The Invisible Mentor

This is a new feature on The Invisible Mentor blog. Today, we have to go deep and wide in our knowledge to remain relevant, deep in our area of expertise, and wide by knowing a little bit about many things. Adventures in Learning are meant for both you and me to pick up some pearls of wisdom from people who are masters in their fields – we want to have great conversation starters at events, but we also want ideas that we can transport from one field to another. We start off with Gene Waddell who is an architectural historian and College Archivist at the College of Charleston.

Avil Beckford: What is Architecture? 

Gene Waddell: Architecture is how buildings are designed and constructed.

Avil Beckford: What are three things we need to know about architecture? 

Gene Waddell:

1. The best spaces are versatile and well lighted.
2. The best designed buildings have interiors and exteriors that relate well to one another, a clear pattern of circulation, generously proportioned spaces, good ventilation, and meticulous details.
3. The best constructed buildings are the most permanent and require the least maintenance. 

Avil Beckford: How has architecture shaped civilization? 

Gene Waddell: Good buildings inspire people to greater achievements. They make life easier and more enjoyable.  They protect possessions including books and help to preserve knowledge. 

Avil Beckford: What trends in the architectural field are shaping the future? 

Gene Waddell: More lessons need to be learned from the most durable and versatile buildings of all time and applied to future buildings.  Unreinforced concrete with a brick facing has proven to be the best way to achieve the most permanent buildings. Buildings and bridges made with reinforced concrete or steel frames are already needing to be replaced.

Buildings that are expensive to maintain, to renovate, and to air condition are not economical no matter how little they cost to build.  Buildings with no ventilation are unhealthy.  Buildings designed for too specific a function soon become obsolete.

Questions

• What ideas can we take from what Waddell has told us to use in our areas of expertise?
• If we look at the three qualities of the best buildings, could we apply it to the best products? Are the best products versatile, easy to use, and work well with others?
• We just learned about the characteristics of the most durable and versatile buildings, what makes the systems we use for work more versatile and durable?

Waddell created a list of books that inspire learning for Against the Grain. I am actually reading books from the list right now. You can get many of the books for free from Project Gutenberg, and if you do not have a Kindle, there are multiple formats for you to download. Also, Amazon has Kindle apps that you can download, I have the Kindle App for the PC.

Using Rare Books to Inspire Learning —Part 1: Anthropology – Diaries

Using Rare Books to Inspire Learning — Part 2: Drama – Travel 

How can you use this information? What do you have to add to the conversation? Let’s keep the conversation flowing, please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below. Many readers read this blog from other sites, so why don’t you pop over to The Invisible Mentor and subscribe (top on the right hand side) by email or RSS Feed.

Related posts:

1. Adventures in Learning: Life Lessons from the Great Books
2. Mind Maps: How to Enhance the Learning Experience
3. How Learning Ready Are You?
4. A Different Kind of Summer Booklist

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