I heard that they got their NCARB accreditation based solely on the work of one student because it doesn't say anywhere in the guidelines that you have to show the work of more than one student... so you might want to check out the work that everyone is producing as a whole. However, this seems odd and may be just a bit of rumor.

I know they have a new studio building going up across from the old Bruer complex, and I believe Sigrid Miller Pollin (a faculty member there) might have had something to do with the design as it reminds me of the other building she did on the campus. Not sure if this is planning on housing the architecture department or not, but from what I've seen their current studio situation is pretty miserable, which unfortunately had a negative effect on the studio culture.

I've had limited interactions with Ray Kinoshita Mann, Joe Krupczynski, and Max Page and both were really on point with their stuff. Joe was really interested in doing some Rural Studio like work in the Holyoke/Springfield area, which I think is a great idea. My experiences with Sigrid were outside of academia while she was on academic hiatus so I can't really speak for her teaching but she was always very pleasant.

A huge benefit of UMass is the whole college network its a part of, resulting in taking classes at Smith and Hampshire which could be an amazing addition. I'm not sure how much resources (model shop, etc.) UMass has, so check that out if you can.

That being said, as someone that was born, raised, and did some undergrad in Western MA: get out while you can and experience something different. Outside of the immediate college area Western MA is very much lacking and it could be of benefit to do grad studies in a place where the general environment supported your interests more: Boston, NYC, LA, etc. If you really like the area you can always go back to it after doing grad school and set up shop out there.

Shoot me an email if theres anything else I can help with.

I live and work in the area and our office had a couple interns from the program last year. It sounds like its a really small department/ program and they have been trying to get accredited for awhile. One of the interns had been hearing it since he started the program as an undergrad and was nearing the end of his masters and getting kind of nervous so this would be good news for him!

I know they somehow got free tuition since they were doing an internship with us. So that would be a big plus if you find a job in the area.

I don't know much about the program otherwise. And having gone to school in the area you probably know more about Umass than I do.

Western Mass rulz

The MLA program at UMass is top notch and highly recommended for their ecological approach.

ps- the area is known as 'the happy valley' for some reason.

are there any other public universities in New England that have an accredited Master's program? I think UMass is the only one.

ummm, there are two in cambridge (though only one offers a MLA). oh, they are private. Next closest public programs are SUNY Buffalo, Penn State, and NJIT.

then there is the BAC, wentworth, and roger williams for educating folks that can't afford the GSD.

I'm fairly positive MassArt has recently received their accreditation for a M.Arch I.

They have, but I'm not sure if they are NAAB acredited specifically.

Hmm, still not sure

Ok, since I've got some Valley Folks on the line, a bit more about me and what i am looking for:

I'm a Hampshire dropout, studies a lot of things but nothing especially Arch. related (photography, biology, politics, education, bong hits - not necessarily in that order) while I was there about 10 years ago. Later finished my BA at another experiment in alternative education, the Eco-Dwelling program at New College of California. Now, at 32, am working in construction for a Boston Green Building company and looking to get into the world of Architecture and Design, most likely with the goal of owning a small residential design/build firm eventually.

I'm attracted to the Rural Studio model quite a bit, but have also swung many a hammer and gotten plenty dirty already, so I am a little wary of spending thousands of dollars to hang out with a bunch of Arch. students while they learn how to hit a nail or use a chop saw. I also really like the practical approach of the BAC here in Boston, but don't like Boston that much and don't want to spend as much time here (or as much time being a student) as their program would require.

I'm 32, married, and about to have a kid. Not too interested in big names, just good interesting work and a solid education. Some of the storied I hear of high burnout programs and cut-throat students stealing or sabotaging each other's work - I am so not interested in that. I have applied to several more competitive programs, really have no clue how I will fare. But a lot of me just wants to be somewhere where I can learn but still have a stable, healthy life in a place I like.

Western Mass totally fits that bill. I lived there three years as a student, another three (a little later on) as a townie, working mostly in Education. I know the limits of being there, for sure, but would mostly be happy to be back. However, I don't want to sacrifice too much in terms of education or employement opportunities. And so far, I have had a hard time finding out much solid information about the UMass program, both on their website and on the web in general.

So, I'm fishing here - I guess the next step will be to arrange a visit and head out there for a weekend.

Pixelwhore, FOG Lite, you mentioned you both live and work there - I'd love to know more about the work you do, and who for - I don't know a whole ton about the scene work-wise and would be curious to learn, esp. if as you mentioned it could mean free or reduced tuition.

Thanks, all of you, for yor help.

more on Mass Art - I am now royally confused, I wish they would just come out and say whether their accreditation is through NAAB or not.

anyhow:

http://www.massart.edu/at_massart/academic_prgms/graduate/

I'll email em and let you know what they say.

andytee:
I actually live and work in boston/cambridge now, so if you'd like to sit down and talk sometime that can be arraigned. or just come to the boston archinect social thats being planned and we can chat over some brews.

doesn't a m.arch require accreditation? like you can't offer the degree if NAAB doesn't approve of your program?

^ I don't believe so - doesn't Cranbrook offer an un-accredited M.Arch?

The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) has a website.
http://www.naab.org/about/

It shows that University of Massachusetts - Amherst is accredited since 2007 and their next visit for accrediting is 2010.

Mass Art has a Candidate for Master of Architecture status.

Here's the website. I hope this helps!

http://www.naab.org/about/

ask libertybell, but I think cranbrook offers an MA Arch or MS Arch, not a M.Arch in any case...

so, can anyone tell me more about the program in general? it seems to not be well known, and even the folks who know it don't seem to know much. there is not a lot of student work on the site, what is there is not that well presented or explained.

i guess that, in of itself, says something, but i would love to hear more. any umass students/alums/faculty on the 'nect? anyone not in those categories feel able to offer a general assessment? even a "i heard such and such" kinda thing.

hope some of you can help a guy out.

oh, and pixelwhore, i'd love to chat over beer.

whens the archinect social?

i visited the school in Sept 2006. i didn't like their architecture/fine art building at all. the program is brand new, got a long way to rock and roll. i was/will/would/am not interested. I like the little new england town thought.

andytee:
Thursday (tomorrow, damn) starting around 9pm at Bukowski's in Inman Square (Cambridge). check out this thread for further discussion/details.

designbydesign - could you say more about what you did not like / were not impressed by? the town i know, the program i don't.

pixelwhore - that came up fast. i'll try to make it, if not perhaps we can arrange something later on?

andytee:
more than happy to make arrangements down the road if you can't make it tomorrow. I also may be able to put you in contact with a couple grads from the program that I know who would be able to speak about the program in a bit more depth than myself.

andy....I think you know the lay of the land in Western Mass. If you kicked around Hampshire College you are also aware of all the other
colleges in the area with all of their resources, and the more laid back scene of the Berkshire Hills. I would think if it was ten years
ago when you were knocking around Hampshire, you might find the
area a good place to expand upon your learning. If your working on
a masters and you have some experience in building, well then it isn't such a big leap to find some University Staff who are kinderad spirits. Heck Conway School of Landscape Architecture is just down the road a bit, and them folk are all nuts and granola types. There is also the big enviromental center located out in western Mass. You
also have Ando's new museum going up and MOCA. Your located
in an area close enough to get to two of Americas Great Urban Experiences. I would say take a close look talk to people about where you see yourself headed and who knows you might find a nice fit at U mass in the early years. It doesn't appear if you would give a nats ass if you ever plunked yours down in the office of a Star Architect who pays only attention to holes and smither smather.

Snook - You seem pretty on the money as to what will and will not get me to part with a specimen from my extensive gnat ass collection. Thanks for the feedback. I know the Conway school, MassMOCA, and the drive times to NYC and Boston, I don't know Ando's museum and the big enviromental center. Can you advise?

Pixelwhore - Sounds grand. You live in Cambridge? I'm in East Somerville. There are watering holes. I will want to talk to these people you know who went through the UMass program.

yeah, Central/Cambridgeport to be exact but I'm one of those damn bike kids so I'm not limited by the MBTA. I'll shoot off an email tonight when I get home to my friends to see if they have a problem with me passing along email addresses.

andy

Home of NESEA, Greenfield Mass. NORTHEAST SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ASSOCIATION. They are doing a Building Energy 08 Conference in Bean Town March 11-13. www.buildingenergy.nesea.org

Ando has done a design for the Clark Museum for a major addition.
I'm not sure if it is under construction but should be shortly if not.

There is also this Character out in them there woods: http://www.nacul.com/

I believe he studied with Bruce Goff, but I'm not certain. I know
back in the 70's he tried to get Paulo Solori hooked up with U Mass
for the design of a stadium.

don't forget the new courthouse in downtown Springfield by Moshe Safdie.

the old Basketball Hall of Fame by C7A is getting turned into retail space I believe, while the new one by Gwathmey Siegel sits more-or-less unused in a sea of parking lot.

Ive heard the old Basketball Hall of Fame is being turned into a gym, that could be old news though... I hope it is some sort of retail, or mixed use, or something to get people on that side of the highway.

Catching up on the reading here...

Andy,
I know someone in the program now - however, I wouldnt nec. call her a reliable source, or even that strong of a student (hope she is not reading this) If you want, I could give her a call, but I would trust Pixl's people more.

damn Pixl - you know the staff up there... I daydream about hooking up with them and maybe, just maybe getting my foot in the door... maybe get on a jury, maybe help with a studio, maybe more... who knows - I'll have to give you a call in a few years, once the licensing/family stuff cools down a bit.

I'll be far away from the city tonight, so I won't be making it to the Boston meet-up - my loss...

I hope the program grows into something strong though - that area really needs it.

cln1:
I wouldn't say I know them, but I've talked with them to various extents and had more interaction with Sigrid when I was on the WMAIA executive committee. cold calls/emails asking to sit on reviews work fine, thats how I got into reviews at Smith and if its something you want to do for this semester I recommend you do it sooner than later (I'm doing blitz reviews next week at work already)

oh... I misread.
not for this year, too much going on - Im thinking a few years out, wherever I may be at that time.

andytee, so i visited the school in Sept 2006. i met the chair. i showed him my portfolio. he wrote down my name and my website address. he gave me his card, asked me to contact him (which I didn't).

they were going to convert a few art studios into design studios. there weren't any design related stuff around the building, all art studio stuff. if i am not wrong, their program started in Fall 2007. There weren't a program to visit or learn at the time, they got nothing to show. The chair said they planned to have a new building for architecture (only).

That was it. I didn't apply because i didn't wanna be the first generation. The admission rate at UMass is probably higher. coz they need heads.

andytee-
I kinda dropped the ball on this thread, but feel free to drop me an email and ask any questions. I've only been working in WMass for a year so I have limited knowledge of who's who and until now haven't even considered going over to check out the studios at UMass. I'd be happy to go out for a beer when you come to visit. I might be able to round up a couple others locals who work at different firms and we'll all try and talk you out of studying architecture.

FOG: I might have asked you this in the past (horrible memory here, sorry), but who are you working for out there? next time I'm out there we should meet up with CLN1 for a drink.

im always up for a drink!

western, central or eastern mass...
always seem to have bad timing with the boston meet ups though...

Sounds good!

Let me know when you are planning on coming to town Pixel and we'll plan something and make sure cln 1 can make it.

I should say, "when your are planning on being in the general region."

Andytree- Sorry this is a little late...
I applied to UMass for M.Arch as well, and was able to visit the campus briefly and speak with Max Page. It sounds like it is still small, but growing. I believe he was saying that the new studios will be for fine arts students or others; the arch students will stay behind in the old studios but have more space to grow into. I went to career discovery at the GSD and I think I can safely say UMass would be a veerrrry different experience.
My background is somewhat similar to yours- I'm 34 and have about 10 years of building experience with a lot of construction management and some trade work. I'm from Connecticut but have been all over the place so I won't mind being in a quiet place like amherst. Feel free to email me as well if you want to compare notes, now or as we get closer to (possible) attendance.

Hey folks - Sorry to drop off for a while, had some stuff come up at work and then some stuff come up virally (out for 10 days with flu) and am just re-connecting with the larger interweb world. I won't bore you with stuff that should be on the "commiserate" thread, but suffice to say it is looking like I am not exactly going to have my pick of grad schools this coming fall, which makes UMASS look a lot more interesting. I'll probably follow up with some more questions for you all soon, but want to call and set up a visit to see studios and meet profs first.

Thanks for all your help.

andytee

Aw man, mdler stole my joke over a month ago.

Don't know anything about the program, but as a fellow hampster (F89) I will say that you will probably do well wherever you go because you have the critical thinking skills to do so. Once you've been to hampshire, you can create a positive learning environment out of anything. :) You already know you're going to be annoyed by other students.

Don't write the BAC off completely, yes you are in school forever, but you are also working the entire time and some students are done with IDP when they graduate. It's much more self-directed. Cons: the hours are long, the teaching can be spotty, and Boston is ridiculously expensive to live on an intern salary.

Good luck!

Hey andytee, I'm in the same boat as you. I think you're the only other person on the commiserate thread that has said they're applying to UMass. I applied to a bunch of other schools, but after getting my first rejection, things aren't looking too good. I could always apply to The BAC - but five years is a long time - and not much for campus life there either.

I went to the University of New Hampshire for undergrad. Overall my experience there was good, but I was kinda hoping to go to a good name private school in an urban setting for a change. I really tried hard in school to get good grades and did well on the GRE so I could get into some top notch grad programs - but it looks like that may not happen. I just might have to settle for somewhere like UMass. I can imagine that UMass would be quite similar to UNH, just biggger and maybe even more rural. Too bad they don't have the architecture program at the UMass Boston campus.

dutchmodernist -
i really like the BAC model, like i said, but don't like boston much, and am married and about to have a kid, so the idea of being a) in boston for that long, and b) maintaining the full-time work & full-time student schedule for that long sounds like a recipe for disaster. if i loved boston, i might be able to make it work.

cou2 -
yeah, i've been meaning to drop you a line actually, after noticing you as the only other person talking about UMASS on the commiserate thread. are you in boston? we should get together for tea or a beer sometime. i got the impression from talking with jean crossman (UMass arch dept secretary) that decisions had been delayed a bit since one reviewer was out with a back injury, but that they would likely be sending them out next week. as yet, i haven't actually visited to check out the program, if you wanted to plan a trip out to the valley we could carpool. anyways, as i said above, i have not fallen in love with boston, for me the pioneer valley program is way more exciting than one at UMass boston would be. if you are looking to stay in boston, i think the massart program is similar to the BAC in that admissions are rolling and acceptance rates are higher. you might want to look into it.

andytee - looks like UMass will be my only option this time around. Just got rejections from Cornell and RISD and expecting the same from the GSD. At this point I am inclined to try again for 2009 and maybe try for a few engineering programs as well. That being said, if UMass gave me a free tuition, it would be pretty hard to turn them down. Who knows, we might end up as classmates.

I just feel like I could have done better. I was really rushed on the portfolio and essay - at least for the first couple of deadlines. Spent too much time studying for the GRE only to find out that M.Arch admissions don't weigh them too heavily.

I live in Southern NH, next to Manchester (it's about an hour from Boston). I have spent most of my life in a rural/suburban area and really like it. But I just wanted to try out that whole city living thing for a while. Just wanted to do it for grad school and then probably move back to the countryside. Anyway, I do go down to Mass every now and then, and if I'm in the area I'll let you know so we could maybe meet up. If I get accepted, I will visit UMass and carpooling sounds good to me.

Ok, found out today I am in at UMASS if I want to be. Cou2, if you are still waiting to hear, I found out only because I emailed Jean Crossman (program secretary) and asked. Just told her I had already heard from everyone else, and would really like to have all results in, she was fine with it and told me to expect a letter in a few days, but also gave me the good news via email.

So, now I need to figure out if I want to go to UMASS or wait a year and re-apply elsewhere. Lots to figure out quick, FOGlite and Pixel, I will probably be hitting you up with some questions and requests to meet for beer and conversation soon. Need to plan a trip out to visit as well.

I'm cool with beer and conversation, just drop me a line and we can set something up.

Congrats andytee - that's great - I'll email them too.

make sure to keep me in the loop as well...
not because I have good advise, but because I like to drink beer

hooray beer. cln1, what side of this great state do you tend to drink on?

well andy,
that depends on the day and the hour.

hey pixel, i tried to email you through the 'nect but got a bounceback, poked around on your website/blog but didn't see a contact. was trying to buy you a beer. help my out in this quest, k?