Innovation— To be innovative means to be fresh, new, and in some cases inspiring.  Roth pg. 569 states, “Venturi, and the Postmodernists inspired by him, rejected aspects of modernism while they simultaneously made it referential---addressing context and tradition, giving architecture a civic meaning beyond the esoteric formal concerns that appeal only to a handful of similarly inclined architects.” Here Roth is addressing design in the sense of past meets future. There is a sense of reflecting on the past and allowing that to serve as a stimulus for future design. In my design work, I look to see what designers are making and what they have made and then combine those supporting creations with my ideas to invent something innovative. In my final studio project for my first year, we were to design a graduate studio space. I turned the space into a meditation room. I processed through what is meditation and what does this mean for a graduate student. Then, I looked at my schools meditation room and online for meditative or relaxing spaces across the world. Finally, it resulted in my creation of a space that began with a graduate student walking through 12 feet of suspended beads. I wanted the experience to allow the graduate to go from studio, down the hall and through a “cleansing” of the senses with the use of touch, sight and sound before entering fully into the meditation area. My space was named: The Metamorphosis Lounge because graduates go through a process to reach this space, so I wanted get them into the right frame of mind before entering. I wanted to re-birth every visitor. You go through cocoon and into an open space with two main options: a cantilevered bench that gives the illusion of transcending or flight and a raised circular couch covered by luxurious curtains, also a sense of being above the ground. The sense of levitation or rather transcending above gravitation pulls was the intention of the cantilevered bench upon its creation; therefore, I was able to apply an “old” idea to my room’s particular purpose to make something innovative.

 

Stewardship— To be a good steward means that you are one that oversees and protects property, people, and things. In class, Patrick said that he thinks a great modern way to be a good steward is to be sustainable. I have to agree with him on that. There are so many ways to be lazy, irresponsible and to destroy this planet but yet there are just as many ways to be helpful to the environment and to those around you. Roth makes a great point on page 600 about stewardship and the world, “Traditionally, architecture strove for such formal values as harmony, unity, and sustainability…” I am glad to see that architects and designers are seeking sustainability, peace and unity in their creations. There are few things that stand the test of time, but architecture is nearly one of them.

 

Authenticity— To be authentic is to be original and in my opinion, is the “good stuff” [especially when it comes to cuisine]! A place back home called ‘Casa Grande’ serves authentic Mexican dishes and has ruined me for all other Mexican restaurants. Their dishes are absolutely wonderful and true to tradition, not jaded by “Americanized versions”. Authentic things are timeless and can be reverberated throughout the years.

            Just like in cuisine, architecture can also be authentic. It can have simplistic and true design methods that are immutable. Designers of today are trying to create sustainable spaces, meaning that whatever they design needs to accommodate and work for many generations to follow. Patrick was saying that he was reading text about how the author encourages designers and architects to design for the next 10,000 years not the next 50 years as we have in generations past. We have to preserve what little we have left. What does it mean to be sustainable? When did timeless become a word that architects and designers were striving for? Roth pg. 587, “Architects using this style were in search of a Classicism that was timeless.” In generations past, architects were in fact seeking classic, timeless design. However, the sustainability idea is fairly new to this generation. Therefore, although something may look timeless and feel timeless, is it sustainable? This needs to be the question following proposals of today.

 

Community— A community is a group of people that come together to function together. I have lived in many communities and each has its own unique charm and character. Architects have the power to create different looks, feels and reactions with their work, especially those in a large community. What makes a community? What does a community need to function? How does architecture play into this idea of community? Roth pg. 567, “The corporate modernism appeared in office and apartment towers, in suburban office parks, schools, shopping centers. As the production of building assemblies became standardized, modernism became increasingly cost effective and was enthusiastically supported by the financial and realty corporate worlds.” Corporate worlds and standard buildings were necessary then and are seen as necessary now. Architects for years have been striving to create communities that have all of these factors: grocery stores, schools, homes, shopping centers, gyms, apartments, parks and offices. Each of these needs special attention and specifications. Roth reveals that modernism became a fad that blended these two separate places: corporate to living areas to schools to parks. Blending the line between work and life into a sense of community.  

Finally, we as a community need to strive for sustainable architecture and design to help further the stewardship of our society. We will soon be a generation of authentic and innovative designers that want the world to be a better place than we found it when we started. 

In conclusion of my first year Opus entries, I want to say, thank you to all of my professors and classmates that have led me to experience the world around me in ways I never thought I could. For shaping memories for my freshman year of college and for being apart of my journey thus far! I look forward to seeing you all next year! Lots of love and blessings and best wishes in all of your endeavours!