I know this is something we have been struggling with, finding a common vocabulary rather it is CodeBook,  Research, or a new workflow process. This is a fascinating read, I think the medium was genius as well, they have a live chat.   I am partially through but find much to resonate with in this person’s comment’s below:

“In my world, personal and cultural perception is what defines the underlying context of a language as a mean of communication. What we hear or understand from a language is our learned making perception, personal and cultural, and the underlying connection of that perception is emotional in one way or another. We try to communicate what we perceive in our world and people agree or disagree depending on how their perception lies closer or not in our own perception. What I have observed is that the underlying context of a dialogue and communication is fed by emotion hence the reaction on something said a certain way. There is an underling current in human communication that creates either conflict or agreement. I think that the individuality of who each person is is distinctive on its own. What we seek is agreement on our perception or rather an understanding on a human level. “

Some other interesting comments:

“I don’t believe it would help all that much. Miscommunication is mostly a matter of interpretation in our minds, not difference in vocabulary…. As far as one language, the argument has repeatedly been made that we would lose a lot of color and expressiveness if the human race had one language. I have to agree, especially since the benefit is only an attempt to correct symptoms of a much deeper underlying cause: that differences in ideas are about the psychology of our interpretations.”

It makes me wonder if a graphic language is the best common ground? Many people in the feed note that isn’t for a lack of words we can’t communicate, it is our difference of interpretation. Sketch removes some of the interpretation. It would be interesting to see if everyone’s vocabulary, or sketching ability, wasn’t the same if the power of sketching would still be as powerful to convey an ideas. Is the medium for communication so powerful it could transcend our shortcomings with a pen?

Maybe the Egyptians had it right, maybe hieroglyphs are a better way of communicating. How different might things be if that was the basis of our written language?

Click here to view the embedded video.

2011 STL Design Week video from Kuhlmann Leavitt, Inc. on Vimeo.

Image from A/N Blog

Think thermal mass walls are just massive, dominating concrete walls? Think again. Check out this passive strategy on A/N Blog:

Epiphyte Lab’s Hsu House Mass Wall

http://blog.archpaper.com/wordpress/archives/14535

I just picked up a loop for an amazing cause as part of St. Louis’s First Design Week! Check out more info here: http://www.stldesignweek.com/1-give

The aluminum hoop is 26″ in diameter. All the proceeds will go to cancer research!

Read about the loops on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/STLDesignWeek#!/notes/stl-design-week/make-some-art-with-this-hoop-raise-money-for-cancer-research-due-back-april-15/173246319390324

Here is the text from the page:

“As many of you know, we are well into planning the first ever STL Design Week, 18-23 April. STL DW is a weeklong celebration of design in St. Louis. With involvement from AGIA, AIA (special thanks to Michelle Swatek!), ASLA, IDSA, Ad Club and ASMP this will be a multi-disciplinary program. <span>Each day we’ll highlight the ways Design impacts our community, influences commerce and improves our lives. There will be daily studio tours and nightly events designed to inspire. Events will be happening throughout St. Louis. I have attached a calendar for you to see all that is planned! Posters will be printed next week and distributed shortly thereafter.

In the meantime, we need your help! 18 April, opening night, is our big kick-off for the week and is going to be a fantastic night at the Robert’s Orpheum Theatre. This special night is our Design For a Cause night where we will be raising money to benefit pancreatic cancer in honor of Scott Raffe who has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Scott has been photographing Circus Flora for nearly 15 years and has an incredible body of work to show for it. He also has made many lasting friendships with the circus performers. So, as a thank you to Scott and to raise money for a good cause, members of Circus Flora and the Zoppe Family will be performing a special “Raffe Circus” at the Roberts. Following that the internationally acclaimed Jeremy Davenport trio will play an hour plus long jazz performance. All of these artists are world class and will be coming in just for us to help us entertain the design community and raise money to fight cancer.

</span>So, where do you come in? Good question!!! We are asking St. Louis architects, designers, advertising people and photographers to make some art with a hoop. We will supply the hoop (see photo below) and ask you to make an artistic statement with it. The hoops will be auctioned off opening night. Money raised from the hoops will go toward cancer research. The hoops are being fabricated and donated for this event by Universe Corporation and we thank them for this kind and generous gesture. The hoops will be available for distribution the week of March 21 and are due back to us by April 15. Have some fun! Do something good! Be a part of STL DW!!!

Do let me know if you can help and thanks in advance!”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

It folds, it is self-supporting and it is really cool.

http://www.fastcodesign.com/1663275/drors-folding-concrete-block-could-change-how-we-build-video?partner=co_newsletter#13

Frank Gehry’s new music hall is featured in this New York Times architectural review: “Gehry Design Plays Fanfare for the Common Man.”

What is interesting is his concept for regarding a younger audience in classical music. He has placed the practice spaces so they are visually accessible from the lobby and added balconies for musicians in the audience seating area. Large white convex forms are planned as projection spaces for collaborations between artists and composers.

While I like the idea of seeing muscians practice, I am curious about the visual aspect. While some of the performaces are very interesting, at times I find them distracting when focusing on the music. It will be interesting to see if this feature draws in younger crowds.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/arts/design/24gehry.html

A gallery of all the butterflies: http://www.wingsinthecity.org/gallery/index.html

St. Louis Magazine, Private Opening: http://www.stlmag.com/St-Louis-Magazine/October-2010/Wings-in-the-City-Private-Debut-October-9/

St. Louis Magazine, Public Opening: http://www.stlmag.com/St-Louis-Magazine/October-2010/Wings-in-the-City-Private-Debut-October-9/

KSDK 5, Butterflies Arrive: http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=201564

KSDK 5, First Preview: http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=205283

The coffee table books turned out wonderfully. All the artists signed select copies. It was so great to meet all the other artists, everyone’s butterfly has a unique story. Many of the butterflies were painted in memory. Below are some images of the butterflies.

Now a few more fun glimpses and details before the big reveal, October 10th. Check out the post on directions here.

Thanks again everyone. I can’t wait to see all the butterflies in Forest Park. I hope you can come visit! I will be at the park from 1-4 PM on Sunday. The tile are covered for the clear coat.