Influence of human surroundings on buildings Essay - 1

Influence of human surroundings on buildings - Essay Example Sometimes referred to as â€Å"architecture without architects,† it is also the most comprehensively used style of building used throughout the world today. It is building how we feel in relationship to what is around us on many levels (Arboleda 2006). Vernacular architecture is how we define ourselves according to the rest of the world, or maybe within just a regional area. Much that is considered vernacular is without specific design except for areas that are considered foundational to the piece and is required for strengthening the project we build. Over time, buildings such as these, when created through trial and error in first processes, become perfected and then reflect the style of the society or environment within which we reside. Rather than pursuing the aesthetic quality or some egotistical vision of a particular artist/architect, vernacular building is more about accomplishing the factors of function and ecological assimilation and also providing comfort of living at the same time. It is a stamp of our lives at any given moment (Ladd 2003). When building vernacular projects, local materials are used as well as local workers and this also provides for us a sense of the place having grown from the ‘roots’ of our local social environment and by our own hands. Vernacular building can also be representative of our local observances such as a favourite church and its flock of worshipers. It provides for us a continuing reminder of our religion through how it is built, according to our belief structure. Craftsmen in our past, who utilized functional skills in preparing materials and in the creation of infrastructure, provided foremost, a functional, well-built building, created to withstand much of nature’s harsh storms and other events that would hit our lands from time to time (Ladd 2003). In America, log cabins are considered to be the early American vernacular style, consistent with the early settlers who built their homes us ing the trees around them. Today’s pre-packaged version in whatever wood choice you want, represents that stereo-typed tradition of the early days without the hassle of having to cut down the trees yourself. While vernacular building was representative of times gone by, including historical references, today’s version is more about sustainability, technological advances in building processes, and referencing the social and natural environment around the location (Arboleda 2006). Our apartment buildings are a type of vernacular building in that they are built, not necessarily with a particular style, but to suit the basic needs of any of us renting an apartment there. The basics include a main room, bedroom(s), bathroom(s) and the kitchen. In some cases, specifically-intentioned dining rooms are also included in those costing a little more. (Ladd 2003). Indeed, a lesson can also be taken from the Inuit people who knew how to build homes wherever they landed for a while, using compacted snow to create igloos. While mainly for hunting

Loreal Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Loreal - Case Study Example Therefore, expansion became and necessity and acquisitions were the means to achieve this. Acquisitions allowed L’Oreal to operate globally, becoming part of the global economy. L’Oreal’s growth strategy was to acquire smaller companies that dealt in cosmetics and other beauty products, after which the acquired products would be assimilated and expanded from within the parent company. Acquisitions meant that the brands could be taken globally, benefiting L’Oreal’s overall brand portfolio. L’Oreal established that they lacked a competitive advantage over American rivals due to their shortage of resources in the cosmetics sector. Therefore, the cosmetics sector was a form of opportunity that would enable them to increase their returns beyond the average mark. Hence, improving the cosmetics portfolio was a major motivation for acquiring foreign cosmetics companies. The adoption began with company developed brands such as Club des Createurs de Beaute, L’Oreal Paris, L’Oreal Professional and Kerastase. L’Oreal adopted Garnier and Lancome Paris in the 1960s. In the 1980’s L’Oreal consumed popular American brands such as Redken, SoftSheen-Carson, Matrix, and Maybelline (which needed reinstallation). L’Oreal also strengthened its French brands by acquiring Ralph Lauren Fragrances, which enabled it to increase its international brand portfolio for customers of various demands and preferences. In the year 2000, L’Oreal acquired Kiehl’s, a company that dealt in high quality, expensive and highly demanded luxurious products. Kiehl’s was deemed a valuable acquisition that added authenticity to L’Oreal’s luxury collection. It also enabled L’Oreal to capture more opportunities in the Consumer Division. Due to its core competencies such as its R&D function and advertising campaigns, L’Oreal was able to reinstate Maybelline and many other smaller acquisitions, enabling it to develop a more attractively priced product that captured