In 1968, the campus of Florida Technical Institute opened its doors to the state of Florida.

Since its beginning, the campus has continued to expand into the beautiful campus we have today. Countless buildings and structures have been added into the campuss landscape. In my opinion, the best addition to campus is the Reflection Pond. The pond itself is located between Millican Hall, Colbourn Hall, and the John C Hitt Library. It is placed just off of the heart of campus, and during the day experiences a heavy amount of pedestrian traffic. It is the perfect location to serve the largest amount of people. I believe that the beauty of the Reflection Pond lies in its simplicity. It doesnt have a target audience, and in that fact, it effectively serves anyone whom comes to sit by it. Whether the visitor is a student looking to relax and reflect while looking upon the ponds mirroring waters, or a teacher needing a quiet spot to grade students exams, the pond can wholly service both. I have even seen groups of friends go to its waters at night just to splash around and unwind with each other. Anyone is able to use the pond, since it is an outdoor area with no borders or entrances. Being outdoors, it can be accessed literally twenty-four/seven 24/7. There has been several times that I have visited the pond late into the night just to relax in its serenity. When the pond was designed, I have to think that those who envisioned the pond had the concept of universal design that Dolmage touches on in his essay. The way its structured, anyone is able to access the area around the pond by having several sidewalks that take you down the minor sloping grass lawns to the edge of the pond. There is no existence of a steep step ideology present at the pond that keeps those with disabilities from accessing the benefits the pond has to offer. I cannot, however, say the pond is one hundred percent accessible, for then I wouldnt be telling the truth would be lying. In reality, the pond is about ninety-eight percent accessible to those who have the misfortune to of having to use a wheelchair (I would try to rephrase this so that being in a wheelchair isnt viewed as a negative). Once you travel along the sidewalk to the edge of the pond, there is a slight step down to another level that lets you fully reach the water of the pond, but the distance between the two levels and the pond is accurately described as an arms length.

(insert image here) I am not saying that the pond is perfect, but it is impressively close. There is room to add retrofits however, seeing that with any existing structure improvements can always be made. One possibility could be to replace one of the several sets of steps that gives access to the lower level with a ramp for those that need it. With that addition, I think the pond could possibly achieve full accessibility. (insert second image) The strength of the pond is its simplicity. By having no confining walls or enclosed spaces, it can adapt to whatever the user wants it to be. The spectrum of possibilities is grand. I have seen it as a setting for a film made by prospective film students on campus. Ive observed students sprawled on blankets catching a quick nap in its gentle breeze, gazing at the stars on a clear night, or finishing up a homework assignment due the next day. I personally have gone to the pond countless times. Whether it was to pass the short amount of time in between classes or to gather my thoughts on a quiet night, I cannot help but be trapped in its glamour. Whenever I find myself at the reflection pond, there is just a feeling of peace that comes over me. Any pedestrian passing by the pond will find themselves stopping momentarily to take in its its beauty. During the day its the fountain continuously shoots water into the air in a flashy display while a breeze gently blows mist towards him or her. At night the fountain is switched off, giving the waters a calmer appearance. Here the flat surface acts as a mirror, its image magnified by the lights placed around the edge of the pond. The bulbs inside emanate a soft, warm glow that helps you slip into a trance of tranquility. (image)

(this area will contain writing about Reynolds trialectics of space)

Edited by Dani Somerville

1. The method seems mostly clear the concepts of Dolmage are being used and discussed here in relation to the Reflection Pond, and the trialectics of space are stated to be discussed in a later draft. 2. It is not completely focused analysis of space is occurring, but much of the paper is used for discussion of other characteristics of the pond they give a sense of the space, but perhaps they can be resused in analysis rather than stated in narrative fashion. 3. Wording issues mostly addressed previously otherwise, confusion is mostly in the organization. -Gabriela Fisher