Chicago ranked first in architecture and design!

I have only been to three of the cities that made the top ten best cities for architecture and design. The survey was based on public opinion i.e. how the citizens rated the architecture of their city. What struck me most was that D.C. was number ten. D.C. being the first city i lived in when i relocated to the states it kind of feels like my home away from home. I loved the city, although I would not want to design there as most of down town seems restricted to neoclassical (architectural) style and i don't want to be restricted in design. It is a beautiful city nonetheless

I have never been to Chicago, but I plan to go someday. It is funny to me that more than 100 years after the early skyscraper days New York and Chicago are still battling for architectural supremacy. With the new proposal to build the tallest skyscraper in the country, a a 115-story building by 2009, Chicago seems to be in the lead.

If built, Trumps skyscraper in Chicago would surpass New York's planned Freedom Tower. They are still dealing with financing issues though, so i guess we will just have to wait and see what the outcome will be.

Hello Barcelona!

I am really excited about going to Spain this summer, apart from excellent beaches I will also get to see amazing architecture. Old Barcelona is known for it's Gothic architectural style developed in the 19th century.



One of the most remarkable architects of this time was Antonio Gaudi, known for his distinctively unique architectural style. He loved to shape stonework and iron (they had not yet discover steel), and used very vibrant colors on his buildings.
Gaudi and Barcelona are known for modernisme architecture, a style similar to Gothic but more emphasized on curves rather than straight lines with embellished decoration or detail.





His work is crazy!It is hard to believe he designed it in the 20th century. It seems like sci-fi design!!!

Almost done!!!!

The new outdoor learning classroom for Washington Elementary School is almost done...It is hard to believe they have just about one week of construction left. Having visited the site at different stages of construction it is really impressive to see how much detail the students have put into it; the concrete walls, wrapping wood bench are all examples of how attention to detail can greatly improve design.It is really nice to see the that there has been a lot of community contribution in this project. Different professionals across Fayetteville have contributed time and resources to help the students and faculty achieve their goals.
If you have not visited the site you should definitely try to once it is done. I think it is a wonderful example of how the architecture school can affect/ influence its community, as well as an exciting example of what modern architecture aspires to do.

Architecture and Global Warming

Coming into the this field i would never have dreamed that architecture had such an impact on enery consumption or carbon dioxide emissions. Only through reading articles or listening to lectures did i become aware of this. It is really amazing that many architecture schools do not cover this issue in studio. We do not really learn how to incoporate energy efficiency into design. Those who do usually have to go out and do independent research which they then incorporate into design. This may sound easy enough but when you go out and do that it takes away from your studio time, such that the few innovative students who do it find that they barely have enough time to put into the actual design process.
The U of A architecture school has been lucky to have a faculty member who has an interest in maximizing building efficiency. Dr. Tahar Messadi offers students the opportunity to learn about LEED (The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)a Green Building Rating System developed by the U.S. Green Building Council that aims to develop high performance and sustainable buildings. Through this class students learn about green design which is basically designing buildings to reduce water and energy waste as well as improve the quality of light, air and water in buildings. We can only hope other faculty memebers will also see the need to incorporate green design into the architectural curriculum...

Architecture as sculpture

There is a lot of debate in the architecture community about architecture reading as sculpture- basically if buildings that have a sculptural look to them can be accepted as true architecture or as art. I think that categorizing architecture like this limits architectural design. If architecture truly is art as much as science then why would it matter whether designers choose to be more artistic or systematic?



Personal inclination is often confused with architectural validity. Claiming to like or dislike Frank Gehry's Walt Disney concert hall has nothing to do with it being architecture.
I think it's wonderful to grow up in a world where architects like Frank Gehry (architect of pic above), Santiago calatrava (architect of first pic below) or the craziness known to Dubai (second pic below) exist. The possiblities of design are endless, but they are all part of the beautiful diversity architecture creates.


http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.dubai-architecture.info/TheWorldDubai-custom%3Bsize_796,485.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.dubai-architecture.info/DUB-GAL1.htm&h=485&w=795&sz=90&hl=en&start=3&um=1&tbnid=Jf9ON-6W8Tp1ZM:&tbnh=87&tbnw=143&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddubai%2Barchitecture%2Bdubai%2Bworld%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dcom.google:en-US:official%26sa%3DG

Personally I am more into systems than the big bang effect; what material the architect chooses to use, how materials go together, the visual, tactile or experiential qualities of the space, the size, proportions or geometry the architect chooses to work with e.t.c. Which all add up to how the space is built, how it looks and how it feels.

That's the reason i love work by Tadao Ando ( Japanese architect-link and pic below), David Adjaye (African Architect- second and third link and second pic below)and KPMB (canadian firm- last link below and last pics) among many others...

http://www.andotadao.org/
http://www.adjaye.com/docs/david.html
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/editstudio-29.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.dezeen.com/2007/10/16/photographer-shoots-his-own-house-eds-shed-by-david-adjaye/&h=300&w=449&sz=66&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=BAbvgRkc1RomgM:&tbnh=85&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddavid%2Badjaye%2Bhouses%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dcom.google:en-US:official%26sa%3DG
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.kpmb.com/images/up_images/up-11b.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.kpmb.com/index.asp%3Fnavid%3D30%26fid1%3D12%26fid2%3D14&h=400&w=888&sz=121&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=rxgFDSo3hAIFIM:&tbnh=66&tbnw=146&prev=/images%3Fq%3DKPMB%2BArchitects%2BYoung%2BCentre%2Bfor%2Bthe%2BPerforming%2BArts%2B(YCPA)%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dcom.google:en-US:official%26sa%3DN







I think I am starting to overdo it with the pics :), my next blogs will have fewer pics but include other links for you guys to follow should you be interested...

Culture comes to Arkansas

I can't wait for the new museum to open.




The museum is currently under construction in Bentonville Arkansas. It will house art dedicated to American art and artists. Contain a gallery, library, meeting, and office space, a 250-seat indoor auditorium, areas for outdoor concerts and public events, gallery rooms suitable for large receptions, as well as sculpture gardens and walking trails. Sounds like it will be a wonderful place to spend Saturdays.
I like that the spaces cater to the Arkansas culture and demographic. Museums in big cities rarely provide areas for family activities. They have definitely met the needs of their users.
I am excited about the design, but will reserve my comments until i visit the museum. Nothing beats real life experience.

The world of architecture

Thought I'd respond to Kyle's question as my next blog entry! (thanks. i was running out of topics)
Undergraduate degrees in architecture focus on building design. The first two years concentrate on understanding the design process; learning the different methods you can use to figure out your design strategy and the different kinds of presentation media you can use to communicate your design to clients or other professionals. Problem solving as well as model making and drawings ( hand and computer) are an important part of this process. This stage is concerned with architecture as an art, a means of expression and communication. It is important to learn how to narrow down design ideas and develop a clear architectural language.
The remaining three years focus on combining your artistic language with building technology. How to use materials and methods of building to communicate your ideas. How to problem solve e.g. when your design strategy does not merge well with science and most importantly how building components come together. For example how would wood and concrete be used together, adequate beam spacing, wall, floor or roof assembly e.t.c.
Along with this we learn architectural history, theory, basic tech. i.e. types of wood framing, types of concrete slab design, building loads to consider and account for in design, duct sizing, types of heating or cooling systems, building materials-character and qualities e.t.c. As well as your choice of architecture related electives such as Leed design, furniture design, community design among many other options.
Architecture graduates go into so many different professions: architect, architectural designer, architectural engineer, architectural drafting, landscape architect, urban planner and development architect, interior architect, furniture designer, project manager, set designer,game designer, sculptor e.t.c. Which is part of what i like about the field. It is open to so many options should you ever get bored of building design and if you choose to get a graduate degree you can major in any of the interesting design programs listed above.

Loving my furniture design class

I knew this class would be fun, but it is crazy just how much i am enjoying it. It always helps to have great teachers to motivate and inspire you.
We are starting our final project- A light fixture. We get to choose if it will be a sconce, table fixture on a base or a hanging fixture. Whatever it is it must incorporate one of the curving techniques we have learnt about in class as well as movement in one of the three joints we choose to use.
I am going for a table fixture on a base!!! We are still in the sketching stages trying to figure what joints to incorporate, but if all goes well I should start building it Monday.

My plan: Have fun now panic later!

Finally, some sunshine! Uof A architecture students can get some work done!!!

It has been about 7 months since architecture professor Michael Hughes and 12 School of Architecture students broke ground on the new outdoor learning classroom for Washington Elementary School. This past week saw their hard work slowed down by the unpredictable weather known to North West Arkansas, but things are looking up; the weather forecast for the rest of the week looks hopeful. We can only pray that the weather forecaster's have it right!

The students currently working on the project are a mix of second to fifth year students as well as new graduates making up the third and final group to carry the project into completion. Though they do earn credit hours for their time and labor they also give up a large part of their summer vacation and shed loads of sweat and tears in the process. All in the hope that their contributions will impact and improve their community.

Something to think about as you drive by Washington Elementary School.