Oct '06 - Dec '06
Given that the purpose of this blog from the outset was to provide a glimpse into the school application process, I suppose I should get around to actually talking about schools and my impressions of them. So without further ado, I bring you:
My visit to the University of Cincinnati Department of Art, Architecture and Planning, School of Architecture and Interior Design (whew) aka, UC DAAP SAID. Given how much architects seem to love acronyms (anyone know the first firm that went acronymous?), these folks are really pushing the boundaries. I eagerly await the next vanguard- the quadronym. Please tell me that there is a firm or academy called POOP. Otherwise, I call it. In reference to the aforementioned, UC DAAP SAID is far from it.
I was attracted to the program by its reputation and because of the COOP system. I'm from the Midwest, so the location isn't such an issue, although I'll admit that New York has rubbed off on me, and the prospect of leaving gives me pause. Plus, I know nothing about Cincinnati. I dragged my girlfriend along as a second pair of eyes, and by then end of it she was ready to apply, if that's any indication of how the Open House went.
A quick digression before I jump into it- I've decided to try a running theme for this blog, at least with the school visit posts. I'm picking a particular shape or geometric metaphor to typify each place, and Cincinnati definitely gets the title Crazy Angles. If you've been to the new campus or Zaha Hadid's CCA, you'll know what I mean- everything is laid out with some extreme obliquity or acuity. The lazy old right angle is capital "D" DEAD here. Maybe it's because of the hills, but a natural linear vista, when encountered, feels out of place. The downtown is small, so the grid is a minor player.
We stayed in downtown Cincinnati and were running late for an appointment with a prof when we arrived at the campus. Since UC is built on a hill and seems to have embraced its vertical variation, I couldn't figure out how to get out of the parking structure. After lots of running up and down stairs, we discovered the ground plane and made our way to Aranoff.
Eisenman's building keeps the circulatory mayhem flowing for the newcomer. Like a Tarkovsky film, it's not an experience that you can pick up and totally get in the first go-around. It's a laudable approach, and a pretty ballsy one to apply to a working structure that people have to use. So I spent a good amount of time in Aranoff running up and down stairs and trying to find the appropriate elevator. After the meeting, there was some more confusion as to how to get from Level 7000 to Level 1000. Roped descent or a few controlled leaps from balconies were considered, but ultimately abandoned.
After perusing some student projects, we were served lunch and got to meet some local practitioners and UC Faculty. Right off the bat- everyone at UC seems to be disarmingly nice and approachable. After hearing of my background as a freelance graphic and web designer, One of the profs told me that I should come to UC because their website needs work. Sounds good to me.
After lunch, the standard lecture series- institutional summation, program highlights, why we are the best, etc. Not a ton of architecture-speak was thrown about. They also described the CERHAS and CDRI research centers, and the Community Design Center. The benefits and structure of COOP were also explained. One of the encouraging points made was their perception of grad students- at UC, you are considered more a colleague than a student, so the professors are there to support your own wants and interests, to help you develop as opposed to shaping you into some likeness.
During a break, further time was given to interact with students and faculty, and I had a great conversation with Aarati Kanekar, a professor who focuses on architectural theory. We discussed the death of DeCon, Libeskind's work, and current trends. After describing my own divergent design interests, which range from ubiquitous computing to the shadow slum cities of the developing world, she told me I was schizophrenic, which I took as a compliment.
There was another presentation on the COOP program, and an incredibly informative presentation on financing graduate education, which basically broke down the costs in a really intuitive manner. UC, being a state school, really does smack the pants off private institutions when it comes to cost, and they seem to be pretty generous with the Assistantships.
After all of the presentations, one of the current students took us on a tour of the studios. The new MArchs had their own space and were working on a bunch of study models. Minimal computational work, as far as I could tell. Even in the more senior studios, there was still a decent amount of hand drawing and modeling to be found. A small group of us was treated to a further tour of the facilities by the graduate director, Patricia Kucker, which I thought was unusually welcoming. The faculty and administration actually seems to care about the students...
In the end, I liked UC DAAP SAID. It's the first school of many to be visited, so the jury's still out, but I liked the approachability and engagement of the faculty, the dynamic nature of the relatively young grad program, and the opportunities provided by the COOP program.
Next stop, UPenn.
*Quick Note*
I was REALLY surprised and flattered to be chosen for the Featured School Blog this week, especially since I just started. It makes me feel like this little experiment is worth it. Please do post commentary- if you think my impressions of your institution are wrong, say it. And if you agree, let me know, too. Thanks for reading.
8 Comments
another great post, geimanj. i'm going to enjoy reading about your school search because you seem to look for the same things i would.
appreciate your ability to sythesize what you've seen/heard into both a meaningful and entertaining narrative.
Glad you enjoyed your visit. After a few years here, those crazy angles become sort of endearing, and you just resign yourself to say, "Oh Peter, you silly old bat. . ."
Oh, and there's a slight error in your break-down of our acronyms. DAAP stands for College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. The graphic, industrial and fashion designers'll get pissed if you forget them.
don't go to a school that wants to exploit your graphics expertice for the sake of their website - that is just wrong.
peter has always been a silly old bat.
I'm quite certain whoever that professor was wasn't serious about having him re-design the website. (Thought I wouldn't be surprised if they would let him do that as a graduate assistanceship if he wanted.) Our School of Design is very well respected and if SAID actually cared about the website (and based on it having never been completely up-to-date in my entire tenure here, they don't) they'd get some expertise from SoD.
I'm quite certain whoever that professor was wasn't serious about having him re-design the website. (Thought I wouldn't be surprised if they would let him do that as a graduate assistanceship if he wanted.) Our School of Design is very well respected and if SAID actually cared about the website (and based on it having never been completely up-to-date in my entire tenure here, they don't) they'd get some expertise from SoD.
The ACT Mecca...
Great review! I'm sure this blog is going to be enormously helpful to me when I'm looking at schools, if it's still up. It's *really* nice to hear something of actual substance about these schools, other than the usual fingerpointing. Refreshing! Thanks!
as a current UC grad student, I find one part of your visit absolutely laughable:
"One of the encouraging points made was their perception of grad students- at UC, you are considered more a colleague than a student, so the professors are there to support your own wants and interests, to help you develop as opposed to shaping you into some likeness."
you should know that this is couldnt be further from the truth, and i have spent considerable time struggling against the administration trying to do just that. this institution recognizes that is gets its high marks on the ranking from the COOP, and propogates it by producing like-minded students that can easily assimilate into the work world. one of the professors here put it best: "at some schools students are taught to think, at UC students are taught to listen."
furthermore, they may seem generous - "and they seem to be pretty generous with the Assistantships" - but actually all the current GAs went to undergrad here, because it's the best program in the country, in case you havent heard.
the decision on where to go to school is your own, but if i were to do it again, I WOULD NOT BE AT THE UNVIERSITY OF CINCINNATI!
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.