Refections of a Design Build Studio

An interesting studio this was for me now that I think back on it.

Thinking back even further to the 'Dry in House' studio that took place one year ago, things were very different but very much the same. The comparisons are fairly simple; things take longer than originally planned or forecasted. This can be viewed as a problem or as predictable.

The main difference to me was the selection of the members in the studio. Doug H.'s studio required that every interested student summit a portfolio to be reviewed before one was selected into the studio. Yes I know because I heard 10 F'n times, some of you did not have a choice, yes you did, you live in America, and freedom of choice is your right! Italy, is a choice, another school is a choice, talking to Dr. C. is a choice, directed studies is a choice, knowing what you are getting into before you choose a university is your responsibility, so man up little ones!

The problem with Doug's studio was that the construction of the detail did not start until the last month of school. But they had an entire house detailed in very precise drawings, from the core to corner connections. They had 5 students, one with construction experience, 3 girls, and one Vinnie. Here is my point; they were selected for the studio, their portfolio show a coherence for design and drawing.

As for this studio, I have worked in the 'real world' for more than 6 years. I have worked with all demographics, I have worked with people who had little to no skills or experience and I have worked with people who supposedly had much experience and skills, the ones who succeeded were the ones with passion, I worked for 5 weeks with a company for free just for an opportunity to be trained, because it was something that I wanted and it would have been impossible to get a job with them without experience. It was this sacrifice which got me in the door and it was ass busting hard work which kept me there. I know some of you can and would/will do even more than this. But for the one who say, “Who cares”, “so”, “I won’t work for free” etc. good luck succeeding in life. Dear Uber Group + you know who you are, good luck with all of your future projects, not that you need to hear this from me; failure is not something that you consider. Dear the majority of the rest of you, figure out what you are going to do with yourselves. I know it is hard working in groups, studio, outside, and any other place you had difficulties showing up to, but architecture will not be any easier for you. Your lack of dedication, sacrifice, promise, and drive are your characteristics and unfortunately, your parents won’t be able to help you in the real world. Clemson is a place of tradition, and if your parents know somebody who knows somebody, blah, blah, then you can make it through the architecture program. But this is hopefully the only university in the United States where that bullshit is allowed to happen! What I am trying to say is, just because you got/getting your degree (which I will always stand against) doesn't mean you will make it in grad. school or the real world. My advice which I hope you don't take because I don't even want you reading anything I writ, is to reflect on yourselves and hopefully you can figure out what it is you are doing on this earth! Like I said earlier, best wishes Uber group + you know who you are, it has been a great pleasure working with you, and maybe in some strange future we will raise together again. b

DO Work Part II

After watching the first concert, I realized a few things. First, we need pop cicles, that would put our booth over the top!! Second the ground condition is going to be great. The terracing has been hard work (esp. in the rain) but I believe it will help tramendilously! I wish we would have stuck to our original idea of the canopy taking up the entire site. I think the whole site could use a bit of shade. But nonetheless what ever we get accomplished this semester, will have a positive overall effect on both sites!

The Spring Jubliee should be an exciting time...until then, DO Work SON!!!

Do Work...

Spring break was very interesting, we (some of us) did work! We saved the Clemson site from erosion! And in Pendleton we poured a big ass slab of concrete. But really Spring Break this year was a lot more fun than years past, since I usually stayed and worked in studio, so at least this Break I got a lot of sun. And worked on my 22's (biceps)!

Also drew up the plans for the grill, picked on Janis a lot, and recruited more temporary helpers( since it is so damn hard to get work out of some of the slackers) LoL. No but really I did really recruit some more help!

A GROUND BREAKING WEEKEND...

The weekend was full of energy in both groups. First, since both sites broke ground before Monday it appears we are all ahead of schedule. Clemson site mocked up the idea on Friday evening, and Pendleton broke ground Sunday afternoon. Both were achieved with the majority of the groups participation! We had a positive energy the whole time which will hopefully remain with us through the next couple of months.

At Clemson, we collected 300ft of bamboo in less than 30 minutes. Thanks yard in which we collected it from. The journey back to the site with 15 - 20ft poles was also an adventure. Once we erected the poles and triangulated them, we noticed that Brad was right. The installation really was not that big. People stopped by and asked what we were doing and as I explained to them, they were really excited!

At Pendleton, we dug for about 3.5 hours. My M.V.A (most valuable architect) was by far S.Wade, (hell of a digger). Collectivley we got the job done with only a little dirt clump fight! But all and all we had a lot of fun.

Three days after the review...

seemingly the review last Friday was successful! The projects seem to be moving forward and becoming simplified at the same time. New lines are being drawn and areas are becoming defined. With the studio time coming close to an end, I believe everyone is getting very anxious to start building. I, myself understand that this is probably not the best solution or attitude to take towards a project. I think the more we can get done in studio the better. I see it as a design challenge, like every semester before...I would make it in studio, figuring out everything that I could and then make it in the computer. The way I always saw it was, if I could figure out everything before I made it in the computer, then making it in the computer would be simple. On the other hand, I understand we as a group or class have little to no experience in real world construction, although, we do have plenty of design experience. This is why I am glad to see the project becoming more simple and less complex, although wanting to "start making things" should start in studio, working every possible scenario out with 'little sticks' prior to using more expensive building materials on site I believe will be much more beneficial and less expensive. Sometimes jumping into something works, although sometimes it does not. If we are tired of working in studio and think it is easier to just go to the site and start making, I think we might be wrong. But only time will tell...

The Deconstruction and Reconstruction of the Ron Box

The last few days have been very exciting for everyone. We have successful cut down the Ron Box in a series of interesting sections, re-captured the hidden or imbedded doors which lay insided the former Ron Box. Met plenty of the locals as we cooked weenings, drank pop, talked with the cops, and burned 95% of the wood which made the old Ron Box. Yesterday, two days after the bon fire, we built a mock up 1/4 scale version of one of the letters of the new Ron Box. The concrete is still curing and should be ready for its world or studio premiere tonight! More work to come...

Simplifying Pendleton...

Progress of the Pendleton site...the site model has been completed and four renditions for the site have been built and placed in the landscape. Ideas are starting to come together more as a group now than ever. With the completion of the landscape model, people are saying it is easier to think about context. The girls are working on the ron box and us guys are considering concrete. I have brought in a few on my concrete and fiber optic study models from a few years ago, to maybe inspire the ron box or the way we light Pendleton. After today...