Contextual Investigation

Another availability to work in a group has come to me once again. This research was based upon looking through history and discovering the design styles that were popular during the time period of 1890-1930. I took on the responsibility of finding the important aspects of Colonial Revival style.  This style was also a very strong foundation when it came to architecture. The Chicago Columbian Exposition and American traditionalists influenced the Colonial Revival style. Traditionalists preferred this style due to the symmetry and Dutch Colonial characteristics. Minimal Traditional style homes were created by the Art Deco themes changing from complex motifs to the cleaner Streamline forms. The influence of simple colonial designs and honest use of materials contributed to the popularity of Colonial Revival.
Learning the aspects and history of this style has allowed me to become more familiar with the aesthetics and benefits of Colonial Revival. I would like to become familiar with the popularity of this style in today's design era. My research allowed me to find a create amount of information of this style but many of the typical features are unfamiliar to me. These would be some topics that I would need to further investigate and learn more about. Such as gambrel roofing that was so popular throughout this design style. My design vocabulary and knowledge of the variety of different types of features would need to enhance and increase.

Habitat for Humanity

The ending result of this project came out to be very successful. At the beginning the group I was in got off to a rocky start because we didn't realize a few of the due dates, which caused us to rush the first part of the design process. We then mapped out what should be done and by what time. The work was split up quite evenly allowing each of us to have a part in the end result. The material choices did not get as much attention as it should have compared to other aspects of the project. We did make sure that the criteria of a habitat home were met as well as including a variety of storage areas to make sure that no space was left unused.
As a team we decided to split up the work. My responsibilities included completing the model, inking and dimensioning both floor plans and drawing the kitchen perspective. My teammates took on the responsibilities of creating the other two perspectives, rendering the them, creating the façade elevation and starting the final poster. Each of us were included in the floor plan layout discussions as well as the material choices and paint colors. There were many different options that we came up with to insure that the space was being created to allow a great deal of space and comfort.
My strengths included taking on my responsibilities and finishing them on time. I was also able to take on extra work when my teammates needed me to. This did leave me to become slightly unorganized because I did have multiple parts of the project going on at once and whenever I got stuck at a point I wasn't able to discuss the possible solutions with my partners until they returned, shortly later. My computer program skills and techniques still have room to grow and enhance. I do believe that I can make very clean work and a professional finalized product. I do take a little more time when trying to make an aspect look exceptionally well done.
I do plan on increasing my ability with the computer programs as well as being able to balance multiple pieces at once without getting overwhelmed. I would also like to gain more confidence behind my ideas so that I do not need another person validation because I do understand that in the future all aspects of a project will come from just myself and I would like to be sure of myself and my ideas. I believe that my team worked together very well and that created a very successful product.