Influence of human surroundings on buildings Essay - 1

Influence of human surroundings on buildings - Essay Example Sometimes referred to as â€Å"architecture without architects,† it is also the most comprehensively used style of building used throughout the world today. It is building how we feel in relationship to what is around us on many levels (Arboleda 2006). Vernacular architecture is how we define ourselves according to the rest of the world, or maybe within just a regional area. Much that is considered vernacular is without specific design except for areas that are considered foundational to the piece and is required for strengthening the project we build. Over time, buildings such as these, when created through trial and error in first processes, become perfected and then reflect the style of the society or environment within which we reside. Rather than pursuing the aesthetic quality or some egotistical vision of a particular artist/architect, vernacular building is more about accomplishing the factors of function and ecological assimilation and also providing comfort of living at the same time. It is a stamp of our lives at any given moment (Ladd 2003). When building vernacular projects, local materials are used as well as local workers and this also provides for us a sense of the place having grown from the ‘roots’ of our local social environment and by our own hands. Vernacular building can also be representative of our local observances such as a favourite church and its flock of worshipers. It provides for us a continuing reminder of our religion through how it is built, according to our belief structure. Craftsmen in our past, who utilized functional skills in preparing materials and in the creation of infrastructure, provided foremost, a functional, well-built building, created to withstand much of nature’s harsh storms and other events that would hit our lands from time to time (Ladd 2003). In America, log cabins are considered to be the early American vernacular style, consistent with the early settlers who built their homes us ing the trees around them. Today’s pre-packaged version in whatever wood choice you want, represents that stereo-typed tradition of the early days without the hassle of having to cut down the trees yourself. While vernacular building was representative of times gone by, including historical references, today’s version is more about sustainability, technological advances in building processes, and referencing the social and natural environment around the location (Arboleda 2006). Our apartment buildings are a type of vernacular building in that they are built, not necessarily with a particular style, but to suit the basic needs of any of us renting an apartment there. The basics include a main room, bedroom(s), bathroom(s) and the kitchen. In some cases, specifically-intentioned dining rooms are also included in those costing a little more. (Ladd 2003). Indeed, a lesson can also be taken from the Inuit people who knew how to build homes wherever they landed for a while, using compacted snow to create igloos. While mainly for hunting

Dietary and Activity Analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Dietary and Activity Analysis - Assignment Example The assignment "Dietary and Activity Analysis" presents the analysis of the author's dietary and activity, his energy intake and output, carbohydrate, alcohol, fat, protein, vitamin/mineral intakes and overall dietary intake based on 3-day average data. The paper contains the analysis of the estimated 3-day average daily expenditure in comparison with the 3-day energy intake. The author talks about the gaining or losing weight recently and if it is consistent with the differences between his energy intake and estimated energy output and his 3-day average daily energy intake. The energy consumed is analyzed during the weekend or weekdays and if it expends more energy on the weekends or weekdays. It is estimated that one should have at least 125 grams of carbohydrates a day and ideally, much more. Therefore the average intake compares with this minimum. The person requires more than 125 grams of carbohydrates per day for the energy supply to the body. The negative consequences of consuming less than this amount on a regular basis because less carbohydrate leads to more weight loss. Also, the percentage of the total calories contributed by carbohydrate based on the 3-day average intake is calculated. It is analyzed if the author's intake in line with the recommendations that 45-65% of the calories in his diet should come from carbohydrate. The grams of fiber consumed based on the 3-day average are also calculated and compared with the recommendation to consume 21-38 grams of dietary fiber/day.

Introduction to business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 14

Introduction to business - Essay Example The expansion and diversification of consumer market with time has established the need for employing a diversified workforce that can satisfy the diversified demand of today’s consumer. The world’s demography is changing constantly, now no country is a complete blend of one race and ethnicity. Due to increased migrations, the minorities are increasing in world developing countries. With all of these changes, it has become important for countries to have a diverse workforce that represents all aspect of the society; this representation projects a better image of the organization in the society. A major advantage of an organization attempting to acquire diverse workforce is that it have access to a large pool of candidates by which it can hire the best possible person for the job. An organization that places importance on skills and talent over characteristics like age, gender, race etc is able to achieve competitive advantage over other organizations. Another advantage of diverse workforce besides projection of better image is that it helps diversified consumer to believe that they share common grounds with the company and it helps to increase their trust in the organization. Furthermore, employees with different perspective can provide the organization with different and varied objectives helping to identify unmet needs and new opportunities. Recruitment of a diversified workforce and creating a welcoming environment for these employees helps to increase motivation and commitment of employees towards the organization. This is because these employees feel valued. Recognition and acceptance of an employee’s unique perspective helps to create a comprehensive work environment, which is very beneficial for the organization. It is evident from the above discussion that the benefits of a diversified workforce far out-weigh the cost of it. It is an essential utensil for

Sydney Harbour Bridge Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Sydney Harbour Bridge - Research Paper Example With the development of techniques and craftsmanship, these engineering feats began to become more and more sophisticated and complicated, over the years from its humble beginnings of tree barks used for connecting land masses, to more sophisticated suspension, cantilever and arch bridges. These pieces of construction not only add to the visual imagery of a geographical location, but also bear testimony to the imagination, craftsmanship and engineering accomplishment of mankind, as represented by the Sydney Harbour. Introduction: â€Å"Of all the inventions, the alphabet and the printing press alone excepted, those inventions which abridge distance have done the most for the civilization of our species† Thomas B. Macaulay, 2010: 290 Bridges have historically, played a key role in the development of human civilizations. This unique piece of construction and sheer engineering marvel has contributed to the development and flourishing of human civilizations, since time immemorial. It is on account of this very reason, that bridges have been featured prominently in the development of some of the most affluent cultures and cities around the globe - including the likes of London on the river Thames, Brooklyn bridge in the city of New York; the various artistic bridges on the Seine river in the city of Paris; Howrah bridge in Kolkata etc., among many others. Not only do they add a sense of artistic imagery and beauty to the city, but also help accelerate the mobility and access to various key locations in and around the area, thus enhancing the overall vitality of the cities they are built in, ultimately contributing to the social, economical as well as cultural development (John, 2000). This paper on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, aims to discuss the various factors critical to this unique and historical piece of construction, such as the history behind its construction, the various materials used, the materials used for its construction; the various equipments use d; the availability and use of labour force used during construction; the civilizations and culture that flourished in that era etc. It also includes a brief discussion and analysis on the type of structure it would have been, if it was built in present times. The history of the Sydney Harbour Bridge: The Sydney Harbour Bridge, is one of Australia's most prominent landmarks, was open to the public on 19th March, 1932. The bridge, which is also popularly known as the â€Å"Coathanger† by the locals, is the largest (although not the longest) bridge in the world. It is not only a great engineering feat but also revered as one of the greatest economic accomplishments of the century, especially considering the fact that it was built after the world war, during the years of the Great Depression. The bridge was built using extensive labour, which included as many as 1400 men, and took almost eight years to complete (from 1925 to 1932), with an investment of six million pounds (Lalor , 2006; Sharpe, 2001; Langmead and Garnaut, 2001). It was designed by a British firm Dorman Long and Co Ltd, under the directions of Dr. J. J. C. Bradfield along with other officers of the NSW Department of Public Works. The design of this bridge was inspired by the Hell Gate Bridge in New York (Sydney Harbour Bridge, 2012). Although the construction of the bridge began in the year 1925, the foundations for the same were laid decades ago, which is evident from the various historical events that took place, as is described in the following sections. Brief Background: Events that led to the construction of the Bridge Prior to the construction of the Sydney Har

Dichotomy of Critical Enquiry Situated in a Creative Experience Essay

Dichotomy of Critical Enquiry Situated in a Creative Experience - Essay Example The first example refers to a feeling of success on completion that is similar to that of the enquiring philosopher when working out a problem through personal reflection and sensibility. The second example refers to a feeling on success on completion that is similar to that of the experimenting scientist on working out a problem through rigorous experiment. It is the main purpose of this paper to discuss this dichotomy. Along the way, the proponent includes the discussion on how the processes of Critical Enquiry differ and/or converge in the above stated examples. Furthermore, the discussion also includes how success is achieved and registered for the musician in both examples. The nature-nurture controversy Based on the above cases, there are two important ways in which the young musician could actually learn a piece of music. The first way involves firm understanding of the piece in which this effort could be tantamount to personal reflection and sensibility because it happens wit hin the bound of individual effort. Just like a philosopher, the achievement of thoughts happens after a thorough critical reflective process. On the other hand, the second way in learning could happen in the presence of an assessor having substantial knowledge on achieving accurate piece. In this way, there is an association of external factor through the presence of an assessor who could actually influence the actual learning process of the young musician. At this point, there would be actual basis of certain learning output. In the above illustration, this reflects the nature of scientists. From environmental perspective in psychology, the environment has the crucial role to influence the actual learning process of an individual (Feldman, 2010). Agreed by John Locke, his tabula rasa doctrine supports the idea that the environment has the capacity to mold humans, in every aspect in life (Lefrancois, 2011). However, the nature position which is a strong opposition of the tabula ras a doctrine strongly points out that genes could be responsible for human learning and special characteristics such as intelligence and strength (Lefrancois, 2011, Engler, 2008; Harris, 2012). This supplements the idea that learning is an existential process or vital to human survival (Jarvis, 2006). In other words, there is a direct argument against the idea that one could acquire intelligence from the environment because it is not innate. However, the nature position is clear in its point that intelligence is innate and every living thing has corresponding characteristics because of each individual genetic make up. It is important to focus on this philosophical concept prior to the discussion of the dichotomy of critical enquiry situated in a creative experience from the case of young musician learning their first piece. In the above case, the first situation could remarkably represent the nature position applied in the context of human learning. The very strong justification would be the actual reflective effort initiated by the young musician just to be able to learn. At this point, it is clear that the young musician actually possessed built in capability to learn on their own with the first piece of music, even in the absence of an assessor. Here, one could consider that the actual effort of the young musicia

How are the causes of the french revolution portrayed through the Essay

How are the causes of the french revolution portrayed through the visual arts - Essay Example Popular violence defined the French Revolution whose slogan was Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Violent turmoil, which included the trial and execution of the king, warfare involving every major European power, vast bloodshed and repression during the Reign of Terror marked these changes. Napoleonic Wars, two separate restorations of the monarchy, and two additional revolutions are the subsequent events that one can trace to the Revolution as modern France took shape. Many causes brought about the French Revolution one major cause being the disputes between the different types of social classes in French society. The social structure of France was divided among three groups that included the First Estate, the Second Estate and the Third Estate. Each of these social groups had different types of people who presented the different views of the people within their structure. The Church or the Clergy was the First Estate, which during the ancient regime was equal in terms of its economic, social and spiritual power. Being the first estate, the church owned approximately 10 per cent of all the land in France. It paid no taxes but collected a tax on income or a tithe to support church activities such as running schools and caring for the poor. Of the entire clergy in France, about one-third of them served as parish priests who usually lived a hardworking life. They lived in luxury in Versailles, Paris and other major cities in France. Having approximat ely 1 to 2 per cent of the population, this Estate was the minority of the people in France. However, there were many poor clergymen in this Estate, and they too were going to support the Revolution. The Second Estate in French life was the nobility who made up less than 2 percent of the population and enjoyed extensive rights and privileges. Like the First Estate, they hardly paid any taxes but they taxed the peasantry. Nobles were generally the

Modern History of Japan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Modern History of Japan - Essay Example Japan is known worldwide as the nation with the most serious environmental pollution. Japan’s environmental destruction started long before the emergence of the country’s modernization and industrialization period. The well-known example of early pollution problem was Ashio copper mine, which began its destructive operations at the end of the nineteenth century and continues to this day to be a pervasively insoluble problem. The Ashio mine, in Tochigi, has been in existence at least since 1600 when it belonged to the Tokugawa shogunate with annual production capacity of about 1,500 tons. It became privately owned in 1871 following the industrialization initiated by the Meiji restoration. In 1877 it became the property of Furukawa Ichibei, and by the 1880s production had increased dramatically, reaching 4,090 tons by 1885, 78 % of the total output of the Furukawa mines and 39 % of Japan’s copper production. The major pollution problem associated with Ashio Copper Mine was the destruction of water ecosystem due to copper poisoning of ground water caused by flooding and drainage. In 1884, massive tree blighting occurred because of a discovery of large copper ore load. In August 1885, massive fish kills in the Watarase River was observed because of the use of the steam-operated pump and rock-crushing machines in Ani mine. In August 1890, 1,600 hectares of farmland and 28 towns and villages in Tochigi and Gunma prefectures were heavily damaged by the floodwater, which contained poisons from the Ashio mine. In September 1896, a massive flood due to heavy rain damaged the one large city, five prefectures, twelve provinces, and 136 towns and villages over a total area of 46,723 hectares by the water-borne mine poisons.