October Extra Blog

For my Independent Component I had met up with the Design and Construction Committee of Habitat for Humanity, on October 9th. During our meet we discussed the present progress of previous Habitat builds in addition to the upcoming housing programs in process. After the meeting I was given the chance to view certain design layouts. I found it very interesting in analyzing from the floor plan to the roof plan, and getting to see all the components that make up the structure of a house. What I would take from this meeting, is to learn how the layout of a build is logically placed.   

Blog 8: Research & Working EQ

1.  What is your working EQ?
-What is the best way for an architect to incorporate the natural surroundings in a building design?

2.  What is a possible answer to your working EQ?

- By using observation and analytical skills, architects can best understand and define their natural surroundings in a project design, allowing them to incorporate surrounding natural elements into their design.

3.What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ?

-New Organic Architecture: The Breaking Wave by Pearson, David

 

 

4.  Who is your mentor, or where are you volunteering, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

-Currently I am volunteering at a program called ACE Mentorship. For the past two meetings our class had been focusing on collaborative work efforts as a team, by designing and constructing towers and bridges. This concept ties into the realistic aspects of how both architects and engineers work as a team to have a resulting product that is both structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing. My mentorship activities relate back to my EQ by covering the notion of how a building must have fluidity in all its external and internal components. In the theory organic architecture states that a building's materials must come together as one and no such material should be distinguished from on another; as well as the idea of using limited materials in organic architecture to express natural forms. Within my mentorship, building and designing a structure with restricted materials exposed us to the idea of "limited materials" used in organic architecture; in addition to the idea of fluidity throughout a building we as a group had to brainstorm how to utilize our assigned materials in order to create a structure where all its components tie in together without having any one of them that is useless or stands out.
 

Blog 7: Independent 1 Component Approval

1. Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

Recently I have been working/volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, (non-profit organization that provides housing for low-income families) the Pomona Valley H.F.H. Volunteer Coordinator Morgan Sternquist, explained to me that Habitat has a Design and Construction Committee. The Design & Construction Committee meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 3p.m. Our committee consists of volunteers, board members, artists, and licensed engineers as well as architects. During the meetings we as a committee will be discussing current and future activities happening on each different construction site. Currently, this month Habitat will be constructing the Green Design build in the city of Walnut, we as a committee will be discussing the Walnut design and also consider the city requirements. By joining this committee I expose myself to design project ideas, experience how to construct an idea, and tie my achieved knowledge in design into my essential question.

2.   Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

In order to prove I have completed my thirty hours I will continuously take photos to keep up dated on my progress. I will also take notes during each meeting, of important notations that apply to Habitat job sites or any details associated with my essential question. In addition, I would also like to use art work as evidence to show progress in my design theory and also create designs of my own by using the designs I am exposed to during our committee meetings.

3. And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.
On my own time, I will take several visits to pre-existing sites and take a sketch book in order to allow myself to analyze different architectural designs, and how to incorporate natural surroundings with in a design. I will specifically focus my attention on the design factor in my research, as well as asking key questions from professionals in the field how I could research my topic in a deeper depth.

ACE Mentorship: Pasadena Team's First Meet

 

On the 19th of September, I went to my new mentorship called ACE Mentorship for the first time! There I had the privilege of meeting several different licensed Architects and Engineers in the field. As each Mentor introduced themselves they gave a little back story of their education and career. One mentor that made a significant impact in her presentation was an Architect that specifically designed high schools. She showed us a video that overlooked her design of the school with a program known as Sketch Up. She also asked us questions to consider in the design, such as whether the school needs a library, gym, and specific arrangement of elements. Towards the end of the meeting, the class was split into different groups. I was assigned to a retired Architect named Don, who I later found out that he actually was on the design team for constructing the Getty Museum. In our conversation I had explained to him that the Getty had actually looked as if it were on a grid plain. In response, he had explained that he had never actually worked with a grid plain design until the Getty. All in all, I had an exciting experience getting to meet Don and listening to the other Engineers' and Architects' backgrounds. What I would take from this experience, is seeing and knowing exactly how each ACE mentor got through their education and where they presently are in their career, and apply it to my education, career, and life.

Blog 6: Second Interview Part 1

1. Mentorship in progress

On Thursday the 19th, I will currently be switching my mentors. Tomorrow I will be joining the ACE Mentorship Program in Pasadena at Marshall Fundamental High School. There I will meet other high school students who are interested in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction; in addition to licensed practitioners in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction, known as our mentors. Over the course of the year each ACE team will undergo an annual design project, visit professional offices and tour construction sites, etc. Due to the fact that I am switching my mentors, I will postpone the answer to my first question, and later add an additional blog stating the background information of my mentor.

2. Background questions:

• What is your educational background, and what did you specifically major in?
• What is your past design philosophy?
• What sets your Architectural firm apart from other firms with similar experience?
• Based on your past experiences, how would you as an architect effectively and efficiently run a firm?  
• When you are promoting your business and yourself, what are some good tips to sell/win over your clients?
• How do you effectively balance business with ethics when working with clients, construction workers, and engineers?
• In your experience, what is the easiest way to consult with engineers and construction managers when coming to an agreement on certain design changes?

Blog 5: Project Reflection and Working EQ

 1.The Pentagon:
Positive Statement: What positive thing happen as a result of what you have completed so far?

• Since I have been working with Habitat for Humanity, which is a non-profit organization that provides qualified low income families with decent, safe and affordable housing. I have seen the effects of how the organization changes families’ lives for the better. On that note I recently had the ability to work on a construction site in Rancho Cucamonga. The Rancho Cucamonga house was given to a Mother and her two kids; it was such a price-less experience to actually get to meet the family and see their gratitude and zeal for all the volunteers who worked on the house, and seeing the house itself. In addition I was able to gain a basic knowledge and skills of working on a construction site. This will in turn help my future as a pursuing Architect to connect more with the construction manager, when a problem arises in a project. Having a good relationship with the construction manager can enable an Architect and a Construction Manger to easily resolve an issue in changes of a design, etc.

2. EQ Content:  Pick a piece of research or your interview.  How has it helped you improve your understanding of your topic?

• During my interview with my mentor Monica, I remember a key fact that imprinted in my mind. In fact it was a realization that struck me, of how much the user of a building is impacted by any structure. Even though the general public isn't really aware of how much they are affected by architecture throughout their daily lives; the user in a sense is affected by the function of the building, its safety, and the design/ layout in which affects the mood of the user. As a result my interview has helped me to become more aware of my surroundings in how I view architecture around my daily life. For example when you look at a building, you have to see through eyes of an architect and look at how the building is positioned with the ground, lined up with the streets, and connects with the sky and surrounding foliage.

3. What has worked for you so far in the senior project?

• Being able to find great sources has helped enrich my understanding of Architecture. Keeping this in mind, I was able to find reliable sources online such as articles and p.d.f. as well as books; that have open my mind to a new view Architecture. In addition my mentor Monica is a family friend so she was willing to help answer any questions about Architecture that needed any clarifying. Monica has also introduced me to getting familiar with my surroundings and to recognize Architecture in my neighborhood.

4. What hasn't worked so far? 

• Throughout the summer it was very difficult to find a mentor I had contacted places locally, but there were no openings in their mentorship department. My mentor Monica had also offered to put in a good word for me at an Architecture firm; although the firm was in down town LA so the distance is about an hour drives from my house. In the end I was able to contact ACE Mentorship, and they were glad to let me join their Pasadena Team at Marshall High School starting on Sept. 19^th.

5. Finding Value:         -What is a potential question you would like to study this year?  (working EQ)

• A potential question I would like to study for my senior project would be “How can a licensed Architect set their-self apart from other competitive Architects, in order to better their community?”

        -What do you plan to do for mentorship?

• For mentorship I would like to visit architectural monuments and be able to analyze specific details with other students who are pursuing Architecture as well. In addition I also look forward to connecting and working with other students my age who are pursuing Architecture, Engineering, and Construction and being able to hear out their opinions on how to execute a project to fit the a client’s needs/desires.   

 

 

Mentorship/Senior Year Project Goals to Accomplish

Applied Knowledge
     During my interview with my mentor Monica, I remember a key fact that imprinted in my mind. In fact it was a realization that struck me, of how much the user of a building is impacted by any structure. Even though the general public isn't really aware of how much they are affected by architecture throughout their day; from the function of the building, to its safety, and design or mood, it all affects the user. In addition, Monica had also recommended I be more aware of my surroundings and look at how a building is positioned with the ground, a lined with the streets, and connects with the sky. All in all, I merely just don't want to take Monica's advice and just intake it I actually want to follow through and experience her advice first hand this year.

To Do List for this Year:

• Take a trip to a well known monument of architecture, and analyze its detailing of its exterior and interior. Bring a sketch book along to visualize and record what you evaluated. Ask yourself how this structure makes you feel, and later do some research on the structure and its architect to find design facts on the building.
• Also take a walk in your neighborhood and analyze the architecture, bring your sketch book along and pose questions as to why the architect decided to follow through with this certain style of design?
• Attend a seminar or presentation about architecture, and note important facts.
• Learn something new each day about Architecture.
• In addition, do an internship at a construction cite to also be knowledgeable in the construction field. Since in fact Architects need to be able to communicate and have a good relationship with Contractors during a design project.
• Take an Art Class that is highly skilled in distinct lines, shapes, space, colors, textures, compositions, light, tint, shades, tones, shading, proportions, and glaze.
• Craft your own structure/ learn how to use CAD drafting system.