Conclusion

Research module taught me that the process of research is much more detailed, intricate and methodological than i ever thought. I would previously carry out research in a more haphazard way. Now this learning outcome has made me realise different ways of looking at the same aspect. Learning about the different kinds and methods of research gives my work a clearer structure now. Having a more broader outlook now i can deal with topics in my design studio in more detail and be more observant with even things seen in daily life and be reflective and analytical about it.

Attempt to formulate a research plan

Research into the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project

This a development of the banks of the river Sabarmati in Ahmedabad, Gujrat, India.

Aim would be to study the after effects of a waterfront redevelopment project.
To study the effect of the development on different categories of people such as the slum, traders and general public.

For such a research i would carry out the following steps-

1. Mark the redevelopment of the area on a map and study the plans before and after the development. Mark the new area reclaimed.
2. Primary research would include talking to different categories of people with different experiences and connections with the waterfront area. Talk to vendors who sold certain things there, people residing near the area, some people who lost their jobs cause of the developement and some people who gained new employment after the development.
3. Secondary research would include finding newspaper articles about different stages of the project and its effects. 
4. Surveys could be carried to see the change in traffic pattern and activity pattern in that area post development.
5. Questionnaires could be forwarded to the users of the new development to get a track of their opinions.
6. Interviews could be carried out of the landscape architect of the project, the planning authority and of the affected people there.
7. Ethnographic research would include spending hours at the waterfront area at different times of the day and track activities. Take video recordings of behaviour of people regarding architectural elements on the waterfront area and the space usability.
8. Note all the observations and recordings and carry out an analysis before concluding to a result.

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/

http://www.newsroompost.com/

http://www.hcp.co.in/

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/

http://www.narendramodi.in/

Link to a pdf document of the project provided by the government of India.

http://www.egovamc.com/SRFDCL/SRFDCL.pdf

Concrete meets Calm

Salk Institute designed by Louis Kahn.

He designed in a direction of making a structure that would be easily adapted to changing needs, something with low maintenance and something ultimately timeless. A structure thats becomes a meeting point of environment and function and aesthetics.Enormous looking monolithic structure has the backdrop of the simplicity provided by the clear sky and ocean.

http://www.archdaily.com

http://www.archdaily.com

 http://www.archdaily.com

 http://www.archdaily.com

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salk_Institute_for_Biological_Studies

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salk_Institute_for_Biological_Studies

I personally love the raw unfinished look and makes me think not always the highly polished facades are appealing. Even with such heavy structures there is still some sort of airiness felt in the spaces around, which could be quite a contrast.

Stairways

Staircases are a functional aspect of any building used just to move from one level to another. Nowadays we can see designers go overboard with their creativity in adding designer elements to even a function element as a staircase
The following steps could be carried out in completing a research on stairways-

• Study the the building standards and regulations to get a clarity of the sizes of the treads and risers so there is no compromise on the basics needs.
• Read newspaper articles or news on accidents taking place on staircases with faulty designs so the mistakes are not repeated.
• Study some famous creative staircases done up by famous designers like Frank O Gehry.
• Sometimes the staircase could needed to be designed theme based. 

Staircase that looks like a flowing fabric.

http://www.heatherwick.com/

A large scale staircase used as an external feature to access the roof.

http://www.123inspiration.com/

Add an interesting element as a slide for children along with a staircase.

http://www.123inspiration.com/

This sort of a timber stripes staircase is more like a sculpture in the middle of a space.

http://www.houzr.com/

Climb higher to reach the bookshelf and get a small space to store the books as well.

http://www.homedit.com/

I an entirely white space a rainbow staircase adds interesting colors and breaks the monotony.

http://www.homedit.com/

Floating staircases could cause many accidents.

http://www.123inspiration.com/

This sort of a ribbon staircase could be unsafe and scary for the users.

www.hsharchitekti.cz

I feel going creative is alright and acceptable as long as it completes its main purpose of being able to travel safely. Its great when its serves two functions that being of travelling levels and storage. A boring space could totally be transformed in something interesting and beautiful buy introducing a creative staircase. The exploration of material, structure and shape is very inspirational.

Illusional Architecture

This is a post written about illusions created by architecture. A new dimension to facade design resulting in making something more innovative. Sometimes optical illusions are deliberately created and soemtimes created due to different scales and proportions.

 http://emorfes.com

 http://emorfes.com

http://emorfes.com

http://www.architectureartdesigns.com/

Optical illusions by street structures.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hLPhdjj0Uo

Optical illusions in ancient structures.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AIXvZRsiq4

Some facades i do find appealing but some have psychological effects on people probably residing in the same area as the structure. In the continuos of rut of each day coming up with something new designers do seem to forget the psychological effect of certain elements in design on humans.

Light Matter

Research into openings and shadows created by them to give a new feel to the space.

New Art Exchange, Notingham.

http://www.e-architect.co.uk

L’ecole Building School, Mexico

http://www.world-architects.com

Built-in linear led module

http://www.archiproducts.com

Creo hall, japan

http://www.world-architects.com

Negev Brigade Monument, Israel

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Negev_Brigade_Memorial_snake.JPG

Light plays an important role in transforming a space. Sometimes a space is deisgned according to the light made to fall into it. Illusions and mystery created with shadows are interesting.

Ethnographic Research Explained

Ethnography is the study of cultures through close observation, reading, and interpretation. It is the in-depth study of naturally occurring behavior within a culture or social group. It is carried out to understand the relationship between culture and behavior; with culture referring to the beliefs, values, and attitudes of a specific group of people. Anthropologists immerse themselves in the lives of the people they study, using primarily extended observation and occasionally in-depth interviewing to gain clarification and more detailed information.

Good ethnography would have:

• Long hours of observing the subject
• Long hours spent at site
• Collection of items related to subject such as notes, artifacts, audio, etc.
• Openness of thought process during the study.

Characteristics of ethnographic research:

• CONTEXTUAL – it is carried out in the context of the subject’s natural environment of home and work.
• UNOBTRUSIVE - the research avoids manipulating the phenomena under investigation.
• LONGITUDINAL - the research is more time consuming.
• COLLABORATIVE - The research involves the participation of stakeholders other than the researcher.
• INTERPRETATIVE - The researcher carries out interpretative analyses of the data.
• ORGANIC - There is interaction between questions/ hypotheses and data collection/ interpretation.

Methodology of ethnographic research:

1. Select a suitable project: the scope and limitations could vary majorly from studying a entire complex or single society or a situation. Scope would need to me restricted to be completed in the scheduled time.
2. Preparing questions: before starting the researcher needs to keep in mind the questions that will guide him correctly during the entire procedure.
3. Collecting data: fieldwork is needed t be carried out to get details like physical characteristics of the situation and to track activities. A complete overview is much needed to carry out more focused research.
4. Making a record: mapping, field notes, video clips, photographs, plotting of activities with time and all possible appropriate means must be used to record observations.
5. Analyzing Data: data analysis needs to be done after all the fieldwork is completed. This analysis will in turn lead to more supplementary questions, more site work and more analysis again. This sort of cycle continues till the research is not completed.
6. Writing the Ethnography: The ethnographic report can range in length from several pages to a volume or two. It would make people aware of different cultures and their way of lives.

Some examples of ethnographies in research –

Coffee Shop

Location: any local/international coffee shop

Target: atmosphere of the coffee shop and type of people who went there

Women’s clothing retailer

Location: Any departmental store

Target: How women shop for clothes

Financial service provider

Location: Homes and offices

Target: how people manage their finances

National Mobile Carrier

Location: Retail outlets

Target: How people shop for mobile phones and carrier

References
http://methodsofdiscovery.net
http://www.slideshare.net/rhydave24/ethnographic-research-7659486?related=2
http://www.slideshare.net/lanceabalos/ethnographic-research-2?related=1
http://brianhoey.com