Re: community design | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: shedrick coleman (shedarchgsvms2.cc.gasou.edu) | |
Date: Mon, 14 Nov 94 11:36 CST |
In message Sun, 13 Nov 94 21:07 CST, Eric Hart <harte [at] Free-Net.Mpls-StPaul.MN.US> writes: > I couldn't agree more that professionals would be of great help to speed > the development process up and free up groups to do vision and process > work. I feel that groups need to stop relying on high paid professionals > like architects to do alot of their vision and basic site design work. > Someone who is familiar with architecture and urban planning issues can > help to guide the group through a design process that basically only uses > architects at the end to do final drawings. Using architects to do the > whole project (site design to drawings) can lead to a 'fixed end' > solution that only reflects what architects think your community should > look like, not what the community wants or needs. I really don't think > there are very many architects that understand the social aspects of > cohousing and are willing to let a group design a community that truly > reflects their needs. Leave them out until you need technical assistance > with drawings, etc. > I am advocating a more integrated approach to design and group process. Both > are important and > neither can be left to 'professionals'. > > Eric Hart harte [at] free-net.mpls-stpaul.mn.us > I agree somewhat with your statement, but I think Judy probably expressed the root of the problem best. Most firms do not keep principals involved directly in the project and, therefore, the level of experience and sometimes commitment in not there. If you have any true understanding of what an architect does, you would realize that urban planning is vital to the practice of architecture. Buildings are not designed in a vacuum and any architect who ignores that premise will probably not be around long. In my previous postings, I stated the importance of developing a open channel of discussion with your architect. They should attend the meetings that are held to form a vision of the community and unless the architect is a prima dona, use that information to plan the community. To think that simply supplying construction documentation is the only use for an architect is very short-sighted. My present employment involves urban planning and actual building design on our campus. The process involves gathering and processing information from various sources, just as should be expected during any design project in this profession. I think that to much emphasis is being placed on the architect, when it should really be on how the group conveys their desires to the architect and that they approve only what meets their needs. This is vital, because the architect is not the one who eventually has to live with the results. The group should accept some responsibility for the outcome and not leave it up to any one entity. If there are persons with a design background in the group, maybe a design review committee could be setup to serve as a facilitator to the overall group. A partnership is what is needed. All parties sharing responsibilities, but veto power resting in the cohousing group. I joined this group to gain that insight into a housing type that is new to this country. Just observing the problems and responses that are discussed here have been useful to my understanding. I clearly see that the role of persons in my profession need to be studied as they relate to cohousing and the beginning of that understanding should be on what is needed on your part. It is a learning process and none of us should feel we have nothing more to learn or share. ======================================================================= W. Shedrick Coleman, AIA |W. Shedrick Coleman, Architects Architect |130 Brandlewood Drive Facilities Planning & Space Utilization |Savannah, Georgia 31405 Georgia Southern University |(912) 232-7233 Statesboro, Georgia | shedarch [at] gsvms2.cc.gasou.edu | ======================================================================
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Re: community design Eric Hart, November 13 1994
- Re: community design shedrick coleman, November 14 1994
- Re: community design Rob Sandelin, November 15 1994
- Re: community design Graham Meltzer, November 16 1994
- Re: community design Shedrick Coleman, November 17 1994
- Re: community design Rob Sandelin, November 17 1994
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