Spark 216: Engaging the Future of Desgin

Posted on May 25, 2018 Posted in Architecture, Design, Education, UncategorizedLeave a comment

SPARK 216: Engaging the Future of Design #TheRecap

May 25, 2018

Michele Crawford

Cleveland, Ohio

Activating the next generation of creative youth by providing opportunities where they can experience and grow their creativity alongside other creative professionals is an important need. I would speak persuasively that it is key to have role models and mentors to coach and support youth that are curious and contemplating gaining skills in creative careers. I often jump at the chance to support any initiative that focuses on these things and attempts to make an impact. The inaugural Spark 216 event was just that. Brainchild of designers Jacinda Walker, Jamal Collins, Jermel Wilkerson Sr. and Robert Gatewood, Spark 216 is an event for youth, ages 11-15, who are curious about design and design-related careers. The inaugural event was held on March 10. Attendees had the opportunity to expand their creativity by participating in thirty-minute sessions of design learning activities led by local design professionals. The activities exposed the next generation of youth to graphic design, web design, architecture, photography, illustration, and design thinking. Each session included local design volunteer leaders working to choreograph introductory activities for youth participants

As an Architecture Information Station volunteer, I was fortune to be teamed up with Mandisa Gosa, Interior Designer at local firm ThenDesign (Bialosky at the time) and David Jurca, Associate Director at Kent State’s CUDC. We were able to work one on one with the youth attendees in rotating slots. Students explored a basic understanding of architecture and interior design careers through practicing communicating design by determining scale, building models and drawing their model in plan, elevation, section and perspective views. Students were encouraged to make their model with Disney character clients in mind.

Though the Spark 216 event was not specifically targeted for future designers of color, the audience in attendance was. Though it was a cold March day in Cleveland, the temperature inside the host venue, Full Spectrum GamerHaven, felt like summer bliss, vibrant with fresh new talent exploring the opportunity to be a designer for a day and helping hands and minds cultivating leaders by sharing a wealth of information. There was even a special session for parents that gave an overview of how to support emerging creatives. Even though no official vote was collected and tallied, I believe our table was the crowd favorite, I may be biased though!

Someone once told me that the english language often does not have the appropriate words to describe our experiences, and after participating in Spark 216… I can confirm that I agree. Stay tuned for more events like this coming soon.

Check out the event video here- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgaDII2F_UM

Habitat for Humanity Alumni Build

Posted on March 26, 2015March 26, 2015 Posted in Architecture, Community Development, UncategorizedTagged AmeriCorps Member, Community, Construction, Habitat Charlotte, Habitat for Humanity, Service, VolunteerLeave a comment

Setting up the formwork for the big pour...

This June I am planning to participate in an AmeriCorps Alumni house build! 2015 will be the 5 year anniversary of the first Alumni build. As an AmeriCorps Alumni of the Habitat for Humanity Charlotte Affiliate, I am eager to join in the fun and get back on site! My time of service changed my life and set a precedent for me to strive and continue to help those in need. As an AmeriCorps Member I participated in over 10 new construction and home repair builds in Charlotte, NC, Dallas, TX and Seattle, WA. I broke a finger with my hammer (because I’m so strong), led a KaBoom playground build (because I’m so caring and love the kids), and met a ton a amazing people along the way (and the list goes on). The vision for this build is to say “thank you” to Habitat Charlotte for the opportunity to serve, and to continue to show our ongoing commitment to service, and to our communities.

In addition to my hammering hands and painter’s touch, the team is raising funds to cover the cost of construction for not only the house we will build in a week June 13-21, but also enough to sponsor a Critical Home Repair project AND sponsor a house at the Habitat Charlotte sister affiliate in El Salvador. The art of teamwork is crucial to the success of this mission. Please consider making a donation to support me, my fellow alumni and the continuing efforts Habitat for Humanity makes to ensure affordable shelter to deserving families.

Our fundraising goal is $100,000 and we are 1/3 of the way there! All donations made for the remainder of the month will be matched in $100 increments by a generous donor. You can make donations and track our fundraising progress here:

https://www.crowdrise.com/americorpsalumnibuild2015/fundraiser/michelecrawford1

I’ll prepare a special gift for all those who donate, something artsy probably! If you have any questions or need more information please contact me! Feel free to forward along and thanks for your support!

Please note, if you want to donate $500 or more, it is best to write a check and mail it directly to Habitat. If you are interested in doing this, please make it payable to the following:

Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte

3815 Latrobe Dr.
Charlotte, NC 28211

“AmeriCorps Alumni Build” needs to be in the memo line of the check in order for the money to go to the right campaign.

In Service,

Michele

”You will be remembered by what you have built,

not what you have bought.

By what you gave,

not what you got.”

Build-A-Thoning…

Posted on July 2, 2013 Posted in Architecture, Community Development, Education, Social Justice2 Comments

This past May I had the opportunity to participate in a Habitat sponsored AmeriCorps event in Seattle, Wa. For one week the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Seattle, Kings County, hosted numerous AmeriCorps volunteers from across the country to join together and get things done for America. This is a yearly event know as Build-a-Thon, and it is definitely one of the most exciting events of my service term. Not only did I get to travel to the wonderful west, I also had the opportunity to partake in some strategic formwork building and an intense concrete pour! Now… I have helped pour concrete foundations before… but nothing quite like this! The Habitat affiliate in Seattle used the AmeriCorps forces to assist in 3 different projects, I was on the team responsible for ensuring a multi-unit town home doesn’t… well… fall down. Exciting! And messy! I was ready though 🙂

Constructing the formwork took a few days, but the concrete pour took only an afternoon. It took me back to my glorious construction days, and reminded me of how the building processes are an intricate part to the vitality of our constructed world. Along with hundreds of other AmeriCorps members who serve with Habitat for Humanity affiliates around the country, I help build homes, communities and hope. Habitat for Humanity, who is one of the largest homebuilders in the country, relies heavily on the AmeriCorps members to complete projects like this everyday and help make the possibility of homeownership available to a multitude of families. Because of volunteer efforts as a whole, AmeriCorps and beyond, homes are more affordable for Habitat homeowners and their families.

Seattle6 — Fellow AmeriCorps posing after a long day on site.

Seattle12 — It rained… and rained… AND rained…

Despite the rain… everyday… a long day on site was complimented with evenings of site seeing and overeating. Who knew Seattle was full of great touristy things to do?? I made sure I made it to see some architectural gems, including the public library by Architect Koolhaas, and The EMP by Architect Gehry. Felt good to see a building that makes your heart flutter…

Who says you can't a lever? — Who says you can’t a lever?

Gehry from the Space Needle

Up close and personal with The EMP…

Who says you can’t a lever?

Gehry from the Space Needle

Up close and personal with The EMP…

My site analysis process was inspired by my daily commute from Forest Park (west suburb of Chicago) to the Loop on the Green Line L’ Train. Twice a day I observed the changes of the neighborhoods and became interested in the politics of why this was visible. I passed through the neighborhoods of Oak Park, Austin, Garfield Park, and the West Loop, witnessing moments of historical remnants, urban development/decay, and opportunities for growth and hope. In the map above the red rectangles represent the open spaces (almost all visible from the Green Line route) available for the spatial responses I am proposing. These responses can include public parks, urban gardens, amphitheaters, art centers, mural spaces, fitness parks, pavilions and other community common spaces that may influence a strong since of pride in the neighborhood where you reside, creating areas of improvisation, dialogue, empowerment, remembrance, education, expression and anything freestyle[d].

The site I chose was the intersection of Pulaski and Lake, West Garfield Park. I began by looking at how the site was used by the community in it’s vacant state, and expanded on that.

The goal of the architecture is to excite, inspire and support community members and serve as a unifying symbol of all the present assets and instigate new possibilities in the community. Providing a space for music, art, dance and other, this facility becomes a support system, cultivating neighborhood pride. The visual statement explores an hip-hop aesthetic that involves elements of adaptability, fluidity, reclamation, and transparency. My precedent studies included The Wall of Respect by various Chicago Artist, DeYoung Museum by Herzog DeMeuron, Fun Palace by Cedric Price, Ibirapuera Park by Oscar Niemyer/Roberto Burle Marx, Olympic Sculpture Park by Weiss Manfred, and MASP by Lina Bo Bardi.

MicheleCrawford

Category: Architecture

Spark 216: Engaging the Future of Desgin

Habitat for Humanity Alumni Build