October 27

The Innovation Campus Summary

The Innovation Campus
Building Better Ideas Summary

This article showed numerous university’s and how the campus is designed to help students and not hinder them. Although I like Georgia State our campus does not help us. In fact, it can easily cause distractions solely because of its location and other factors that play into downtown Atlanta.
For example at university of Utah: “Different floors have different themes, based on Utah’s existing strengths: one for games and digital media, one for adventure and gear, one for design and the arts, one for global impact and sustainability. The ground-floor “garage” has workshops equipped with 3-D printers, laser cutters and other prototyping tools, available to anyone at the university and staffed by work-study students. All the programs offered by the Lassonde Entrepreneurship Institute, the division that is building the studios, are extracurricular and interdisciplinary; a few degrees are offered in partnership with the business school.” This shows its hands on resources for students at Utah. I’m not even sure if Georgia state has these type of amenities to offer because it’s not brought upon our attention.

The radical restructuring of both curriculum and architecture are supposed to contribute to greater parity. Gone is a first year of large lecture courses on basic science. Instead, students work alone or in small groups on a “passion project.” “If you are working on an efficient filtering system for water in Ethiopia, you will need to know more about mathematics, about partial differential equations,” Dr. Kozinski said. In the article they showed of picture of the first year classrooms at New York University and they look very hands on. They have walls like normal classes except you can actually write all over the walls. It’s more like a hands on learning experience. At some schools you get the learning and knowledge. However, it seems as if at New York you receive a learning experience and I’ve realized that experiences live with you forever. In the article they even say these tools are to help students develop ideas and bring them to real life.

It’s obvious in this article, all the schools mentioned have a lot of technology to help show real world experiences. Wichita State has a 25-million-dollar engineering building. Its open 24/7 and has various jobs for students with local businesses. Not only is this a wonderful resource but it also provides a career path for lots of students. Lots of students go to school looking for jobs and are disappointed they can’t find one after paying for years of school and investing lots of time.

In conclusion, this article shows the resources of some of the best colleges in the United States as far. The resources that are shown in this article aren’t considered normal at most institutions.

October 27

Will Turner Field ever be the same?

During two different trips to turner field I realized it doesn’t have that warm feeling anymore. Yeah I understand it’s the middle of October but I’m not talking about that kind of warm. In the past turner field use to be a very welcoming and crowded atmosphere. Now you just have people who are coming to Turner Field to utilize the wonderful grill and bar they have.

During my first trip; I figured maybe I came at the wrong time so Ill return another time. If I could relate this trip to turner field I’d say it was like the library on a Sunday morning. I say this because the library is closed Sunday morning but there are still lots of security around. Even though Turner Field was open, It was completely empty outside of me and my roommate. I could’ve brought by laptop and done homework in peace at that time. My roommate stated that turner field was “dead” and by that he said he meant that it has no life line. For example, turner field is only hit with a lot of traffic when it’s a special event and if there isn’t one then turner field has no use. Being that braves are no longer affiliated with turner field the traffic will always be this way.

He then gave me the idea of coming back on a Saturday night to see what’s it’s like. We went back the following Saturday and I really didn’t believe it. It was a wedding at turner field. A wedding at turner field, on a Saturday night. I wanted to ask a few question, but I wouldn’t want to interfere with someone’s special moment. I thought about how much it would cost and why they picked night time to have the wedding. I came to turner field expecting the same results as the first time; however, I was proven wrong.

Being that didn’t want to interfere with the actual wedding taking place, I talked to the security guard and he told me just because the Braves left doesn’t mean it’s the end of Turner Field. They have events like this all the time he said. He told me they a rented out all the time for concerts, festivals, dinners, marriage proposals, and you can even pay to practice at turner field. That seems pretty amazing.

However as far as traffic, you will no longer have to wait 30 minutes just to make it down the street. Also the parking can now fulfill the attendance at turner field. The security guard stated that since turner field has parted ways with the Braves his job has been way easier. With Georgia state buying turner field and the fan base being way smaller than the braves; Will the traffic at Turner Field ever be the same?

October 27

Growing up in Atlanta

Growing up in Atlanta, I must say Turner Field was an attraction in my life. Many years ago I took weekly trips to turner field to attend the Braves games. As a kid, I actually hated the trips to turner field and baseball was one of the worst sports to watch back then.

During my most recent trip it became quite bittersweet. How did a simple project for ENGL 1102 become bittersweet; my roommates asked. Well I’m not sure if many realized but you won’t be able to walk or take the shuttle to see the Atlanta Braves play. To be more precise, they technically won’t even be considered the “Atlanta” because they will be located in Cobb County.

Even though I attend Georgia State University and it is now their property, I feel as if a major key from Atlanta has been taking away. Even though I may be jumping the gun while saying this; Turner Field will never be Turner Field again. Also, what about all the famous and legendary baseball players that are named on pretty much every street around Turner Field?

Overall, spending at the Braveless Turner Field was not the same as it normally is. Only due to the major change coming. Change is not necessarily a bad thing, However when you’ve been living in Atlanta almost all your life and they take a major element of it away you begin to feel different.

September 20

Schindler Summary & Relation

At the beginning; Schindler exposes how she believes majority of architectural designs are over looked for its features. For example, she mentions how park benches are split into 3 separate seats to prevent homeless people from sleeping on them. This example proves that architectural exclusion favors and disfavors specific groups. Schindler shares some examples provided by Lawrence Lessig such as: Division of neighborhoods using highways, Accessibility of town squares, and limiting revolutionaries by creating large boulevards. These example further prove that architecture exclusion influences the decision people make on the day to day basis. Despite the fact that architecture exclusion is an obvious reality, “Few in the legal community have discussed architecture itself as a regulatory tool.” (Schindler).
Architectural exclusion is one of the more seldom issue brought up when considering racism; even though it can be one of the most contributing factors. Schindler makes it seem as if architectural exclusion is to hinder access of low-income and black individuals into white and upper-class areas with the rationale that it is promoting safety and health for individuals in those areas.
The way she expresses the ideas of architectural exclusion; makes me think about if there are any things that are hindered my life in the past or currently still hindering my life. About 2 years ago I had a psychedelic experience and made me really question my living space. I Even though this may not have been exactly what she was talking about I noticed in the more “ghetto” areas the wattage of lights are lowered. Well some may ask what affect that has. The lower wattage means the lower the light. This means this could encourage sleep, and unproductive activity. No it is not the main contributing factor to those things but if architectural exclusion does then I think this could also. This is just in comparison towards her park bench example; with a personal experience.

I've noticed the difference in wattage in the different areas. Even though all wattage light bulbs are the same.

I’ve noticed the difference in wattage in the different areas. Even though all wattage light bulbs are the same.


In 1974 in Memphis Tennessee, a road was closed that connected an all-white neighborhood to an all-black one. It was closed on the ground of “promoting safety, and reducing traffic and noise”. In other words this basically says white people shouldn’t have direct contact; or shouldn’t be able to easily interact with black people because it’s not safe. How are people of color supposed to feel if we are automatically considered more dangerous than others just because of our color? Justice Marshall, an African American himself, protested this action and it did nothing but caused more racial supremacy towards Memphis.
In conclusion; America does its best to try and cover up as much racism as possible. However; racism is just one of the problems that don’t treat us equally. We also have something called supremacy. This always gives blacks the disadvantage in most situations. For example, If a black person goes into a store with 3 of his other black friends, they will be watched very closely. Under intentions that they may be trying to steal something or just do something illegal. However; if they were white they wouldn’t be watched as much. This is just one of the very common examples given. There are way more life changing examples, like if John Smith fills out an application compared to Devonte Fearon. If they both had the same qualifications; leave me a comment and let me know who you think would get the job?

September 16

Focused Built Environment Description

Signage & Infrastructure

Literally about 12 seconds away from Grant Park, which is still located in the Grant Park neighborhood; you find a mini plaza. Not an ordinary plaza. I say this because this plaza isn’t filled with shopping arenas. This plaza is filled with two churches and lots of beautiful artwork.
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No Space in this church; don’t worry Grant Park’s got you. If you turn 180 degrees you find another huge church. I’m sure we have all encountered an experience of being annoyed that here isn’t enough space. Well if you go to church in Grant Park you have nothing to be worried about.

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The most interesting thing of this Grant Park infrastructure is the parking. Attending Georgia State means you agree to dealing with horrible parking. Grant Park however; has parking lot style parking but on the street. Sounds crazy? Yeah I know; its not normal; however its amazing. img_0700

The signage of this community is also very creative. All around building are painted with psychedelic like art. Lots of businesses promote around this area.

In fact; as I was taking pictures of the art. I noticed they were kinda subjective towards my little Infinti with a “We buy Junk Cars sign”. Just kidding; however you never know what trash people want or need to get rid of which is also amazing.

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September 16

Personal Site Response ( Grant Park Neighborhood )

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How introducing? Before I even get to sit for 5 minutes I feel completely comfortable. I say this because I visited my site around 7am last Sunday. I figured it would be a great experience to see how the community interacts with me after a long Saturday night for most.

Before I could even take pictures of the Welcome to Grant Park sign; I was reminded by someone who lives on the street to lock my car doors. I’m not sure how they saw me from inside there home; or how they know my doors were unlocked but it was definitely a life saver.

This completely made the energy of this environment way more safer.

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“Thank You Yellow House”

A beautiful home on the street caught my eye. Unlike most; If something appears interesting I try my best to find information about it. However; this was quite easy due to the warming energy of this environment. A young lady by the name of Ashley stopped and gave me a lot of information about the home. Turns out they are apartments that are rented out to college students. How ironic right?
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As I walked downed the street I noticed a garage sale sign, I have lived in a home on Ponce De Leon for about 2 years and I’m yet to see a single garage sale sign. Some may ask; why is a garage sale sign so important anyway? I am a firm believer in another mans trash is another mans treasure. I got a flow of energy that this community definitely looks out for each other.
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At this point; I’m not even at Grant Park for a project; I’m here because its a wonderful and safe environment to hangout it. As stated earlier I’ve been living on Ponce De Leon for about 2 years now with 3 of my friends. I’ve only remembered my neighbors speaking to me maybe about 2 times total. When I visited Grant Park I engaged in about 5 different conversations with people. Literally everybody spoke to me despite skin color and any other unapproachable aspects.

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This environment was completely warming. I would expect to have to pay to hang out here and most definitely will be visiting soon.