Brandon Jones' Madison Space for Dr. H 4/5

This picture shows a large portion of the Skyline Area of campus at around 7 PM. This image shows how the designers of Skyline wanted to include public areas, like the white star gazing benches on the far left of the picture, which were created to make an atmosphere that is conducive to social interactions. This open area of land is known by students as a great place to pass the time during the bitterly cold months of winter by either starting snowball fights, or sledding down the large hills near ISAT. These activities may sound like the perfect time to meet other students, but the warm fall and spring months of Virginia bring out all types of students. I have observed people playing all types of sports, while the ladies lay out during my daily walks to East Campus for both classes and good food. Even though the skyline area was not designed for sledding, I believe that this area serves its intended use of attracting a diverse group of students because it offers an aesthetic view with the beautiful man-made lakes, while also offering an open area for recreational use. Overall, this spectacular image of skyline will remain imprinted on my mind because this area symbolizes a unique type of "contact zone", where students of all nationalities can meet and enjoy nature... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTbv62j-Lck&NR=1

Matthew McQuarrie space for Dr.H 4/8

This is a spot on campus, everyone is familiar with, it is the Festival Field on the east campus. It’s a public space that rests between ISAT and the East campus dorm. According to the ideas presented by Mattson, The East Campus field, is set up to promote interactions between JMU students. His article talks about how malls are designed to allow people congregate and interact, but it they are not free to do anything they want. This is because a mall is private space, mall owners are soley promoting peoples shopping and don’t want anything to deter that from happening. JMU’s Public space is designed to do just the opposite, people can meet and do whatever they want in this space as long as they don’t disrupt others or infringe on their right to meet enjoy the pace as well. The campus in some ways also encompasses that of a new urban community. Dorm buildings that promote interaction between residence, with food and other essential goods near by, and a lively quad that everyone can enjoy.

Kevin Campbell's Madison Space for Dr. H. 4/5

The space you see here is part of James Madison University’s Edith J. Carrier Arboretum. The Arboretum was developed in large part to be an area for botanical and environmental research, but through the years it has evolved into so much more than that for so many students. The arboretum is an almost entirely public space, with some reservations. The first of these is that it is only open from dawn until dusk every day. While it is open 365 days a year, at night it is closed off to the public by a large gate. That’s not to say that JMU students haven’t found their way into the arboretum after hours, but for them to do so would be considered trespassing. Despite the restrictions on its use, though, the arboretum is an important place to a great number of people. Not only is it important to researchers, but all JMU students, local families, elementary schools, and youth organizations. It has surpassed the realm of education that it was originally intended for and become a place where people from all walks of life can come to relax, do schoolwork, or simply enjoy its beauty. It is the symbol of peace of mind for many students, and it has had a great impact on many people.

Chelsea Krueger Arboretum

Edith J. Carrier Arboretum
The land, which currently houses JMU’s Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, was originally part of a 240-acre farm purchased in 1952 by President G. Tyler Miller. Today, strolling along the nature path running through the land, driving by the area, or looking at pictures, one might not believe that once upon a time it was a flat pasture full of grazing cows. The idea to construct an arboretum came about when JMU was still called Madison College, by a botany professor. Finally, in 1985 President Carrier got behind the project, along with other local members of the community, and made the botany professor’s dream become a reality. The 125-acre arboretum has become an outdoor classroom for not only JMU, but also local public schools, and community groups. Today, JMU’s Edith J. Carrier Arboretum is the only communal nature preserve on a college campus in Virginia. Today, the land is still being used as an outdoor classroom, and recently Frances Plecker Educational building has been added to the arboretum in order to further visitors’ learning experience.
JMU students, elderly community members, and children all gather together in this area to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Personally, my friends and I love coming together in the arboretum. Whether it’s me and my roommates playing in the snow, soaking up the rays, going for a run, walking my dog along the nature path with my boy friend, or using the area to walk from campus to my apartment in Stone Gate. The arboretum, for the past 30 years has become a well-known area specific to JMU’s landscape. It still holds true to its original purpose, bringing people together for educational aspects, and also social aspects.

Michael Hayes's Madison Space for Dr. H 4/7

This photo captures the portion of the Ehlers Community Plaza that borders Godwin Field, as well as the bench on the edge of the plaza. It is located off of Champions Drive with Showker Hall and Eagle Hall on one side and Bridgeforth Stadium and Godwin Hall on the other. The plaza was designed to provide an aesthetically pleasing public space for people travelling through the area to not only walk, but also interact with others around. In contrast with a simple sidewalk, the designers intended for this area to be more than a place for travel. It is a large paved area with trees and benches which encourages people to stop and interact with those around rather than just pass through. In line with this intended use for interaction, it is also used as a meeting place for various groups, such as athletic teams.

The picture also includes a large bench on the plaza, which serves another important purpose in this space. Besides the obvious function as a seating area for people, the bench serves several other uses. First, on the right side of the picture, the corner of the sign identifying the space as the Ehlers Community Plaza can be seen. Also, along the bench are silver plaques commemorating various people who have contributed to the Building for Success program at JMU. Therefore, this bench serves a practical function as a seating area for people, an aesthetic purpose by providing a decorative border to the plaza, and lastly, a symbolic purpose by celebrating the people who have contributed to the building of the plaza. Although it is used for all three of these intended purposes, it is also used in ways not intended by the designers. For example, the far edge of the bench is scuffed from people skateboarding on the bench.

This area of campus has shaped part of my experience at JMU because I lived in Eagle Hall my freshman year, so I walked across it every day. I met various people who lived in the same dorm as I did, as well as spending time there with friends.

Natalie Ngu's Madison Space for Dr. H 4/7

From the ground level view of the quad on campus, I took this image during my break between classes. In the use of space, there are many different concepts prevalent within the frames. Taken from the right side of the quad near the slimmed down large tree, the perspective of the photo emulates the idea of separation and isolation of education given the spontaneously placed trees standing in between the students on the quad and the buildings were our classes are held. After two years of attending James Madison University, I personally believe that the atmosphere here in terms of education as well as personal growth as an individual is balanced perfectly. Education is a priority with the large buildings in the background which form the foundation of the photo. However, the individuals in which fill the quad are growing as individuals through unique experiences as a college student into becoming a successful young adult. The slimmed down tree on the right hand side, dictates the idea of growth and old age wisdom which can only be learned through experience. As students of James Madison we are provided much more than an education but a life time experience which is unique to our own means. The bright blue sky symbolizes the infinite amount of space in which holds the future. The amount of opportunities at James Madison are endless and are there for students to prosper from.

Justin Halatyn's Madison Space for Dr. H. 4/5

As one can see, this is an image of the water fountain that stands in front of Burruss Hall. I think that, unlike the Quad and certain other landmarks that have been displayed, the water fountain sometimes does not receive the proper attention. It seems to have been designed, in many ways, for the purposes of attraction and design. It is supposed to add another feature to the university as a whole. But, clearly, it does more than this. Though not as successful as the Quad (in terms of overall length and width), this structure also has the intention of getting people together. Again, it is not as large as the Quad, so it will not naturally gather as much attention and gathering. But, it is one place where people can sit by the edge and just talk, do homework, have casual meetings, etc. There are many things that people can do here. I believe that the usage of it, though, has differed from the intention of the framers of the fountain. What I am referring to in this particular instance are the few times when someone wants to jump in the fountain to cool off. Though this is a somewhat rare phenomenon, I have seen this happen before. And, in other occasions, I've seen people run around right on the tip of the fountain. I also doubt that this was in the original intention of the architects who made it. So, perhaps this could represent the art of the contact zone, as discussed by Mary-Louise Pratt. It is because of the interesting nature of this fountain (as with any fountain) that I will remember very well even after I attend JMU.

The Pathway to the Trees - Christopher Hess

This photo was taken place in the treehouse area of JMU's campus. This wooden fence acts as a guardrail to the steep hill that resides to the side of the pathway. I pass this fence every morning when I head to my GAMST class. By heading down the hill that leads to the sorority houses, the trees shade you while you meander towards the tree houses. At the end of sorority row, you notice a lonely pathway that leads to the right. By taking this pathway, you'll notice this railing on your left hand side. This area is also home to the Treehouses' gathering area, complete with charcoal grills, basketball courts, and even a stairway escape to the lake with a gorgeous view of the water fountain and the rest of campus.

I feel like this part of campus is perfect. Not may people have really had the ability to experience living or hanging out around the treehouses. This part of campus almost feels like you are escaping from the rest of the world, and you can truly find time for yourself in this area. I believe that our campus can correlate to what Greenberg said about campuses, on the aspect that JMU has a gorgeous campus, and I believe that a lot of thought and beautification when into the landscaping of our university. JMU spends a lot of time making the campus look beautiful, whether it be the planting of new, fresh flowers or the architecture of the buildings that JMU spends multi-millions on. I think it's truly worth the money, and it certainly was a factor when I chose James Madison as my #1 school.

Joseph Sarnoski's Madison Space for Dr. H 4/7

This is a picture of the quad at about 3:00 pm. The weather was warm and there were a great number of people on the quad. The picture shows the wide range of use for this space. There are students relaxing, walking to class, playing games, and even prospective students and parents taking tours. The space was being used as intended. As a JMU student I see the space as a place to relax and maybe take a brake in between class. The quad has even more uses for the school, it is used for organized events. The space is used frequently, especially now that the weather is nice. When the space isn’t being used for a specific event it is open for grabs for all sorts of recreation, including but not limited to an impromptu ultimate Frisbee game. Many students even use the space to study as a nice break from the bleakness of the library or a dorm. The quad is usually the most crowded place on campus, there are always classes going on next to it in the surrounding buildings. The quad is a high traffic area that serves many purposes, it is an open public space for students to do with what they want.

Whitney Thomas's Madison Space for 4/7/2010

This picture was taken standing in the Village looking through fence towards UREC. By taking a picture through the fence and getting the blurry effect I gave me a very different interpretation. I thought that it shows that the road and the new architecture on the far side is foreign, but still being accepted. I pictured the fence as an hour glass to show how different the new architecture is while still capturing the importance on Interstate 81. Many would think that the interstate is a dividing factor at JMU but it isn’t at all. Interstate 81 is what makes JMU what it is today. It links the JMU community together and shows that we can be one community in two separate places. If you look closely, you can see the new architecture on the east side of campus on the left and on the right you can see the old style of the village. In Mattsons “Reclaiming and Remaking Public Space: Toward an Architecture for American Democracy”, he talks about architects building spaces with symbolic power. This part of campus has changed so much because back when my parents were here 20 years ago there wasn’t an east side of campus. It was just fields and interstate 81 was nothing like it is today. Even though things on the JMU campus have changed doesn’t mean we have lost meaning if anything it has gained meaning and significance to our campus. This will shape my time at JMU because I will always remember walking across the bridge over the interstate looking at all the different architecture. When I look though the fence I still won’t see as clearly as I could therefore I will leave my mind open for interpretation; still knowing that the new technology and architecture are taking over and one day the things we think look new such as east campus will look old and worn down such as the village.