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clerestory strip™

Hi Soleil,

Thank you for the very informative post. Two questions for you....
1. Are you still working in RM's office?
and
2. Why should I not get into the elevator with him if I'm female?
I know I'm probably going to have my feelings hurt by this last one, but I'm still curious....

I'm glad he opened the model gallery up to the public-I've always wondered where all those models ended up after the job was completed, and I'd love the chance to check out some of the fabulous work he and his staff have done. Too bad I live 1000 miles away....if I had the time and money I'd be there tomorrow:) I have a lot of respect for the model builders, and I know I am always in awe each time I have the privelage to view a beautiful model :)

Jun 25, 07 5:20 pm  · 
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soleil

1. yup - for almost 4 years now
2. sorry, not going to go into specifics on that one - tempting as it may be - you'll be hard pressed to find anyone who's currently employed here (or anywhere else that such rumors may apply - cause that stuff isn't limited to this office, for sure) to put that sort of thing in writing.

A.870 - are you still in school? recent grad?

Jun 25, 07 6:37 pm  · 
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redchairs

Hey Soleil! Say hi to Justina!!!

Jun 25, 07 6:45 pm  · 
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dml955i

What's it like working there now that many of the main designers/managers have jumped ship to go to Thom Phifer's office?

Jun 25, 07 6:48 pm  · 
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soleil

hi redchairs - will do :)

dml - i've got no basis for comparison - those guys were gone by the time i arrived...

Jun 25, 07 7:39 pm  · 
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clerestory strip™

Hi Soleil, Thanks for the reply. I totally understand....

I am not employed in the architectural field, or a graduate of an arch. school, however I am debating whether or not to make the big jump and go for it. I have always adored architecture and have dreamed up designs for countless buildings(ever since I was little) but I hesitated in pursuiting (sp) a career in it because of math-o-phobia and the fact I'm too darn sensitive...I've heard it's a difficult career field to flourish in and it's even tougher for women and minorities (I'm both) so I'm not sure I have the backbone for it.
What have your experiences been?

Jun 25, 07 8:09 pm  · 
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redchairs

Marry rich!

Jun 25, 07 8:25 pm  · 
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snooker

and remember....don't cheat! Cause you will get Caught~~~~~~

Jun 25, 07 8:40 pm  · 
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clerestory strip™

Hmmm...marry rich...if I could marry at all it would be a good thing :(

Jun 25, 07 8:48 pm  · 
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soleil

hmmm...A.870, good questions
I'll try to keep it brief, but thats not a strong suit of mine
(hence, I don't post here particularly often)

if i had to do it all over again I'd have gotten my MBA, gone to work for goldman sachs at age 22, averaged $400K/year over 5-7 years and THEN gone to school for architecture, watching my bankroll grow while i built models. (that assumes that i would have had the discipline to save the money too - which is rather unlikely!)

That said, i couldn't imagine doing anything else (well, except making more money, i imagine that all the time) but you have to define the word flourish for yourself, you know? for some people that means money, for others its job satisfaction or having a family - its a very personal thing - the business of flourishing.

I too am a very sensitive person (and a woman) - studio/school didn't beat it out of me (sensitivity OR feminity!), nor did it kill me - it just taught me that being sensitive has a time and a place (this lesson is quite useful for dating too - i'm sure the gentlemen of archinect will agree). You'll learn to take and issue constructive criticism sooner or later - particularly once you understand that criticism is issued with your/the projects' improvement in mind. Its not about beating you down at all (well, it shouldn't be - i can speak for every lame-o professor or supervisor out there).

As far as the math-o-phobia goes - no excuse. Use a calculator - I have two in my desk - there's even such a thing as a foot-inch calculator (google it). So your grades in structures, physics and calculus won't be the best - - -- seriously - who cares? (no one) just get through them and stop telling yourself you can't do it - you'll only prove yourself right!

oh yeah
and what redchairs said...
marry rich!
(or maybe marry rich(ard?!))
heh heh heh ;)

Jun 26, 07 6:24 pm  · 
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redchairs

hey hey hey! EEEEE-Z!
Working with him is just enough and fine for me!

Jun 26, 07 6:49 pm  · 
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soleil

A.870 - one more thing - if you're seriously considering a career change why don't you take a summer career exploration studio (usually just a couple weeks long)? I know that the GSD (Harvard) offers one so does the University of Florida School of Arch (its called the Design Exploration Program and its terrific - of course, i'm totally biased). If there's a university nearby with an arch program, chances are they offer such a thing - call their office or look it up on their website...

Jun 26, 07 6:49 pm  · 
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soleil

oh, red, no!
i wasn't insinuating that YOU should marry him...
But maybe Architectress...?

Jun 26, 07 7:00 pm  · 
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redchairs

I don't think RM will be getting married again....

Jun 26, 07 7:07 pm  · 
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soleil

yeah - you're probably right - - --
sorry if i got anyone's hopes up ;)

Jun 26, 07 7:12 pm  · 
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AP

i've heard plenty of rumors, but would redchairs or soleil care to share, in relative terms (relative to the rest of NYC), how the work:compensation ratio is at RMA?

Jun 26, 07 7:45 pm  · 
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redchairs

I don't work in the NYC office, and if I did, I do not think it is apporpriate to do so...sorry!

Jun 26, 07 7:48 pm  · 
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sameolddoctor

hmm, just checking in, you guys talking of the same richard meier who made the getty look like an office park, right?

Jun 26, 07 8:44 pm  · 
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redchairs

ai yi yi - not that old line! Apparently you have not had the pleasure of visiting....

Jun 26, 07 8:46 pm  · 
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vado retro

the calculator with foot and inches is typically referred to as a building trades calculator. they sell em at radio shack.

Jun 26, 07 9:17 pm  · 
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AP

redchairs, that's why i worded the question the way i did, to allow for whatever sort of answer was comfortable...not asking for anything specific...although i understand your hesitation. all the best.

Jun 26, 07 9:53 pm  · 
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coedname-X

getty center is a monument to crap... worst way to occupy a dominant hilltop. his vignettes on it are fit for a shopping mall. getty is an filthy rich institution and they picked up the appropriate architect to do their deed.
i am one of many los angelites who dislikes it.
that garden the architect hates, has more balls than all the buildings combined. it can be adopted to be a future hospital if all the countries whose artifacts are stolen, successfuly sue the getty.

Jun 26, 07 10:29 pm  · 
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snooker

Ya like all the museums are going to give back their collections to the third world countries....and the lower 2nd world countries.....just will not happen I'm afraid.

Jun 26, 07 10:44 pm  · 
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soleil

...like it or hate it, the fact remains that you're talking about it.
and if you follow the theory that there is no such thing as bad press - - -- guess who wins?

Jun 26, 07 11:42 pm  · 
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clerestory strip™

Hey Soleil, thanks for the wonderfully informative post...lol @ marry Richard...unfortunately, I don't think I'm his type-he wants Nicole Kidman to be his celebrity intern, not Queen Latifah...

I think the summer career exploration studio sounds like a great idea-however, the nearest school that offers architecture is a couple of hundred miles away and I am really strapped for cash. So strapped, that if I missed more than two weeks of work I'd be in serious trouble financially.

There is a two-year college that offers an Architectural Engineering programme just down the street from me...I have been eyeing the catalogue and trying to decide whether or not it would be worth my time enrolling-I realise it's not nearly the same thing as a Master's from a university, but I am wondering if I had a chance of at least getting my foot in the door and gaining some experience in the field. If anybody cares to take a look, here's a link to the general info page about the programme-
[url]=http://www.nscc.edu/depart/arch/index.html[/url]

So....what d'ya think?

Jun 26, 07 11:52 pm  · 
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soleil

I think you'd be disappointed by arch engineering. it seems to focus on the guts of the projects (mechanical systems, etc) rather than the glory (design) and if you're an admirer of RM, my hunch is that you'd find yourself feeling unfufilled in the long run. (understand that at RMP and every office that takes pride in design there is plenty of necessary, but gloryless, gut work as well - we all have systems to coordinate but its within the context of something beautiful)

if finances are an obstacle - oftentimes there are scholarships for these summer programs. the down side is that they're typically full of high school students and sometimes exclusively open to the high school set.

also - ask about grant and scholarship opportunities for master's programs. particularly at state schools' masters programs, which typically aren't as competitive as the ivies and they cost much much less, there is money to be had. more than you might suspect. a lot of times finding that money just depends on talking to the right person - someone who knows the ropes and is willing to help.

summer is a good time for such an endeavor as academics are typically less stressed out. make an appointment w/ the coordinator of the master's program. talk to them about your background and interests and see what they can offer you. to get the coordinators name - call the main office number at whatever arch school and ask the receptionist who the coordinators for the master's and undergrad programs are (talk to both - especially if one turns out to be surly/riding out their tenure) - if you get a frusterating recording - start pressing zero - a person will typically pick up...

Jun 27, 07 12:28 am  · 
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coedname-X

hey, win all you want. the overall hilltop building is still crap!

Jun 27, 07 12:54 am  · 
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sameolddoctor

every time i drive north on the 405 i throw up a little in my mouth. what a waste of a beautiful hillside site.
oh and yes, everytime a visitor wants me to take them to the getty i throw up again seeing each of those oversized, disproportionate galleries.

Jun 27, 07 1:58 am  · 
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clerestory strip™

Thanks Soleil, you're the best! I am very design oriented-and I'm afraid I would be bored to death & disappointed with the A/E programme. My nearest architectural school is in Knoxville, which is about a 3 hour drive from where I am...I could go there or maybe I could spend the summer with my sister in Michigan and go to school there...I'm going to do some more research and see what I can come up with.
Meanwile, it's off to work!
Have a great day!

PS-try and convince RM he needs to put a hi-rise condo in Nashville... :)

Jun 27, 07 8:47 am  · 
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clerestory strip™

Is all the computer rendering done in-house or by an outside firm?

Jun 30, 07 12:09 pm  · 
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raymonde

i heard they don't give out bonuses at christmas. someone who worked there told me that was true. probably because meier and the office are just breaking even with their small scale projects.

Jun 30, 07 6:18 pm  · 
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AP

wow raymonde...way to throw your ludicrous evaluation out there of why a firm doesn't give bonuses (if your info via heresay is even true).

how familiar are you with RMP's financials?

my anecdote, from personal experience: i worked (previously) at a large national a/e firm with lots of money in the bank and high yearly profit, but they do not give holiday bonuses. it certainly isn't because they can't afford to.

Jun 30, 07 7:33 pm  · 
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n_

But they give out jump drives with the company logo...

Jun 30, 07 7:58 pm  · 
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AP

ya...well...they didn't give me one exactly...but that doesn't mean i don't have one ;-)

and my comment wasn't a complaint. overall, my experience at the aforementioned firm was a positive one. just trying to make a point about raymonde's statement regarding bonuses...

Jun 30, 07 8:28 pm  · 
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brian buchalski

so what it's like for men to be stuck in an elevator with with neier? i'm kinda pretty...sometimes at least.

Jul 1, 07 12:27 pm  · 
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this was a pick of the week thread for about a couple of hours but we took it off the list for being too gossipy.
what happens in the elevator is now an ongoing mystery.
if i ever interview richard meier, i will personally will ask him about going up and down...

Jul 1, 07 2:59 pm  · 
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vado retro

this is the main reason (besides the health benefits) that i take the stairs.

Jul 1, 07 3:02 pm  · 
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snooker

I didn't ever realize he was still alive.....sad to think he has become such a dull star architect.

Jul 1, 07 3:06 pm  · 
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clerestory strip™

I guess I'll have go up to NYC and find out for myself what happens in the elevator...

Jul 1, 07 3:43 pm  · 
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clerestory strip™

Yep, he's very much alive. Why would you say he's dull? Just curious.

Jul 5, 07 2:16 pm  · 
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redchairs

We do get bonuses.

Jul 5, 07 3:02 pm  · 
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snooker

Like a ride in the elevator?

Jul 5, 07 3:19 pm  · 
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clerestory strip™

LOL....

Jul 5, 07 3:30 pm  · 
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snooker

Architectress870.....I suspect you may have taken an elevator ride with rm....sly smile.

Jul 5, 07 3:35 pm  · 
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clerestory strip™

...only in my dreams...

Jul 5, 07 4:05 pm  · 
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snooker

lol...do you have this dream often....or do other star architect play the leading man...

Jul 5, 07 4:15 pm  · 
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vado retro
Jul 5, 07 4:25 pm  · 
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clerestory strip™

Every night...and it's either him or a young Bernard Tschumi...love the Meier....ahem...Mayer weiner....lol

Jul 5, 07 4:47 pm  · 
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snooker

I hope your young....Architerctress870.....btw what the heck is 870 all about?

Jul 5, 07 6:01 pm  · 
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clerestory strip™

I'm 32...don't know if that still qualifies as young....870 is my favourite bus number...long story...I used it here in case there is another Architectress in here...you don't want to get us confused, especially if RM comes looking for me, lol...I don't know if he'd be horrified by this thread or flattered.

Jul 5, 07 6:23 pm  · 
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