Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Architecture Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 3 of 3

Full-Text Articles in Architecture

Against Arbitrariness: Architectural Signification In The Age Of Globalization, Rumiko Handa Jul 1999

Against Arbitrariness: Architectural Signification In The Age Of Globalization, Rumiko Handa

Architecture Program: Faculty Scholarly and Creative Activity

The theory of arbitrary signification, predominant during the last half century, considers architecture’s intrinsic properties as having little to do with its meaning. Consequently, architecture’s significance is not based on itself but assigned externally. In the age of globalization, such an assignment is often ineffective. This paper will: (1) examine the post-WWII debates between the theories of arbitrary and natural signification; (2) relate these theories to more philosophical, historicist vs. normative positions; (3) discuss the implications concerning conservation of culture, legitimacy of interpretation, and fake authenticity in construction; (4) and examine some architectural works that have brought forth natural signification …


Coping With Change: Environment As Prosthetic [Abstract], Katherine Ankerson, Betsy Shofstall Gabb, James J. Potter Jan 1999

Coping With Change: Environment As Prosthetic [Abstract], Katherine Ankerson, Betsy Shofstall Gabb, James J. Potter

Architecture Program: Faculty Scholarly and Creative Activity

Projected demographic trends suggest the need for specialized housing for older adults will increase substantially in the future. Research shows humans seek to maintain a balance between their functional ability and the challenge of their living environment (Folts &Yeatts, 1994). New empirically based knowledge as a resource for the design of housing for the aging population is not keeping pace with the construction of facilities. The focus of this three-phased project is a comparison of the cognitive perceptions and adaptive behavior strategies of elderly people moving from their current homes into a supportive group living environment. The project included administration …


Creating A Learning Environment More Supportive Of Diversity Within A College Of Architecture: A Work-In-Progress [Abstract], James Potter Jan 1999

Creating A Learning Environment More Supportive Of Diversity Within A College Of Architecture: A Work-In-Progress [Abstract], James Potter

Architecture Program: Faculty Scholarly and Creative Activity

Recent literature on diversity suggests that while changes have been made to improve the quality of learning environments for diverse groups on university campuses, there is still room for improvement, particularly in the area of minority and female recruitment and retention. Lack of diversity is a continuing problem in architectural education, a field dominated by white males. It has only been recently that architecture schools have begun to realize how the learning climate may impact the professional world of practice. As a consequence, we have begun to see a greater emphasis on issues of diversity. For example, during spring 1997, …