Author: Carolyn Jean Matthews
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The Annotated Sketchbook; Historical and Modern Insights
The annotated sketchbook has been a fascination of many over hundreds of years. Even now, illustrated journals continue to be presented by renowned research organizations. The value of this type of work is underestimated by today’s design profession, often appearing only in the sidelines. In 2013 I submitted a research proposal for the Wisconsin “Posters…
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Adaptive Architecture for Older Adults
How can we provide the necessary infrastructure to care for older people in a way that maintains design integrity and doesn’t stigmatize or infantile these groups? We have an opportunity to create an innovative approach to housing for older people that can benefit individuals and communities alike. In 2021 I prepared a research proposal for…
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Fostering Success through Refugee Housing in Germany
As refugee housing is reexamined we should be looking to create shelter that doesn’t simply provide the absolute minimum for survival, but elevates shelter to become something more than basic protection. In 2016 I submitted a research proposal to the Fulbright Program for the 2017-2018 grant year. Although it was not accepted, this project is…
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The End of this Adventure
On April 18, 2021 I sat on a wooden bench looking over the Potomac River in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. It was a beautiful day and I was drawing a picture – the river, green hills in the distance, a bird sitting on the crumbling river foundations, and the railroad. The path that would lead…
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1,163 Miles
Over the course of three months I walked from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia to the summit of Katahdin in Maine. 1,163 miles. 259,112 feet of elevation gain and loss. To put that elevation in perspective: The elevation I have gained and lost so far on the Appalachian Trail is equal to hiking up and down…
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First Steps
It’s difficult to capture what it feels like to be on this trail. It’s exhilarating, and routine, and tremendously difficult, and breathtaking. It’s also beautiful…more beautiful than I had imagined. There’s so much variation in the landscape, changing hour to hour and day to day. As I shoulder my pack for the first time each…
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Details Before Departure
Starting my journey on the Appalachian Trail has never felt closer than it did this morning when I was able to see the the first few days of my hike in the 10 day weather forcast. 65 degrees and partly cloudy. It’s perfect. But, of course, I’ll be ready for the cold and rainy days…
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Creation of an Electric Cello – Measurements and Templates
It has been a decade since I wrote the first post about the creation of my electric cello. Since then a lot has changed, but my love for the instrument is the same as it was back in undergrad. I have loved sharing the creation of this beautiful object, and it has been a joy…
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Packing My Bag
I am spending the winter packing a bag for the greatest undertaking of my life: The Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190 mile long footpath that starts at the summit of Springer Mountain in Georgia, and ends at the summit of Katahdin in Maine. As a “thru-hiker” I will be attempting to hike…
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Scrum! Reimagining the To-Do List
For years I would spend the first part of every day with a new page of my notebook open in front of me, transcribing old tasks leftover from the day before and putting in new ‘to-do’ bullet points. My work notebooks were filled with redundant pages full of crossed out task lists, heavily notated with…