The developer, WDG Architecture, actually sent the reporter two images, but we decided against running one of them after noticing something strange — there, sitting on the Village green, was an Asian man throwing up peace signs.
Incidentally, he was also sitting next to three other cutout photographs of Asian people. We were interested in how this particular gentleman came to be in WDG Architecture’s rendering, as all the other figures seemed to be milling about, not doing anything particularly stereotypical or culturally insensitive — though many figures appear twice in the visual, which is impressive in its own way.
Bob Keane, the developer’s managing principal higher education director, said the rendering was created using a program called SketchUp. Since he took our call while traveling, Keane said he couldn’t immediately inspect the picture and would need to take a closer look later.
“Obviously all we’re trying to do is show a project and add people and cars and trees and make it look somewhat realistic, and we’re certainly not trying to offend anybody,” Keane said.
Late yesterday, WDG Construction sent The Diamondback another version of the rendering. The smiling, peace-sign wielding character was gone, replaced, somehow, with another Asian cutout.
This time, the man’s hands are firmly clasped together as he lounges and watches his fellow non-offensive colleagues enjoy the sights and sounds of Knox Village, possibly coming fall 2016 to a university near you.
