Today in studio we met as a class for an informal review on our progress through small group design. One group is focused on the idea of creating an epicenter for the park – an area of gathering where multiple axis of circulation paths meet. Our group is looking at creating a gateway into the park, acting more as a cornerstone to the community. We are doing a staggered structure which envelops the line of trees and opens towards the park. Finally, the third group is looking at creating a multi-directional structure, which uses forms to create small pockets of space that coincide with their adjacent program.
This semester we have a strong focus on circulation, as unique to years past we have the opportunity to design the playground layout and the site design. This presents us with an exciting opportunity of discussing how to get people to move not just in and around our structure, but around this entire newly renovated park.
One question that came up during our large group discussion, mostly joking but also in a serious conversation on the topic of word choice when describing our narratives, is the difference between the words respond or react. Are we responding to the site conditions or reacting to them? Some argue that a reaction is more instinctual while a response takes careful consideration, while others believe them to be synonyms. As designers, are we responding to the site conditions or just reacting to them? What do you think?
