Donna Duerk, Emeritus Architecture Professor, scuba diver, and space architecture expert, enlightens us authoring a textbook by committee, designing a moon base to learn sustainability, and outlines the amazing path her career has taken.

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Show Notes

Site News

• New Facebook Fans
  • Ken LoFrano

Cal Poly News

• Join Tom di Santo at the recently completed Contraband Caffé Gallery (by M:oME) this Saturday, April 9th, 2011. Reception takes place on Saturday at 6pm.
  • The paintings will be up until Saturday 7 May, 2011.
  • The exhibit will include 31 framed and unframed architectural watercolour sketches and seasonal abstracts.
  • Press Release Contraband Caffé Gallery.
• Hearst Lecture this Friday
  • http://arch.calpoly.edu/news-events/hearst-lectures.html
• Arch Department to reimburse the first 40 students on the NCARB record!
• Cal Poly Job Fair
  • http://www.arch.calpoly.edu/current/index.html

General News

• Green roof industry grew by 28.5% in 2010
  • http://www.eco-structure.com/vegetated-roof/green-roof-industry-grew-285-percent-in-2010.aspx
  • Chicago: 500,000 sf
  • “Government investment in green roofs for their stormwater, air quality, green space, and city cooling benefits largely fuels the growth of our industry”
• White House under construction
  • http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/04/obama-white-house-undergoes-big-dig/1
• 20 Questions with the other Uncle Frank
  • http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704474804576222872016570928.html
  • “The best advice I’ve received is to be yourself”
  • “I used to sketch—that’s the way I thought out loud. Then they made a book of my sketches and I got self-conscious, so now I don’t do it much. I’ve got to do that more.”
  • “I can’t stand the aesthetes, the minimal thing. I can’t live that way. My home has to be filled with stuff”
  • “I can’t retire. I’m 82. It’s too young.”
• Reactions to Calatrava bridge issues
  • http://www.660news.com/news/local/article/206957–local-architects-react-to-peace-bridge-headaches
  • Calgary, Canada
• NJ Wright House for sale, move to Hamptons included
  • summering in star-archiecture in style
  • http://hamptons.curbed.com/archives/2011/03/31/architects_to_move_frank_lloyd_wright_house_from_nj_to_sagg.php

Rapid Fire Questions:

• Cal Poly or Berkeley? Poly
• Autocad or Revit? Neither
• Parallel bar or T-Square? Bar
• Facebook or LinkedIn? Neither
• Arch Record, Arch Digest, or Architect? Record
• Drafting dots or tape? Tape
• Yellow trace or white? Either
• Ad Markers or Prisma? Prisma
• Mac or PC? Mac, Mac, Mac, Mac, Mac, Mac, Mac…!
• Pen or Pencil? Pencil
• What’s the Meaning of Life? 42

SCORE:   ??  Tim forgot to give one!

Interview

• Tell us about your love for space?
  • Sputinik!  Apollo!
  • What has been your roll with the AIAA and the SATC?
    • In 1985 did a project for the Western Space Port and Science Museum
    • Mark Coen
    • Test things on Earth, then the Moon, and then Mars
    • Working on writing a text book for teaching Space Architecture
  • When will people finally live on the moon?
• Why architecture?
  • Blend of art and science
  • Mother of interior design
• What brought you from North Carolina and MIT to Cal Poly?
  • ACSA conference
• Why are you licenced in Texas?
  • Ended up finding work in Houston Texas with CRS, 1970’s
  • Worked for facilities planning department at University of Houston
• You authored “Architectural Programming: Information Management for Design” in 1993 what was that experience like?
  • Started teaching in 1981
  • Used in MIT Chinese program, Ohio, Mexico
  • “As far as I know, this is the Omnibus of Programming reference books….Just grit your teeth and pay the price for this one, because you’ll need it!”
  • Any plans for updating the book?
    • 25% needs to be new for a reissue, not quite there yet.
    • Architecture is still about designing for people.
• What are you plans for the future?
  • So busy I can hardly stand it
  • Master gardener, sustainability
  • Writing a book
  • Grandchildren
  • Scuba diving
  • Clean water, ocean, organic gardening, it’s all intertwined, the beauty of the planet
• What advice would you give to current Cal Poly Architecture students?
  • Love what you do and do what you can
  • Architecture has so many aspects, if you look hard enough you can find a piece you like.
• Technology Scholarship, you can donate soon.  We’ll have details soon.  For freshman to get all of their software paid for or a computer.  Duerk Technology Enhancement Award.  Through Cal Poly Foundation

• SEND US INFO IF YOU’VE PASSED any of the ARE Divisions!!!  theStudio at sloArch.com

Cal Poly News

• Chumash show website has been updated
  • http://architectureshow.calpoly.edu/
  • May 29th and 30th
• Portfolio Workshop April 3rd-7th
  • Join Bryan Ridley, Cal Poly Architecture Department lecturer and local practitioner for a FREE five night workshop. Berg Gallery, 7-10pm. Space is limited, contact dodds@calpoly.edu with your interest.
• Evan Collins and Luke Durkin winners of the AIAS/VINYL competition
  • Evan Collins and Luke Durkin were recognized at the in the AIAS/VINYL Institute 2015 Pan American Games Award Pavilion student design competition. For additional information, go to Student News.
  • http://arch.calpoly.edu/news-events/student-news.html
• Hearst Lectures start again next Friday, April 8th
  • Andrew van Leeuwen and Kevin Eckert: Build LLC
  • 4:00pm. Business Rotunda (03-213)
• IDP and Licensure Presentation, Monday April 4th, 6-7pm in the fish bowl gallery
  • http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=110506385630412
• FAA Historic Wineman Hotel Tour
  • Friday at 3pm
  • https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=160461167343541&ref=ts

COOOOL MOW (material of the week)

• Not ready for production yet, but it’s exciting stuff to look forward to:
  • http://news.discovery.com/earth/artificial-leaf-technology-solar-110329.html

General News

• AIAS West Quad
  • The AIAS 2011 West Quad Conference ‘Architecture in the Networked City’ raises the question of how a new generation of architects, planners, and designers can explore networked possibilities for the urban environment. Hosted by the New School of Design
  • April 14th-17th, the conference’s three key note speakers include,
    • Chris Genik Dean of NSAD and principle and co-founder of Daly Genik,
    • Miles Kemp founder and president of Variate Labs, and
    • Geoff Manaugh author of BLDGBLOG.
  • http://www.newschoolwestquad.com/
  • http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=23120962869
  • http://www.facebook.com/aiasnsad
• 2011 ABI scores trail previous index
  • http://www.architectmagazine.com/economic-conditions/abi-report.aspx
  • The first two months of 2011 did not see business conditions as strong as those that prevailed during the last two months of 2010, according to the AIA’s Architecture Billings Index. The February ABI score was 50.6, up slightly from the January reading of 50.0 but down nearly 5 points from the December 2010 ABI score.
• Souto de Moura’s Pritzker
  • http://www.architectmagazine.com/award-winners/jury-selects-eduardo-souto-de-moura-as-2011-pritzker-prize-laureate.aspx
  • Eduardo Souto de Moura of Portugal is the winner of the 2011 Pritzker Architectural Prize. “He has the confidence to use stone that is a thousand years old or to take inspiration from a modern detail by Mies van der Rohe,” Edward Keegan says, noting the jury’s selection. Souto de Moura’s work, primarily located in his native country, includes the conversion of the Santa Maria do Bouro Convent (1997) in Amares, Portugal; Braga Stadium (2000-2003) in Braga, Portugal; the Porto Metro (1997-2005); and the Paula Rêgo Museum (2005-2009) in Cascais, Portugal.
  • A bronze medallion and $100,000 cash award will be presented to Souto de Moura at Washington, D.C.’s Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium.
  • http://www.pritzkerprize.com/index.html
• Willis Tower to become solar farm
  • http://www.grist.org/list/2011-03-22-sears-tower-to-become-giant-solar-farm
  • Chicago’s Willis Tower is scheduled to replace its south-facing windows with ones that will produce power through photovoltaics without appreciably degrading its daylighting or views. Christopher Mims reports that the windows will eventually generate 2 MW of power
• A chat with Cameron Sinclair
  • http://www.theatlantic.com/life/archive/2011/03/a-conversation-with-cameron-sinclair-ceo-of-architecture-for-humanity/72782/
  • Architecture for Humanity’s chief eternal optimist Cameron Sinclair is busy these days. Daniel Fromson reports that that the organization is currently responding to five natural disasters—in Haiti, Chile, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Japan …
• Construction on Largest Wind Farm in Africa to Start in Kenya This Year
  • http://inhabitat.com/construction-on-largest-wind-farm-in-africa-to-start-in-kenya-this-year/
• http://www.aecknowledge.com/
  • just wanting to share this with our listeners

Rapid Fire Questions:

• Cal Poly or Berkeley?  Cal Poly
• Autocad or Revit?  Revit
• Parallel bar or T-Square?  T-square
• Facebook or LinkedIn?  Facebook
• Arch Record, Arch Digest, or Architect?  Architect
• Drafting dots or tape?  Dots
• Yellow trace or white?  White
• Ad Markers or Prisma?  Prisma
• Pen or Pencil?  Pencil
• Mac or PC?  totally MAC!!
• What’s the Meaning of Life?  Stillness

SCORE: 3 angry birds (white bird, small blue bird, yellow bird)

Interview

• What have you been up to since graduation?
  • working at several firms with a variety of building types: schools, commercials, airport, institutional and now commercial
  • currently working at BRR Architects
    • http://www.brrarch.com/
• Advice for the unemployed:
  • staying connected with the profession, talking with people in the industry so they can put a face with the name, continuing to learn and get involved with classes to sharpen your skill set
• How are you liking the work currently?
  • big box retail type work is different and a new building type she’s learning about
• What are you plans for the future?
  • spending time studying for the ARE divisions, Structural Systems coming up!!!
  • would like to expand upon some connections with the City of Oakland with home renovation and such
• Women in architecture:
  • Early Women Architects of the San Francisco Bay Area: The Lives and Work of Fifty Professionals, 1890-1951, Inge Schaefer Horton
  • http://www.womenarchitectsca.com/sources/
  • http://owa-usa.org/
• What advice would you give to current Cal Poly Architecture students?
  • make sure you get some experience with internships and basic office skills, it’s good to know how an office works and how to generally put a set of drawings together
  • getting some construction experience, whether it’s out in the field or for Habitat for Humanity, getting prepared for how buildings go together
    • Lady College in Oakland has a great program where you end up building a house at the end of the course
• Parting words of wisdom and plugs
  • Dance piece she’s attending in the spring:
    • http://www.linesballet.org/lines/sfseason/
    • http://www.linesballet.org/lines/press/releases/spring2011homeseason.pdf
    • http://www.haas-architecture.com/swf/root.swf

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• New Facebook Fans
  • Henry Santos

Cal Poly News

• Chumash Show May 28-30th.  Memorial Day Weekend
  • Kennedy Library turns 30
• Reception 2 p.m. April 8.
  • http://calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2011/March/kennedy.html
• Street Furniture Competition Finalists
  • Cal Poly Architecture Students Nathan Kiatkulpiboone, Emily Ho, Nic Pappas and Karen Wang submission to the Architecture for Humanity Chicago, was a finalist in the Street Furniture Compeition. Their project Swarmbrella was a green canopy that redefines the function of umbrellas.
  • http://www.afh-chicago.org/?page_id=269

General News

• Autodesk unveils 2012 design suite
  • http://www.tenlinks.com/news/PR/AUTODESK/032211_2012_design_suite.htm
  • Watch the webcast
• How architects can help Japan after the earthquake and tsunami
  • http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/article/How-architects-can-help-Japan-after-the-earthquake-and-tsunami/528482.aspx
• In Texas, a Fight Between Architects and Engineers Goes to the State Capitol
  • http://www.architectmagazine.com/legislation/in-texas-a-fight-between-architects-and-engineers.aspx
• “Schools of Tomorrow” Design Competition Winners Announced
  • http://www.edcmag.com/Articles/Industry_News/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000001019596
• In birds vs. buildings, feathered friends gain ground
  • http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/real-estate/in-birds-vs-buildings-feathered-friends-gain-ground/article1572002/

Interview

• Autocad or Revit?  (P) Revit (B) Autocad
• Parallel bar or T-Square?  (P) Parallel (B) Parallel
• Facebook or LinkedIn?  (P) Facebook (B) Facebook
• Arch Record, Arch Digest, or Architect?  (P) Record (B) Car and Driver?  Record
• Drafting dots or tape?  (P) tape (B) tape
• Yellow trace or white?  (P) white (B) white
• Ad Markers or Prisma?  (P) prisma (B) sharpie
• Pen or Pencil?  (P) pen (B) pen
• Mac or PC? (P) PC (B) PC
• What’s the Meaning of Life? (P) Architecture and (B) beer = Beer-catecture
• Cal Poly or Berkeley? (P) Poly (B) Bears!!!  Cal baby!

SCORE: combined score of 251,178.38

Interview

• How long have you been a licenced Architect?
  • (Bob) 19 years, got the notice on his 29th birthday.
  • (Pete) since 1993 or 1994, graduated poly in 1990
• Back in the day…  What  getting your Architecture licence was like in the 90′s, the 12 hour tests and oral exams.
• Getting your license was paramount to becoming an architect
• What motivated you to get your license?
• What is the most challenging part about being an architect?
  • Given the current economy, it’s really staying in business nowadays
  • Being a jack of all trades
• Which school is better?
  • To be continued…

• Japan Study Abroad program cancelled:
  • “Yesterday, after long deliberation, we canceled the program.” – Don Choi
  • Itinerary typically goes to Tokyo and Northern Japan March 24th to June 6th
  • http://arch.calpoly.edu/current/off-campus-programs/fourth-off-japan.html

Dear students,

I regret to say that the Japan Program has been cancelled. This is not a decision we make lightly, but after thorough discussion at all levels of the university, we all agree that we cannot send students to a nation suffering through its worst catastrophe since WWII.

One factor is simply the state of the nation. Thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of people have lost their lives. Hundreds of thousands still occupy emergency shelters. Rolling blackouts will continue for weeks. In all good conscience, we cannot impose on a nation that needs to focus its energy and resources on addressing this calamity.

The second major factor is the clear risk of nuclear catastrophe. There is no way to predict what will happen at the reactors currently in crisis. Every day has brought increasing danger, with reports continually underestimating the difficulty of controlling the reactors. We all hope that they will be brought under control, but we cannot risk anyone’s safety.

I know that all of you are very disappointed. I share your feelings. I developed the Japan program out of my love for the country, my belief in the value of studying abroad, and my desire to help all of you learn and grow. Getting to know many of you this last quarter has only reinforced these feelings.

At a time like this, though, let us all remember the broader context. However inconvenienced and disappointed we may be, our troubles are as nothing compared to the incomprehensible suffering of tens of thousands of victims in Japan.

Don Choi, PhD
Associate Professor
Architecture Department
California Polytechnic State University

• Best of Show competition
  • Best of Show:
    • David Spittler (Fowler Studio)
  • Honorable mentions:
    • Melissa Peter (Neveu Studio)
    • Linsey Wood (Fowler Studio)
    • Brandon Sampson (Cabrinha Studio)
    • Olivia Calalo (Fowler Studio)
    • Jie Liang (Yin Studio)
• Donna Duerk has retired
  • Last class was last Friday
• Dan Penetta passes
  • http://arch.calpoly.edu/people/Dan%20Panetta%201952-2011.html
  • Saturday, March 19th at 11am in the Building 3 – Room 213.
    • Memorial to celebrate Dan’s life: All are welcome to attend and then join friends and family at a reception immediately following the service in the Berg Gallery, Bldg 5.
• Spring quarter starts March 28th

General News

• Japan Earthquake
  • Millions Saved by Good Building Codes
    • http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/12/world/asia/12codes.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
    • http://scienceblogs.com/tfk/2011/03/millions_saved_in_japan_by_goo.php
  • AIA Offers Assistance to Japan’s Architects
    • http://www.dexigner.com/news/22536
  • Architecture for Humanity Japan reconstruction initiative
    • http://architectureforhumanity.org/updates/2011-03-12-sendai-quake-supporting-reconstruction
    • http://earth911.com/news/2011/03/14/architecture-nonprofit-plans-to-help-rebuild-japan/
      • “We are the last responders,” said Executive Director Cameron Sinclair in a statement about AfH’s role in the recovery on the group’s website. “We don’t offer hope; we build solutions.”
      • http://architectureforhumanity.org/programs/2011-sendai-earthquake-and-tsunami
      • Donate to Architecture For Humanity’s Japan Effort
• These types of events always result in a wave of doom and gloom predictions for California
  • http://www.zmescience.com/science/geology/earthquake-japan-california-san-andreas-16032011/

Rapid Fire Questions:

• Cal Poly or Berkeley?  Cal Poly
• Autocad or Revit?  Revit
• Parallel bar or T-Square?  T-square
• Facebook or LinkedIn?  Facebook
• Arch Record, Arch Digest, or Architect?  Arch Record
• Drafting dots or tape?  Drafting dots
• Yellow trace or white?  white trace
• Ad Markers or Prisma? Prisma
• Pen or Pencil?  both
• Mac or PC?  Mac
• What’s the Meaning of Life?  ARCHITECTURE!!

SCORE: %3a1063

Interview

• Why did you choose to study architecture?
  • A High School counselor helped him to decide on that career path
• Why did you pick Cal Poly?
  • It was one of the only schools he got into, had to change majors into the architecture program
• What is the “Best of Show” competition?
  • The top three students from each studio are chosen by the professor or the students in the class, then they display their work and are judged to determine winners, they get an opportunity to explain their project to the judging panel
• How did you first hear about it?  Had you been to a previous “Best of Show”?
  • went to it last year, knew a bit about what to expect
• Did you know what to expect?  Did you set out with a goal to get in the show?
  • not really, just tried not to think about being nervous!
• Did the knowledge of the competition change how you worked this quarter?
  • made him work harder but not necessarily change his design or intent
• Tell us about your project?
  • Transitional Housing Assistance Center for homeless individuals trying to get back on their feet in society.
• What are you thoughts about Tom Fowler’s studio compared to your other design professors?
  • more work than any studio he’s had, but seemed reasonable considering how much he’s learned
• Who do you have for design next quarter and will you try to top yourself?
  • Tom again, it’s a two quarter studio!!!
  • It may be good to develop his project further, spend time on the interiors and circulation
• What are your plans for 4th year?
  • Spring in San Francisco, but talking to Henri about possibly going to China and doing independent study
• Do you plan on getting licenced in the future?
  • “Yes!  Of course… do a lot of people not do that?”

 

Flying houses, glass walls, and transparent concrete, oh my!  The end of the Cal Poly academic quarter is fast approaching and there is a lot going on this week.

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• New Facebook Fans
  • Tim Bullock
  • Satnam Singh
  • Meghdad Attarzadeh

Cal Poly News

• Nicholas Williams
  • New FaceBook page: Slab on Grade
  • A place for architects, builders, developers, and engineers to discuss what is going on in the building industry today.
• Fresno Cal Poly Chapter event this Thursday
  • http://www.calpolylink.com/s/699/index.aspx?sid=699&gid=1&pgid=252&cid=1872&ecid=1872&crid=0&calpgid=13&calcid=772
• Studio reviews on going this week
• “Best of Show” – 5th annual
  • Friday, March 11th, 2011, 8:30am – 6:00pm, Berg Gallery
  • Guest jurors
    • Adriana Cuellar – Cal Poly alumna
      • http://calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2006/August/rome_prize.htm
    • Karen Lohrmann – University of Innsbruck, Austria?
      • http://www.uibk.ac.at/gestaltung/studio1/01_institute/04_lohrmann.html
    • Marcel Sanchez – Woodbury?
      • http://www.woodbury.edu/s/131/mba.aspx?pgid=1406
    • Enrico Como – Enrico Como associates?
• Pecha Kucha Night SLO Vol. 14
  • http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=184957281545503&index=1
  • Friday, March 11 · 7:00pm – 10:00pm
  • Steynberg Gallery, 1531 Monterey Street

COOOOL MOW (material of the week)

• Luccon translucent concrete: an innovative construction material
  • http://www.luccon.com/en/
  • http://www.construction-chemicals.basf.com/en/innovations/Pages/Luccontranslucentconcreteaninnovativeconstructionmaterial.aspx
  • http://www.luccon.com/downloads/Pressetext%20Engl.pdf
  • http://adachchristopher.blogspot.com/2009/07/luccon-translucent-concrete.html
  • LUCCON Light concrete is a combination of modern concrete and embedded fiber optic cables. Fiber upon fiber light is projected through the construction element.

General News

• Up-Inspired Floating House
  • http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/upinspired-floating-house-14
• Passivehaus to our Haus?
  • http://www.metropolismag.com/pov/20110303/passivehaus-to-our-haus
  • “They brought together a variety of professionals and their case studies, working on opposite ends of the spectrum— houses for the wealthy ‘spare no expense group’ and those working with Habitat for Humanity, ‘let’s figure out how to do this for everyone group’. Somewhere in the middle we will meet.”
  • “I’d like to see Passivhaus become more open source with free ware, free online training you can take via YouTube or other social networking sources. Rather than make it a profit and knowledge center for the few, what if it was freely shared and could really impact many? Give away Passivhaus to widely disseminate its great system for the greater good.”
  • http://www.passivehouse.us/passiveHouse/PHIUSHome.html
• Construction of San Francisco’s Transbay Transit Center To Begin This Spring
  • http://archrecord.construction.com/news/2011/03/110307san_francisco_transbay_transit.asp
  • WebCor is the contractor and they are doing cutting edge BIM costing and scheduling analysis
• Carnegie Hall Debuts Detailed Renovation Plans
  • http://archrecord.construction.com/news/2011/03/110302carnegie_hall_renovation.asp
• A Richard Neutra Tribute
  • http://www.architecturaldigest.com/architects/features/2011/04/richard_neutra_slideshow
  • Just 10 slides, but they have a nice write-up with a lot of information
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Neutra
• Bernard Cywinski dies
  • http://articles.philly.com/2011-03-06/news/28657080_1_bohlin-cywinski-jackson-bernard-cywinski-design
  • Philadelphia-based architect Bernard Cywinski, principal in Bohlin Cywynski Jackson, died Wednesday at 70. Newspaper architecture critic Inga Saffron reports that Cywinski partnered with AIA Gold Medal winner Peter Bohlin in 1979 to create a firm that won the AIA Firm Award in 1994
• Ever heard of Guastavino?
  • http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/articles/2011/02/26/rafael_guastavino_the_greatest_architect_youve_never_heard_of/
  • Rafael Guastavino’s elegant tile-arched structures are memorable, but the architect and engineer behind them has remained unknown. Sam Allis reports that MIT associate professor of civil and environmental engineering and architecture John Ochsendorf is trying to change that—with his new book, Guastavino Vaulting: The Art of Structural Tile …
• USGBC Announces New Board of Directors
  • http://www.architectmagazine.com/green-building/usgbc-announces-new-board-of-directors.aspx
• Architect in RMJM’s Princeton Office Lashes Out at Firm Leaders
  • Leaked resignation e-mail accuses CEO Peter Morrison, others of lack of payment
  • http://www.architectmagazine.com/business/architect-in-rmjms-princeton-office-lashes-out-at-firm-leaders.aspx

Taylor Boyle, President of Future Architects of America, and Farid Shahid, Marketing Director of FAA, tell us about the Cuesta College  program and how they started the most active architecture club on the central coast.  Plus, Barbie finally gets a real job.

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• New Associate Producer, Peter Kaupert

Cal Poly News

• Sketch Day in SLO, Feb 27th
  • http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=195362927148191
• Undie Run, March 12th
  • http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=133635123370742
• Studio reviews are starting up again: details on our calendar and the CAED website.
  • Richard Beller, March 2nd
  • Robert Arens
  • Marc Neveu
  • Margot McDonald
  • Donna Duerk
• Hearst Lecture this Friday
  • Philip Beesley Architect Inc.
    • http://www.philipbeesleyarchitect.com/index.html
  • Friday, February 25th, 2011 at 4:00pm
  • Business Rotunda (03-213)

Discussion Point

• A Discourse on Emerging Tectonic Visualization and the Effects of Materiality on Praxis
  or… an essay on the ridiculous way architects talk. 
  • http://www.slate.com/id/2283172/

General News

• A little perspective, thanks to Nick Williams for highlighting this quote!
  • http://www.architectmagazine.com/architects/you-can-do-better.aspx
  • ‎”Is it really difficult being an architect in America? It’s difficult to be a female intellectual in Kandahar. It’s difficult to raise a family living on waste products in the garbage dumps of China. It’s difficult to find your way as a child in Malawi, where the infection rate of HIV/AIDS is 17 percent, having already wiped out a generation of mothers and fathers. It’s difficult to overcome drug addiction from the quicksand of poverty and incarceration in America’s overpopulated prisons. These conditions are difficult. Being an architect is not difficult.” – Bruce Mau
• Barbie finally becomes and Architect
  • http://aia.org/practicing/AIAB087666?dvid=&recspec=AIAB087666
  • http://observersroom.designobserver.com/oblog/entry.html?entry=24718
  • From the comments:
    • “Maybe we should all take a cue from Architect Barbie…stop dressing like we are going to a funeral, taking ourselves too seriously, smile once in a while, and quit whining.” – Jess
    • “…I quite like the philosophical implications of a model-sized figure with her own (scaled-down) model house. Is there a tiny architect Barbie to fit in that little pink model house, a figure who has her *own* scaled-down model house? In which an even smaller Barbie can be found, who has her own… I suppose you could package it as an infinite nesting series, called ‘Homonculus Barbie.’ – James Sanders
• For your next jobsite!
  • https://www.dropcam.com/

Rapid Fire Questions:

• Autocad or Revit? Revit
• Parallel bar or T-Square?  Parallel bar
• Facebook or LinkedIn? Facebook
• Arch Record, Arch Digest, or Architect?  Record
• Drafting dots or tape?  dots
• Yellow trace or white?  yellow
• Ad Markers or Prisma? Ad markers
• Pen or Pencil? pen
• Mac or PC?  Mac
• What’s the Meaning of Life?  fun

SCORE: combined score of 80,006

Interview

• Tell us a little bit about yourselves
  • Farid:  second year at Cuesta
  • Taylor: third year at Cuesta
• How Future Architects of America came to be:
  • started last semester since there wasn’t a club on campus
  • no connection between campus and architecture classes outside of class
  • there used to be an AIAS Chapter, but it was a bit un-active, and due to the money that it takes to keep it going it was too hard to keep the AIAS Chapter going
• Why architecture?
  • Taylor: experience with building houses and clothing design and design in general, architecture was a great direction to move in
  • Farid: building has so many important parts and pieces and can affect society greatly
• Plans after Cuesta?  transfer to Poly?
  • Taylor: goal to transfer to Poly
  • Farid:  applying to Poly in the fall
• Do many of your architecture classmates plan on doing the same?
  • for the most part, but there has been a lot of interest in New School lately as well as out of state
  • Cal Poly is so impacted so it’s important to look outside of Cal Poly
• What is the Architecture program like at Cuesta?
  • first two years of studio time, all work inside the 5 hour studio time, but they’re working on trying to get a classroom open to work at
  • they have to take their projects with them, which can be limiting
  • professors are very helpful in sometimes opening up a classroom on the weekends
  • some profs are also from Cal Poly, some practicing, some also working at Poly
  • have a great group of profs
• More about Future Architects of America:
  • bringing together students in a curriculum level but also a personal side
  • challenges have been getting through the logistics of getting permission to have events and function as a real approved campus club
  • getting the word out has been difficult but having a dedicated marketing director has been a great help and facebook
  • overview of past events
• Goals for Future Architects of America?
  • getting students exposed to all the areas and facets of the industry
  • looking to increase board to bring up first years so the club will continue
  • dive deeper than the local Firms they’ve had great connections with
  • explore sustainability and alternative energy and new building materials further along with partnering with local community
• Personal goals?
  • Farid:  Get into Cal Poly, get licensed, start a firm, make a difference
  • Taylor: To help his Church with designing their new building back home, see people in communities live more conscience and wisely when it comes to building, materials, landscape, passive solar heating/cooling, really live more equally with the environment when it comes to how and why we build

• Christine Ogorsolka Johnson

Cal Poly News

• Hearst Lecture this Friday!
  • Steven Rainville: Olsen Kundig Architects
    Friday, February 11th, 2011 at 4:00pm
    Business Rotunda (03-213)
  • He takes pride in being a generalist architect, with a strong interest in building construction and architectural technologies.
  • http://www.olsonkundigarchitects.com/
• Mentoring Day, last Feb. 5th
  • We are working on getting reports!  Stay tuned.
• NAAB visiting Feb. 12-17.
  • Reception Sunday Feb. 13th 5:30-7pm in Berg Gallery for visiting team, chaired by Stephen Pappas, to interact with students, faculty, CAED and University Administration staff, alumni and local partners.
  • http://www.arch.calpoly.edu/current/naab.html
• Tenure Track Faculty Recruitment
  • Eric Nulman – ARCH 420 Arch History Seminar, ARCH 470 Selected Adv Topics
    • Tuesday, February 22, (Presentation @ 10:15am, Berg Gallery) – http://arch.calpoly.edu/current/documents/Tenure%20Track%20Visits/Itinerary-Nulman-for-posting.pdf
  • Good Luck!!
• 40,000 again want Cal Poly as their school
  • http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2011/01/21/1452907/40000-again-want-cal-poly-as-their.html#ixzz1CwBav2Pg
  • “Don’t ask what’s the minimum I need to do to be eligible for admission, but rather focus on doing all you can to best prepare yourself for tomorrow,’” Maraviglia said.
• Spider building is no more
  • http://cosam.calpoly.edu/gallery/csmgallery.html#groundbreaking
  • Construction on Cal Poly’s Center for Science and Mathematics has entered an impressive stage. The $131 million, 197,000 square-foot building was made possible by $110 million from voter-approved state education bonds and $21 million in private donations to Cal Poly. In late January, heavy equipment and tree crews dug up, potted and moved four decades-old trees to the Cal Poly Leaning Pine Arboretum and one to Science North (Building 53). With the trees safely removed, crews began knocking down the walls of the north wings of the old science and math complex, known affectionately to generations of students as the Spider Building because of its rambling design. Cal Poly staff and students are capturing the demise of the Spider Building on video and in photos.

Discussion Point

• How is the digital medium affecting architecture?
  • http://humanscribbles.blogspot.com/2011/01/when-digital-becomes-physical.html
  • The computer doesn’t tell you how things age over time in physical reality.

• Arch Record; What’s Next: BIM
  • The comments are the most interesting part of this article.
  • http://archrecord.construction.com/features/2011/1101what_now/1101what_next/1101BIM.asp
• BIM is So Last Year
  • http://jasongrant.squarespace.com/jason-grant-blog/2011/1/31/bim-is-so-last-year.html

General News

• China to hold Solar Decathlon in 2013
  • http://www.eco-structure.com/solar-power/china-to-hold-solar-decathlon-in-2013.aspx
  • http://www.solardecathlon.gov/index.html
  • The U.S. Department of Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s National Energy Administration, Peking University, and Applied Materials for the event, reports ECO-STRUCTURE.
• A good concept gone bad?
  • http://www.eco-structure.com/green-standards/a-good-concept-gone-bad.aspx
  • Editor Katie Weeks asks if “sustainability” needs to be retired from the vocabulary and offers a few words on the publication’s new partnership with the American Institute of Architects.
• New Plaintiffs Join Amended LEED Lawsuit
  • http://archrecord.construction.com/news/2011/02/110209LEED-Lawsuit.asp
• New World Sympony: Gehry piles it up
  • http://www.architectmagazine.com/blogs/postdetails.aspx?BlogId=beyondbuildingsblog&PostId=100681
  • Beyond Buildings blogger Aaron Betsky had the opportunity to see Frank Gehry’s New World Symphony building in Miami. What did he think about it? It achieves its goals “with grace, ease, and beauty.”
  • The hall is an abstraction of L.A.’s Disney Hall, at less than one-third the size, and the acoustics are almost as good.
• Former Wright home to be demolished
  • http://www.chicagomag.com/Radar/Deal-Estate/January-2011/Home-Wrecker-Frank-Lloyd-Wrights-Gold-Coast-Love-Nest-Slated-for-Demolition/
  • An 1887 Chicago house that was home to Frank Lloyd Wright in 1914 and 1915 has been sold and now appears slated for demolition. Dennis Rodkin reports that the need for extension renovations means the new, unidentified owner considers their $1.5 million deal strictly a land purchase
• Making kids care about architecture and history
  • http://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/434967_Architecture7.html
  • Phil Freelon recently spoke to a group of students at Houston’s Ryan Middle School. Lisa Gray reports that the North Carolina-based architect was in town to present his rethinking of Emancipation Park at the Menil Collection. The children of the low-performing school all knew of the park—it’s only a few blocks from the school—and the prominent African-American designer explained its long and prominent history within Houston’s black community
  • http://www.freelon.com/people/principals/108
  • SIDE NOTE: National Organization of Minority Architects
    • http://www.noma.net/local/
  • “There are so few of us in architecture, we haven’t developed a distinctive style. Look at music, where the barriers to entry are low: We developed jazz; we developed the blues. But where’s architecture’s Dizzy Gillespie? There just aren’t enough of us.”

• ARE Exams Passed:
  • Nick Leone just passed CDs (he’s passed three others but we’re waiting to hear about those).
    • PPP, SPD, CDS, and SS

Cal Poly News

• No Hearst Lecture this Friday.  Next lecture will be on Feburary 11th with Steven Rainville
• Mentoring Day, this weekend Feb. 5th
• NAAB visiting Feb. 12-17.
  • Reception Sunday Feb. 13th 5:30-7pm in Berg Gallery for visiting team, chaired by Stephen Pappas, to interact with students, faculty, CAED and University Administration staff, alumni and local partners.
  • http://www.arch.calpoly.edu/current/naab.html
• Tenure Track Faculty Recruitment
  • http://arch.calpoly.edu/current/tenure-track-candidates-vists.html
  • Jonathon Foote – ARCH 452 – Arch Design 4.2
    • Monday, January 28 – http://arch.calpoly.edu/current/documents/Tenure%20Track%20Visits/Itinerary-Foote-for-posting.pdf
  • Eric Nulman – ARCH 420 Arch History Seminar, ARCH 470 Selected Adv Topics
    • Tuesday, February 22, (Presentation @ 10:15am, Berg Gallery) – http://arch.calpoly.edu/current/documents/Tenure%20Track%20Visits/Itinerary-Nulman-for-posting.pdf
  • Good Luck!!
• Tom Fowler Named 2010-11 ACSA Distinguished Professor
  • The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) has recognized Professor Tom Fowler with the 2010-2011 ACSA Distinguished Professor Award.
  • Annual award honoring an outstanding individual who has sustained creative achievement in the advancement of architectural education through teaching, design, scholarship, research, or service. Four award winners this year.

Pop Arch

• The Fountainhead – Ayn Rand
  • 1943
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fountainhead
  • Howard Roark vs  Peter Keating
  • Ellsworth Toohey and the media influence of “good” architecture and architects

General News

• NASA’s Sustainability Base,
  • http://www.fastcompany.com/1721519/a-look-inside-nasas-sustainability-base
  • NASA is set to open its “Sustainability Base” in Moffett, Calif., in May.
  • Ariel Schwartz reports that the $20.6 million building is supposed to be the federal government’s most sustainable building, with LEED platinum as its baseline.
  • Two-story, 50,000 square-foot structure was designed by Aecom and William McDonough + Partners
• As boomers turn 65, universal design takes a spotlight
  • http://www.builderonline.com/design/as-boomers-turn-65-universal-design-takes-the-spotlight.aspx
  • Most homes in the U.S. are not designed to accommodate their owners as they get older, writes Jenny Sullivan.
  • Builders are beginning to address the issue.
• Four firms help revitalize Mies
  • http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2011/01/stimulating-modernism-the-feds-give-a-big-boost-to-mies-chicago-federal-center.html
  • Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Chicago Federal Center is undergoing a $276 million renovation, with $155 million of its budget part of the federal stimulus funds
• Michael Graves, artist
  • http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/arts/design/30graves.html?_r=1
  • http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/01/30/arts/design/20110130-graves.html
  • AIA Gold Medal winner Michael Graves now has his first painting exhibition on display at Lawrence, N.J.’s Rider University Art Gallery. Celia McGee reports that “Michael Graves: Landscapes and Still Lifes” focuses on his paintings of architectural and natural forms that he calls “Remembered Landscapes” and “Imagined Landscapes” …

Back to Back Economy News!

• 2010 Foreclosures Increased in 72 Percent of Major Metro Areas
  • http://housingstorm.com/2011/01/2010-foreclosures-increased-in-72-percent-of-major-metro-areas/
  • Las Vegas-Paradise continued to post the nation’s highest metro foreclosure rate, with one in every 9 housing units (10.88 percent) receiving a foreclosure filing in 2010

OR

• 2010 Foreclosure Activity Down in Hardest Hit Markets But Increases in 72 Percent of Major Metros
  • http://www.realtytrac.com/content/press-releases/2010-year-end-us-metro-foreclosure-report-6317
  • “A total of 2,871,891—or one in every 45—homes went into foreclosure last year, up 1.7% from the year before and an increase of 23.2% from 2008,” reports Claire Easley.

AND

• Emersion Design’s growth
  • http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110129/BIZ01/301290020/1076/BIZ/Emersion-Design-grows-in-tough-economy
  • www.emersiondesign.com
  • Norwood, Ohio-based Emersion Design was founded in 2007 but revenue grew from $500,000 in 2007 to $3.5 million last year.
  • “We are focused on clients who give back to the community, instead of just their own commercial interests,” principal Steve Kimball said
  • Aaron Betsky, director of the Cincinnati Art Museum, says that choosing an architect is more like selecting a spouse than hiring an employee.

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Cal Poly News

• Mel Ferris Scholarship Competition 1/27/11
  • http://www.caf-e.org/offgrid.htm
  • Scott Gaudineer will be on campus on Thursday, January 27th, 2011 between 9am and 11am in 21-105B to present the Mel Ferris competition. As an alumnus tufiand member of the Board of Trustees of the California Architectural Foundation (CAF), Scott is committed in seeing many students apply to this prestigious competition and of course WIN
• Hearst Lecture this Friday
  • Mia Lehrer: Mia Lehrer + Associatees
  • Friday, January 28th, 2011 at 4:00pm
  • Business Rotunda (03-213)
  • For additional information, visit Mia Lehrer’s web site.
• Shout out Future Architects of America club.  facebook.com/cuesta.architecture

Catching Up with Teagan (MIT ’08)

• What you’ve been up to since last we talked? (theStudio: Episode 12)
  • Currently working in Philly
  • Working at a Mechanical Engineering firm as a Revit draftsperson
• How is working for an Engineering firm?
  • It’s very efficient, like a 180 from working at an architecture firm
  • It’s more about the information
  • It’s like a puzzle trying to fix your system in the building designed by the architect
• How’s grad school?
  • More than half way through
  • Currently in a Distance Masters program through the Boston Architectural College
• Licensing Goals?
  • Get licensed by 2013
  • Hoping to start up IDP hours again this spring
  • Goal to start taking exams after Grad school is done next year
• What are you plans for the future?
  • Definitely get licensed then figure out what’s next
  • Maybe teaching, maybe historic preservation

General News

• Left Behind: The Ruins of Detroit
  • http://www.etsy.com/storque/handmade-life/left-behind-the-ruins-of-detroit-11659/
• Edgar Tafel, Wright-Trained Architect, Dies at 98
  • http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/25/arts/design/25tafel.html?_r=1&src=twrhp
  • http://www.architectmagazine.com/architect-newswire/edgar-tafels-racine-legacy.aspx?cid=ARCH110119003
  • http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/article_a29b6bd8-2882-11e0-a920-001cc4c002e0.html
  • Died on Jan. 18 at his home in Manhattan. He was 98.
  • Tafel was the last surviving member of the original Taliesin Fellowship, (1932)
  • Worked on Falling Water and Johnson Wax Building
• The Moscow airport attack: Now architects have to worry about airports themselves becoming terrorist targets
  • http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2011/01/airport-security-now-architects-have-to-worry-about-airports-themselves-becoming-terrorist-targets.html
  • http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-moscow-blast-20110125,0,662374.story
• Retail, hotels to lead 2010 rebound
  • http://www.architectmagazine.com/architect-newswire/retail-hotels-to-lead-2012-rebound.aspx?cid=ARCH110119003
  • http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2528002920110125
• The garage suitable for a wedding
  • http://www.architectmagazine.com/architect-newswire/the-garage-suitable-for-a-wedding.aspx?cid=ARCH110125002
  • http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/us/24garage.html?_r=1