The semester just started last week, and I'm already working at school on the weekends, boring my friends with Archispeak, and obsessing in my sketchbook. Commitment or evidence that I should be committed? Yes.

Last semester saw me presenting in my final crit an extremely detailed 3D model, 3 renderings, a fly-thru, practically a CD set in 2D, and no final model. The geometry was simply not buildable using typical modeling techniques. Stereolithography or some other rapid prototyping output was needed.

To never again commit the sin of not having a great final model, I am taking an Industrial Design studio as an elective this semester (Gotta love an interdisciplinary school”¦Go CCA!). Co-taught by designers from IDEO link and CCA's Neal Schwartz link, alternate modelmaking techniques should be an interesting opportunity while we investigate the new meanings of ‘Home' in this decentralized, dematerialized wireless new century.

My main studio is at the center of a very B.Tech semester. All about the envelop, it is. Called Skin, it's taught by CCA's own Kate Simonen (licensed Architect and Structural Engineer link) with Bret Terpeluk (Project Architect for Piano Building Workshop's Academy of Sciences Renovation), Tim Christ (Project Architect for Morphosis' Federal Building in SF), and Christopher Haas (Project Architect for Herzog und deMeuron's De Young Museum). Each of these projects are significant new buildings happening here in San Francisco, and each utilize sophisticated, high performance envelop designs.

Structural Design 2 and Materials/Methods (taught by John A. Raeber, co-author of much of the ARE's Materials/Methods and Codes/Specs exams) round out this semester's technocratic coursework.

After my schedule last semester, my wife has suggested an ‘Architecture School Widow/Widower's Support group'. Any takers?