Archinect - Arch ENV

E2: A Design Matrix

2011-10-17T02:04:22-04:00

The fourth week of the quarter starts tomorrow and it’s rather incredible the amount of new techniques a brain can process and learn in such a short period of time. During the last couple of weeks we have been expected to design, digitally create, physically build and draw our first project all while balancing the demands of a history, theory and digital modeling class.

During this first quarter most of the first-year grad students are enrolled in 16 units, some in more and some in less depending on prerequisites and previous course completion. The normal course load consists of Ancient and Medieval Arch. History (Lecture 3, Discussion 1), Behavioral Factors in Arch. (4), Intro to Digital Media (2), and probably the most important component, Intro to Arch. Design and Lab (3+3).

Without a doubt the studio aspect of the program has required the most time and has presented the steepest learning curve, especially for me. Hand-drawing an axonometric view of my project was frust...

E1: Intro

2011-10-04T22:04:52-04:00

Recently I embarked on a new professional and personal quest. After deliberating for months and switching my mind between “Yes I’m gonna do it!” and “No I can’t do it!” I have decided for the favorable “Yes I can!”

Last week I finished the first week of a very long (but hopefully fun) three year Master of Architecture program at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona).

But first a bit of context and background:

I am a 23-year-old Mexican American born in the city of Cuernavaca, Morelos, MX. I came to the States at the age of 4 and have lived here since. I come from a working class family of five (mom, dad, brother, sister and me) and an even larger Mexican family that lives both here and back in Mexico.

Like many young boys and girls I was fortunate enough to own a rather large collection of Legos. Looking back I think this was my first encounter with a system of design. I remember how much I loved those things...I still do. But as I grew older I...