sloArch » CalPoly http://www.sloarch.com architecture in the real world Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:30:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Join us every week as we interview Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Architecture alumni and students and talk about the things that matter to us! sloArch no sloArch thestudio@sloarch.com thestudio@sloarch.com (sloArch) 2010 sloArch.com the only podcast for Cal Poly students and alumni CalPoly, San Luis Obispo, Architecture, Alumni, Students, Architect sloArch » CalPoly http://www.sloarch.com/thestudio/TheStudioAlbumArt.jpg http://www.sloarch.com The Studio 59: Killing the Spider http://www.sloarch.com/2011/02/the-studio-59-killing-the-spider/ http://www.sloarch.com/2011/02/the-studio-59-killing-the-spider/#comments Fri, 11 Feb 2011 15:30:07 +0000 Tim Alatorre http://www.sloarch.com/?p=1927

Building 53 demolition is underway, the future of BIM and sustainability are up for debate, and the two Franks are in the news again.  Plus we discuss the shocking truth about minorities in architecture.

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Show Notes

Site News

New Facebook Fans

  • 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
  • 40,000 again want Cal Poly as their school
  • 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

General News

]]> http://www.sloarch.com/2011/02/the-studio-59-killing-the-spider/feed/ 0 Admissions,BIM,CalPoly,China,Frank Gehry,Frank Lloyd Wright,LEED,Minorities,NAAB,Revit,Solar Decathlon,Spider Building Building 53 demolition is underway, the future of BIM and sustainability are up for debate, and the two Franks are in the news again. Plus we discuss the shocking truth about minorities in architecture. Building 53 demolition is underway, the future of BIM and sustainability are up for debate, and the two Franks are in the news again. Plus we discuss the shocking truth about minorities in architecture. sloArch no 5:10 The Studio 28: Disconnected http://www.sloarch.com/2010/07/the-studio-28-disconnected/ http://www.sloarch.com/2010/07/the-studio-28-disconnected/#comments Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:30:54 +0000 Tim Alatorre http://www.sloarch.com/?p=1456

Greg Wynn, Architect, Cal Poly Lecturer and Cal Poly Alumni teaches us a lot!  We discuss how to be a successful Architect, Greg’s theory on life and throw in a story about Dean George Hasslein for good measure.  We also talk about the alumni NAAB survey and saving La Sagrada Familia!

Don’t forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, leave reviews on iTunes, vote for us on Podcast Alley, and follow us on Twitter!

Show Notes

Site News

  • New Facebook Fans
    • Sergio Pena
    • Philip Li
    • Pete Rosado

Cal Poly News:

  • Updates to Architecture Department Sustainability Links:
  • NAAB ALUMNI SURVEY (SUMMER 2010)
    • Strongly Disagree – Disagree – Neutral – Agree – Strongly Agree
    • Industry Readiness – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to make a positive contribution to the workplace as a result of their practice business and practice knowledge.
    • Productivity & Supervision – Recent Cal Poly graduates are productive in the workplace with minimal supervision.
    • Graphic Skills – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to employ appropriate representational media, including freehand sketching and mechanical drafting, to convey essential formal elements at each stage of the programming and design process.
    • Leadership Skills – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to quickly assume project management responsibilities, including but not limited to coordinating communications among all parties, managing personnel and budgets, and administering contractual agreements.
    • Communication Skills – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to speak and write effectively on subject matter contained in the professional curriculum.
    • Computer Skills – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to employ appropriate representational media, including computer technology, to convey essential formal elements at each stage of the programming and design process.
    • Research Skills – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to employ basic methods of data collection and analysis to inform all aspects of the programming and design processes.
    • Critical Thinking Skills – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to make a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of a building, building complex, or urban space.
    • Design Skills – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to apply basic organizational, spatial, structural, and constructional principles to the conception and development of interior and exterior spaces, building elements and components.
    • Collaborative Skills – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to identify and assume divergent roles that maximize individual talents and to cooperate with other professionals when working as members of a design team and in other settings.
    • Detailing Knowledge – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to provide details regarding design specifications, systems, consultants, and materials.
    • Structural Systems Coordination – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to implement and coordinate structural systems, communicate with structural consultants, and integrate all documents.
    • MEP Systems Coordination – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to implement and coordinate MEP systems, communicate with MEP consultants, and integrate all documents.
    • Design Theory – Recent Cal Poly graduates are conversant in principles of architectural design, history or architecture and theory.
    • Quality of Graduates – My company is satisfied with the quality of Cal Poly graduates
    • Comparative Quality – Overall, Cal Poly graduates are stronger when compared to graduates from other universities.

Other News:

Rapid Fire Questions:

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

SCORE: 2,541

Interview

  • Why did you become an Architect?
    • Coming from a very small High School, he got to take drafting and architecture classes and then actually build the house they designed on campus. (Lindsay H.S.)
    • Over the summer they’d auction it off to a contractor that would move the house to the desired location and the proceeds would then go to fund the following year.
    • Cal Poly and Architecture just made sense at that point. It took him 8 years, he was working while going to school.
  • What did you do after graduation?
    • Left to work in Santa Barbara at a medium size firm for 3 1/2 years then came back to SLO to work and eventually teach in 2000.
  • Why did you decide to teach?
    • Was a good opportunity to meet new people and do something different.
    • Great balance of teaching and working.
  • What would you recommend for someone wanting to pursue a career in architecture education?
    • Being a practitioner is very important, it helps create that middle ground of design and practice and it’s great for the university to have that
  • How do you balance your working and teaching schedule?
    • They both influence each other, but you have to work at that balance.
  • What is the worst part of teaching at Cal Poly?
    • Grading is hard, design is so subjective and you have to get into the quality of the design, the effort, the student participation, it’s a very difficult aspect of teaching. It’s about the learning not always the assessment of the learning.
  • What is the best part of teaching at Cal Poly?
    • Getting out of the studio to go visit and see things, walking through buildings, gaining knowledge just from looking at building elements and components.
    • The hands on aspect makes the students light up and absorb the building.
  • What is the one thing that you hope to teach your students?
    • What we do is totally teachable, it’s not a profession where you either have it or you don’t, it’s very process driven so if you can teach the process and teach the “how we do it” part and someone works hard to learn it then they can become a great architect.
    • His role is more of coach and mentor than design instruction.
    • It’s about collaboration and love of the profession.
  • Architect License = License to be Creative
  • One of favorite books: “The Universal Traveler“, Don Koberg, Jim Bagnall
  • What advice would you give the recent graduation class?
    • He writes a lot of letters of recommendation and currently most of those letters are for grad school rather than jobs.
    • If you have the grades and funds to do grad school then pursue that.
    • Things will recover, we’re seeing signs of it now, for the 2nd year students they’re in a great position.
    • For grads it’s great to stay active, even if it’s working construction or doing a kitchen remodel.
    • Be the best that you can at everything you do, even if it’s working in a jewelry store you can still apply the “process”.
    • Shout out to “Rolling Scones” up in the bay area
  • Lengthy talk on being a successful business person in architecture.
    • It’s not that hard, just do it
  • Parting words:
    • This is the best job in the entire world, take a break if you need to, but come back
    • Get your license, that’s the ultimate goal. Then do whatever you want after that.
]]> http://www.sloarch.com/2010/07/the-studio-28-disconnected/feed/ 1 Business,CalPoly,construction,design,Economy,Educational,George Hasslen,Greg Wynn,NAAB,Spain Greg Wynn, Architect, Cal Poly Lecturer and Cal Poly Alumni teaches us a lot! We discuss how to be a successful Architect, Greg's theory on life and throw in a story about Dean George Hasslein for good measure. Greg Wynn, Architect, Cal Poly Lecturer and Cal Poly Alumni teaches us a lot! We discuss how to be a successful Architect, Greg's theory on life and throw in a story about Dean George Hasslein for good measure. We also talk about the alumni NAAB survey and saving La Sagrada Familia! Don't forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, leave reviews on iTunes, vote for us on Podcast Alley, and follow us on Twitter! sloArch no The Studio 23: We’re Outta Here, Live at the Chumash http://www.sloarch.com/2010/06/the-studio-23-were-outta-here-live-at-the-chumash/ http://www.sloarch.com/2010/06/the-studio-23-were-outta-here-live-at-the-chumash/#comments Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:30:41 +0000 Tim Alatorre http://www.sloarch.com/?p=1039

We’re not outta here, we ARE here live at the Chumash Show!  Interviews with Henri de Hahn, John Lange, Eric Nulman, Ed Saliklis, Sean Graff, and many many more!

Don’t forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, leave reviews on iTunes, vote for us on Podcast Alley, and follow us on Twitter!

Show Notes

Site News

  • New Facebook fans!  Thank you!
    • Megan Cassidy
    • Henri DeHahn
    • Julie Zhang
    • Architecture At Cal Poly
    • Carolyn Tam
    • Bianca Pagnucci
    • Erin Ettenger

Interviews

]]> http://www.sloarch.com/2010/06/the-studio-23-were-outta-here-live-at-the-chumash/feed/ 0 CalPoly,Chumash Architecture Show,design,Eric Nulman,Henri DeHahn,John Lange We're not outta here, we ARE here live at the Chumash Show! Interviews with Henri de Hahn, John Lange, Eric Nulman, Ed Saliklis, Sean Graff, and many many more! - Don't forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, We're not outta here, we ARE here live at the Chumash Show! Interviews with Henri de Hahn, John Lange, Eric Nulman, Ed Saliklis, Sean Graff, and many many more! Don't forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, leave reviews on iTunes, vote for us on Podcast Alley, and follow us on Twitter! sloArch no The Studio 22: The Chumash Show http://www.sloarch.com/2010/05/the-studio-22-the-chumash-show/ http://www.sloarch.com/2010/05/the-studio-22-the-chumash-show/#comments Fri, 28 May 2010 14:30:39 +0000 Tim Alatorre http://www.sloarch.com/?p=982

Cal Poly superstar Barry Williams becomes the first faculty member to join us on the show.  Barry has taught at Cal Poly for over 30 years and has been integral to the Chumash Show which is going on today!!

Don’t forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, leave reviews on iTunes, vote for us on Podcast Alley, and follow us on Twitter!

Show Notes

Site News

  • No new Facebook fans :(

Cal Poly News

General News

Rapid Fire Questions:

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

SCORE: 81,400,000 Highest Score Ever!

Interview

  • How did you get started in Architecture?
    • Wrote a paper in 8th grade about what he wanted to be when he grew up, he interviewed a family friend and it went from there
  • Graduated from Cal Poly in 1975
    • Started at Pasadena City College
    • At the time he thought he wouldn’t get into Cal Poly, plus it was a ‘cow-town’ at the time
  • What changes has he seen at Cal Poly from the time he was a student until now?
    • There were about half of the number of students there are now in the program
    • They had a smaller full time professor staff and more architects from around the world that taught for a few years and then moved on.
    • Having more full time staff adds more stability to the program.
    • We took far more engineering and physics classes in the 70′s.
    • NAAB adds additional pressure to today’s program
  • When did you start teaching at Cal Poly? How was the to teaching?
    • He started in 1979
    • He spent his last year of school in Spain, did some construction work in the bay area
    • Met his wife, a SLO native, in Spain and after coming back to visit he was offered the opportunity to teach
    • First class was a perspective class
    • In 1998 he went full time, previously he kept his own practice until recently he’s decided to sell his practice.
  • In 2002 he taught the Washington Alexandria program
    • Through Virginia Tech
    • There aren’t studios, any student can sign up for any professor
  • Being an “Entitled Lecturer” is the footing of the faculty
    • Decided not to become a full professor and hasn’t sought that since because he can come and go and pick the things he wants to do
  • How did you get involved with the Chumash Show?
    • It started as an idea 7 years ago to do a collective show with student work from all of the studios
    • From there, each year it’s built into something bigger and bigger
    • Every year it’s made possible through students volunteering
    • Plus each year, alumni and students that have been in past shows inquire and attend the show
    • The show costs about $10,000 to $13,000 to put on, it goes mainly to the reception for the food and everything
  • How do we donate?
    • Setting up the PayPal account wasn’t able to happen, but hopefully it will happen for next year
  • What advice would you give to graduating seniors?
    • Go to Grad School, given the current state of the economy.
    • If you can’t find a job in the field, find something but stay plugged in, take your AREs
    • There are tangent that you can find for the time being: graphics, marketing, publishing
  • What advice would you give to incoming freshman?
    • Read, be aware of what’s happening around you in architecture
    • Keep a sketchbook
    • Don’t take yourself too serious
    • Look around
  • What advice would you give to Haley? :)
    • Take your AREs!!!
  • What advice would you give to Tim!!
    • Congratulations!!

COME TO THE CHUMASH SHOW!!!!!!!!!!

]]> http://www.sloarch.com/2010/05/the-studio-22-the-chumash-show/feed/ 0 ARE,Barry Williams,CalPoly,Chumash Architecture Show,George Hasslen,NAAB,Spain,Wess Wood Cal Poly superstar Barry Williams becomes the first faculty member to join us on the show. Barry has taught at Cal Poly for over 30 years and has been integral to the Chumash Show which is going on today!! - Don't forget to tell your friends about us, Cal Poly superstar Barry Williams becomes the first faculty member to join us on the show. Barry has taught at Cal Poly for over 30 years and has been integral to the Chumash Show which is going on today!! Don't forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, leave reviews on iTunes, vote for us on Podcast Alley, and follow us on Twitter! sloArch no The Studio 17: The Architect Entrepreneur http://www.sloarch.com/2010/04/the-studio-17-the-architect-entrepreneur/ http://www.sloarch.com/2010/04/the-studio-17-the-architect-entrepreneur/#comments Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:30:48 +0000 Tim Alatorre http://www.sloarch.com/?p=797

Haley is out this week but Elise Drakes fills in as co-host and Seth Pare-Mayer, Kelli Franz, and Alaina McBride join us for an unusual show on Architectural entrepreneurship and how to market yourself.

Don’t forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, leave reviews on iTunes, vote for us on Podcast Alley, and follow us on Twitter!

Show Notes

Site News

  • Tim’s Big News… he passed the California Supplemental Exam!!
  • New Facebook “likers”
    • Chris Allen
    • Chris Foisy

Cal Poly News (no general news this week)

The Show!

  • Seth and Kelli decided to go out on their own the day after graduation
    • Atelier-KS
    • They did their IDP and gained experience with Architects part-time throughout school then they moved to San Francisco and worked for a couple years with firms similar to the type that they wanted to start.
  • Were you scared? Tim is!
    • Never afraid, it was always a goal, and they had good training in the firms they worked for.
    • Seth was laid off at the same time they got a job, that pushed them to go out on their own.
    • Seth has finished the IDP, Kelli is almost done and they are starting to take the ARE’s.
    • Their goal is to do small residential and light commercial projects.
  • How are you getting work?
  • Alaina’s perspective
    • How to use Social Networking for marketing:
    • How to use a Facebook fan page
    • Collaborations – a key marketing trend as a way to offer unique combination services
      • Seth and Kelli have been collaborating with Chris Allen: http://www.cwastudios.com/.  Chris designs and builds custom casework into their residential projects.
      • Building relationships with contractors
  • Kelli and Seth: What is it like to work with contractors right out of school?
    • Worked with other firms and learned not to have an adversarial relationship with the contractor
    • Working towards a common goal
    • Involve builder as soon as possible
    • Sometimes they have better ideas, it’s a give and take
    • Clear communication prevents problems
  • Elise’s question to Seth and Kelli: How do you avoid being taken advantage of (i.e. underpaid and overworked) by Owners because you are young/still gaining experience?
    • Kelli and Seth feel as though they bring energy to their projects, and typically they establish a pay schedule which allows them flexibility to put in as many long hours as needed, while not feeling underworked/overpaid
    • Alaina encourages Seth and Kelli to use their youth as a marketing advantage; older consumer generations are realizing that younger generations are more receptive and skilled at innovative technology
  • Whats the greatest challenge of working on your own?
    • Realization of how long the process is from the first contact to getting a signed contract
  • Where do you splurge and save?
    • Splurged on their desk, made by Chris Allen
    • Save everywhere else they can
    • Many tasks often outsourced by other architects (i.e. photography of projects, editing, website building) are done by Seth and Kelli to lower costs and keep work in-house (Elise’s side note: they are fantastic photographers
  • Alaina’s perspective:
  • Gorilla Marketing = Time, Energy, Imagination, not a large marketing budget
    • The farmer’s market architect is a great example of marketing yourself and gaining contacts to sustain work
    • Linked-In! (www.linkedin.com/) Your profile is highly ranked in Google
  • Some general business advice from Alaina
  • For unemployed designers, you have the skills, design and sell something
    • Ponoko.com – use digital manufacturing to design something to buy or sell directly on the site
    • http://www.etsy.com/ - Make and sell stuff (jewelry, furniture, art)
  • Do Seth and Kelli plan on growing or staying a small firm?
    • They hope to maintain a steady workflow of projects, working side by side, in close contact with people they enjoy collaborating with
    • Seth and Kelli saw a Cal Poly presentation and were inspired by the motto, “Start your career how you want to end your career.”
  • The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It – Michael E. Gerber
  • Get to know your ideal clientèle then you can learn to attract other people like them
  • Baby-boomers are looking to younger professionals to leverage technology which gives younger people a competitive advantage
  • Tim predicts Baroque Architecture being the next big thing
  • Using your cat as your financial adviser; establish a person at your office (fictional or real) as the “financial person”; you want the face of the company to remain loved by all
  • What are our best memories from Cal Poly?
]]> http://www.sloarch.com/2010/04/the-studio-17-the-architect-entrepreneur/feed/ 0 architects,Business,CalPoly,Chris Allen,CSE,CWA Studios,Google,Marketing,Networking,Social Media,Unemployment Haley is out this week but Elise Drakes fills in as co-host and Seth Pare-Mayer, Kelli Franz, and Alaina McBride join us for an unusual show on Architectural entrepreneurship and how to market yourself. - Don't forget to tell your friends about us, Haley is out this week but Elise Drakes fills in as co-host and Seth Pare-Mayer, Kelli Franz, and Alaina McBride join us for an unusual show on Architectural entrepreneurship and how to market yourself. Don't forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, leave reviews on iTunes, vote for us on Podcast Alley, and follow us on Twitter! sloArch no 1:29:34 The Studio 16: Calling From the Future http://www.sloarch.com/2010/04/the-studio-16-calling-from-the-future/ http://www.sloarch.com/2010/04/the-studio-16-calling-from-the-future/#comments Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:30:27 +0000 Tim Alatorre http://www.sloarch.com/?p=791

Kyu Kim, Cal Poly class of  ’08, calls in from the future and from Korea!  As our first international guest Kyu tells us about the Architecture scene in Seoul, what it’s like to work internationally, and explains why he quit his job!

Don’t forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, leave reviews on iTunes, vote for us on Podcast Alley, and follow us on Twitter!

Show Notes

Site News

Cal Poly News

  • Cal Poly’s 17th Annual Open House going on now! 15th – 17th
    • http://studentlife.calpoly.edu/orientation/openhouse/index.asp
    • Open House Highlights
      • HEARST LECTURE SERIES: WILL BRUDER
        • Friday, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Bldg. 3, Rm. 213
        • Apologies to Andea Ponsi (Hearst Lecturer), he is a “he”, not a “she”. We should read our own notes more carefully!
      • DESIGN VILLAGE
        • Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Poly Canyon
        • http://designvillage.calpoly.edu/
        • “This year the participants will be basing their designs on the theme “Landfill Luxury” and will be using mostly reclaimed materials in their projects. The participants will carry their structures up to Poly Canyon, the Architecture Department’s outdoor experimental laboratory, construct and then occupy their structures for the duration of the Open House weekend.”
      • reKINETIC
        • http://lib.calpoly.edu/learningcommons/gallery/10spring/
        • Thursday, April 15 – Sunday, June 6, 2010
        • reKinetic is a group installation featuring Cal Poly students, faculty, and community members with works incorporating reclaimed materials. The result is a dynamic exhibition of innovative installations and sculptures, which respond to their environment either by human interaction, internal mechanism, or natural elements.
        • Alexander Silva’s “Skate Wheel” in Venice Beach
        • Prof. Thomas Fowler’s ARCH 352/33 Third Year Design Studio
        • The case study exploration of kinetic machines and the reuse of recycled or found materials are often starting points in the design studio for inspiring 3rd year architecture students to take different paths for the design of buildings. The use of kinetics can play an important design role in how buildings are conceptualized regarding their envelope system (commonly referred to as “skins”) responses to the environmental effects of sun, sound, wind, etc. The focus during the winter quarter of third year is for students in groups of 3-4 to push the boundaries for exploring the poetics for integrating the kinetics and material systems that are in response to particular environmental effects. Students are then required to use lessons learned from these studies to inform the building design for their won project during the quarter.
    • National Architecture Week!
    • Buildings of Detroit
      • http://buildingsofdetroit.com/aboutus
      • Website created by historian and a photographer
      • Working together to compile the history of significant architecture in Detroit.
      • Photos and background on more than 150 buildings from the past and present. You can view buildings grouped by their names and by their architects.
    • Work for Architects

Rapid Fire Questions

  • Cal Poly or Berkeley? Cal Poly
  • Autocad or Revit? Autocad
  • Parallel bar or T-Square? Parallel bar
  • Facebook or LinkedIn? Facebook
  • Arch Record or Arch Digest? Arch Record
  • Drafting dots or tape? Dots
  • Yellow trace or white? Yellow
  • Ad Markers or Prisma or watercolor? Prisma
  • Pen or Pencil? Pen
  • Mac or PC or BSD? Mac

FINAL SCORE: BSD just because Tim is a nerd and he says so

Interview

  • Why are you in Korea?
    • Currently in Seoul, he was born in Korea and moved to the US when he was young.
    • During his 5th year at Cal Poly he was researching jobs and asked himself some tough questions which led to him seeking out a job in Korea.
    • He had a contact in Korea, after he had taken a trip during one summer to Korea to learn more about Korean Architecture.
  • Why does Ryan Brockett know you? He says “Hi”.
    • Ryan says he takes full responsibility for Kyu moving to Korea.
    • They worked together in San Luis Obispo at RRM for two years.
  • What were some of the difficulties in transitioning to work in Korea?
    • Cal Poly prepares you for architecture everywhere.
    • The language barrier was one of the hardest part even though he speaks.
  • What is the permit process like in Korea? How are the building codes different?
    • He hasn’t had to deal too much with the process, there are still rules and standards but they’re not as strict about following them as they are in the U.S.
    • Overall it is a bit less legal, you can get away with some things you wouldn’t be able to do in the States.
  • Does American Architecture have an influence on the work?
    • There is a lot of international influence in Korea
  • Tell us about your blogs
  • What is he currently doing?
    • He just currently resigned in February to freelance for a bit before he returns back to the U.S.
    • He is currently teaching English to some under privledged kids.
    • Participating in cultural events.
    • Freelance reporting for a local radio station.
    • Making the most of the time he has left in Korea.
  • Does anyone in Korea know how awesome Cal Poly is?
    • He was the only Cal Poly grad in his office, there had been a previous Pomona grad but for the most part most people didn’t know what Cal Poly was.
  • How did your Cal Poly education help you to work in a foreign country?
    • It prepares you to work anywhere in the world
  • What are you planning on doing when you return to the States?
    • Would like to go back into architecture, but doesn’t see it as a priority just yet.
    • Currently logging his IDP hours and will most likely be taking his ARE after he gets back to the U.S.
    • He always knew that he wanted to get licensed eventually once he gets back to the states
  • What advice would you give to current Cal Poly students wanting to go abroad?
    • It definately depends on the situation, always be careful when you’re heading overseas, make sure it’s legit
    • The U.S. is only one country, there are many different ways to do things and amazing places to see
  • You can represent Cal Poly everywhere you go, you are an ambassador for the school and the program
  • What has been the best thing from your time in Korea so far
    • Architecturally, the project type, they really blow your mind and he couldn’t see doing them anywhere else but in Korea
  • Check out the ‘Earth House’
  • How is the Korean concept of a residence different than in the U.S.
    • In the past it was a very traditional house, open courtyard with the house arranged around it.
    • Today it’s more of an apartment, they’re very unique with their own culture and there is more status associated with living in the city in an apartment
    • Arranged around a core rather than off of a hallway so the units have views to the outside
  • Clean air and In N’ Out are the things he misses most about the U.S.
  • Cal Poly makes you who you are, live up your education, have confidence that it has prepares you for whatever you want to do in the world!
]]> http://www.sloarch.com/2010/04/the-studio-16-calling-from-the-future/feed/ 1 CalPoly,China,Detroit,IDP,Korea,Seoul,Thomas Fowler Kyu Kim, Cal Poly class of '08, calls in from the future and from Korea! As our first international guest Kyu tells us about the Architecture scene in Seoul, what it's like to work internationally, and explains why he quit his job! - Kyu Kim, Cal Poly class of '08, calls in from the future and from Korea! As our first international guest Kyu tells us about the Architecture scene in Seoul, what it's like to work internationally, and explains why he quit his job! Don't forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, leave reviews on iTunes, vote for us on Podcast Alley, and follow us on Twitter! sloArch no Cal Poly Architecture Faculty Speak Out http://www.sloarch.com/2010/03/cal-poly-architecture-faculty-speak-out/ http://www.sloarch.com/2010/03/cal-poly-architecture-faculty-speak-out/#comments Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:21:12 +0000 Tim Alatorre http://www.sloarch.com/?p=730 We just found this video that was released in January by the Architecture Department.  It features several Cal Poly Architecture faculty talking about why they love the program.

The video features commentary from:

  • Prof. Howard Weisenthal
  • Prof. Chandrika Jaggia
  • Prof. Emeritus Allan Cooper
  • Prof. Margot McDonald
  • Prof. Thomas Fowler, IV
  • Prof. Tom di Santo
  • Prof. Sandy Stannard
  • Prof. Barry Williams
]]> http://www.sloarch.com/2010/03/cal-poly-architecture-faculty-speak-out/feed/ 0 The Studio 10: Hugging Trees http://www.sloarch.com/2010/03/the-studio-10-hugging-trees/ http://www.sloarch.com/2010/03/the-studio-10-hugging-trees/#comments Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:30:29 +0000 Tim Alatorre http://www.sloarch.com/?p=674

We don’t have a guest! Run for the hills!!  Just news today.  There is lots going on in the Cal Poly community and Haley shares some interesting articles on green architecture.  Tim is getting ready for his CSE!!!!! Good times and full speed ahead!

Don’t forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, leave reviews on iTunes and vote for us on Podcast Alley!

  • We missed questions from the chat room last week, we’re sorry!
  • Get Beth (Wilson) McIntire to redo your resume!  It worked for Tim!
    • Email: ejw24 at hotmail.com
Cal Poly Schedule:
  • March 12 Last day of classes
  • March 15-19 Final Exam Week
  • March 23-28 Academic Holiday

News:

  • Cal Poly Architecture Reception, Irvine, CA
    • Date: Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
    • Location: LPA Irvine: 5161 California Avenue, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92617. Phone (946) 261-1001
    • RSVP: Architecture Department, architecture@calpoly.edu, or (805) 756-1316.
  • LPA Irvine web page: http://www.lpainc.com/
    • Dr. Alfred Jacoby, Director of the Dessau Bauhaus, will be speaking at 6:00 p.m. on the history of the Bauhaus.
    • Cal Poly Architecture Department’s annual AIA Alumni Reception!
    • Date: Thursday, June 10, 2010
    • Location: Miami, Florida (details TBA)
    • RSVP online at: http://www.arch.calpoly.edu/alumni/index.html
  • Department Head’s image gallery
  • Scaling up Solar Power
    • http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/24582/
    • Applied materials makes the equipment needed to produce the biggest solar panels in the world.
    • Explaining how solar units the size of garage doors are made. These large panels could help improve the economics of solar production and are more efficient than smaller panels with one of the highest yields in the industry (about 500 watts each). They also require fewer junction boxes and less cabling.
    • Goal of Applied Materials is to try and lower the cost of production to $1 per watt by the year’s end.
  • Earthquake Rebuilding with Recycled Tires
    • http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/02/earthquake-rebuilding-with-recycled-tire-logs.php
    • Using ‘logs’ made of recycled tires have been successful in civil engineering projects such as sea walls, highway barriers, and erosion control.
    • Material show potential for use in structures needed to resist blasts and other types of impacts, or applications requiring environmental and physical stresses without deterioration.
    • Interesting breakdown of what happens to recycled tires.
    • 300 million tires are disposed of in 2006!!
  • Why Chile is Better Than Haiti at Handling Earthquakes
    • http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1968576,00.html
    • Comparisons between the two countries recent earthquakes, the impacts, damage and casualties are vastly different.
    • MAJOR POINT: The government in Chile forces builders to adhere to rigorous codes. In recent decades Chile has mandated earthquake-proofing for new structures. Materials such as rubber and counterweight features have been incorporated into designs allowing buildings to bend and sway rather than break.
    • As efforts move forward to rebuild Haiti there are reasons to demand adherence to a set of building regulation free from past government corruption and bribery.
    • While the two countries are worlds apart (in GDP and government policy), there are things that can be learned as we move forward with aid to both.
  • The Pei Master
  • How’s the Environment doing? Ask the Buildings
    • http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/02/25/eco.design.tech/index.html
    • Getting a ‘status update’ from intelligent building or structure isn’t so far fetched according to some designers.
    • Interesting ideas of including public involvement in understanding energy useage and offering incentives rewarding good behavior and collective responsibility.
    • Some question the “smarts of smart design”. Think about a park bench that dumps off people that have outstayed their welcome or a trash can the throws unapproved garbage back at you.
    • We talk about ways to make buildings more responsive to user activities in an effort to educate and change behavior.
  • Thanks to all our Facebook fans!
    • Check out http://www.acercas.es/ It’s a great Spanish Revit blog with a community of almost 6,000 persons!
    • They also mentioned us last December which makes them extra cool!

We want your input and contributions!  We are seeking article submissions and segments for the show.  Record your segment and send it to us!

]]> http://www.sloarch.com/2010/03/the-studio-10-hugging-trees/feed/ 0 Bauhaus,CalPoly,Chile,Earthquake,Green Architecture,Haiti,Henri DeHahn,IM Pei,Recycling,Solar Power,Tires We don't have a guest! Run for the hills!! Just news today. There is lots going on in the Cal Poly community and Haley shares some interesting articles on green architecture. Tim is getting ready for his CSE!!!!! Good times and full speed ahead! - We don't have a guest! Run for the hills!! Just news today. There is lots going on in the Cal Poly community and Haley shares some interesting articles on green architecture. Tim is getting ready for his CSE!!!!! Good times and full speed ahead! Don't forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, leave reviews on iTunes and vote for us on Podcast Alley! sloArch no The Studio 9: It’s A Disease http://www.sloarch.com/2010/02/the-studio-9-its-a-disease/ http://www.sloarch.com/2010/02/the-studio-9-its-a-disease/#comments Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:30:12 +0000 Tim Alatorre http://www.sloarch.com/?p=664
Noelle Lee, LEED AP ’08, brings a unique story of lost jobs, world travels, and fighting off “Architecture brain mush”.  She shares what she’s doing to stay connected to the profession while waiting for the economy to recover.

Don’t forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, leave reviews on iTunes and vote for us on Podcast Alley!

Show Notes

News:

  • Last Hearst Lecture for the season, this Friday
    • Scott Marble: Marble Fairbanks
    • Friday, February 26th, 2010, at 4:00pm
    • Business Rotunda, Room 03-213
    • Teaches at Columbia and taught one of the first “paperless” design studios.
    • His Firm website: http://www.marblefairbanks.com/
  • New Practice/Un-Practice
    • As traditional jobs vanish, startups bloom.
    • Recessions tend to accelerate the formation of new firms.
    • Gen X & Y are perhaps better equipped to startup their own practices more than their predecessors were.
    • With the lack of internships and associate positions, they have to set their own career path.
    • Improved technology makes communication more accessible.
    • Many low to no overhead business models are sprouting up across the country.
  • US architecture billings index down in January-AIA by 2.9 pts to 42.5
    • New project inquiries index lowest since July.
    • Lenders set stringent equity requirements.
    • All 4 US geographic regions stayed below 50 in billings for January, as well as 3 of the 4 construction sectors.
    • The AIA’s billings index, begun in 1995, is considered a measure of construction spending nine to 12 months in the future.
    • Billings and Inquiries Indices Last 4 Years
  • AIA Names 9 Recipients for the 2010 Young Architects Award
    • The Award is given to professionals who have been licensed for 10 years or fewer (regardless of age) and have demonstrated leadership as well as made significant contributions to the profession early in their careers.
  • Architects Synthesize Carbon Nanotube Buckypaper
    • http://nanoarchitecture.net/
    • Decker Yeadon Lab Synthesis Video
    • Decker Yeadon, a NY Firm that focuses on applying advanced materials in architecture, has developed a substance called “Buckypaper”
    • Buckypaper is made from carbon nanotubes, or buckytubes.
    • sidenote: carbon nanotubes are cylindrical Fullerenes, sometimes they might also be spherical as in the buckminsterfullerene C60 molecule, regardless of the variety of shapes they come in, all the molecules in the Fullerene family are composed entirely of carbon.
    • This is another reason why Haley LOVES Bucky :)
    • Buckypaper is said to be hundreds of times stronger than steel, it can filter particles, conduct and disperse heat like metals and can conduct electricity.
    • Being the first architects to make Buckypaper, a great deal of interest from the scientific community has surrounded the research of Buckypaper.

Rapid Fire Questions

  • Cal Poly or Berkley? CAL POLY
  • Autocad or Revit? AutoCAD
  • Parallel bar or T-Square? Parrellel bar
  • Facebook or LinkedIn? Facebook
  • Arch Record or Arch Digest? Arch Record
  • Drafting dots or tape? Tape
  • Yellow trace or white? indifferent! – white
  • Ad Markers or Prisma? Prisma
  • Pen or Pencil? Pencil
  • Mac or PC? indifferent!  Again!! – only had PCs, but Cal Poly runs on Mac’s so they’re the same in her book

Score: monosodiumgluteate: MSG

Interview:

  • What is she up to?
    • Graduated in 2008, currently not working in an architecture firm.
    • Prior to graduation she had a job lined up in SLO but a week before graduation the department she was to work in was dissolved.
    • Moved to Idaho, where her sister lives and had a bunch of interviews and things looked promising but most of the firms were waiting to decide on any new hires.
    • Trying to figure out where to go, what to do… currently working as a general manager in a restaurant?
    • Planning to come back to architecture when things turn around.
    • While it’s driving her crazy that she’s not currently working in architecture she’s still trying to stay plugged into architecture by visiting a local firm, Modus Architects, and sitting in on meetings and she used their study materials to get LEED Accredited, this firm is awesome for doing that!!!
    • Entering competitions to stay creative and involved.
    • Arquitectum Competitions and Events
    • Death By Architecture
    • Trying to make the most of keeping her skills and using them so she doesn’t lose touch with the design process.
    • Writing articles, reading articles to keep her mind from “going to mush”.
    • Looking at possibilites to do things locally, like converting an empty lot into an openair market.
  • Are you currently working towards licensure? If so what is your progress?
    • She’d like to get going on it, but money is an issue right now.
    • Haley mentions some resources to work towards your IDP requirements without working in architecture:
    • Refer to NCARB for opportunities to gain IDP experience while unemployed:
    • Use the FREE online resource: the Emerging Professionals Companion, where you can complete activities and exercises that count towards your IDP experience requirements:
    • Attending AIA Continuing Education seminars/lectures can also count towards IDP.
    • But you NEED an NCARB Record to record these hours ($285)
  • Noelle talks about her cross country trip, since she’s unemployed she has time to travel.
    • Being speechless while visiting buildings that she loves and studied in school keeps her inspired and driven.
  • Current observations of economy
    • Directly, trying to make it for the time being until she can find a job in a firm.
  • Any thoughts on Cal Poly grads out in the industry?
    • Love, love, loves her education from Cal Poly!!
    • She feels that her education has given her a great background of design in general, architectural design skills are the mother of all other design skills.
    • Use your vocabulary of design skills can be applied to a myriad of other fields, she’s gotten into jewelry design.
  • Any thoughts on how the program is changing/improving?
    • More integration of technology and having to learn programs on your own as well as the need of hand drawing, it would be good if they offered a whole quarter to learn programs but still emphasized the importance of hand drawing becuase there are still applications where it is appropriate.
  • Is there something you wish you had done or known when you were still at Cal Poly?
    • Wished she would have gotten into IDP at the time she was in school and had interned every summer, so she missed out reporting those hours.
  • What kind of advice can you give to current Cal Poly students?
    • Try to intern as much as you can. Cal Poly teaches you the design aspect, but working in a firm helps you see how a firm really functions and how to apply your drafting skills.
    • Most of the time the job offers you get are from the firms you’ve work for in the past.
    • Take advantage of the work shop.
]]> http://www.sloarch.com/2010/02/the-studio-9-its-a-disease/feed/ 0 CalPoly,Competitions,Idaho,IDP,LEED,Licensure,NCARB,Restaurant,Unemployment Noelle Lee, LEED AP '08, brings a unique story of lost jobs, world travels, and fighting off "Architecture brain mush". She shares what she's doing to stay connected to the profession while waiting for the economy to recover. - Noelle Lee, LEED AP '08, brings a unique story of lost jobs, world travels, and fighting off "Architecture brain mush". She shares what she's doing to stay connected to the profession while waiting for the economy to recover. Don't forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, leave reviews on iTunes and vote for us on Podcast Alley! sloArch no The Studio 7: CalPoly Sounds Okay http://www.sloarch.com/2010/02/the-studio-007-calpoly-sounds-okay/ http://www.sloarch.com/2010/02/the-studio-007-calpoly-sounds-okay/#comments Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:30:50 +0000 Tim Alatorre http://www.sloarch.com/?p=624

Sarah Fleming, President of the Cal Poly Chapter AIAS, and Ben Hait-Campbell, Vice President, share their perspective of the Cal Poly Architecture program today, fill us in on the AIAS, and tell us what happened to the F-Stop!

Don’t forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, leave reviews on iTunes and vote for us on Podcast Alley!

Show Notes

News:

Rapid Fire Questions:

Sarah (S) Ben (B)

  • Favorite James Bond Movie? (S) Goldfinger (B) Quantum of Solice
  • Shaken (B) or stirred (S)?
  • Work at home or in the studio (B, S)?
  • Dexter Lawn (B) or the Kennedy Library (S)?
  • Best place to be on a Friday night? (B) Studio (S) Coffee shop
  • Pismo Beach or Avila Beach (B & S)?
  • Facebook (B & S) or LinkedIn?
  • Yellow trace or white (B & S)?
  • Ad Markers or Prisma (B & S)?
  • Mac or PC (B & S)?

Scores:

  • Sarah: Rubber Band Ball
  • Ben: 5,012.7

Interview:

  • What year are you?
    • Ben – Tom Fowler, 3rd year, straight from H.S.
    • Sarah – Jim Doerfler, 3rd year, transfer from Cuesta
  • Why did you choose Cal Poly Architecture?
    • Ben – one of the schools he got into, from Seattle, picked schools along the westcoast, Cal Poly tuition was more affordable, easier application than Oregon
    • Sarah – from CO. knew in H.S. that out of state tuition would be crazy so planned on going to Cal Poly, but decided to go to Cuesta for a few years to establish residency before transferring to Cal Poly
  • They both agree that Cal Poly has been the perfect place thus far
    • the environment is ideal
    • the architecture program has a great program, you’re surrounded by great people and create a community with your peers
  • What are you working on?
    • Ben – Mind/Body entity in NY
      • working to apply abstract ideas into something tangible
      • Fowler overwhelms with deliverables to help get you working towards the end product
    • Sarah – Aquatic Center in downtown SF (1st and Folsom)
      • actually got to visit the site, large pools/gym/community center, a larger project than usual but fun
      • while in SF they visited SOM and some other firms
  • Do you plan on getting your Architect Licence?
    • Sarah - definitely
    • Ben – maybe, it seems like a very intimidating process, he’s not interested in codes or any of that other stuff, if he could just do cool stuff and get paid for it he would be happy
  • Have you done any internships?
    • Sarah – hopefully going to Switzerland, she had an internship a few summers ago mainly educational work
    • Ben – hasn’t had any internships yet
  • What do you like/dislike about the program?
    • Ben Sarah – registration process for classes, your educational career is dependant on your studio experience,
  • What has been the hardest thing so far?
    • Sarah – balancing classes with a job and extra cirricular activities, finding time to sleep
  • What is the AIAS
    • Sarah – National Organization, four quadrants around the U.S, currently have around 50 members, she also started the Cuesta chapter but students there transfer so the membership fluctuates more
  • Why/How did you become involved?
    • Sarah – Passion for architecture from an early age, while at Cuesta it was a way to start meeting people with similar interests which is how/why she started the Chapter at Cuesta, that involvement carried over to Cal Poly after transferring from Cuesta
    • Ben – As a freshman he just jumped in to get involved and became VP sophmore year
  • Why/How did you become and officers?
    • Sarah – Her experience with the organization made her a natural choice
    • Ben – Second year as VP, working to continue to develop a clear presence and identity on campus
  • What activities, services, resources does the AIAS provide?
    • Ben – They’re putting on the movie nights, brought in local professionals to speak to students about life after graduation, model building in Sequoia Hall, hosted Finnish architecture professions lecture on lighting and architecture,
    • Sarah – Working on Freedom by Design Program: a program where AIAS architecture students go into the homes of elderly citizens and help make their home more accessible such as handrails/ramps. They also bring in career services to speak to students about interview skills and such.
    • http://www.aias.org/advocacy_service/freedom_by_design.php
    • Working to get more involvement and interaction between the classes and years of architecture students
    • While the natural tendancy is to isolate yourself in study, AIAS offers an outlet for architecture students to get that diversity of peers and upper or lower classes
  • F-Stop
    • the tiny forgotten space of the architecture building across the hall from the photo lab
    • They’re working to get the space up and running again as the student lounge and hangout
  • aias.calpoly@gmail.com
  • AIAS Cal Poly Chapter
  • GET INVOLVED!!!
]]> http://www.sloarch.com/2010/02/the-studio-007-calpoly-sounds-okay/feed/ 0 AIAS,CalPoly,Cuesta College,design,F-Stop,Green Architecture,San Luis Obispo Sarah Fleming, President of the Cal Poly Chapter AIAS, and Ben Hait-Campbell, Vice President, share their perspective of the Cal Poly Architecture program today, fill us in on the AIAS, and tell us what happened to the F-Stop! - Sarah Fleming, President of the Cal Poly Chapter AIAS, and Ben Hait-Campbell, Vice President, share their perspective of the Cal Poly Architecture program today, fill us in on the AIAS, and tell us what happened to the F-Stop! Don't forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, leave reviews on iTunes and vote for us on Podcast Alley! sloArch no