The Creative "I": Architecture of Space
The space I chose for this assignment is the Downtown Market in Grand Rapids, MI. The Market opened in 2013, and features various spaces that promote creativity in each area. The Market was closed for a private event (wedding) when I was in town to take pictures, so below are some featured images of the Downtown Market from various websites (each site is cited under the photo). Highlighted below are the exterior, food market, teaching kitchen, meeting space, and greenhouse.
While I’ve only had the pleasure of visiting the Downtown Market in Grand Rapids once, it instantly became a site of inspiration to me. Each of the spaces inside the market taut their own modern design, focusing on clean lines, natural flooring, and plenty of natural lighting. While there is not a huge presence of art or bold color, I believe that the absence of the characteristics actually contribute to its appeal. The building itself is comprised of natural woods, glass, and metal that brings a modern, appealing aesthetic. The modern design of the space assists in revitalizing an out-of-date Grand Rapids neighborhood. The market has an “organic” feel that encourages human interaction. The layout of the space encourages visitors to interact and network with each other, but also prevents areas from overcrowding. While browsing pictures of the meeting space at the Downtown Market online, I noticed a few different set-ups that have been used in the room. Some set-ups require tables and chairs, others had chairs aligned in rows with a projector and screen for participants. The layout outside the building also allows for individuals to visit an outdoor farmers market via the sidewalks that encompass the building and connect to the surrounding streets.
The market as a whole has become showcase for specialty foods, food producers, and florists. The Downtown Market offers educational nutritional expos, as well as cooking classes that promote healthy living and a focus on local produce. The market was built in a Grand Rapids neighborhood that was deemed “less than desirable” by some individuals. Yet engineers and contractors went through with building the marketplace that they felt passionately about. This location provides local produce to those patrons that may not of had readily available access to it. The market is also an attractive venue for wedding receptions for brides who love a simplistic, natural wedding with receptions in their greenhouse area.
The article, Rethinking Technology & Creativity in the 21st Century: A Room of Their Own has helped me to realize the impact that learners and users have on the effectiveness of a space. Allowing students and individuals to organize a space in the way that they believe will be most beneficial to all can yield some surprising, and unexpected results. One of the notions from the article that has stuck with me is that just because something is present in a space does not mean it will be useful at all times. As I think of the things that are present in my Kindergarten classroom, it is amazing to me how many things go “unused” on a daily basis. To date, my students have never used the rice table that we have tucked away in the corner of our room, the set of 4 classroom computers rarely get used (we use the computer lab upstairs instead), and my small-group table also sees little action. While most of the tables have become “duel purpose” work spots for students who are having a difficult time completing their work or focusing, I would love to see what my students would suggest we do with the space instead. Do we keep the tables and computers in the room? Or should we remove them and “re-invent” the space to serve a different purpose?
The market as a whole has become showcase for specialty foods, food producers, and florists. The Downtown Market offers educational nutritional expos, as well as cooking classes that promote healthy living and a focus on local produce. The market was built in a Grand Rapids neighborhood that was deemed “less than desirable” by some individuals. Yet engineers and contractors went through with building the marketplace that they felt passionately about. This location provides local produce to those patrons that may not of had readily available access to it. The market is also an attractive venue for wedding receptions for brides who love a simplistic, natural wedding with receptions in their greenhouse area.
The article, Rethinking Technology & Creativity in the 21st Century: A Room of Their Own has helped me to realize the impact that learners and users have on the effectiveness of a space. Allowing students and individuals to organize a space in the way that they believe will be most beneficial to all can yield some surprising, and unexpected results. One of the notions from the article that has stuck with me is that just because something is present in a space does not mean it will be useful at all times. As I think of the things that are present in my Kindergarten classroom, it is amazing to me how many things go “unused” on a daily basis. To date, my students have never used the rice table that we have tucked away in the corner of our room, the set of 4 classroom computers rarely get used (we use the computer lab upstairs instead), and my small-group table also sees little action. While most of the tables have become “duel purpose” work spots for students who are having a difficult time completing their work or focusing, I would love to see what my students would suggest we do with the space instead. Do we keep the tables and computers in the room? Or should we remove them and “re-invent” the space to serve a different purpose?