Good evening, Archinect—

We are in to Week 6 of the Fall 2016 semester. To date, I have been through two studio reviews, one cold, and zero papers.

Here is a brief re-cap of my unruly and unstoppable summer (see photos for proof!):

May

• I began driving for Lyft! All in all—few sketchy stories, mostly wonderful passengers.
• I really started my summer in NYC with my best friend Jayne over Memorial Day weekend. We left Brooklyn once (for the Whitney), I slept a total of about sixteen hours in four days, and spent too much money in Uber rides. We napped in parks, and bought handmade dresses from our fabulous and talented friend from undergrad.

June

• I began my summer internship at Gensler Chicago the day returning from NYC. I was a part of the Lifestyle 3 studio, which is home to the “catch-alls” of the office. We’re comprised of branding, strategy, research, and consulting. Within the first week I was already playing softball, and attended the black-tie DIFFA Gala with the office’s managing directors and principals.
• Steady work began on FMVIII Of the City. We were meeting every few weeks at the Gensler office reviewing design and editing.
• The Chicago Design Museum’s Exhibition Design Committee had our first meeting on our next exhibition City of Ideas: Architects’ Voices and Visions.

July

• Steady work on FM developed into a ferocious workload.
• I saw so much live music I could have lost it: Brand New and Modest Mouse (together!), Pitchfork Music Festival (Sufjan Stevens and Beach House as closing acts!).
• The Gensler team enjoyed a wonderful studio retreat to our studio leaders’ beach house at Beverly Shores, Indiana, near the Indiana Dunes. I will always remember this beautiful day of my summer, with beautiful people!

August

• Gensler’s CANstruction team did a wonderful job reinterpreting Van Gogh’s Bedroom. I volunteered to help build, but the design team really did the work!
• I SAW LCD SOUNDSYSTEM. AT THE METRO. SOLO.

Now… Let’s look ahead.

Friday is a big day at UIC School of Architecture! We are hosting our Fall Open House for students interested in attending UIC, and FM will be launching FMVIII Of the City. I look forward to meeting prospective students; in particular I love hearing people’s background and motivations to be where they are and where they are going.

Onward!