{Assmt-intent} MY TRIP TO THE ARCHIVES

Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Museum –Architecture and Design Collection

             My area of research concerns evaluation of university environments for learning in general, and college students and their assessment of their physical classroom space in particular. Inherent, although not often apparent in their evaluation, is the resultant effects of students perceptions of the personal and social relationships in their space as well as the perceived intent of the entity or person who created the environment for them. Although it is commonly understood in architectural education and  practice that designed spaces are the solidification of intention, there is no documentation as to how the nonprofessional perceives that intention in terms of how they feel valued, or even whether they perceive the classroom environment as utility to the teaching method. Historically spaces have been designed and assessed per the 19th century architectural maxim of “Form follows Function”.

            To those ends, my external experience involves conducting an initial research visit to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Museum, Bldg. N51, in Cambridge Massachusetts (http://web.mit.edu/museum/collections/architecture.html). I will be working in the Architecture and Design collection and Institute Archives and Special Collections. Before the 19th century in America, design work was largely the province of artisans/builders and a few architects. In the 1840’s, there was less than a half dozen architects in New York and slightly more in Boston. However, because of the accumulated wealth of  the industrial revolution, architects began to be recognized as professional advisers and the first school of architecture in the United States was established at MIT. This archive collection documents the oldest architectural program in America and includes student thesis work and reviews from 1873 through the latter 20th century. The intent of the designer for classroom spaces are both illustrated and critiqued within the framework of architectural education, thus giving an historical foundation for the intent of the designer for teaching and learning environments.

            I will develop a list of artifact categories to submit to the curator 30 days before my visit. I will work with them and their collection list to develop an organized ordered sequence of artifacts for viewing and work out how to document the work for my use. I will make an appointment for the actual visit. All visits are supervised and prearranged and the cost is $30.00 per hour for each hour after the first. Therefore, this initial visit will set up my research initiative and build relationships with the curation staff.

            To document this external experience, I will write a paper detailing my process, present a summary of items viewed and commentary on the experience.