A lull......

Finally, I have a moment of freedom from the torture chamber that is the architecture studio. I spent over 24 hours of my weekend in there. So much for a fun-filled New Orleans weekend!! It wasn't all bad, however; we had plenty of fun talking about movies, music, and commiserating with one another. We even came up with "Fail" music for whenever someone in our studio section does something stupid. (The Fail music is the loser sound from the Price is Right) We also came up with a name for the Architecture Class of 2015: The Happy Masochists.


I've never had to work that hard to complete architectural models.  It was difficult to finish the minimal nine models, but I managed to complete 10 (*Elliot dances in front of his laptop. "Go me! Go me!") I also learned some of the ins and outs of the model-making progress. As I constructed the models, I would turn them over in order to see them from a different perspective. Many times this process would lead to the discovery of a new angle that could completely alter both the model itself and its intentions. The assignment was to create a cube-shaped space that contained a large, medium, and small space. The project was very abstract, so it lead to many different iterations of designs. Many people in my section had amazing models with very well developed concepts. We were also required to work with different types of models; Planar, Frame, and Poche. A planar model is one that conveys the student/architect's concept simply through the use of squares and planes; the model isn't necessarily an actual shape; there are areas through which one can see. Frame models, one of the most frustrating types, involves constructing a wood frame model that depicts each of the required spaces. Poche modeling is pure evil. You basically sculpt spaces out of the cube itself. Just weird.


The critique for our study models was today. Everyone in my studio sections presented their models so that we, along with Professor Ruff, could critique them. My idea for the project was to create a flow and interconnection between the three spaces. Professor Ruff studied my models and told me that while my idea was good (he really liked the flow I was attempting to convey), my spaces were not clearly defined. My task for the next models: work on my craft, as well as the conveyance of my intentions through the model.


Did I mention that people have already started dropping out of architecture school? Yeah, they have. One girl in my section, Nicole, made an amazing model for our first assignment. It was like a Rubik's cube gone wild. The professors gave it general praise. The only negative they had was her craftsmanship, an issue many first year students have. They criticized her use of hot glue, which looks messy when applied to a model. She became upset upon hearing this, and decided to drop the class. Another student in my section apparently failed to complete a single model over the weekend. We would know; we spent over 24 hours in the studio this weekend and he didn't even show up once. When he arrived in class, he frantically attempted to completed a model. I've got to give the guy credit--he has serious skills in completing study models in under 20 minutes.


Since I only got four hours of sleep last night, I'm going to study for an arch history quiz, do my French homework, then go to bed.