September 29

The Courtyard at GSU

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The Courtyard at Georgia state is the transition point for many building such as Langdale hall, Sparks hall, classroom south, kell hall, sparks hall, urban life center and even the student library. With the description of the place, it’s pretty obvious that it is very crowded. The sound of people chattering and laughing makes it seem like a lively place. The courtyard is very nice and it has a huge beautiful fountain in the center which is pleasing to the eyes and alot of people prefer to sit by it. There are many steps where people can sit. The ground is concrete and it has different color tiles in some areas which make it nicer. There are people sitting with stations on one side introducing their organizations.

The objects in the space are there for a reason. The steps let people wait for their classes. The flow of the water from the fountain and the sound of it is very soothing and most people prefer to study for their classes or read their books by it. The fountain also attracts people to hang out there since it is very pleasing to watch. The concrete ground allows students to walk to their classes faster. The stations allow studies to get more information about student organization or part-time job opportunities.

The people occupying the space are diverse Georgia state students. I can see people in short of breath, struggling to get to their classes. There were also people who seemed relaxed, they were walking and talking at the same time; some on their phones and some in person. There was a group who sat around the fountain, one among them was playing guitar and others were smoking. I saw a girl lost in her book, she seemed to be so into the story that she wasn’t even bothered by the loud chatter.

The types of people who occupy the space are Georgia state students who are looking forward to having a good time with their friends, or just passing the time waiting for their next class. They choose to occupy the space because it is convenient for them since the courtyard is the transition point to many buildings; therefore it’s close to most of their classes. Also, the fountain makes it an attractive place where students can just sit and de-stress themselves from all the workload. Students looking for job opportunities or who wants to be a part of organizations also occupies the space.

 

September 29

Observing My Space

The Georgia State University Library, home of the printers and Saxby’s Coffee, is one of the most visited and yet ignored buildings on campus. As you walk in, the security guards gives you a mixed feeling of safety and anxiety. You can simultaneously smell crisp paper of all the books and the baked goods at the coffee shop. Students all clamoring together to finish their assignments and study for their fast approaching exams. Uncomfortable chairs and tables are placed about the area for the people who chose to come alone.

The unmissable reception desk is one of the first things you see when you walk in. At least 3 people behind it are ready and prepared to help eager students with any and all questions. Beyond that, there are just a few aisles targeting magazines and newspapers. An employee continues to update these sections with current newspapers/magazines. Right next to that are the tables and chairs always filled with students to use for their own pleasure, something absolutely necessary.

Both students and employees are present as they study with co-workers and students. All of the computers are seemingly occupied while people constantly go back and forth to the printers. People wait in line as their coffee is being brewed, twiddling their thumbs and scrolling their phones. Students and teachers alike sat at these tables, engrossed in their computers and their books, completing the assignment of the week.

Georgia’s State Library welcomes all types of guests. Students, teachers, and faculty roam the halls and stairwells as they go about their day. The library is a mecca of sorts, having multiple resources for various uses. Students flock to this advantage because it’s common sense. One of the most biggest libraries in Georgia, one would be a fool to not take advantage of this building.

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September 29

Observing my Space

When you walk into Cataloochee you first see the rows and rows of all different kinds of snowboards and skis available for you to try out. When you walk up the stairs to the main level there are picnic style tables made of dark stained wood arranged in the cafeteria, a bar on the far right side with different types of beverages on tap, and a buffet line mostly consisting of pizza on the left. There are large windows that overlook the slopes on every side of the lodge, and a small shop for gear in the back.

The gear when you first walk in is there for people to rent and spend a day on the slopes with. They really want you to have fun with the gear and use it to its full ability, and encourage you to try out whatever you want to. The tables in the cafeteria are for people to relax and socialize while eating or after a tiring day on the slopes. Same goes for the bar, it’s there for people to socialize and have some fun at the end of the day after they’ve exhausted themselves on the mountain. The buffet is for people to replenish so they can get back out there and send it. You can observe other riders by looking through the windows and this motivates people when they see someone throw an insane trick or come off the end of the run excited and pumped up. When spectators see this it only makes them want to get back out there sooner. The gear shop in the back is for people to browse different accessories wether it be clothing or equipment, and it’s a place where they can buy next level gear to improve their confidence and their riding.

The people in the space are usually running from place to place. Picking up gear here, getting a quick snack there, everything very quick so they can maximize their time on the mountain. There are usually two main types of people, the ones who are dressed in regular clothes, or the people who found the most eccentric set of neon pants or a multicolored coat and pop out at you. You can also spot the first timers. People who are awkward walking around in their boots and smacking people left and ride because they don’t know how to hold their boards. Everyone in the cafeteria are sitting with their friends and telling stories about their runs of the day and generally having a good time.

The type of people in the space are all very similar. You can tell by talking to them, riding with them, or just observing by the way they act why they are there. They are there for their love of the snow and winter sports, there is no other reason. It’s what drives everyone that’s there. You wouldn’t pay the ridiculous amount of money for a lift ticket week in and week out if you didn’t love the sport.

September 29

Library

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As you walk through the doors of the library you are immediately greeted with a wide staircase being used by students. To the right, there are restrooms and elevators. As the elevator begins to close, a girl with a blue Georgia state shirt and black Nike shorts rushes to catch the elevator. Her black backpack, which is the size of her entire upper body, gets caught between the double doors. To the left side of the first floor of the library, you find a small coffee shop called Saxby’s in which students come in and out, some with coffee or pastries. Towards the back are booths occupied by groups of students. These booths are lined up in rows. Behind the booths are various tables available for anyone to sit.

The various tables and computers are there to help students throughout their college years. The tables and booths are there for students who travel in packs. This gives them a better opportunity for them to interact with school, life, etc. The coffee shop inside the library fuels the student’s energy, it’s there to provide them with drinks and food. The computers and printers located beside the staircase are there for quick and fast access for students. Students who are in a rush to get to class and need something to be printed go straight towards these computers and printers.

The people who occupy these objects are mostly students who come in determined to get things done. A tall skinny boy with jet-black hair goes straight to one of the printing sections. He rushes towards the only empty computer left before another student occupies it. His long fingers type away as he tries to print what he needs. Near the coffee shop, a short girl with long brown hair leaves Saxby’s with a cup in her hand. As she walks out she brings the cup of coffee to her lips, before she drinks it she closes her eyes and inhales the scent. In one of the booths a group of five guy friends occupy the space. Their laughs fill the quiet library as a girl who sits at a computer across them narrows her eyes at them giving them a mean look. All these students who occupy the library move around like ants.

The library is filled with many unique people; it’s like a melting pot. It ranges from Hispanics, African Americans, and many others. Some might also be professors, student workers, or just students. All these people who come to the library are there for various reasons. Some students come to refuel their body with caffeine to try to keep awake during their classes. Others come to get away from the chaos that awaits outside the library.

 

 

September 29

Starbucks

 

There are dark tiles othat cover the ground. Tan walls with a dark wooden ceiling. Dim lighting, not a dark area but also not bright. The smell of coffee brewing and hints of vanilla and gingerbread hits you as soon as you walk in the door. Different chairs ranging from couch like materials to regular wood chairs. Earthy paintings that contrast the neutral colors cover the walls. Plugs also are in every open space and wall, outlets are conveniently placed, along with free wifi.

The purpose for these items and qualities are to create a certain type of atmosphere. The dark colors give a calm and peaceful environment. The medium brightness sets a tone where you can work and rest, not just one extreme. The paintings on the wall give an at home vibe, because pictures make you feel at home. Scents put you at ease, the coffee awakens your body while the vanilla and ginger relax your mind. The comfy chairs are for the customers that came to rest, and the wooden ones are for the students or workers that come to get stuff done without falling asleep. Lastly, the outlets are placed throughout the facility because they want their customers to feel like they have a proper study/work area with everything they need including free wifi.

There is a man who walks in with a laptop briefcase, and wearing a business casual outfit. First he goes to order a coffee, he sits at one of the window tables with a wooden seat. Plugs his laptop charger up into the floor outlet by his table. Before he arrived there was already a group of young adults in a circle having a conversation. Also, there was a woman who seemed to have had a rough morning. She ordered her coffee, sat down and feel straight to sleep. Then there’s me who sits in the back of the room, on a wooden chair so I won’t fall asleep. Sipping on a caramel cappuccino, and staring at people, and taking notes on my surroundings.

These people decide to occupy this space because they enjoy, the feeling they receive here. A friendly environment that caters to what they need, and also makes them feel like Starbucks understand their life. Starbucks know they love coffee and tea, and have to get work done or for some need to go to sleep.

September 29

Courtyard

 

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The courtyard in Georgia State by Piedmont Central is a great place to go. It’s located right outside the Piedmont Central dining hall. The ground is full of bright green grass, there are some scattered trees with missing leaves, and extremely tall lampposts that come on at night. Also there is a rack for bikes that people bring to the courtyard and about four sets of tables and chairs.

These objects are in this space for specific reasons. The sets of tables and chairs are in the space so that students can sit down and do homework, or even just hang out with their friends and they want to enjoy the outdoors. The lamp posts are in the space so that students can even come out to enjoy time in the courtyard at night. There is a bike rack placed so that students can leave their bikes there while doing work or simply spending time there without it getting stolen. These objects control the way people occupy the space in that the tables and chairs indicate that this is where students can sit, and the lamp posts let students know that they can occupy the space at night or any time of the day.

The people in this space are Georgia State students. There are male and female students of all classifications. There is a group of boys who are skateboarding up and down the street beside the courtyard. There is also a tightly clustered group of students who seem to be debating about something, while some are goofing off and laughing. At the last table sits two girls with cups of Starbucks coffee who are intently staring at their computers as if they were doing schoolwork.

The type of people in this space are young Georgia State college students. Most of them are either just hanging out and playing around with friends, or getting schoolwork done. The reason they are in this space is because they want a refreshing area to go to. They are able to get work done in a spacious area with fresh outdoor air. Some students are in this space because they simply enjoy spending time with friends, skateboarding, or doing any other outdoor activities with the convenience of still being on campus.

 

September 29

Plaza @ GSU

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The Plaza at Georgia State can be one of the livest places on campus. It has two levels. There are doors and steps everywhere, an occasional table with a few chairs here and there strategically placed by trees . Tents sometimes occupy the area mainly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Another object that plaza has is probably the most eye catching being the two ridiculously blue fountains on the upper level.

The doors around plaza provide back entry into all instructional buildings located in the vicinity Sparks, Langdale, & Kell hall as well as Classroom and Library South. The stairs give admittance into and out of plaza, access to the slightly taller upper level, and exclusive passage to the underground tunnel connecting to the student centers across the street. Tables and chairs are often occupied by organizations attempting to promote beliefs, brands, products, etc. The trees are used to shade the tables and chairs from the harsh Atlanta sun. Tents are used when businesses come to market and sale their items. Finally the fountains make for a serine like sitting/resting area.

At Plaza there are literally hundreds of people passing by every 5 minutes, especially between the time of 12-1. Students, teachers, faculty, staff, business people, tourists, etc. pass through. Some move swiftly almost rushing in a sense. A few individuals sit in the designated smoking area aka “cigaretteville”. Others casually lounge around sitting or engaging in conversation.

There are males, females, short, tall, big & small people in Plaza. The humans who fill this space are all none in the same. Some come to free their mind from boredom. Many hangout until it’s time for their next class. This is where meet ups take place. A ultimate hangout spot right outside of class; a place of interaction where the mind can be freed from the stress and worries only for a minute.

September 29

All You Can Read

The sun is high in the sky it’s around noon, the only oasis in the sea of the heat is the library. Knowing this, I head towards the automatic pearly gates. Making my way past them I’m barred by the security, who ask to see my I.D, getting it out as fast as I can so that I can enter the climate-controlled building. Walking a few steps in  I see sprawled out before me a pillar with a monitor put into the vertical position with words in the red font that alert me to make reservations using the school’s app of choice. Looking past the pillar, I can make out an ensemble of computer and chairs. Even further out of sight, the back of the room is lined up with book shelves.

Image result for library workingEach aspect of the library is split into different forms of functionality. The Computer and electronics that are clustered together serve not as aesthetics but are used for the utility of the staff and students that go to the university. The chairs clumped together next to the staircase and around the first floor are multifaceted. The purposes are left up to the individual, who may use them for studying or relaxation. Last but not least the high definition monitor that is attached to the wall is meant to be used as a multimedia form of advertisement for those that attend the school and guest.

Observing the inhabitants of the library, the different areas of the library has a type of person hat that resides there. With the computers, the person who is using it may be studying or writing an essay. While with the sofas, a person may or may be in the form of an intermission before their next class.Some other uses of the sofas is also to network and socialize. People in the booths seem to be louder than others and are enjoying the company of others with how the seats have them facing one another in such a way that enables this meandering without a care.

Since the library is multifaceted, the computers represent the purpose of being productive and draws such individuals to them. Sitting crouched over and faces glued to the screen. Their fingers typing away or fingers clicking away at the screen, such people were apparently working at deadlines or quotas and hence the reason for their current choice of occupancy. Others in the library seem to have more luxury in what they want to accomplish and as such decide to choose the lounges that sprawled throughout the library for an individual recluse to meet up with others.

 

 

September 29

Living area

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The living area in the dorm is where everyone socializes. In the space is a laundry room with two chairs and a table. In the common area there is a big white table in the middle of the forum. There are also three big blue comfy chairs that sit against the window. Lastly there is a big flat screen tv that sits on a orange wall in between the big white table and the three chairs.

The laundry room is where everyone goes to wash their clothes. The chairs in the laundry room are for people to sit while their clothes are washing. The big white table in the common area is beneficial because it is where people sit to socialize and do homework. People are also able to write on the big white table with dry erase markers. The three big comfy chairs are set to keep residents comfortable as they socialize and watch television. Most important is the big television, it is used as entertainment and brings residents closer through different shows.

People who are in this are students and the RA who is on duty. Most of the people who are in this space are very talkative. The people who are speaking are talking about special events going on within the school. Other occupants are quiet completely homework. Residents are constantly walking around going to different floors and exploring the dorms.

The people that occupy this space are either here to socialize, get work done or was their clothes. There are kind people helping others with homework if needed. Other occupants are there to meet new people.

 

September 28

East Wave

 

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There are two doors, one for the entrance and one for the exit. An open sign is hanged outside the opened entrance door. A humongous menu board can be seen and  a little small ones are handed to you from the employees. There are bright colored furniture and a neon colored wall with a painting of street names in Chinese and an image of a gate. There are multiple TV screens hanging on the ceiling from the dinning area. There is a station next to the exit door, where you can put trash and other waste in.

The open sign and the opened door, tells us that this place are welcoming in customers. The open door also tells you that you are suppose to go in that restaurant instead of the neighboring franchise. The large hanging menu broad shows the customers that those items are what is available in the restaurant and you can only choose from what is provided. The restaurant has a railing that leads them to the other side where customers are suppose to eat in. The orange chairs and seats tell the customers that they will seat only in these certain areas. The buzzer are a guide for paying customers to know that they food are served and ready to be eaten. The multiple TV screens encourage people to eat distractedly, where they can eat more and more without knowing it. The large neon background is decorated in a way that would attract the customers and showing off the street names in Chinese is another way of embracing East Wave’s full name, East Wave Asian Fusion. The whole restaurant is very modern which many people would lean toward too just because it is clean and it fits in today’s expectations of an Asian restaurant. Theses objects are set up in a way that would surround the occupants in a modern and clean environment, letting the customers know that they should be behaved and civilized and that they should keep the place clean.


Greeted by the bright open sign and open doors, paying customers are automatically greeted by the co-ed employers. The scent of bubble tea drinks, mix with Asian food smell fills the restaurant. Popular music hits can be heard throughout the restaurant. Upon walking in, customers can see a massive board, hanging from the ceiling, or they can walk up to the counter and grab a smaller version of the menu.  If they are clueless about what to get, East Wave employers will help you choose: from their Kiwi fruit teas with the lychee jelly and kiwi pieces to BBQ Pork Baos. After ordering, customers are directed to grab a buzzer. After attaining the buzzer, customers can find a seat anywhere they would like. Walking to the left, customers can see bright neon color background, with street names from China and a little gate on the wall. Looking around they can see the white tables with orange chairs. The orange chairs are extra soft and comfortable. Additionally, on the wall opposite from the exit door, there are multiple TV screens showing many sports channels and family friendly shows. Once finding a good comfy seat with a view of one of the TV, the buzzer will soon go off, meaning your food is ready. After obtaining your food and a comfy seat, customers often pull out a book to read, do homework assignments, talk to a friend, or talk/play on their phone.

People who are middle class and GSU students fill this space. One of the reason why is because the food is relatively cheap and the workers are really nice. Most people choose to come here because of the food, the price, and the environment. The environment itself is very inviting. This is why people with families and friends come here a lot. This is also a safe environment where the police guard heavily, so people are not intimated of going here.