Challenge 2 | Gather (Research) | 30 points

 

It is essential that each team/tribe develop a unique identity and culture. This challenge asks that you research a prominent tribe of Native Americans in your assigned region.  You will develop research on the unique characteristics of your region. Your research should illustrate the influence of these characteristics on the bio-diversity, culture, and architecture of the region.  Documentation (both visual and text based) of how a particular region’s climate, terrain, vegetation, and available biodiversity led to radically different architectural expressions is required.

 

 Board Size:  Due to limited presentation space, each team will present their projects with a 2' wide required and up to 8' high space


 

Presentation Requirements:

Board 1: Climate & Terrain Analysis

This board should demonstrate and communicate a clear understanding of your given region’s climate and terrain. It will form the factual underpinning for some conclusions made in subsequent areas of study. You should use photos, diagrams, text and illustrations to communicate the information in an engaging, easy to understand manner.

 

Issues:

 

 

Board 2 and 3: Local Bio-diversity Adaptive Responses

What kinds of animals and plants live in the region and how has that region’s climate, and terrain available vegetation played a factor in the appearance & lifestyles of the animals that exist in the region. Please show your animals and plants in a food chain relationship & be sure to include human beings. One board should show at least one of the five types of creatures/plants listed below. Please use illustrative diagrams and text as the primary means of communicating the information. Photos can be used but not as the primary form of content.

 

Issues:

  • Types of plants: cactus, coniferous, deciduous, etc…
  • What type and color/texture are the membranes of the plants and why?
  • What type of respiratory and digestive system do they have and why?
  • What type of leaf structure and branches do they have and why?
  • Types of Creatures: mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, birds,
  • What type and color/texture are the membranes of the creatures and why?
  • What type of respiratory and digestive system do they have and why?
  • What type of bone structure and appendages do they have and why?

 

 

Board 4:      Indigenous Culture Architectural Responses

This board should document how the architecture of your given culture evolved as a response to environmental factors, available bio-diversity and pre-existing cultural heritage. One of the underlying themes of this research project is to show how sustainable design strategies and technologies evolved as a normal manifestation of the surrounding environment.

 

Issues:

  • What types of membranes did the indigenous structures have and why?
  • What type of structural systems/materials did they use and why?
  • What types of strategies did they use for human waste removal and collection of fresh air, and why?
  • How was the need for food and water reflected in the architecture?
  • How was the uniqueness of a your given culture’s identity expressed through architecture?
  • What strategies/technologies where used for heating and cooling?
  • How did the arrangement of buildings and site choices reinforce a sense of community?
 
 
Board 5:       The Indigenous People

Who were the indigenous peoples of the region? What form did their settlements and buildings take?  How were those settlements and buildings affected by the regional and localized climate and topography?  How did they acquire their food? What form of worship did they have? What form of societal government did they develop? Please illustrate the relationship between food, climate, worship, and government. Your board should show at least one of the five types of artifacts listed below.  Please use illustrative diagrams and text as the primary means of communicating the information. Photos can be used but not as the primary form of content.

 

Issues
  • Types of Artifacts:  Boats, clothing, religious items, musical instruments, tools
  • What materials are use in the artifacts and why?
  • What symbolic significance do they have and why?
  • What relation do these artifacts have to the society as a whole?

 

 

Board 6: Inspired Technologies/Strategies

Based on the research you have conducted on previous boards, what kinds of technologies, strategies can you invent as a specific response to the given region you are studying. It’s okay to draw from contemporary architects working in those regions as a part of you research, but there should be some original thoughts as well.

 

Issues:

Can you develop sustainable technologies/strategies to deal with the following themes?

 

Environment

  • Protecting existing vegetation/ creating opportunities for new vegetation
  • Water treatment, purification and percolation
  • Air quality
  • Waste removal/recycling
  • Climatic responses

 

Energy
  • Passive heating/cooling
  • Daylighting
  • Electrical power generation

 

Community
  • Protect and enhance local and global biodiversity
  • Develop a sense of community

 

 

Board 7: The European Settlers

This board should document the relationship of the European settlers to the indigenous peoples.  How did the architecture of your given culture evolved as a response to environmental factors, population density and pre-existing cultural heritage.  One of the underlying themes of this research project is to show how the interactions of people with each other, their environment, and their past produce rich and varied communities.

 

Issues:

  • When did European settlers arrive?  From where?
  • What was their impact on the indigenous peoples?
  • How did their settlement patterns reflect those of the indigenous peoples?
  • What did their societal governments take from the indigenous peoples and what did they bring from Europe?
  • How does the city of today reflect the succession of peoples living at this site?
  • How was the uniqueness of a your given city’s cultural identity expressed through architecture?

 

 

 
Board 8: Inspired Building and Planning Strategies

Based on the research you have conducted on boards 1-5, what kinds of strategies can you invent as a specific response to the issues currently facing the given city you are studying. It’s okay to draw from contemporary architects and planners working in those regions as a part of you research, but there should be some original thoughts as well.

 

Issues:

Can you develop architectural/planning strategies to deal with the following themes:

 

Governmental
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Cultural Opportunities

 

Density

  • Proximity
  • Safety
  • Transportation
  • Impact of Time
  • Breathing Space
  • Diversity

 

Community
  • Protect and enhance local and regional socio-diversity
  • Develop a sense of community

 

 

Judging

Judging criteria includes: accuracy and depth of information presented including sources when appropriate; clarity of information presented, originality and creativity of presentation; and coherent succinct verbal presentation.

 

There will be 2 reviews worth 10 points for the first review and 20 points for the final review, for a total of 30 possible points.  A bonus of 6 points for first place, 4 points for second place and 2 points for third place will be awarded.