Summer 2011

Hello All--
I am still working on completing a website that will showcase a gallery of my portfolio as well as services I am happy to offer clients. I am thankful for all your support and for taking the time to check out my blog.
Just an update to everyone, I am currently working at North Dakota State University as a Recruitment Program Coordinator in the Office of Multicultural Programs. Connections are being made and I hope to one day begin offering my talents in the field of architecture, design and cultural preservation.
Stay tuned for more updates! :)

Visualizing a Creative Path for the future

Finally graduated with my Masters in Architectutre this past May 2010. I been looking for work in the Midwest and Southwest regions of the United States, but haven't found a firm yet. Right now I am working as an Interim Recruitment Program Coordinator at NDSU's Office of Multicultural Programs. I feel it is a good way to network with some people in the education system and further my knowledge of PEOPLE architecture. One of my goals is to educate myself with the youth of this generation. I plan on taking advantage of this opportunity given to me in the recruitment position to really understand what it is that the younger minority generation is reaching for to further their education and goals in life. Whether it is to build facilities that will stimulate their imaginations and creative minds or if it is to be a mentor and just listen to what they wish to pursue and help them that way - I am ready and excited to be a part of this journey.

"And the love that loves the love that loves to love"
oil on canvas
Joshua Meyer
http://www.joshua-meyer.com/

Creating a Concept for May :)

Here is a preview of what my presentation boards might look like in early May for thesis presentations. Surprisingly the colors resemble my acrylic painting above "Elbowoods After the Water" which is alright with me :D . They are supposed to symbolize the sacred four directions of the Native American Medicine Wheel and how each color represents a meaning within the Hidatsa Learning Lodge .. the blue on the bottom of the six boards is reminiscent of the Missouri River and how it is still part of the Hidatsa people and our history. - I will keep you posted on how these boards develop :) -------oh yea..
***HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my GRANDMA MEYERS!! i love you very much!! :D ***

ROBBIE ROBERTSON & THE RED ROAD ENSEMBLE / MUSIC FOR THE NATIVE AMERICANS

A few tracks have come from this group which inspire some of the design concepts throughout my years of learning architecture*

ROBBIE ROBERTSON & THE RED ROAD ENSEMBLE / MUSIC FOR THE NATIVE AMERICANS (Tracklist - 1994)

1. Coyote Dance
2. Mahk Jchi (Heartbeat Drum Song)
3. Ghost Dance
4. The Vanishing Breed
5. It's A Good Day To Die
6. Golden Feather
7. Akua Tuta
8. Words Of Fire, Deeds Of Blood
9. Cherokee Morning Song
10. Skinwalker
11. Ancestor Song
12. Twisted Hair

The Power of Design Thought

"Ruminations" - Grandmother's Inspiration

This past September I attended a talk by Marvin Malecha FAIA (2009 AIA President).

He spoke about traditions, creativity and how to challenge what you do. I enjoyed his talk very much, because he talked about how his grandmother was his inspiration and how she used a method called "Rumathy" when she would begin planting. It was a way of he testing the soil by her tasting it - meaning you can't rush or test creativity...

Another interesting point he made was the fact that even people - blind from birth - could draw in perspective by just touching an object. The reason is because they block all the 'noise' around them and are able to focus better on the shape itself.

-Know how to see (collect and give)
-Application of knowledge (test your knowledge)
-Expression -never be afraid to express your knowledge in studio because that is how you learn

He let us know that there is no right answer to a design problem. Remember to balance logic and Imagination. And always keep in mind the health, safety and welfare of the people. Embrace Ambiguity. There's the making of the clock and then there's the concept of time.

Out of the 3 human needs: Physical, Aesthetic and Intellectual - the Aesthetic is usually the one taken for granted.

When choosing a path, instead of getting lost in the Maze, go for the Labyrinth which is more of a (step/meditate , step/meditate type rhythm)

The last major subject Marvin touched on was a series of Domains and defining them. here are some of them:

• marks a place
• passes a way
• innovation from a precedent
• seeking the essence of an idea
• experience
  
• gateways
• facilitates understanding
• nurtures learning
• story behind a story (connection between known and unknown)
• each foot of progress (new sketch) reveals a new effect, a new purpose - if men have faith - a new thing comes

We are not human beings on a spiritual path, rather we a are spiritual beings on a human path

In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice and in practice there is.

Design concepts in Plan for the Hidatsa Learning Lodge

Upper level of thesis design this spring semester..









First level of the Hidatsa Learning Lodge for my thesis design class .. I am learning a lot about my Native background and how to think forwardly as far as sustainable techniques go for architecture*