Many of us have been writing about our workspaces, commutes and living spaces this week. We have written about how what we do as architects impacts the lives of others. We have written about how the space we exist within and our views outward from those spaces impact our feelings, work productivity and the perceptions of others. Some spaces we get to select for ourselves (our homes); some places we have limited choice with some influence (our workplace) and some places, we get what we get with very little influence (shopping center, church, school, hotel, airport, plane, bus, train). The joy comes from experiencing them all!
First Class View
How can we make a First Class experience enjoyable? Voyeurism with hidden cameras [for people watching], total redesign [for personal comfort] and upgraded sanitation practices [obvious reasons] will all lead to a more entertaining and satisfying experience in First Class for me. The airline industry keeps on trying to reinvent itself, yet with regulations, restrictions, the economy it will take a long time for airlines to start renovating their planes and moving out of the status quo.
Chicago
It is invigorating to visit a metropolis once in a while. Some would consider Minneapolis a big city, but compared to Chicago (with 3 million residents and 8 million in the region), Minneapolis is a “town” (of 350,000 people with 3 million in the region). We have public transportation options in Minneapolis, but not conveniently located from my first-ring suburb of Golden Valley. So I drive to work and drive home and wait at intersections through 5 cycles sometimes to get home. Staying late has the advantage of a 15-20 minute commute, but if I leave at 5PM, it can take twice as long. Metropolises, on the other hand, typically have conveniently located mass transit options that can take you from a major airport to just about anywhere in the city and a little beyond. (Although I do find it a bit inconvenient that La Guardia airport in New York is not accessible to Manhattan by train).
For this trip to Chicago, I actually arrived by car from Madison, Wisconsin. The most notable component of the ride was the lack of snow as I drove south. The alternative would have been a flight to Atlanta as a connection to Chicago. Ingenious!
Down to Earth
Coming back home, and reflecting on all of the different places I slept, sat, worked, dined, walked during the week affirmed that I actually like to be here. Our house has a nice plan layout and a feeling of warm, cozy comfort. I like to drive my own car and work in my cluttery space and even the greyness and beigy-ness are okay as long as there is an occasional splash of red. Did I mention that I love the color red?
There seems to be a lot to take in while you are traveling. I know when I travel often, it seems like a time-warp. So many interesting places, new people, new things to get done, all crammed into a short period of time. When I arrive home, it is like I have never left. Home has its routines and these (along with the familiarity of spaces)is a simple reprieve that is greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary, I'm a big fan of the storyboard feel of these sketches. I started thinking more about the airplane entry you had last week, and was wondering what the dialogue would be if one interviewed the flight attendants on what they would change in the plane. also the pilots, the plane cleaners, etc. could be very interesting!
ReplyDeleteI like to travel...mostly because I am always curious about the same set of ideas that I have obsessions about but because travel allows dislocation I see things different. Often I when I get home, I see things in a new light.
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