[Imc-members] Update on IMC-Architecture Faculty partners

[Chris Ritzo]

Hey,
Thanks to everyone who's responded so far! I'll definitely keep you in the
loop as things progress.

To open things up a bit more, I've put together a wiki page where you can
find out a little more and where we'll post plans as they solidify more.
We're actively looking for materials that could be used to construct things,
so if you have some leftover lumber or other materials, it will help in
final designs.

Here's the wiki page:
http://wiki.ucimc.org/bin/view/CommunityConnections/UIArchitectureFacultyDesignProjects
I'll be adding more to it soon, but you can see the initial PDF
presentation. It's important to note here that no work will be done prior to
getting feedback from groups that this might affect. The designs look at the
entire first floor space and will make more sense if you think of them
philosophically rather than definite, distinct plans.

The main driving factor in the designs, as was explained to Meme and I, was
to construct "characters"- structures building off of existing pieces of the
building, like a pillar or wall, that allow us to "take back the space"
bringing the activities we do in the space off of the walls and into the
main areas. They would be multifunctional, providing storage, seating,
display, and other functions as needed. Their perception is that the space
as it is kind of dillutes our core activities, pushing them to take place at
the edges of the space. Their designs focus on reclaiming the space in ways
that push activities into more central areas. This will certainly make more
sense when Stewart explains it...

I'd encourage everyone interested to take a look, ask questions, and come to
the upcoming meetings to talk more. Again, I'll emphasize that these designs
are only preliminary and based on initial impressions of the space, our use
of it, and ideas they had on how we could build multifunctional structures
to help in several areas.

Thanks,
CR


On Thu, Oct 21, 2010 at 9:14 PM, Chris Ritzo <chris.ritzo at gmail.com> wrote:

> Greetings IMCers.
>
> I'm writing to give you an update on a great burgeoning partnership and
> also issue a call to action to garner your help and participation.
>
> Back in March or April of this year, the IMC was contacted by Stewart
> Hicks, one of 4-5 faculty members from the UI School of Architecture,
> expressing interest in working with the IMC as a community partner. Their
> research is to design and complete building projects. They had visited the
> space for an event, and sought us out as a potential community partner.
> Several of us in the community connections group, Beth Simpson, Meme Polk,
> and myself, have kept the connection going and are seeking broader input,
> collaboration and support from other IMCers.
>
> Stewart and his colleagues have designed some great ideas for the first
> floor IMC space, including plans for the front hall lobby area that include
> a seating and staffing area. Steering approved moving the staffing desk to
> the front vestibule space a couple months ago, and their designs are part of
> that project which Meme was spearheading. We have issued a letter of support
> from the IMC, offering volunteer organizing and other non-monetary support,
> to a grant submission they are seeking to fund the project. As materials,
> funding and support converge, we hope to move forward with construction of
> IMC approved designs.
>
> Until funding is secured, I'm reaching out to the IMC community on behalf
> of the Community Connections working group to see how you might be able to
> contribute to the initiative. Some ways you could contribute include
> donating materials, time, construction expertise, tools, matching donated
> funds, or simply your ideas. Barring grant funding, materials donations
> would be helpful to finalize some of their proposed designs.
>
> Please respond if you have materials or expertise to donate, such as:
> - construction materials: nails, screws, 2x4s or other lumber, paint,
> paneling, plywood, etc.
> - tools: table saw, miter saw, etc. that could be borrowed on construction
> days
> - expertise: do you have a contractor license? extensive carpentry
> experience?
> - time: would you be willing to come help assemble and work at a
> "barnraising" style event?
>
> I've asked Stewart and/or one of his colleagues to present some ideas at
> both the Nov. 4th Steering meeting and to be present at the Nov. 13th
> General Membership meeting to share ideas. Please consider attending one or
> both of these meetings to check out what's being planned, to get involved
> and to add your voice to the mix.
>
> I look forward to hearing from you if you'd like to be involved or donate
> to the project.
>
> Thanks,
> Chris R.
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.chambana.net/pipermail/imc-members/attachments/20101022/3b329365/attachment.html>