http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/ en Copyright 2009 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:48:26 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss I'm entering week four now in my mandatory semester abroad in Rome to continue studying architecture. I really can't think of a better place to do so, everything is incredible...has some historical importance and is just gorgeous. I was very much exhausting during the first week or so (between jet-lag and the very packed orientation schedule), but I was able to do things like sit in the Pantheon for hours just sketching…and I’ve been at least probably like a dozen times already. It’s so close to studio and its just amazing, no other words for it. I came in with this kinda stereotypical image of what everything would be like, but I figured I was just being ignorant…it really is so much like I pictured. The streets wind in a maze-like web, with a conglomerate of richly colored buildings packed into the city blocks. The hues are so rich, so much orange and yellows. You can see the history in each building’s façade, the peeling away and eroding of time as the paint fades or chips away to reveal the layers beneath. There are so many balconies and terraces covered with potted plants, so many brightly colored shutters pushed open, so many rooftop gardens, so many ivy-covered walls. There’s such a history, a past that is so evident in everywhere you look, its very moving and humbling all at once. Everything has a significance, a past that just seems to full. I don’t know how I won’t leave here without a significance perspective gained for my architectural future and cultural awareness, even historical awareness. Rome is an ancient city, there’s no confusion there. It represents so much, and its painted across the urban fabric of the city. I honestly don’t know how to capture it, for my initial impressions are far better than I imagined. It makes you realize how small your life is when you look at structures that are from over two thousands years ago, but are still enjoyed today for their romantic appeal. It’s a city of evolution, one thing piled a top another. And I really imagined more contemporary buildings, more of a touch from the hand of the 21st century. But it truly seems pure, it is represented by the ancient, the medieval, the renaissance, and the baroque…it doesn’t seem to go much farther past that. I guess why mess with an urbanism and an architectural culture that has worked for centuries to foster a successful urban space for the public masses. http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/09/travelingstudying_in_roma_1.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/09/travelingstudying_in_roma_1.html Architecture Study Abroad-Rome Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:48:26 -0500 (Hammonassett Beach) As always, feel free to ask any questions]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/06/a_fulltime_internship_1.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/06/a_fulltime_internship_1.html Architecture Study Abroad-Rome Camping Trip Internship Rome Study Abroad Summer 2009 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:18:36 -0500 Despite the fact that it's summer and I'm supposed to have more time to relax, my schedule has been exhausting. I've been working a summer job at Home Depot in the Garden Center up to forty hours a week, in addition to a summer internship that I got for a few days a week. I've been working at the firm Fletcher Thompson in their Shelton, CT office, making changes to construction drawings in CAD or fixing layouts and drawing scales. It's been a lot of tedious work, but I've learned a lot already in the couple weeks I've been there. And the exposure to the architecture office environment has been invaluable, as has the new addition to my resume when applying for my January co-op starting in the fall. I'm going to be getting a break next weekend though. I'm really exciting to be going camping with friends from home and friends from Northeastern that I haven't seen since school got out. It will be a really fun break from work to be able to relax with all my friends for a couple days, especially those from Boston that I may not see for the rest of the summer. Please feel free to post any questions or comments. http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/06/a_very_busy_summer.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/06/a_very_busy_summer.html Internship Summer 2009 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:32:15 -0500 I've been out less than two weeks and I've already been working at my summer job full time for over a week. There hasn't been too much resting yet since classes ended, I jumped at the chance to get to work early so I can start to save up money for the fall when I will be abroad in Rome. It's really hard to believe I'm leaving so soon, just a couple months. I've been working on getting all the paperwork together, like my student VISA and flight forms, etc. There's a lot to arrange and get squared away before I can leave. I'm still waiting to hear on more information about the actual program. I haven't received the package from La Magia Institute yet, but I've attached a link to the school's site on the housing. We will be living in a converted convent on the Tiber River! It's all really exciting, and I still haven't really processed it all yet. I'm going to be visiting all these amazing places for a whole semester! http://www.lamagiainstitute.com/Pages/La%20Magia%20Services/Apartments/Student%20Housing/Santa%20Maria%20in%20Cappella/SM%20in%20Cappella.htm Please feel free to ask any question or leave comments! http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/05/start_of_summer_1.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/05/start_of_summer_1.html Architecture Study Abroad-Rome La Magia Rome Study Abroad Thu, 07 May 2009 17:27:41 -0500 It's hard to believe I only have 2 more days left until my final crit for studio, and so much left to do in that time. I haven't really had time to do much of anything else. I've been working in the studio for atleast 12 hours a day for nearly the past week, and still may have to pull an all-night before my deadline on Friday. As one of friends was talking about last night at about 3 a.m., this time of year is when architecture 'doesn't seem so glamorous.' And yet, I still rather be sleepless in the studio that studying for anything else, so I guess it all works out. I move home on Friday afternoon right after my critique, so Friday definitely will be a very busy, very exhausting day. But I'm really excited to be going home, especially since I haven't seen my family since spring break. It'll be so nice to not have anything to do for a few day before I start my summer job. Hope finals are going well for everybody! http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/04/the_end_of_another_year_alread.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/04/the_end_of_another_year_alread.html Architecture Studio 2 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:17:50 -0500 It's hard to believe I only have 2 more days left until my final crit for studio, and so much left to do in that time. I haven't really had time to do much of anything else. I've been working in the studio for atleast 12 hours a day for nearly the past week, and still may have to pull an all-night before my deadline on Friday. As one of friends was talking about last night at about 3 a.m., this time of year is when architecture 'doesn't seem so glamorous.' And yet, I still rather be sleepless in the studio that studying for anything else, so I guess it all works out. I move home on Friday afternoon right after my critique, so Friday definitely will be a very busy, very exhausting day. But I'm really excited to be going home, especially since I haven't seen my family since spring break. It'll be so nice to not have anything to do for a few day before I start my summer job. Hope finals are going well for everybody! http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/04/the_end_of_another_year_alread_1.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/04/the_end_of_another_year_alread_1.html Architecture Studio 2 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:17:50 -0500 (The Carpenter Center) I also was able to sneak away last week to go to a Bruins game against Tampa, which was really fun. I had never been to game before and only to TDBanknorth Gardens one other time for the Beanpot last year. It was good to get off campus and do something new to break up the incessant work that everybody's had lately. As always feel free to ask any questions!]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/04/two_weeks_and_counting_1.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/04/two_weeks_and_counting_1.html Architecture City Life 20th Century Architecture and Urbanism Bruins Carpenter Center Structures: Tectonics Studio 2 Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:57:09 -0500 (views out from the ICA) As always, feel free to ask any questions you may have!]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/03/final_weeks.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/03/final_weeks.html Architecture City Life 20th Century Architecture and Urbanism Holyoke Center ICA Shepard Fairey Structures: Tectonics Studio 2 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:12:05 -0500 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! http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/03/a_lot_about_sustainability.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/03/a_lot_about_sustainability.html Architecture Family and Friends History of Espionage Lecture Series Structures: Tectonics Summer Internships Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:29:51 -0500 Speaking of which, I've been working really hard to finalize my portfolio (to at least as final as a portfolio can get as we are always finishing new work) and my resume for the application process to find a summer internship. The prospects are not looking promising at the moment though, considering the economy. Most likely, I will have something only part-time and probably unpaid. Still, its worth the effort if I'm able to get some firm experience before I start to apply for co-op for next spring. So, per usual, I've had a lot going on the past couple weeks, and needless to say spring break is looking really good, even if I'm just going home to Connecticut. I'm probably gonna have to budget in sometime though to keep up with work for several classes. Still, to be able to catch up on some rest and relaxation and see friends and family is much needed. ]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/02/almost_spring_break_1.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/02/almost_spring_break_1.html Architecture Spring Semester History of Espionage Spring Break Structures: Tectonics Studio 2 Summer Internships Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:15:24 -0500 (some images from the very snowy site visit we took last week). On top of all this, the architecture department organizes a lecture series almost every Monday night that the undergrad students are required to attend. In the past these lectures were sometimes a struggle to sit through after a long day of classes; however, they have taken on a new format that seems to be working much better where the speaker links all the works they discuss with a unifying theme. Monday's was by Rahul Mehrotra of RMA Architects on his work in Bombay/Mumbai, covering several different ideas from his wide range of work on a large number of projects. He discussed his work on preserving the Taj Mahal and the importance of understanding both preservation and new construction. He also shared one of the most original project types that I have seen, where he worked to design a living community for elephants and their caretakers outside the city where they work. With what little time I've had this past weekend, I was able to go dinner at a really great thai restaurant with probably about fifteen friends for my roommates birthday. It was really nice to get all these people in one room for a couple hours considering how difficult it's been to visit because everyone's schedules are so conflicting this year, as course loads have picked up significantly and a lot of students (particularly in business and engineering) have started co-op already.]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/02/so_my_schedule_the_past.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/02/so_my_schedule_the_past.html Architecture City Life Architecture Lectures Structures: Tectonics Studio 2 Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:41:47 -0500 (A google image of the housing along the river in Rome.)]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/01/the_past_couple_weeks_have.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/01/the_past_couple_weeks_have.html Architecture City Life Family and Friends Rome Studio 2 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:38:44 -0500 One week in to the spring semester and it feels like I never left. Everything just picked up right where it left off. I even have the same professor for my history course (20th Century Architecture and Urbanism) as I did last semester; it's actually my third time in Professor Maulsby's class. It's nice in this type of course to build a rapport with a professor you like; it helps with understanding what is expected for tests, papers, etc. In studio we are already nearly finished with our first assignment: an analysis of a given school, which is a precedent to the project of designing an urban school that we will be developing throughout various stages throughout the semester. So far the dynamics of my section (students and the professor alike) seems to be working really well, and I'm looking forward to a good semester. I also got a work study job in the enrollment services office as a receptionist two days a week. It's a very quite office, and so far I don't many responsibilities, which allows me to keep up on readings for my courses. I'm also really excited for next weekend. Four of friends from home are still on their winter break and are able to come up to visit. We will get to do all the 'tourist' activities throughout Boston; I just hope the the weather isn't too frigid! http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/01/back_from_break.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2009/01/back_from_break.html Architecture City Life Family and Friends Studio 2 Work Study Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:13:51 -0500 I'm already about halfway through with my winter break, and I've been able to relax and celebrate the holidays with my family. I even was snowed in for a few days earlier in the week, giving me the perfect excuse to sleep and watch movies, a luxury much appreciated. I also celebrated with friends with a small Christmas party, which included all the cliche activities...cookie swaps, secret santa exchanges, and all the classic movies. It was nice way to reunite with all my friends from home that I hadn't seen since Thanksgiving. I'm still looking for to returning to school though; I should have a lot going on this semester. I will be applying for my first co-op position that I will be starting the spring semester of 2009, which means portfolio and resume preparations. I also will be applying for the study abroad program in Rome for the Fall of next year, an exciting part of the architecture program here at NU. And when I come back, my schedule allows for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays to be nearly entirely free of classes (all the architecture classes are now on Tuesday/Thursdays for me), so I will be looking to find a part-time job somewhere, most likely off-campus. I also have my Honors seminar to look forward to. So far all my honor courses have been really interesting and exciting and I'm sure this will be no different. It's on a topic I have no real background in: the history of espionage, taught by Professor Burds. But I'm excited to take an elective that's different from anything I've taken at NU thus far; in the past I've focused on environmental science/studies courses. http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2008/12/winter_break_1.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2008/12/winter_break_1.html Architecture Campus Activities Family and Friends Spring Semester Co-op Spring Semester '09 Study Abroad Winter Break Sat, 27 Dec 2008 10:15:21 -0500 Basically my life for the past couple weeks has occurred primarily in the studio. Everyone's pretty much been frantically trying to finish all the requirements for the final presentation we are giving on our library design on Monday...including very time-consuming models. On top of the 7 to infinite hours I'm spending in the studio a day, I've been trying to finish up a group project for structures and a term paper for 19th century architecture. Architecture majors quickly learn that studio takes precedence over other classes (as much as the professors of those other classes hate to hear it). But in comparison to the work load for studio, those classes can essentially be pushed aside until necessary, when there is an assignment due or exam scheduled. Studio is definitely also the most important in gaining the skills necessary for the profession, so I guess it makes sense that we put that on the top of our list. http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2008/12/finals_week_1.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neu/JessicaWilcock/2008/12/finals_week_1.html Architecture Finals Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:57:20 -0500