Previous Posts
5/6/2015
There is a prescribed image of a typical architect and when I began as a new student it initially seemed as if there was a specific mold I must fit to be successful in the field. As college has progressed, experience has helped me realize that although many architects strive to encompass and strengthen specific traits there is still room for a variety of thinking and working styles. Integrating and capitalizing on the individual strengths of team members is what helps projects and firms function fluidly. This year our studio dynamic has continually highlighted a variety of strategies and opportunities to work with our teammates in creating... (more)
5/6/2015
“There are many sacred places which most people sense as sacred upon a first encounter and without the presence of any accompanying ritual or even any knowledge of their sacred history.” This is the opening statement made by Professor Michael Brill during his lecture titled Using the Place-Creation Myth to Develop Design Guidelines for Sacred Space. He goes on to say that because we recognize these places as one of the set of sacred place, there must be a set of common and fundamental characteristics by which these places reveal themselves to us as sacred. The hypothesis he suggests is that we all, somehow, share in an archetype... (more)
5/4/2015
As computer programs get traded out for the “newest and best” program—one thing will remain an important component of architecture and design; sketching. Sketching is an important tool for designers and it can be an effective way to convey information to clients and contractors in a timely manner. Sketching, and other pictorial graphics, are some of the oldest forms of human communication and it is often easier to understand simple graphics—albeit quick graphics—than other forms of communication.
Early on in the design... (more)
5/4/2015
The typical visual you might have when someone mentions welding is probably not a 5’ 3” female welding in a grungy shop but instead, a guy wielding a gun with thick gloves, heavy duty jacket, and a black mask with sparks flying everywhere. After all, metal fabrication has always been a male dominated field. So, it was no surprise to me that people had a perplexed look on their faces when I tell them that I am welding for my architecture studio thesis project. It never fails to entertain the person I am explaining my tasks to— mainly because they don’t believe me. Although it mildly irritates me, I fully understand this stereotyping. Females... (more)
5/2/2015
With the countdown until graduation rapidly dwindling, construction at the Alma Pavilion is in full swing. Some days are better than others, but overall we have been making great progress and rapidly gaining knowledge of construction. One of the biggest learning curves we have needed to conquer is craft and quality control, especially when faced with small details and connections. Inspecting welds as the steel structure is erected, we are proud of the skills we have developed, but also much more aware of the quality our work. We speak amongst one another about how to better control our welds, or how the detail could have been executed in... (more)