She Was Beat

When I first arrived on campus in 2000 as an Architecture student, we were greeted by the professors of the College of Design. Mostly men, all Caucasian. They stood before the class and advised us that this wasn't going to be easy. We weren't going to have a normal college student life. We would spend most of our lives in the studio. One guy in particular scared the crap out of me. He said,

"if you have a boyfriend or girlfriend break up with them, if you have a job quit, if you have anything going on other than your curriculum in Architecture you will not make it. Don't even make plans to get married or have kids for the next 5 years. Look around the room, most of you people will not be here by the end of the first semester"

He was right, I didn't see a lot of people after the first semester. And two years later I too was gone. It took a lot of hard work and dedication to be an architecture student. I worked two jobs to be able to pay my bills and pay for supplies for my projects. I didn't get much sleep and on many occasions I worked on projects from the time sun went down until it came up. I even took naps in my car in between classes.

After we got our welcome talk, if that's what you want to call it. A very tall slim well dressed lady walked in with spiked heels. She was one of the only female professors...or was she a counselor?I know she was also an Architect. I can't remember. But she was very smart, very professional and very stylish. When I laid eyes on her I could see that being me. The fashion, the whit, the career. I don't remember her name but I do remember she was beat. It's crazy many years from now she's still somewhat of an inspiration.

I'm Back!

It's been over a month since I've posted on this blog. My apologies.....
I hope to start school March 28th so that means I have six months to get a portfolio together,apply and be ready to start this journey.

I'd been away a while trying to make sure I do want to go back into this industry. My second career choice was Finance in the area of investments. Well Architecture won.

I hope to be relocating by the end of the year to the city where I plan to attend school. I'm nervous and excited all into one. I've both heard and read it can take years to build your reputation as a great Architect but I'm open to many careers under this field,especially education. Professor.Doesn't that sound great.

I'm going to email the college to see what they would expect from me in a portfolio to be admitted into their college of Design. A short goal list will be necessary for this to flow smoothly.

• Pay a debt to my old University so I can gain access to my transcripts
• Prepare a Portfolio
• Apply to the University (and be accepted)
• Have my drafting table shipped to me (currently in my hometown at a friends house who isn't talking to me....sighs)
• Re-up on my drafting, model making, and drawing supplies.
• Check out a book on a Career in Architecture.
• Research Grant opportunities for Architecture students.
• Locate my jump drive that has plenty of old projects and drafted floor plans, blueprints etc.
• Relocate to the L.A area.
• Find a job that offers tuition reimbursement.
• Find a job.
• Tap into it

I'm finally at a point in my life where I can make this finally happen. I have no distractions. No kids, no husband.

Comments and Suggestions below...This is going to be fun.

Sincerely,

Go

Wood, Glass and Class-Something In Common

Manhattan Beach, California Home by Lean Arch



Storage Systems



Diego Dolcini Closed Toe Slip-On's

Museum of Nature & Science plans for Dallas

Talk about a dramatic design for the Museum of Nature & Science in Dallas. Thom Mayne is the name behind this $185 million Perot Museum of Nature and Science at the Victory Park in Dallas! The exciting news is the project is expected to get kicked off this Autumn.



What is being described as a " living educational tool featuring architecture inspired by nature and science" will showcase 180,000 sq ft of "display and archive space" not too far from downtown Dallas! Sweet!



A surprising 80% of the building will be open to the public in which visitors will have access to "10 exhibition galleries, including a children’s museum and outdoor playspace/courtyard; an expansive glass-enclosed lobby and adjacent outdoor terrace with a downtown view; state of the art exhibition gallery designated to host world-class travelling exhibitions; an education wing; large-format, multi-media digital cinema with seating for 300; flexible-space auditorium; public café; retail store; visible exhibit workshops; and offices" For more info..




I would definitely like to add this to my 1000 great Architectural Creations to see! And you?

What would you CR(e)ATE ?

I've relocated to CA to a house full of kids. With kids come items purchased in bulk! As if they were cooking for a cafeteria full of students. For the past month or so I've been eyeing the egg crate trying to think of something I would like to do with them. They've been known to be used to sound proof rooms for music artist. But in the eye of the artist anything goes...

Jewelry (Dana-BerKovich Bracelet)



Home Decor (Lantern by Inhabit)



Paintings



Wall Art




And...Spontaneous Architecture(by Architecture Students Joshua Skarf, Yisca Katz and Rebecca David)










(courtesy of BabelArchitectures.blogspot.com)

I think I would place my thoughts more along the line of wall art or furniture. Art is in the eye of the beholder! What would you CR(e)ATE?

Concrete Stained Floors are Fab

I have always been a fan of concrete stained floors, also known as acid stained floors. They are an elegant look for an inexpensive application! Before I would see them used more in Commercial construction than Residential. But these fabulous floors have made their way in! Here are a few more shots of the acid stained floors!

Some people are using the acid stain on counter tops too but I am not yet sold on that! What do you think?





Ciao!

Los Angeles Art Museum: What a come Back

It's wonderful to see a come back for a museum that suffured "deep layoffs" during this recession. They announced Thursday that they'd raised close to $60 million within the last nine months.

Thanks to Eli Broad who plegded half of those monies. He's known as "Los Angeles's leadng cultural patron. Thank goodness he was there to bail the museum out! He didn't do it alone so I must give credit where credit is due. Charles E. Young (the chief executive of the museum, reported to the Los Angeles Times that the institution 's trustees had contributed another $16.4 million and the the total for the individual patrons were about $3 million.

"I think it means we've come a long way, and we've got a long way to go"-Charles E. Young

I think the museum will do okay! As long as Young doesn't crack under pressure like our boy Jeremy Strick, who reportedly resigned under pressure!

Here are a few pieces from their current exhibitions!


Feathered Edge: A New Installation by Ball-Nogues Studio Exhibit Dates:7/26/09-11/15/09






Öyvind Fahlström Africa Banner 1966 Exhibit Date: Until 9/28/09





A CHANGING RATIO: PAINTING AND SCULPTURE FROM THE COLLECTION Exhibit Dates:3/1/09-9/28/09

Support the Arts! For more information on visiting MOCA: The Museum of Contemporary Arts Please visit their website!