June 2013
46 posts
Two things make tall buildings possible: the steel frame and the safety elevator. The elevator, underrated and overlooked, is to the city what paper is to reading and gunpowder is to war. Without the elevator, there would be no verticality, no density, and, without these, none of the urban advantages of energy efficiency, economic productivity, and cultural ferment.
An insightful article on the social perceptions and proxemics related to elevators and the evolution of elevator design; sandwiched with a recount of a man’s trapped-in-elevator experience.
Even though this article discusses the safeness of elevators… it made me even more afraid of them with those stories.
Good read
Anyone can become an architect, you just need to have the drive and you seem like you have it.
Going to school for architecture is not easy at all, but for those who stick around, it’s enjoyable. When you truly like what you are doing it becomes more than just work.
I’m sure many universities offer special international/study abroad scholarships or deals, you just have to look for them.
Why not give architecture a try?
-Jess
One time, after a history test, a classmate asked me
“Who is Walter Gropius?”
I looked at her like
Start by reading these books:
Experiencing Architecture by Steen Rasmussen
The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton
These books are really great to get a good sense of what architecture is about. Where most architectural blogs are really just about showing the visual aesthetic qualities of architecture.
And what drove me to become an architect is hard to describe in words, but basically my cousin in Brazil was in school for architecture and I’ve just kind of picked up on what he was doing and it really fascinated me. Designing space, form, etc really got to me.
-Jess
What are your opinions on this article?
Sustainable and Environmental Architecture are the same thing; it’s the philosophy of designing and servicing to comply with the principles of social, economic, and ecological sustainability. Noise barriers, solar power, shading, passive cooling/heating, etc.
Organic Architecture is a philosophy of architecture which promotes harmony between human habitation and the natural world through design approaches so sympathetic and well integrated with its site, that buildings, furnishings, and surroundings become part of a unified, interrelated composition. An architecture that responds to the place it is suited in, for example Falling Water.
-Jess
SORRY FOR BLOWING UP YOUR DASHBOARD WITH ALL THE QUESTIONS I’VE BEEN ANSWERING TODAY. IT’S BEEN A SLOW DAY AT WORK SO I TOOK THE TIME TO TRY AND GET THE 100+ QUESTIONS IN MY INBOX ANSWERED!
THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE!
I’m not yelling, I’m just trying to get your attention :)
-Jess
It happens to all of us, trust me.
But really, ask yourself what you would rather be doing. And I can easily answer- nothing. At the end of the day, designing is what I enjoy doing. As difficult as it can get sometimes, I know there’s is nothing more I enjoy than this.
Here’s a post of how you can get out of your black hole and move forward
How do you over come lack of motivation/inspiration?
-Jess
Many designers show little interest in this question, and some dismiss it altogether. “[The term] ‘green’ and sustainability have nothing to do with architecture,” architect Peter Eisenman said in a 2009 interview. Designers care about image, and the green movement, like it or not, has a reputation for being all substance and no style. In 2010, design critic Alice Rawsthorn sized up the Leaf, Nissan’s celebrated electric car: “It is as dull in style as most gas-guzzling clunkers.” Many believe sustainability deals exclusively with energy efficiency, carbon emissions, and material chemistry—issues that belong in a technical manual, not on a napkin sketch. Nuts and bolts are not exactly the stuff of every designer’s dreams. As a result, many consider great design and green design to be separate pursuits, and in fact much of what is touted as “green” is not easy on the eyes. The ugly truth about sustainable design is that much of it is ugly.
…
[F]orm affects performance, image influences endurance. A square wheel won’t work, regardless of how well it’s engineered. And even with the most sophisticated mechanical system, a building facing west is going to get hot. So shape affects efficiency but also longevity, which can depend almost completely on visual and emotional appeal. How long will something last if it fails to excite the spirit and stir the imagination? Picture two objects. One uses energy conservatively but is dull, unsightly, or uncomfortable. The other is gorgeous but a glutton for fossil fuels. Which is more likely to endure—the responsible one or the ravishing one?” —
A Case For Why Green Design Must Be Beautiful
Discuss.
(via archistudent)
This generation is all about sustainability and going green, we as architects need to mesh the two with design. I agree that a lot of the “green” designs are very bland. It’s here in school where we need to start learning and producing great sustainable design that works. This generation will do that, I have faith that we will make sustainability look awesome!!!
May 2013
70 posts
As some of you may know I’m trying to publish a book about the life of an architecture student, essentially what is on this blog. I’m also trying to so some research that would go into the book. I’m not having much time to research like I though I would- working 42 hours a week at my co-op and trying to spend my summer with my son and family.
So what I’m asking is if there is someone interested to help me research. Of course credits will go to you and you’ll be mentioned in the book.
Please message me if you are interested!!
——-
Seriously the worst feeling
Rory MacLeod - A recent report by the UK Architectural Education Review Group has highlighted the high cost of education as a barrier which prevents
