End of year Evaluation

Along the year attending for all the critical thinking unit, I have learned a lot of different methodologies on how to approach a critical argument to debate controversial. It is certainly helpful when it comes to make contact with the field of any specialized line of business or any other background status.

Critical thinking consists of criticizing, analyzing, study and breakdown any critical approach. Everything involved with criticizing, has its process and emotions. From this point of view this provides argumentation, opinions, and reasoning. This will enhance the skill of engaging informative discussions, texts and scenarios that will range at different contexts.  

Throughout the process of publishing referenced and cited blogs led my confidentiality to build up the knowledge to create an analytical and critical thinking structure and style.

During the debated practical controversial topics, I think it was very essential and beneficial. As when I came across to do my debate, I felt more self-confident to approach my controversial partner.

Meanwhile on attending the lectures of critical thinking, I have also gained the knowledge of how to understand the weaknesses and fallacies during a debate, at conditions where necessary is versus sufficient.

Finalising my thoughts about this yearly unit, I believe that it had a lot of reflective thinking and all over, it has a potential of a good academical learning outcome.
 

Hi matic by Metali Crosset with Patrick Elouarghi and Philippe Chatelet

A French designer named Metali Crasset has designed a hotel called 'Hi matic'. This hotel has been designed to be completely organic and aware of the environmental friendly use. The stay allows visitors to check-in, order food and exchange tips on the city, all this service is made via through the hotel's online system and a plethora of screens throughout the building. (Anon, n.d)

Hi matic hotel, Paris 

The space designed in this hotel assists the customer to have concentration, reflection and attention, in order to focus on work or rather to enjoy the stay for leisure.

The Hi matic hotel allows guests to choose and change music in public areas, can plan their tour on the city guide map which is placed on one wall as you enter in the hotel and may collect meals from one automatic machine in the restaurant.

The hotel consists of 42 rooms, which are spread over five floors. Rooms are designed in a modular system where one can change its function throughout the day as required. As a must the hotel itself inquires the guest to respect the environment and keeps it clean whenever and wherever he/she will make use of the space. (K.Parker, 2011)

Vending machine at the Hi matic Hotel in Paris

The hospitality of the Hi matic hotel, provides self-service machines where you can buy the object or food of your choice.

As a future reference this hotel consists a lot of good concepts that may refer for my intended thesis planning. The Hi matic hotel contains and focuses a lot on the self-service conservation, which it is why I have chosen to pick this concept design as a future reference to more upcoming studies.



Reference:

K.Parker, 2011. Hi matic by Metali Crosset with Patrick Elouarghi and Philippe Chatelet. Available on: <https://www.dezeen.com/2011/05/11/hi-matic-by-matali-crasset-with-patrick-elouarghi-and-philippe-chatelet/> [Accessed on 14 April 2017 ]

Anon, n.d. Hi matic Hotel Paris. Available on: <http://himaticecologisurbain.parishotels.it/> [Accessed on 14 April 2017]

CitizenM Hotel by Concrete

Looking into more depth on  researching different keywords towards the exploration of my study, is finally getting closer to what I want, and need as a backup to approve the en-roots for my cultivation.

A hotel in Schiphol Airport, has been designed by a company called Concrete. This hotel is made with prefabricated room modules in CitizenM's own factory, it caters for 230 rooms with a 14sq.m net area. It is dedicated to customers that are looking for a luxury feel with a reasonable price during a city or business trip.

CitizenM Hotel in Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam

The concept of the hotel was to cut out all hidden costs and remove all unnecessary items. The rooms are configured with stacked shipping containers, which they have formed the hotel. These consist of a dynamic lobby included with a living room space, other rooms that are designed to be with a bed and a bathroom only, and another zone was designed to be with food and beverage self-service function. (Kryzowski, 2008)

The choice of including this project in my blog is by reason of, that the construction planning/zones and customer self-service is closely related to my intended thesis project that I would like to add in.

Designing an accommodation that is stylish, centrally located, friendly with the technology that it has installed and reasonable at its price, I think that it is very reliable and conventional for whoever is looking for their intended stay.

Looking at the customers that have experienced their stay in the CitizenM hotel, the majority commented positive, regarding the location, design, price wise, experience and its general characteristics. Meanwhile, the few who have commented negative were reasons that relied on the aesthetics and room temperature.





Reference:

Kryzowski, 2008. CitizenM by Concrete. Available on: <https://www.dezeen.com/2008/11/07/citizenm-by-concrete/> [Accessed on 3 April 2017]

Self-driving truck hits the road in the US to deliver 50,000 cans of Budweiser

I wanted to include this case study because it still has part to the theme of a self-automated system and I thought it would still be interesting to have a different case scenario.

Self-driving truck, 2016

This concept has successfully been achieved to its intention on delivering 50,000 cans of Budweiser with a self-driving truck with a journey of 120 miles long in the United States. It is stated that it is the world first company commercial shipment by a self-driving truck. (Alice Morby, 2016)

Budweiser, Otto Self-Driving truck 2016 

For the whole route the vehicle has functioned well autonomously for its entire way. For this operation success, the companies are now aiming to invest and develop into more functioning self-driving freight system.


I have included this successful autonomous tested vehicle, as a result of achievement towards the self-automated function. Although this function will not be used for my further study accomplishment of my dissertation, I still wanted this reference of a self-functioning system to be in my records.

Something that keeps me back from trusting the service system of a self-driving shipment, is that it might loose its automated system and cause any harm or damages that can involve the risk of other people's lives.


Reference:

Alice Morby, 2016. 'Self-driving truck hits the road in the US to deliver 50,000 cans of Budweiser'. Available on: <https://www.dezeen.com/2016/10/26/self-driving-delivery-truck-otto-budweiser-driverless-vehicle-design-transport-technology-colorado-usa/> [Accessed on 30th May 2017 ]

Floating City concept by At Design Office features underwater roads and submarines

Looking at a different proposal project, it declares the profession of thinking broadly or rather more creative that leads to enhancing the achievement of developing something further in our lives.

Floating City Concept by AT Design Office 

The concept of a floating city in an ocean metropolis was an alternative idea that could resolve the problem from the overcrowd in China. The At Design Office have dealt with a Chinese Construction company CCCC to design a floating island that would be built from prefabricated hexagonal modules. (Architecture & Design, 2014)

The floating island area would take four square miles. As a construction work it was thought to be built the same way on how the Chinese Construction company CCCC have build the 31 miles bridge between the cities of Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai.  (A.Frearson, 2014)

The floating city concept features, underwater roads and submarines. The concept continues by  defining more details which consist the working system of how this project can be possibly achieved.

Floating City by AT Design Office

As the architectural reporter Amy Frearson, declares that the transportation can work through a networking system of yachts and submarines. In the city of the floating concept includes a floating hotel, entertainment complex, recreation of green spaces both above and below the water's surface.

Farming and hatchery will also be accessible, and for rubbish collection it would allow the community to produce its own food and sustainability dispose of waste. (A.Frearson, 2014)

Another intriguing key for this concept, Siska said that the project may be developed further to obtain energy efficiency and self sufficiency for a new urban nucleus of world class residential, commercial and cultural facilities.

Overall the concept design of a floating city, is quite extraordinary, extensive and different from other projects that I have gone through. Yet, I see a potential at certain elements that are reliable. The most captivating system that interested me, were the vertical farms and fish hatcheries that will be produced on the island, as well as the trash dispose will be sustained in their own waste.

I think if the system and the overall project proposal is possible, it would be magnificent to be created.





Reference:

A.Frearson, 2014.'Floating City concept by At Design Office features underwater roads and submarines'. Available on: <https://www.dezeen.com/2014/05/13/floating-city-at-design-office/> [Accessed on 26 March 2017]

Architecture & Design, 2014. 'Floating Ocean Metropolis proposed by AT Design office to deal with overcrowding in China'. Available on: <http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/floating-ocean-metropolis-proposed-by-at-design-of> [Accessed on 26 March 2017 ]

Daan Roosegaarde Van Gogh cycle path to open in the Netherlands

One case study I thought it was related on the subject of being self-sufficient is the cycle path that lights with an illumination effect. The patterns are interpreted from Van Gogh's painting, which it is called 'The Starry Night'.

'The Starry Night' painting by Vincent Van Gogh

This cycle path creates a wonderful atmosphere, experience and a land mark of the place. The surface of the path has been coated with a special paint that uses energy gathered during the day to glow after dark. (Dan Howarth, 2014)

Glow after Dark, Cycle Path by Daan Roosegaarde 

The cycle route has been modified to be connected with a cultural history. In fact, the location is of a Dutch province of Noord Brabant, where the artist (Vincent Van Gogh) was born and raised. The kilometre long path, illuminates the swirling patterns of the Starry Night painting, which has been made in 1889. Another connection that has been linked with the painting is the night time scene.

This for sure, has been incorporated with the planning of the design project, in order for the person to feel and experience the same vibe, which one can easily link the incorporated glow in the dark swirling patterns to the painting of 'the Starry Night' painting by V. Van Gogh.

This project was a total new system that has been integrated with a self-sufficient and practical use. They know that it is safe, and that it makes use well as an energy efficient road network. (Dan Howarth, 2014)

I triggered for this concept because it seemed new to me, although it has been done four years ago, in 2014. It really inspired me from the thought behind the concept, on creating a historical connection by a remarkable and brave artist and also the thought behind the technical aspect of how it could consume energy to be lit at night.




Reference:

Dan Howarth, 2014. 'Daan Roosegaarde Van Gogh cycle path to open in the Netherlands'.Available on: <https://www.dezeen.com/2014/11/12/daan-roosegaarde-van-gogh-bicycle-path-glowing-patterns-nuenen-netherlands/> [Accessed on 26 march 2017]

Dissertation changes

After the first semester had finished and begun the second semester we, as the second-year degree students, had a meeting in the hall regarding our intended dissertation for the upcoming year. We were asked to look for a lecturer that base his/her profession to our dissertation topic and be guided well to be set on the right track within our subject.

As I found a lecturer that could be of a guide to reach my intended dissertation topic, I have discussed well on what were my latest aims to build up my target subject matter, and this lecturer has begun to guide me by suggesting on focusing on one specific subject rather than on two, as I thought on specifying on self-efficiency and sustainability. But in order to conduct a stronger reference to what I intend to dedicate my time doing my theses, it was suggested to focus on the self-efficient topic.

In addition to put forward my research regarding self-efficiency, as advised was to keep up looking further and get more knowledgeable and acquainted to the subject by keeping record of the references to what I would have researched on.

Luckily I thought, that by co-incident for the blog posts of the 'critical thinking' subject that I recently have, are to be dedicated towards the related subject of my intended theses topic. From now I thought it would be ideal to keep researching more in depth on self-efficiency, and keep updating the reference list accordingly.