Year 2: Semester 1: Craziness

I have been in Kent for a month. It feels like much longer than that. Everything is extremely crazy around here. Studio is starting off well enough; we have a lot of work with which to keep up. Our first project is a housing unit. We've been working on the design for the past couple weeks. The first final model of it was due last Tuesday. This weekend we are creating a 3/32 scale site model which includes topography and street as well as surrounding building models. It will be interesting to see how our whole class works together to finish this assignment; I hope I'm ready for the telescopic look at group dynamics! The housing unit project is a lot of fun so far. I've fully realized my love for diagramming! We did a precedent study through diagramming in pairs/groups while we developed our own concepts and design. Max and I chose to research and diagram MVRDV's Parkrand Apartment building located in Amsterdam. We discovered an excellent informational article/critique of the building that helped us brainstorm diagramming concepts. It is fascinating to me the endless diagramming opportunities that present themselves after only a short time of research; the best part is that these diagram ideas continually stemmed from one another producing an elaborate construe of perspectives and ideas. Even after we presented our production to Turnidge, my mind was flipping through new ideas for diagrams. It seems the more I study architecture and design, the more I view things around me in a, frankly, strange way; buildings become hand crafted elevations, floor plans and sections, I find patterns in everything, subsequently these patterns morph into diagrams and design sketches. To some this may sound completely insane but for me it is a profound, even explosive, experience that I know will only continue to engulf my thoughts as I delve further into the architectural world. Until the next time I have a free minute...carolyn

The Studio Files II

I've started another blog--well vlog this time--about studio. The Studio Files II is a video log of random occurrences in studio. It will take a few weeks, but I'm starting to upload the video clips from first year to this blog. Click on the title of this entry to access the new blog. I'm mostly starting this new vlog because the video uploader for facebook is ridiculously slow--this will be a much more efficient way to share live studio moments! (be forewarned, some language used in the videos is considered offensive). ...carolyn

First Year Design Studio 1 is Complete

I have successfully completed my first year of Architecture Design Studio. Because I enjoyed the year and learned so much I wouldn't say that I am relieved to be finished. Honestly, it doesn't feel over yet; my mental concept of time hasn't quite caught up with reality. I don't leave for home until next Saturday so I have time to recoup.

The final crunch to finish our projects was not nearly as stressful as fall semester. Though a few people didn't complete their projects it seemed that everyone was much more calm about the final. Maybe it's because our studio experience has increased or maybe it's simply the end of the year and the prospect of summer is so near a freak out wouldn't even be worth the trouble.

It will be strange not to be in Kent for three months...the absence of studio will be even stranger. I think I'll be fine; though I'll miss seeing my friends here every day I will be busy at home with work, family, summer projects, other friends, and the city! I look forward to sharing the stories of my first year of college adventures and experiences with my family. Inspired by my fall semester studio prof Lauren, I'd like to compile a photo book officially documenting my first year at Kent. It will be a challenge but after this entire year I know that I enjoy those and can be successful when approached by one.

Thank you to my amazingly supportive and caring family (yes--everyone!) for living six hours away but always making me feel like I was still only a few minutes away. Thank you to my new friends of the Kent State Architecture Program for being so damn cool--you guys are some of the most interesting people I've met thus far and I'm excited to share more studio time with you in the next few years.

I hope summer is a lot of fun for everyone. Maybe I'll get to show some of you my city over the next three months but if not, I look forward to the fall semester of our second year of architecture at Kent.

...carolyn

Almost Finished

It's Sunday. The air outside is heavy with grumpy gray clouds that loom around Kent and promise rain. I am taking a breather from studio to reorganize my thoughts and concentration but in a few minutes I will once again enter the realm of crunch time and hair-splitting intensity surrounding the fourth floor of Taylor Hall.

For tomorrow, Stauffer requested that we have our 1/16" model finished (the 1/32" model was due Friday). Next week we will work on final drawings. The entire final project is to be completed by the upcoming Friday. As things wind closer and closer to the end I feel relatively comfortable with the end-of-the-semester studio work load. There is more work than last semester but it all feels manageable. Now, if only I didn't have any work due or finals to study for in my other classes!

Alas, the next week will be very busy for me and my classmates. The plus side of this for me is that I don't have time to anticipate returning to Chicago; I won't have any last minute homesickness to deal with because I have too many other things on my mind.

The week will go by incredibly quickly: things will wrap up nicely (thought not without some stress) and I will be back in my favorite home and city in two weeks! Now, it's back to work again.

...carolyn

Update on the Final Project

Today in studio, Stauffer laid out the agenda..."sort of"...for the final project. As I've said before we've technically been working on the final project since the beginning of the semester but now we'll be getting into final production mayhem.

So, in three weeks we are required to produce the following:

one 1/16" scale model including immediate context
one site plan including our building and its immediate context modeled to 1/32" scale
[insert number of levels here] floor plan drawings laid out on 24"x36" vellum
one section drawing including context also laid out on 24"x36" vellum

Studio Stauffer says goodbye real world, hello fourth floor Taylor. We have a busy, sleepless (or close to that) three weeks ahead of us.

...carolyn

Final Projects and a Visit to Half-life

We've been working on our final project since the beginning of the spring semester. Of course, that statement is somewhat relative but I think it is safe to say every concept, drawing, and model has influenced our final project. Even if something hasn't directly made the final design cut the whole semester has been an important process of thinking. Now we have officially started finalizing the results of this thought process. Our final production project is due in about three weeks; that's pretty unbelievable to me. My first year of architecture design school is coming to a fast end.


 On Friday the studio took a field trip to Half-life House, a design of Stauffer's own creation located in Chagrin Falls. We met bright and early at the Starbucks (no surprise there! On the maps Stauffer hadn't marked Half-life House but Starbucks was clearly highlighted) in town then made our way back into a more wooded area where the house was neatly tucked away. The owners Ken and Karin were so welcoming and interesting. They showed us around and shared stories about the house. The house was dubbed Half-life because Karin grew up in it and returned to it after college and living abroad. A beautiful addition was added and the original was rejuvenated. This experience was incredibly unique; rarely does one get the opportunity to tour a stranger's architecturally significant home. 


After the tour Kevin, Max, Dana, Megan and I drove around a bit, trying to decide what we wanted to do. We finally agreed to get "nom noms" from Dave's Cosmic Subs--a very good choice. The little sub shop was brightly painted with swirling designs reminiscent of a tie-dyed hippie. Inside, the walls were plastered with retro concert posters and famous 60's rock-and-roll artists' portraits. The atmosphere was groovy and the sandwiches were gourmet in the most chill way possible. The half-day field trip was a success!


...carolyn

The Return

The flat land of Illinois and Indiana wrinkles into Ohio; I know I'm halfway into the hills. Irregular swatches of farmland still patch the landscape bordering the highway but soon there won't be as many rows and rows of corn instead golden grains will become predominant. I wonder what part of Indiana we're in and kick myself for not checking on the rest stop map. We'll be in Toledo soon in any case.

There are quite a few more college students on this bus compared to my other trips with the Megabus. I've actually run into a few former Whitney Young classmates. We catch up briefly and are content with happenstance. Old faces are a relief; they remind me that the world is not quite as large and it definitely feels like it is only getting smaller.

One week at home was wonderful. It went by quickly and I still can't decide whether it was just long enough or too short. I'm leaning towards too short. A few deadlines hang lower over my head now that the week is closing and I can always get more Chicago time. I was lucky to get downtown a few times during the week; the spurts of city life I've experience throughout my first year away have been greatly treasured and keep my appreciation alive.

Though I will miss Chicago, Kent is only a couple hours away which means five more weeks of school are too. I am in no way dreading the rest of this semester -- it is unbelievable how quickly my first year of college has gone by! To avoid jumping to conclusions I won't say anything about what this year has or hasn't lived up to.

Now entering Ohio!

...carolyn