, users see the greenery and city one last time before they leave. This results not only in the city being memorable, but also an enjoyable waiting experience to load or unload the bus. It also adds visual value and character to the city itself and for permanent residents of Rio Maior.

Conclusion In conclusion, it is necessary to design transportation spaces in an exciting and fulfilling way, because transportation is a universal experience. Everyone must do it at some point, so it is important to not bore users and make their wayfinding as clear as possible. Both Geelong Rest Area and Rio Maior Bus Station are successful examples of this.

References Gallery of bus station of rio maior / domitianus arquitectura - 11. ArchDaily. (n.d.). Geelong Ring Road Rest Areas - BKK architects. Geelong Ring Road Rest Areas - BKK Architects. (n.d.). Park, J.-W., & Ryu, Y. K. (2019). Investigating the effects of airport Servicescape on airport users’ behavioral intentions: A case study of incheon international airport terminal 2 (T2). Sustainability, 11(15), 4171. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11154171

The Meaning, Aspiration, and Purpose of Adding Value Beyond Implementing Client Needs to Wants

Introduction Shelter is defined as “a position or state of being covered and protected,” (Merriam-Webster, Shelter Definition & meaning 2022). Finding and having shelter is an instinctive human need that has been in practice since as early as 3100 B.C., according to shelterwc.com (Jimmy Chow, History and evolution). However, as the world has continued to change and humans have evolved from simply surviving to curating their preferred lifestyles, shelter that simply protects one from the elements will not suffice. After studying images, (see Figure 1 and 2 below,) from The Built Environment: A Collaborative Inquiry into Design and Planning (McClure & Bartuska, 2011), I will present research and opinions on the psychological need of protection from social dysfunction of insult, and the conventional and postconventional values of style and ecological sciences, respectively. For all three values and needs, I will use the Brick Avenue Lofts located in Bentonville, Arkansas, as an example.

Psychological Needs: Protection from Social Dysfunction The Built Environment: A Collaborative Inquiry into Design and Planning (McClure & Bartuska, 2011), explains the hierarchy of human needs as depicted in Figure 2, stating that “the most basic set of needs are physiological.” This means that while yes, a shelter formed out of a cardboard box, mud, or simple wooden structures would technically keep a human alive, it does not achieve the goals of the more refined issues toward the top of the pyramid. Taking a look at the psychological need for protection from social dysfunction, a sense of community and the need to feel apart thereof, is one of the most commonly pursued goals within architecture and design today. COVID-19 presented an especially apparent hole in this system with people not being able to interact and find community with one another, making it prevalent and universal now more than ever. One example of a particularly successful validation of this need are the Brick Avenue Lofts designed by Modus Studio. Brick Avenue Lofts are a multi-family housing complex that are organized near Bentonville city center on a racetrack-style-designed plot. In the center of the land plot lies a clubhouse, which is home to a library, kitchenette, and coworking space. Attached to the clubhouse are a pool area supplied with grills, seating, fire pits, and more; as well as, a fitness center and community garden. These spaces invite residents inward to interact with each other, whether that is socially or on behalf of work purposes. Various seating options, pet-friendly spaces, and ADA accommodations ensure that there is a reason for every type of person to join in the space. Furthermore, on the back side of each unit, there is a connecting mews court similar to that of a “California courtyard,” (Brick Avenue Lofts 2019). These courtyards connect each end of the property, forcing residents to walk past each other to get home or to a shared space. In individual residences, there are sliding glass doors and balconies that look out directly toward the center of the complex, making it impossible for users not to see other residents living life. All of these carefully thought out design solutions not only force community, but fill the need for community by pushing residents out of their lofts and into the neighborhood, whether that be the complex neighborhood or the adjacent Bentonville downtown square.

Conventional Value: Style The above Figure 2 relates the conventional value of style to “keeping up with the Joneses.” Brick Avenue lofts are the perfect example of this because of their modern use of materiality, form, and furnishings. The Brick Avenue lofts have targeted a niche group of residents based on the energy throughout the city of Bentonville. Bentonville is home to many young professionals who are interested in things like sustainability, biking, and “the latest and greatest” artistic and architectural trends. In a typical loft at this complex, users will find custom built in shelving, polished concrete floors, dimmable LED lighting, white marble countertops, and teal-colored cabinetry. Other features include oversized islands, up-to-date appliances, and ten foot high ceilings in every room. All of these factors work together to fulfill residents in their need for being proud of their space. These units are aesthetically pleasing and inviting for entertaining. Therefore, these design decisions fulfill the need for style.

Post-Conventional Value: Ecological Sciences At the top of the pyramid in Figure 2 lies the value of ecological sciences. This value insinuates that people like to feel like they are being eco-friendly and making the world a better place. Related to the built environment, this can mean many things. For example, Modus Studio designed the Brick Avenue Lofts very intentionally in terms of sustainability. The project is LEED Gold Certified, meaning that it hits certain benchmarks of sustainability and ecological friendliness. Some of those factors include: air recycling within units, a charging station for electric vehicles, a community garden where residents may harvest produce and herbs, local cedar-clad building facades, gravel parking lots, valet trash recycling, no-pet-waste-laws, and more. These are all factors that not only benefit residents, but that residents can be involved in, as well. As a resident, there are many opportunities within and outside of the home to take part in making the community a greener and more sustainable place for all. This eventually leads to each person being fulfilled in their collective decisions to create a healthier environment for themselves and others.

Conclusion Figures 1 and 2 from The Built Environment: A Collaborative Inquiry into Design and Planning (McClure & Bartuska, 2011), illustrate the meaning of adding value beyond client needs, while the text inside of the book explains the purpose. Examples from the Brick Avenue Lofts by Modus Studio investigate the aspiration of adding value beyond client needs.

References

Brick Avenue Lofts. Modus Studio. (n.d.). History and evolution. Shelter. (n.d.). McClure, W. R., & Bartuska, T. J. (2011). The built environment: A collaborative inquiry into design and planning. Wiley. Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Shelter Definition & meaning. Merriam-Webster.

The Value of System Thinking | The Whole Equals the Sum of its Parts

Introduction Materials, furnishings, structures, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and aesthetics are just a few of the many facets that designers must consider in a single project, on a daily basis. To try and perfect each facet on one’s own without any other input, would not only be exemplary of poor time management with regard toward the client– it would be naive. There are professionals and experts for each nuance of a project, and a client would simply be missing out if there were a lack of system thinking. With all minds intertwined, a project has ten fold the potential it does without.

System Thinking System thinking can best be described as not treating the symptom of a space, but finding the root cause of the problem, (What is systems thinking? 2022). This article from the Interaction Design Foundation explains that human beings are centered toward problem solving in an “If not x, then y,” (What is systems thinking? 2022), kind of way. This is the more simplistic approach because as designers, it is easy to walk in a space, identify problems, and then direct the first solution that comes to mind. However, the Interaction Design Foundation and many other designers assure us that human-centered design is the better approach. For example, if a building is not ADA compliant, it would be straightforward enough to add ramps and grab bars where needed, but this probably does not make disabled users of the building feel understood and appreciated in the same way that nondisabled users would. Therefore, system thinking with someone who knows more about accessibility codes or even has experience with a disability themselves would prove stronger than a one-minded solution. One project that investigates this thoroughly is the Classroom Makeover for the Blind by Creative Crews, (Chen, 2019). This is a kindergarten in Pittaya, Thailand that educates students with various levels of blindness. This means that the school must be flexible for non-impaired educators and multiple kinds of students. The goal of this project was to equip students for success in the real world beyond their experience at the school. The structure of the facility was conceptualized into a “multi-sensory cube, (Chen, 2019),” with various textures and materials, (See Figure 1 below). Walls are clad with pinholes, shapes, animal figures, scented capsules, and more. So far, the project has been a huge success as the educators have said it was “more than they could have imagined.” Moreover, Creative Crews is a team of five people, thus enhancing the idea that not all of those successful ideas could have come from one person.

Conclusion In this project from Creative Crews and many others, we can see as designers why it is so essential to implement system thinking into our design processes. Not working as a singular, moving part is disadvantageous to the client, at best. It disregards inclusivity, which in today’s society, is more important than ever. Systematic thinking should be, and is gradually becoming, the standard across the design industry.

References Chen, C. (2019, September 28). Classroom makeover for the Blind / Creative Crews. ArchDaily. What is systems thinking? The Interaction Design Foundation. (n.d.).