It seemed so much easier as a child to be imaginative. Did I lose it? Or was it obscured amongst textbooks and trying to be creative strictly on the terms of the person paying or grading me? It has been quite different this semester in Bluff. Terry Tempest Williams once said, “Let go of cultural biases and societal constraints, taking time to experience earth as it is, raw and self-defined.” I feel I have done this, in both an environmentalist and builder standpoint; paired with either a hammer or shovel in my hand, over the last four unyielding months. I’ve attained plenty of knowledge and exposure to morals such as this.
Design-build practice is a positive approach to building for the future of the architectural profession. In addition, the need for low-income housing, unfortunately, will always be an issue. Sustainable building strategies, regional and recycled materiality, smart construction, and minimal waste; all these things we’ve accomplished over the course of the program with our bare hands and creative minds, all are the future of embracing our beautiful planet as well as making a positive impact on those less fortunate.
–Rachel Cusimano, Little Water House -2012
Hi Rachel,
I enjoyed the leading question you posed at the beginning of your reflection piece. I would love to hear more about your perspective on imagination being absent or obscured by text, clients, or educators. I teach design and struggle with finding ways to “reconstitute” imagination and creativity in my students due to the ever present force of digital media they often use as a crutch. Did you find your imagination, and if so, how?
Regards,
Miles