We gained new insight into house design, as influenced by African American culture, through library resources, Internet searches, and conversations with such authority figures as Bradford Grant. Historical background information helped us to understand the purpose behind the shotgun house and its place in today’s society. Research on vernacular architecture and Peter Duff’s home provided general and specific architectural house designs, respectively. The Harlem Renaissance and the era of nationwide racial segregation were taken as positive and negative influences that set African American culture down the path it followed. However, books, periodicals, and Internet resources can only tell us so much before being classified as out-dated, generalized, and impersonal. Especially when researching such a subjective topic as is African American cultural influence on housing design.
Our most beneficial feedback on this topic, and the most pertinent to our designs for homes in East St. Louis, came from direct experience. Our trip to East St. Louis on September 17-18, 1999 introduced us to residents with real desires and specific user needs. We were able to visually experience shotgun houses in Emerson Park and tour the area that will provide the context for our designs.
Even though the historical research is a good source of influences and causes, it is the reality of the present neighborhood and its residents that provides us with vision and direction. The research we have gathered and the experiences we have gained are now being considered as tools in the process of designing habitable, practical, and enjoyable homes for the residents of Emerson Park.
Index | Intro
| Terms | History |
Vernacular
Architecture | Harlem Renaissance |
User
Needs | Racial Segregation | Stats
| Front Yard Design | References
| Summary
Document author(s) : Michael J. Benes, Michelle Hawkins,
Beth Pagano
HTML by : Michael J. Benes, Michelle Hawkins, Beth Pagano
Last modified: 10-4-99
