Off and Running

December 1, 2008 | Filed Under Sheldon, Architecture 

I will be able to breath a bit easier in a few weeks. The semester is almost done. It seems the horror stories are at least partly true. I knew going in that it would not be easy. My introduction to architecture school thus far has been full of long hours, a slew of extra and consistent expenses, model-making-madness (complete with Exacto-knife cuts), dozens of abstract and borderline mind-numbing crits, exhausting CAD and rendering classes,  frustrating school policies, and not enough time with family.

But on the flip side, (and there definitely is one) it has been really, really refreshing.  For one, I am out of my comfort zone (which is always a good thing) and thrust into a highly hands-on building process. Imagine “This Old House” and all that. Picture me in a shop, cutting wood and thinking about my fingers and how much I value them. Then up in studio, I’m gluing stuff, thinking about basswood and foam core, what bends well, and googling the closest Hobby Lobby and Home Depot locations. I’m toting sketch books, where I doodle every inspiration. Scribbling joints and angles for my latest project. I’m learning software to render buildings in 3D, using CAD and Revit, Rhino, and Studio Max. I’m literally seeing things in new ways. I can actually start thinking creatively again. Thing is, I haven’t really stopped. It’s just encouraged now. 

So it is, for the most part, an “out-with-theory,” approach. This is the biggest plus for me. There’s no more reading the so-called “works” of godless critical theorists, who create their own french and latin words to puff themselves up, who write a book on something that could be said in three words. And one of the best perks? No more research papers. You see, I’d take an Exacto-knife cut over writing a 30 page paper of propaganda any day. At least with the cut, the blood is genuine. No more enduring indoctrination from the ivory tower. No more from the likes of Marx, Zedong, Althusser, Fish, Lacan, Derrida, and the rest). No more ethnic, gender, socioeconomic-responsive, perversity requirements. Just ARCHITECTURE, that intricate marriage of art and engineering.  No social constructions, just architecture. 

I’ve been inspired by building methods and structures, amazed by traditional and modern approaches, and encouraged by my small attempts to enter this field and make a contribution. And I recently started working PT for UNL. Now that’s kinda like a doctor trying to do a PT job after working in the hospital all day long. But I am grateful for a few hours here and there to help out financially. Also, I take an Institute class that is nearby too. That has been awesome.  

Lots going on. I’ll keep you posted.

PS - (I know I make some loaded statements from time to time. It is what it is.  I don’t belong to the “I’m always right, you’re always wrong,” camp.  But I do have strong opinions and am convinced about them.  We can still be pals if you’re coming from another perspective though.  Anyway, thanks for the read).

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