Applying - M.ARCH
January 22, 2008 | Filed Under Simplify, Architecture, Family | 4 Comments
Aside from the apartment fiasco, I have been laboring away for the last couple of months, on a personal portfolio, along with the other requirements–as I am applying out-of-state to another graduate program in Architecture. I already did my undergraduate work in Utah, and we have been here since 2002. But I took a leave of absence for the arrival of Keane. It was the best thing for me to do at the time. Gave me a chance to step out of school and focus on family and future goals. We decided it was time for a change. Ever since Keane was born, we have been looking seriously at moving. So I have been looking at Midwest-area Architecture programs, because my family is back there. Graduate school takes a lot of work and time. We believe that having family near, will be a smoother experience for everyone (especially Kuei and the boys), while I’m on a site somewhere or in studio all day. Another important consideration is the fact that Brighton has lived in urban areas for most of his years (Downtown SLC, Taipei, etc).
Now Utah, in general, is a great place for kids. Utah is a great place for families. (The Bear Lake area, for example, with the green fields, the farms and mountains, is very beautiful and we love that area). But here in downtown SLC, it is the only city in the whole State with an accredited Architecture program. So Brighton’s day-to-day experiences have been more of the urban variety: Trains, sirens, high-rises. All things that I love. But kids need to stretch their legs more, you know? Run in a field as endless as the horizon. Get away from the ambient light. Children need the ocean, the soil, the fields, the sky. At least that’s what I want my children to grow up experiencing frequently. Our time allows us to experience some of that in Utah, some of the time. But the boys are growing fast, and at this stage in our lives, we’d prefer living in an area a little more serene. Maybe a little boring, mind you, but with family near, it should be worthwhile. Maybe we’re trying to simplify our lives a bit? Probably. So we are likely planning to move this summer to the Midwest (upon my acceptance to an M.ARCH program).
If I get into a graduate program there, we hope to find a house eventually (without the sprinkler head system, of course) for a few years. So I sent out my records (don’t have to take the GRE again, thank goodness) and I got my references lined up, nearly finished tweaking my “statement of purpose.” The thing that is taking some time is making the book. I’m preparing a PDF of my work in Adobe InDesign , then plan to send it off to Lulu to bind a 32-pager in either saddle-stitch or perfect. It will be a nice 8.5 x 8.5 (square) full-color presentation. Then it’s two months of waiting…
Sketching
December 4, 2007 | Filed Under Sheldon, Architecture, Brighton | 3 Comments
I was introduced to Chartpak’s and Prismacolor ad markers at school and needed to get a set of some good architectural tones for sketching, along with technical pens. There are so many tools for illustration out there, and while today, most of the same techniques can be replicated pretty easily digitally, (using something like Photoshop/Illustrator and then adjusting opacity on a digital airbrush)…there is still something about getting a perfectly weighted piece of paper under your hands, and twisting the cap off of a pen/ad marker that bleeds color and style into the paper quicker than any stylus. I love to sketch, and have a lot of scribbles on scraps of paper, notebooks, etc., and needed to break in some Chartpak’s for a portfolio. You can never have too many inky pens too. The ad markers really are great tools, and the only drawback is the ‘marker smell’ so you have to crack a window or else you’ll be getting dizzy in no time. (On that note, anyone out there come across professional ad markers/paint pens that are more organic/less chemical, and still produce quality results…let me know).
By the way, Brighton is also big on sketching…and really good at it!
Pics from Conference
October 24, 2007 | Filed Under Architecture, Church, Family | 1 Comment
Here are some pictures that Kuei took that I think are great. The boys are on a blanket in the living room, looking at books and stuff, while General Conference was playing on TV. Even after living in Utah for a while now, I still think its pretty awesome we can watch it on the local channels. Pretty neat about the new callings, especially Pres. Eyring, by the way.
I took TRAX to Temple Square and saw Priesthood Conference in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (oddly enough, for the first time there, previously I’d attend at the Tabernacle). While on the train, I ran into my buddy, Hans. We met up with his brother Andy too. It was good talking with them. Hans and I were home-teachers back in the day, and he’s awesome. We had some time to throw around some thoughts on architecture too, which is always good (Andy is doing his undergrad right now, and Hans is a designer).
After the Sunday sessions, we had some time to take a walk around Temple Square. The sun was setting and making some great colors on the buildings. We had a good time, but we had to cut it short because it started getting cold. Have a look HERE for more Pictures.
Good for the Soul
May 1, 2007 | Filed Under Architecture, Made of Sun | 3 Comments
It’s calling us back…again. We’ve got the itch. Maybe we can make it up to Bear Lake, at least, this summer sometime and fool our senses a bit there. There’s nothing like the ocean in the summer. When we took our visit to California a few years back, most of the time we visited the beaches. La Jolla, Mission, Silver Strand, etc. It’s the best. Brighton was the perfect age too. Old enough to remember, but young enough to still be amazed by the back and forth of the waves, and giggling at the squishiness of the sand between his toes. Every kid should have that experience. Again and again.
Not only is it fun, but everything testifies of Christ. The seasons, for instance, or the intricacy of the human body. The universe especially. Some people see a majestic snow-capped mountain or an area of pristine countryside, and contemplate the love and power of God. While I certainly understand those feelings, with me, it’s the sheer expansiveness of the ocean and the depth and rhythm of the sea. When I was pretty young, I remember going out on a boat with friends, and navigating out to a secluded spot, we’d jump out into the warm water, swimming, floating on our backs. Nothing but the sky above us, and the water below. I loved the colors and the way the light would bend and sparkle on the water. I can spend hours on the beach too. Sitting on the sand or simply walking the coastline, just thinking, praying, planning. It’s my favorite place to be outdoors.
Growing up in the midwest, I remember lots of fields, and the flat landscape going on for miles (there’s probably a strong correlation there with why I dig the ocean). I really valued the stillness too. We lived in a pretty rural area, and when it got dark, there was zero ambient light. I’d stretch out on our deck or on a blanket flat on my back, and just stare into a black sky full of stars. God really surrounds us with so many examples of His existence. There are so many opportunities to tap into that wonderous way of looking at life.
Now there are times when I thrive, and feel completely invigorated while in a vibrant, fluid urban scene too. This is why I love cities. But there is definately a time for pondering, meditation, and there are many places where this can be achieved. I love the simple passages in the New Testament that talk about how Christ went away often to the mountain to pray. And when He’s walking on the sea…I love the idea of Him just walking on the water and talking with the Father, don’t you?
By the way, when we were in Taipei, we went to this great bookstore in the Taipei 101 called PageOne. It’s awesome. I’ve long been fascinated by Aegean architecture, and I bought a book (its all in Chinese and the photos are great) including the vernacular (pictured above). Let’s just say that our next international rendezvous will be to that part of the world visiting Santorini and Mykonos and other islands there. Bouncing around dense white-washed buildings and narrow streets, watching the sunrise/set atop a terraced community, hundreds of feet above the water—now that is something we have to do.
Earth-like? 10, 9, 8…
April 26, 2007 | Filed Under Architecture, Futurist, Church | 3 Comments
Maybe you’ve heard: scientists have discovered some interesting details about a planet 20 light years away, and of course the buzz is that it may be habitable, as it is believed to have similar tempertures to our earth and that it may have liquid water too. Oh, and does anyone else get the urge to play some Jamiroquai after hearing about all this space stuff? 
CNN didn’t think much of the discovery (but who really is hanging on every word they write anyway?) In any case, I like reading about this stuff.
But that’s just because I’m a bit of a futurist at heart and the whole idea of people blasting off into outer space to visit other worlds (growing up with Star Wars and Back to the Future will do that to you) is just plain cool.
As it happens, my focus at school is very much aligned with this type of idealism–clean cities, advanced building technology, architecture that integrates renewables, etc. There are a lot of modernists out there, but that crowd is a mixed bag, and I don’t know if I fall into that category. My undergrad in city planning cured me of the Le Corbusier-like architectural perspective and for that I’m grateful, but you have to appreciate the overall concept. Flying cars and all that. So I’m on board with people like Richard Branson, and others, who want to push the envelope.
Of course, when stories like these come around, the planet discoveries anyway, I tend to think about the these verses in Moses 1:
30 And it came to pass that Moses called upon God, saying: Tell me, I pray thee, why these things are so, and by what thou madest them?
31 And behold, the glory of the Lord was upon Moses, so that Moses stood in the presence of God, and talked with him face to face. And the Lord God said unto Moses: For mine own purpose have I made these things. Here is wisdom and it remaineth in me.
32 And by the word of my power, have I created them, which is mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth.
33 And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten.
34 And the first man of all men have I called Adam, which is many.
35 But only an account of this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, give I unto you. For behold, there are many worlds that have passed away by the word of my power. And there are many that now stand, and innumerable are they unto man; but all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them.
36 And it came to pass that Moses spake unto the Lord, saying: Be merciful unto thy servant, O God, and tell me concerning this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, and also the heavens, and then thy servant will be content.
37 And the Lord God spake unto Moses, saying: The heavens, they are many, and they cannot be numbered unto man; but they are numbered unto me, for they are mine.
38 And as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof even so shall another come; and there is no end to my works, neither to my words.
39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
Having the added perspective that comes from the restored gospel makes all of these things much more interesting to contemplate, don’t you think?