Archinect - Forum

Statement of purpose for M.arch at UT austin

2024-11-02T13:40:49-04:00

Hello everyone,

I am applying to UT and am currently working on my Statement of Purpose, which is a critical part of the admissions process. I would appreciate any feedback or comments you might have.

Here is the essay:

The world through an architect’s lens is a captivating fantasy where each form and space crafts a unprecedented experience. From a young age, I have been aware of how architecture shapes & forms our lives. Growing up in a traditional row house in Ahmedabad I always pondered how a central courtyard influenced our daily lives.This curiosity matured into a deeper passion for architecture during my undergraduate studies at Sal School of Architecture. Throughout those formative years i resonated strongly with the quote “ Architecture is a visual art, and the buildings speak for themselves”. This connection intensified while traveling across India, observing the rich visual arts and architecture shaped by its inhabitants. One important example was the Bhunga houses of Kut...

Competitors to issuu.com for sharing portfolio

2024-10-28T12:00:37-04:00

Hey everyone,

Does anyone else feel as though issuu.com gets a bit laggy? Are there any good competitors out there?

Thanks!

What did you learn from studio?

2024-10-21T23:15:00-04:00

What did your school’s studio class teach you that you still apply today, whether in practice or in your way of thinking??

Fundamentals of Architecture

2024-10-21T23:13:33-04:00

What do you believe are the fundamentals of architecture as a profession?

Restrictions on Wooden Screen Facades in NYC - Fire Code?

2024-10-21T04:56:52-04:00

Hello Archinecters,

I was wondering if anyone has any information on the restrictions of wooden screens in New York City due to fire codes? I remember maybe 10 years ago one of my coworkers when I was an intern mentioned that New York City buildings do not allow wooden screens because of combustibility. And then another one said, "Yes, you can do them...they just need to be fireproofed."

And after walking around New York for many years and taking note of facades, I realize that I do not remember any notable buildings with any wooden screens on them.

Does anyone have information on the restrictions of wooden screen facades due to fire code? The percentages of screenage, etc?

Review Custom Home Plan

2024-10-18T14:07:00-04:00

This will be a multi generational living situation. The parents will be on the main floor, and will need wheel chair accessibility.

Basement is where the other 2 family members will be.

The goals where to have a luxurious bathroom and nice kitchens and plenty of room on main floor for wheel chair accessibility.

Thoughts on this custom build plan?

Looking at these plans what would you change or what ideas come to mind? We are trying to be mindful of the cost.

Also we have a mirrored setup due to the costs as they said it would be less expensive for a mirrored type setup.

Thank you!

1-hr rated floor on piers?

2024-10-15T12:20:40-04:00

I am designing my first renovation, for a single-family home, within a setback that requires a 1-hr fire rating at the exterior wall. I have the wall figured out but the floor system is intended to be on piers and I'm trying to find a detail that would work. All of the floor-ceiling assemblies I can find are for ceilings or concrete foundations. Am I stuck doing a concrete foundation or is there a workaround?

I'm unsure whether to continue pursuing architecture and switch to another field.

2024-10-10T11:13:00-04:00

Hi, I recently graduated from my 5 years of architecture school. The journey was tough but also exciting and memorable. But lately my self confidence has hit the rock bottom and I'm wondering maybe I'm not meant to become an Architect. So I'm planning to switch my career options, studying architecture has given me a wide perspective on design and has vastly changed my thinking skills. But is Change good? Am I wasting my time switching career? Will I make it out fine?

Hurricanes and Buildings Thread

2024-10-09T07:56:00-04:00

I posted two pictures in Thread Central last week showing build damage, actually more like product damage, from Hurricane Helene. I’ll repost them in the comments here.

While my heart breaks for the people involved in natural disasters I’m also fascinated by the way storms damage buildings. Please share building-related comments about prepping, damage, and surviving natural phenomena.

Is there a future for 3D-printed structures?

2024-10-05T13:17:48-04:00

Are any architects currently working on a 3D-printed project? - as a designer of environmental custom homes I'm interested in the construction detailing for the permit set - how is fenestration handled such as door and window bucks? - I also wonder how structural reinforcement, electrical races, plumbing, and piping is is detailed or addressed in the design process - do architects see this as a sustainable building technology future or is this process just a trending development?

M Arch Portfolio Critique

2024-10-01T15:32:29-04:00

Hello,

I will be applying to M Arch grad programs for Fall 2025.

I do not have a background in arch or design. My bachelor's is in business.

I am seeking advice on the portfolio linked below that I have worked on.

Any time and advice will be greatly appreciated.

https://issuu.com/scottwolber/...

Need Advice: is a void between rooms a good design idea?

2024-10-01T15:05:00-04:00

Hey everyone!

We recently got the design for our new house from the architect, and we’re a bit unsure about one part of it. In the plan, there’s a void (open space) between the living room and the rooms around it (specifically, the eating room and coffee room). So basically, the living room has this void that connects it to the other spaces, making the area feel more open.

I’d like to add a large window, and the opposite side will be the TV wall.

Would love to hear your experiences and any tips on whether this design feature works well.

Thanks in advance!

Is the architectural profession under siege?

2024-09-21T13:29:58-04:00

Greetings - Was it a mistake to require a masters degree from an NCARB-blessed university (licensed engineers shot this down many years ago)? - Is NCARB controlled or unduly influenced by the AIA? - If you pass the ARE should architects be allowed to ply their trade just like lawyers (after the bar exam) without required hours under a licensed architect? - why is there so much structural racism still within the current system (about 2% of architects are Black)? - Is there any taste for advocacy or major reform from any quarter? - why don't architects stand up for the profession? - respectfully ...

Exposed Steel In Elevator Shaft

2024-09-12T18:01:00-04:00

We have an elevator shaft consisting of 2HR rated shaft wall and metal studs. There is hung intermediate elevator rail support steel in the shaft. Does the hung steel need to be fireproofed or clad over with shaft board, or can the steel be exposed in the shaft? Where in the code would I go to find this?

suggestions for LA?

2024-09-11T10:53:47-04:00

going to be in LA for a couple days on a weekend (driving thru), can you recommend:

1) a neighborhood to stay? [close to experiential stuff...could be beach, Broad museum, or just great sunset cocktails etc. but just there for a little over a full day...we don't need to take in all-the-things...!]

2) must see/do for modern LA [architectural or foodie] on such a short stop?

(not our first visit, won't be our last...looking for what's current from locals)

Designing a data center

2024-09-10T11:53:01-04:00

Any ideas of the best online courses to learn how to design a data center? I've seen some from the uptime institute and cnet, wondering if there are others.

2 hour wall attempt #2

2024-09-08T18:53:52-04:00

Hello All, Before I pass this along to A/E and also have the fire marshal sign off, I hope to get opinions from others who may have seen this scenario before. This is a100 unit senior living development with nine ADA units and and two elevators. Pertaining to my question is the fact that we do not want to install insulation or sheetrock until the roofing is on to protect them from the daily "monsoon" rains that we get in the afternoons and I can't see how we can build up to the roof and follow the detail S-3 to get a 2 hour rated wall.

So...my long winded question is will my mark up showing 2 layers of 5/8 GWB at the stairwell side and 2 layers at the unit side give a two hour seperation.?

...

2 -HR Wall Opinions

2024-09-08T17:58:29-04:00

So...my long winded question is will my mark up showing 2 layers of 5/8 GWB at the stairwell side and 2 layers at the unit side give a two hour seperation.?

...

EDAC or CDT or LEED AP?

2024-08-30T15:50:29-04:00

Hey, I’m trying to decide which certification to get. Please let me know if there’s any that have been useful to your resume and helped get a better pay

Thank you!

Resume/portfolio

2024-08-25T16:06:56-04:00

I’m reworking on my resume and portfolio after 6 years and needing to look at great examples to start off! Could anyone share tips or an example of a good resume and portfolio?

Thanks!

Why is Community & Regional Planning still the stepchild to Architecture?

2024-08-25T10:26:22-04:00

There has been posts where people have questioned their opportunities and their future in the profession as a registered architect - I did pass the ARE but it wouldn't transfer to my home state because I didn't have a five-year professional degree per NCARB requirements - many substantial projects come from Federal, State, Local, and Tribal governments where much project planning work (including site analysis, programming, and budgeting) has already taken place on an administrative level - I have a Masters in Public Administration and a graduate education in Community & Regional Planning and write RFP's for both architectural and planning projects - there is so much opportunity in government service especially with the American Institute of Certified Planner (AICP) designation - your most secure and creative jobs with excellent benefits come from government employment including a secure retirement - as a Building Designer and wide-area Planner I believe this aligned profession has n...

Creative Cloud in Small-ish Firms

2024-08-12T13:41:24-04:00

I’m curious how creative cloud works in other small (less than ~20 people) firms. Do you each get your own creative cloud account from the firm? Do you share transferrable licenses? I’ve worked at a few firms now ranging from 4 to 18 people and have ended up just paying for my own creative cloud account at each one for ease of use because evidently an RFP will be due when the firm account is already in use.

From my experience it seems like the principals who do not use the software don't necessarily understand how the cloud based licensing works and they assume that one personal licenses on the office’s info account (non-transferrable, ie cheaper) is enough for the whole office. This evidently becomes an issue when more people need to be using the software than there are accounts for and it seems like management has been unwilling to pay the extra $90/month/person despite several people attempting to explain the issue and how the programs work. Much of the resistance seems to be from...

AXP Setting Clarity

2024-07-29T13:08:02-04:00

Currently, I work in the design department of major university but I’m not sure how to log this experience in my AXP record. I am in a Designer role and I primarily do design options and drafting DD/CD sets, while the other members of my team are Project Managers. Usually I’m involved on each project to do design work in their place. Our part of the department handles smaller projects that don’t require outside architects so we do the design and sometimes act as GC.

I reached out to NCARB (which wasn’t very helpful), they said that if the firm is a registered architecture firm then it would be Setting A and I can check with my state’s board. The issue is Massachusetts, the state I work in, does not register companies as architecture firms they only register architects. My supervisor is a licensed architect but she is working as a Senior Project Manager.

For my experience, if under the supervision of a licensed architect, would it be Setting A or Setting O because it’s work at a Univer...

Please i need advice about floorplan

2024-07-14T13:03:00-04:00

Hello experts,

I am doing my own project and I have created the following floor plans.
I am a noob so I would like to know if you can find better ways to divide the rooms.
My intention was to build different apartments in one building so that they could be divided in the future by just building a wall.
I am open to any new suggestions please see the pictures.
It is a 3 floor building.

Gluing aluminum flashing on flat surface

2024-07-12T16:18:00-04:00

The overall design is that the front door is about 20" inset from the front wall and the sides of that inset need to be covered, ideally with black metal looking material to match the rest of the trimming around the house

I was planning to use aluminum flashing (need about 20" wide). It needs to remain flat and, perhaps, withstand occasional light bumps. I was thinking of putting some kind of hardybacker backing and then gluing aluminum flashing to it using liquid nails in order to keep it perfectly straight and give little support. But worried about the Aluminum expanding at a different rate in heat and that causing problems. Any thoughts or advice on this? is there an alternative approach or alternative material that would not be cost-prohibitive?

Where in the US can I find a custom motorized wood shutter company?

2024-07-10T13:05:27-04:00

Looking for a company that makes similar products as here: https://www.wooden-blinds.eu/products/outdoor-wooden-blinds/ Looking to embed these shutters on the exterior of full height glass walls and the slats need to be remotely operated both up and down and open and close.

Y'all really hate New Urbanism?

2024-07-08T12:38:00-04:00

A Google search brought me to the Archinect forum, where I was surprised to discover that many forum contributors have a deep disdain for New Urbanism.

This is entirely unexpected.

Enlighten me. Why do architects (seemingly) hate New Urbanism?

Career pivots and a return to architecture -- looking for guidance!

2024-07-07T10:52:58-04:00

Hi there, I'm looking on for some guidance on how to pursue the next step of my career. I have a BS in architecture from Georgia Tech and practiced as an architectural designer for about three years. In 2018 I had an interesting opportunity to get into UI/UX design and have been working in the field as a consultant now for almost six years. It was my hope getting into experience design that I would be able to leverage my background in architecture to think about space design in a different way-- incorporating more research and user centered design to create amazing physical experiences. I haven't really been able to bridge that gap despite my efforts. For the last year or so I've been itching to get back into architecture, I really miss designing spaces (since my job has been much more focused on interface design) and would really like to work on residential spaces. I'm really inspired by the series on Youtube called Never Too Small and I think I would have so much fun working on pr...

Higher Raised Heel Rafter Design

2024-07-06T13:05:00-04:00

Hi, I'm planning on building a house in near future. I want a vented attic with lots of continuous fluffy stuff(R60+) and framed rafters. Wondering if this design with possible modifications has any chance of getting approved by a professional?

The point of it, is raising the top plate for more insulation while countering the force of rafters pushing out.

New Logo Options

2024-06-30T13:05:00-04:00

Hi everyone,

New member here.

I'm a 30 year old architect, and so far I have been working for other companies. As I intend to eventually go solo, and slowly start to develop my own 'thing', I have been thinking about a new logo. I've narrowed it down to these options:

I wanted to keep it simple, preferably not too pretentious, and at the same time to relate it somehow - even if just on an abstract level - to building (structure, mass, etc). Most of them are basically my initials - PA. I'm mostly drawn to a kind of silent, "low-profile" architecture (if possible, with a twist), and my aim is to focus mainly on small scale residential projects (if you find this information helpful at all).

This is a work in progress, and any feedback would be appreciated.

What do you think?

Thank you,