Reading Comprehension 1

1. The selected building is the Proximity Hotel in Greensboro


The Proximity Hotel displays vernacular characteristics in that the building is modeled after a cotton mill from the 1800’s. Yet high-style is still present within the commodity of space provided. Ceilings within the lounge become cathedral like to expand the illusion of increased open space. Steel I beam metal framing composes firmness within the structure and is displayed unhidden throughout the structure to the delight of the occupant. Upward lighting is provided in the halls and the steel beams are painted black to resemble a ceiling. The color scheme and low lit traversed areas resemble Gothic architecture. However the rooms are painted white with natural lighting to provide adequate illumination. Perhaps this is the delight able purpose; to define contrast between clear bright living space and dark dim traversable hallways. The bright natural ending is justified by the dark journey. Perhaps that is the commodity of a hotel as whole; to provide a pleasant delight and clear mind at the end of a difficult tiresome journey.

2. Rose swirls pattern

The Motif of the pattern with roses and swirls is a link to the natural world of regeneration. This piece represents the spirit of growth. The small speckled dots could represent the falling rain on the rose bush. The blue/green color of the background could represent the color water. The swirl of white mist may represent the magic of growth and bloom presented upon the rose by life giving hydration. The blooming of the red rose may represent the feminine act of birthing life. Given the delicacy of the design it seems only suitable that the design be may presented upon silk. Silk originated in China around 3000BC. In early culture a symbol was used as a reminder of a positive emotion or good luck.

3. Seperation of spaces


The separation of space is based around stress tolerance. Stress tolerance is rooted in the responsibilities one takes on within society. As population increases so do the responsibilities to be an active person within society. These responsibilities cause aggression to compound and increase stress. As more aggressive dominant personalities emerge the natural defensive response is to increase personal space for protection. Another theory is the ownership of personal space. More possesive space is a display of hierarchy. Also more responsibility means more to actively keep track of and more tools are needed for this. In order to maneuver these tools in a reasonable fashion more space is required. This is evident in American culture. The expansion between the tight public communes in the 1970’s and private individuality in present times is evident within architecture. When the Ferguson auditorium was designed in the 70’s the attitude of the time was much different. The time was much more of cooperative sharing. The personal spaces needed not to be so large in a communal space. As the times have changed more mechanisms have arisen and more protective operating space is required. The average person has become accustomed to this space and when presented with a lesser area may feel restrained.

Frank Lloyd Wright "Zimmerman House"

4. Architecture of happiness

People become accustomed to commodity of the space they occupy on a regular basis. However some people don’t. Usually a person with an expansive ambitious persona will continue to lust forward for something more and will never be satisfied. It is the responsibility of an architect to bridge the gap between ordinary satisfaction and ambition. If this is to be done properly the designer must create delight for the resident and a sense of excitement that erupts every time the person steps into the room. Frank Lloyd Wright did this well with well proportioned geometry; and expanding and contracting spaces as one moved through the structure. Well designed geometry provides a sense of clean organization. Traversing one way causes a certain delight and coming back the opposite way is completely different. However the occupant must always appreciate the commodity. The movement of commodity must remain exciting upon every entrance into the defined space. The only way to provide a continuous delight able experience is to merge the workings of asymmetry and symmetry together to form shapes that are always pleasing to study. This is a sense of balance that falls over the edge at the same time. Every angle of an approaching view must be a masterpiece of design. This view is like artwork that you long to return to and can sit and contemplate for hours. “It seems reasonable to suppose that people will posses some of the qualities of the building they are drawn to.” Happiness can be created by architecture. The kind of happiness is what matters. Is it a sense of tranquil lucidity or fanatic excitement? It depends upon the inhabitant. Whether it will lose its appeal over time rely upon environmental factors. If the happiness is peace of mind then perfect satisfaction can be created.