Browse Exhibits (5 total)
Ashra Wickramathilaka | Techniques for Mapping People’s Spaces
Land-use mapping is said to be the most popular among the spatial mapping techniques, as it visualizes the land-use pattern over the ground. However, four or five highly generalized large-scale land-uses determined by planners are unable to capture most urban activities of the ordinary people. This study employs new spatial mapping techniques to produce new spatial narratives.
Faculty Mentor: Nihal Perera
Department of Urban Planning
Graduate
Christian Terrell | Delaware County Incarceration
The current prison system in America was put in place in 1891 under the Three Prisons Act. Jail and prison designs have historically been meant to keep those on the inside in and those on the outside out. Jails have many design flaws that are detrimental to a prisoner’s health. They tend to be overcrowded, offer poor healthcare, lack privacy, and deprive people from stimulation which can exacerbate mental health problems. According to The Star Press, the Delaware County Justice Center in downtown Muncie experienced overcrowding. The facility had a maximum capacity of 220 inmates, but frequently housed over 300 inmates. A new jail in the former Wilson Middle School is expected to house 500-750 inmates. This stopgap solution to overcrowding solves some of the community problems of incarceration but does not go far enough to address other areas of incarceration in America. A solution to the current American prison design is what people are calling “humane prisons.” This design philosophy believes that American prisons could build more respect for their inmates by incorporating design elements that mimic daily life.
This presentation incorporates design ideas for the “new” jail facility of Delaware County with depictions of what sorts of features might make it more humane. Since it is already in use visits to the site may not be possible however, artist’s sketches can show features that may be possible and benefit the larger community through a change in incarceration philosophy as opposed to the current utilitarian approach.
Faculty Mentor: Gerald Waite
Department of Urban Planning
Undergraduate
Dinushi Samarasekara | The Production of Vishuddhi Spaces and their Subjects: Identity, Meaning, and Space of the ‘Ritigala Vishuddhi Haramba’ Process and Establishment based in Ritigala, Sri Lanka
This is an ethnographic study centered around the community and space of the subjects known as the Ritigala Vishuddhi community, the bearers of indigenous combat art, Ritigala Vishuddhi Haramba, which originated and evolved in the countryside of Ritigala, Sri Lanka. Despite the ancient lineage of attending national security, what they practice today is contemporary. The Shilpa bearers’ culture and the way of life are thoroughly enriched with the Vishuddhi Haramba teachings. While it creates a new meaning, identity, and sense of place, the Vishuddhi Haramba education is strongly tied to their history.
As Henri Lefebvre (1991) points out space is socially produced: Every social practice creates space and space affects practices. Specific communities in specific cultures give different meanings to their space.
Apparently, the Vishuddhi Shilpis are a unique community with a unique practice, culture, and identity. They are the creators of their unique space.
The study brings about the worldviews, perceptions, and aspirations of this community, expressing who they are, what they do, their knowledge, what spaces they make, through what practices, and why these spaces are important to them, and how they produce their spaces to function on daily basis creating the identity and sense of place.
Faculty Mentor: Nihal Perera
Urban and Regional Planning
Graduate
Elise McQueen | Escape Space
Escape Space is located in downtown Indianapolis and will serve as a gathering and place to escape from home, work, noise, people, or anything else you may need a break from. Escape Space is a new type of space inspired by the quarantine experience, during which we were stuck in one location, experienced social isolation and loneliness, and there were increased cases of mental health struggles, specifically depression and anxiety. The space will focus on creating an interactive, community-focused experience that meets the physical and emotional needs of every visitor. The first floor features a cafe and gathering space with Covid-19 safety integrated into the interior design to keep visitors safe and comfortable in the public setting. The second floor includes many "escape spaces" which range from rooms for art therapy, chromotherapy, and themed rooms for individuals or small groups. Themes can include travel destinations, time periods, events, or any other creative environment that can be thought up. Unique audio, lighting, materials, and furniture choices will create a full sensory experience in each room. These "escape spaces" allow people to briefly escape the monotony or craziness of daily life in a safe and affordable way. Escape Space will strive to meet the community's social and emotional needs by providing spaces for gathering and socialization, as well as individual spaces for quiet meditation or creative expression.
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Angne-Alfaro
Construction Management & Interior Design
Undergraduate
Kelsey Park | Aurora Hotel, A Boutique Hotel
Project Abstract:
I am designing a boutique hotel, called the Aurora Hotel, located in San Antonio, Texas.
The scope of my project includes designing the public spaces occupied by guests and hotel staff on the first floor of the hotel. The goal of my project is to design a hotel that is visually beautiful while emphasizing a safe and functional space aimed to adapt with the ever-changing future.
Designing for function is what makes the beauty within a space appear so flawless and intentional. The Aurora Hotel is meant to be designed with the intention to make all guests feel comfortable and safe, especially during times like today.
Taking COVID considerations and applying them to the design strategy allows this hotel to conquer concerns before they even become an issue. There is a new normal to social ad public spaces today, and integrating those standards into a design will make them not appear so last-minute. Designing for the safety and inclusivity of all people is so important, and that is why I am designing for the ever-changing future.
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Alfaro
Construction Management and Interior Design
Undergraduate