Geology & Design Exploration and Essay

Essay format of 1" margins, double spacing, 12 pt. font, with a title and at least one page long. Attach your essay to this sheet. In your essay be specific about features, directions (N-E-S-W), distances, slopes, etc. Due date:___________

One aspect of the way in which we interact (positively or negatively) with our geologic environment is the siting and construction of buildings and the modification of the landscape. Choose a campus building or structure and write a short essay and consider how well or poorly it fits into its physical environment (bedrock and topography). Keep in mind the following items as a guide to writing your report.

i. When was the building or structure constructed? Do you think that the architects considered the physical environment when they designed the structure? Could they have done a better job? Be as specific as you can, given what you know about the campus' physical environment after today's discussion?

ii. What aspects of the structure exploit its physical environment; which ones ignore it?

iii. Are there any obvious flaws in the structure's relationship with its surroundings? (Does it flood when it rains? Are there any obvious defects?)

iv. How well does the structure work as a human/architectural environment? (Is it dark and dingy? If you have classes in this building, how would you rate its environment over other buildings? What kind of view does it offer/give/change?)