It's hard to believe the semester is already nearing a close, but I can feel the time crunch finally setting in. I just got assigned today my final project for Structures II:Tectonics, for which, in small groups we will be completing an extensive set of drawings (and eventually a presentation) analyzing one of the buildings that we have touched on in class to answer the question of how the structure and other systems engender the design process. We will be required to produce axonometric drawings to explain the enclosure system, structural system, and interior spaces, in addition to a sectional axonometric through the building showing all the construction layers. I will be working with the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco by Renzo Piano, which features an impressive green roof structure.

Coming up soon too, I will have a paper for 20th Century Architecture and Urbanism different from previous assignments. Looking at the Holyoke Center in Cambridge and Boston City Hall, we will be analyzing the structure according to our own perceptions and background knowledge in the various architectural movements and themes of the 20th century; we will not simply be producing a research paper on the buildings. On Saturday I went to Harvard to visit the Holyoke Center, which was a modernist building engaging with Harvard Square, flowing out into its plaza space before the entrance. It had very nice outdoor spaces; unfortunately, I was only able to gain access to the small court on the ground level in the interior.

On Friday we have our mid-review for the final stage of our school design project. I finally have a form and program orientation that seems to work well for the site after extensive analysis and many, many models. I'm close to pushing past the conceptual portion of the design process to start working on the more tangible, pragmatical components of the process, which is the part I tend to be more comfortable with.

This weekend I also was able to visit the ICA, which itself is a gorgeous place to visit, located on the waterfront with great views of Boston. But, even more exciting with the 'Supply and Demand' exhibit, featuring the rather extensive works (I think there was something like 250 pieces) of Shepard Fairey, now commonly known for the Obama campaign posters. I was taken aback by how powerful some of his works could be, especially his large murals. I really enjoyed his work on so many levels, from just the craft of these really intricate collage images to his projections on his own perspectives on culture and the abuse of power in society. As the weather starts to feel more like spring and anxiety sets in about upcoming exams and deadlines, it's nice to escape, even if just for a couple hours, from campus to just get a change of scenery.

(views out from the ICA)

As always, feel free to ask any questions you may have!

Posted by Jessica Wilcock at 8:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For it being just a couple days after break, there's a lot going on. I was able use the week off to play catch-up with updating and finalizing my resume and portfolio. I sent those out to a couple firms close to home in New Haven in search for a summer internship, but the timing is not great. The market for any job in architecture is not promising at the moment, but I'm just looking to get any experience I can before I have to start applying for my January co-op next year.

Overall though, my break was pretty relaxing. I got to just be home with family and friends, somewhat away from the stresses of school, which was most definitely needed. I also get to look forward to friends from home coming to visit this weekend, so I'll be able to show them around the city (in much warmer weather than last time they visited). So that's something to look forward to to get me through my rather stressful week.

I have a presentation in my espionage seminar on the autobiography of Markus Wolf (known as the 'man without a face') who was East Germany's greatest spymaster for over thirty years. It was a really interesting topic that I had no real prior knowledge of. But I also had another 350 page book to read for that class, in addition to a 20th century history reading summary, studio work, and working on a structures project, so needless to say I didn't get to enjoy it to its fullest extent. The project for my structures course is producing the construction documents for a masonry wall (showing in section the foundation, masonry structure, window openings, floor joists, interior finishes, etc.) But this will also feature a green roof design, which helps to incorporate the course's focus on sustainability. We had a guest lecture on the design and construction of green roofs, and we also spent the last class period discussing the various components and their organization.

Coincidentally, the lecture on Monday for the School of Architecture's lecture series dealt a great deal with green roofs. Richard Cook, one of the architects working on the Bank of America building in Bryant Park. The lecture discussed the 'eco-skyscraper' in terms of sustainability, creating a comfortable and productive work space for employees, and how it addresses the streetscape and existing structure. He also introduced the sustainable project he and his firm just won for office buildings, which I believe will be on Congress St. in Boston. The submitted project for the competition looked particularly interesting in, not only that it had a series of expansive green roofs that covered the various building types, but also it's form is very different from the building's already making up Boston's skyline.

I'm aware that admitted students will now be making their decisions about which university they will be attending next year, so as always, feel free to ask any questions you may have!

Posted by Jessica Wilcock at 11:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)