Competition :: Poster for Tomorrow

Photo from www.graphiccompetitions.com

Poster for Tomorrow
A home for everyone - a place to live, not to sleep.
Entry Deadline: July 10, 2013

‘Home’ means something different to all of us. The place where we grew up, the place where we live at the moment, the place we come to relax or entertain our friends after work. But for far too many people home remains a distant dream, a place to aspire to, as they try to eke out an existence in sub-standard accommodation or sleep rough on the streets because they have nowhere else to go.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

The United Nations has enshrined the right of every man, woman and child to a place to live. Not somewhere to shelter from the elements, but a place to live in safety, security and ‘in peace and dignity.’

This is what poster for tomorrow is campaigning for in 2013: the universal right to housing. It’s a huge issue, which is why we’re going to be approaching it slightly differently this year.

There’ll be one central brief as usual, but every month from February until June we’ll release a new brief addressing a different aspect of the issue: causes, facts, consequences and solutions. But for now we’d like to invite you to concentrate on one thing: the right to housing.

For more information, click here.

Graham Pullin Presentation at IHCD

Graham Pullin author of Design Meets Disability Presentation
at The Institute for Human Centered Design
Tuesday June 25, 2013 at 12 pm
200 Portland Street, Boston, MA 02114
RSVP to wcrolius@ihcdesign.org or call 617.259.1655

Discussion of disability-related design can still feel to be at a basic level. A more sophisticated discourse will require that universal design and disability studies become more informed about the nuances of design, just as design itself needs to become more inclusive.

Two approaches together illustrate the diversity of contributions that could yet be made. 'Critical design' means using design to explore issues and ask questions rather than to directly provide solutions to problems: this could unlock new ways of thinking about areas of disability-related design that have become set into traditional responses.

'Supernormal design' is used to mean design so subtle as to leave an object looking almost undesigned (in a good way), yet feeling familiar and approachable: despite its inappropriate name may be very appropriate to aspirations that many people share for universal design. (And the two approaches come together in the important role that supernormal design can play within critical design).

Both approaches are very difficult to do well, with the intended outcome. Including disabled people in the design process is quite rightly an ethical issue. Including better designers is a means to an end, but one that still feels just as radical and valuable.

This event is free and open to the public. Light lunch will be served.

NEWHBA-fest

NEWHBA-fest
Saturday June 22, 2013 from 8 am - 8 pm
Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park
Atlantic Ave + Richmond St, Boston MA 02109

The North End Waterfront Health + Beauty Alliance and the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park are sponsoring NEWHBA-fest - a FREE day-long festival celebrating the health and beauty of our wonderful city of Boston.

8 am - Bootcamp Class
9 am - Yoga
10 am - International Trunk Training
11 am - Bootcamp Class
1 pm - Pilates Bootcamp

11 am-8 pm: Exhibitionists under the trellis will be sharing their products and services, and offering exclusive discounts.

3 pm-8 pm: Local musicians will be providing live entertainment. Look out for special guest Andrew Ference of the Boston Bruins during the concert!

Click here to learn more!

Historic Newton Walks :: Stanley Steamer Twins

Historic Newton Walks :: 
The Stanley Steamer Twins: Inventors in Newton Corner
Sunday June 23, 2013 at 2 pm
Meet in the corner of Farlow Park at Church and Eldredge St

From the late 1880s until they died, twin brothers F.E. Stanley, F.O. Stanley and their families made Newton Corner their home. The factory where they invented and produced the famous Stanley Steamer motor car was nearby off of Galen Street.

Up the hill on Centre Street at the location of the old Hyde Farm, F.E. established a family compound where three Stanley-built homes still exist, and the location of two other structures can be referenced.

Join life-long neighborhood resident Ken Gleason in discovering the fascinating story of these brothers, their families, and their inventions. Meet in the corner of Farlow Park at Church and Eldredge streets. Free.

For more information on this event, click here.

Blog Pick :: The New Urbanism

New prototype city in China - photo from newurbanismblog.com

By Ian Hester, BArch Candidate

The New Urbanism is a blog that explores urban design issues with the goal of finding ways to make cities and streets more walkable. The author, Kevin Klinkenberg of Olsson Associates, approaches his articles with a balance between ideal and the practical solutions to urban conditions.

Shared street in St Augustine, Florida - photo from newurbanismblog.com

One recent post was particularly interesting because of its commentary on the Brutalism style, which is, of course, the style in which the BAC's 320 Newbury building was designed. Klinkenberg looked at Marcel Breuer's Atlanta Central Public Library, but rather than focusing upon the acclaimed architecture, he discusses the building's negative effect upon the surrounding street condition. This is a crucial point to consider when designing a building or a space, but it is sometimes overlooked due to a lack of a thorough understanding of urban design.

Street alongside the Atlanta Central Public Library - photo from newurbanismblog.com

Another noteworthy post pointed out the importance of character and place making in design. Klinkenberg quotes a comment that Savannah, Georgia is one of the only places in the United States that has retained a unique identity, and builds upon this by questioning the trend of designing buildings that are driven wholly by technology and aesthetics rather than sustainability and tradition. Doubtless, the right answer is somewhere between these two ends, but the conversation is an interesting one.

Savannah, Georgia - photo from newurbanismblog.com

The field of urban design is fascinating for many reasons, especially because it affects everyone. Personally, a more thorough understanding of it has changed my entire perspective upon architecture and design by developing my awareness of the 'big picture', and how design decisions can have far-reaching effects on streets, neighborhoods, and even entire cities. Whether or not you already have an interest in urban design, I would highly recommend checking out The New Urbanism.

Field Trip :: The National Building Museum

The National Building Museum during an Inauguration Ball - Photo from gepettocatering.com

By Ian Hester, BArch Candidate

While Washington, D.C. was being dominated by the locally popular Greco-Roman architecture in the late nineteenth century, the massive Pension Bureau building, now the National Building Museum, was designed and built in the rapidly popularizing Italian Renaissance Revival style by General Montgomery C. Meigs.

Exterior during winter - Photo from tripadvisor.com

The Italian Renaissance Revival style, which developed during the end of the Victorian period, is characterized by arches, arcades, and balustrades with classical columns and pilasters. Symmetrical facades, masonry construction, and impressive size and scale further define this architectural style that was widely used for public buildings in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Classical design elements enhance the Italian Renaissance Revival style - Photo from wordpress.com

Meigs employed all of these traits in his design, with the most impressive feature undoubtedly being the eight massive Corinthian columns that are 8 feet wide and 75 feet tall, rising to large decorative capitals and arches. Their impressive size accentuates the 159 feet tall ceiling at the top of the expansive interior space.

75 feet tall Corinthian columns - Photo from examiner.com

The design of the exterior was strongly influenced by Michaelangleo's sixteenth century Palazzo Farnese. Built with a brick masonry facade, the pediments, doors, and many windows are aligned in a symmetrical fashion. The most notable element of is the continuous, 1200 feet long frieze that encircles the building depicting scenes from the Civil War.

The continuous 1200 feet long frieze encircles the building - Photo from johnsonmatel.com

Another distinctive feature is the expansive interior space. The layout of the series of open arcades surrounding the central hall on each side was derived from another influential Renaissance work, the Pallazo della Cancelleria. The arches are reflected in the numerous windows that cover the upper reaches of each of the building's walls.

The central hall, surrounded by arcades and arched windows - Photo from kstreetmagazine.com

Aside from stylistic and aesthetic reasons, these windows served a practical purpose. One of the primary considerations in the design process was air flow, especially regarding circulation and cooling to counter the oppressive heat in Washington summers. The wide doors on the ground floor of each side of the building, combined with the numerous upper windows, created a stack effect ventilation and cooling system that made the building much more comfortable.

Numerous windows allow ventilation and air circulation - Photo by Kim Baker, from flickr.com

Another major consideration was accessibility for aging and disabled Civil War veterans. Since many had great difficulty walking and climbing stairs, Meigs implemented even paving around the exterior of the building and designed staircases with long runs and very short rises.

Stairs that were accessible for Civil War veterans - Photo from flickr.com

In 1980, eleven years after being added to the National Register of Historic Places, Congress commissioned the building to be repurposed as the National Building Museum, a non-profit museum that is "devoted to the history and impact of the built environment," including exhibits of architecture, engineering, planning, and design.

National Building Museum, with distinctive Italian Renaissance Revival characteristics - Photo from loc.gov

The next time you are in Washington, take a few hours to check out the National Building Museum at 401 F Street NW, just a few blocks from the National Mall. You can hang out and sketch in the hall for free, and if you want to see the fantastic exhibits admission is only $5 for students. It is open from 10:00-5:00 Monday through Saturday, and 11:00-5:00 on Sunday. If you can make it during the summer, they have an amazing mini golf course right in the museum with holes designed by architects. If you are looking for a fun summer trip, think about Washington. There are innumerable great museums, almost all of which are free, and a lot of phenomenal architecture. Find a friend with a car and hit the road!

CNC Machine :: Summer 2013 Hours

The CNC machine is available by appointment, and booking is scheduled via http://baccnc.youcanbook.me/.

CNC Operators are available to all programs for 3 types of sessions:
-ORIENTATION - (1 hr) I want to learn how to use the CNC machine.
-PREP - (1 hr) I want to review my toolpaths or ask questions about my project, the software etc.
-CUT (1-3 hr)I have had a 'prep' meeting, and the student project has been vetted by the CNC Operators or Computing Assistants. Students have the appropriate materials and are ready to cut.

Generally, the summer hours of availability are:
-MON – THR: 10 am – 9 pm
-FRI + SAT: 10 am – 5 pm

Have questions? Email CNC@the-bac.edu!

Student Affairs Office :: Summer 2013 Hours

The Student Affairs Office will be open from Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, throughout the summer. Meetings may be available by appointment with at least 48 hours notice.

The Student Affairs Office is located at 100 Mass Ave, on the 3rd floor and is home to the Financial Aid, Registrar and Bursars offices.

Should you have any questions or need to request an appointment, please contact the appropriate office using the numbers below:

Financial Aid: 617.585.0125
Registrar: 617.585.0135
Bursar: 617.585.0115

Free Summer Fitness Classes on the Greenway!

Get Fit on the Greenway this Summer!

The warm weather has finally arrived and it's time for awesome outdoor workouts to stay in shape! Join one or all of these free programs this summer, sponsored by the Greenway Conservancy.

CROSSFIT BACK BAY ON THE GREENWAY
Wednesdays through June 29, 6PM - 7PM
North End Parks (between New Sudbury Street and Hannover St.)
Join us for free outdoor CrossFit workouts every Wednesday in June! RSVP required.

GOOD MORNING YOGA & QIGONG
Wednesdays, June 5- September 18, 8:00AM - 8:45AM
Wharf District Park (High Street)
Start your day with a relaxing, centering, and energizing experience of carefully guided Yoga and Qigong movements led by Suzanne Brownell, Founder of Health Thyself LLC.
 
WATERFRONT YOGA
Wednesdays, June 12 - September 25, 6:30PM - 7:30PM
Wharf District Park (High Street)
Join Waterfront Yoga for a 1-hour, all-levels Vinyasa flow every Wednesday evening on the Greenway this summer. Bring a mat, towel and water.

Blue Star Museums

Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America.

First launched in the summer of 2010, Blue Star Museums offers free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day, May 27, through Labor Day, September 2, 2013.

Click here for a list of museums participating this summer.