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Daylight

S unlight connects architecture directly to nature, and it allows people to perceive space constantly changing around them. It is continuously revealing new areas, edges, curves, and surfaces 1 . This natural phenomenon shapes our sense of time and space, and it transforms the way we perceive our daily environments.  The appropriate use of daylight is extremely important when designing a building or an open public space. Daylight can change dramatically the sense and feel of an area throughout the day in different seasons of the year 2 . A building’s function, feel, and performance deals directly with the way daylight is controlled and used. When and how sunlight enters a structure or a particular area is crucial. Openings, colors, materials, textures, shapes, and sizes are directly influenced by sunlight. It highlights the building’s design, and it defines the character of its spaces. It makes the built environment dynamic.  In addition, daylight has the potentia...
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Human Scale

T he way we experience a building, an interior space or an outdoor area is related to our perception of space and scale. Our senses provide us with our own understanding of space. Likewise, our bodies are fundamental to forming our understanding of scale. Intuitively, we identify the way our human bodies relate to different objects in space. Consequently, we perceive scale based on our own physical dimensions in relation to our surroundings 1 . Different emotions and reactions can be triggered by the character of a space. Some areas feel confining and other areas feel ample based on our sense of space in relation to our bodies 2 . Thus, it is important for any project to have an appropriate human scale. It is imperative to consider the human anatomy when designing architecture 3 . The human body provides a basic design module. It is an essential unit when designing environments for human activities. It guides the way individual architectural elements work. This is true of ...

The Bracero Monument: A Tribute to the Human Spirit

© MetropolitanmomentuM M onuments are important public structures that embrace the greater values of societies and the character of the human spirit. They carry profound cultural, intellectual, and historical references representing the ideals that unite and connect people with one another. Freedom, sacrifice, love, individuality, peace, and innovation are just a few of those values they are meant to signify. The Bracero Monument is a public art project in the city of Los Angeles, California. It recognizes a crucial period of American history dating from the times of WWII to the Sixties. During these time periods, the Mexican Farm Labor Program becomes a significant enterprise that changes economies and the lives of many families. The Bracero Program, as it is usually called, tests people's endurance, values, and character. The Bracero workers become the backbone of many businesses. Their contributions to the economy and their personal sacrifices are profound. Their journey...

Can man-made structures be designed to work with Nature?

© MetropolitanmomentuM A rchitecture is more than isolated structures, and cities are more than a sum of buildings connected by infrastructure built around the car. They are designed environments. And, they can be planned to be interconnected, efficient, and more human. Therefore as more people experience life in cities, it creates opportunities to provide the right balance between man-made structures and nature within smaller denser populated city boundaries . © MetropolitanmomentuM The way one may experience the city and its architecture is directly influenced by the chosen means of transportation. If the city and its architecture are designed around pedestrians, walking takes priority. Walking can be the most enjoyable experience one can have while moving through the city. Entire communities can appreciate its pedestrian friendly architecture, public art, streets, infrastructure, and parks more frequently. And, it all becomes part of their daily l...