Miniature Earth

October 18th, 2006 by Peter Schmelzer

miniearth.jpg

Some times, good things seem to come in pairs.

Yesterday I posted about the Global Rich List, which I found to be amazing. I kept entering a lower annual income until I reached the 50% mark. Wow. Do it yourself and see if your results aren’t different.

Today I came across the Miniature Earth project on Core77’s blog.

I appreciate receiving the big picture in a few moments, without all the hype and hoohah. Miniature Earth offers some statistics about the people of the world in a simple, straightforward way.

Check it out. It’ll only take a minute and it’ll broaden your understanding of humanity.

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How Rich We Are!

October 17th, 2006 by Peter Schmelzer


$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

From Architecture for Humanity’s blog roll, here is a good, low-cost (free), perspective adjustment for many of us interested in architecture.

It was created by Poke, to help us understand where we fit in the economic world, and it’s called the Global Rich list.

Give it a whirl, give some thanks, then think about sharing what you’ve been given.

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Quote: Sharon Salzberg

October 2nd, 2006 by Peter Schmelzer

“Each decision we make, each action we take, is born out of an intention.”

If you’ve been through the design and construction process, you know there are many, many decisions to be made, from where the buildng will site to what finish the drawer pulls will have.

One challenge we as designers accept, is to maintain continuity of the design intent from start to finish. From our first conversations about the project to occupancy, we define and develop the core project’s core concepts. Often, we are called upon to protect those concepts. For example, unforseen conditions, sudden unavailability of materials, a construction mistake, or a change of mind can trigger opportunities for the design intent to be sacrificed.

So what’s the big deal? Architecture is an art of relationships. Relationships between needs, wants, spaces, materials, proportions and systems make a building what it is. One choice can destroy the relationship between a myriad of relationships, which in turn can turn harmony into turmoil. Or, that same choice can accomodate the needs of the project and gracefully complete the whole.

What is your intention for your space? VIVUS can help make it a reality.

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