So much Line and Composition...

     For my ARCH 271 course, we have been progressively been building off of our first project of this half of the semester (hopefully that makes sense... oh well, I trust you to figure it out). Anyway, it all started with the subject of my first blog post, Getting Started, where we took photos focused on good line and shape composition. Then we had to use those to make 8 line composition drawings, 6 shape compositions, with 3 iterations each (so 42 3"x3" drawings total). Then we had to take THOSE, and use those as inspiration for 3 line/shape compositions, with 3 iterations (so 9 drawings at 6"x6"). So now we're up to 48 drawings. THEN we took those 3, and picked one to develop even further at 12"x12", and then do a final version of that out of pen.

Shown here. Taped to the wall. Classy, right?

In total, that's 50 drawings. DANG. Didn't really feel like it, but looking back we did a lot of iterations. But that's sort of the nature of architecture. That means if I don't like it, then I better get used to it! Luckily, I absolutely love it, so problem solved. A lot of times people will think that if they really concentrate, they can get the best project the first time, and that doing multiple iterations is useless. I used to think that... until I was forced to do 50 freaking iterations. Then I realized that it's actually a fantastic thing to do. It helps you to refine what you were originally thinking, and get out all of the bad parts you're almost guaranteed to have lurking somewhere in the piece. So anywho, that's how I got to that part. Then, (guess what?) there was more to do! And not some wimpy 2D little league drawing, we're talking all out, major league, no messing around 3D model. Bring it.

What we had to do was essentially take our final pen composition, and then use that for inspiration for a 3D model. My model is made out of 1/4" thick foam core board and tracing paper. I just finished it tonight, and I thought that I would share it with the world. In order to get to this point, my TA and professor both gave me advice, not on specific things to do, but rather different ways to approach the end goal. For example, my professor suggested using the 2D composition as an inspiration for my elevation (view of the vertical stuff from the sides), as opposed to a plan view (looking at it from the top). This opened up the possibilities, and here's what I ended up with. Please let me know what you guys think in the comments section!

 

An Organization Making a Difference

Forward: If you're reading this blog and you don't know me, I'm studying architecture. Also in case you don't know me, I'm a Christian. These two huge aspects about my life I think will explain why I think this is so ridiculously cool.

"Architecture for Humanity is a nonprofit design services firm founded in 1999. We are building a more sustainable future through the power of professional design" 


Says the first line of their about page on their website, www.archtiectureforhumanity.org. This organization essentially does long-term relief work for places in need through volunteer work and skills in architecture/engineering. HOW COOL IS THAT?? They've done projects in places like Haiti and New Orleans, and areas like Uganda and Kenya. What I think is great about his organization is that they use the skills of people who will do the job, and do it well. Architects and engineers don't their jobs halfway, it's just not in our blood! Perfection is a necessity, and anything short of that is unacceptable. This is perfect for situations like this where these structures can literally change communities for the better for years.

They did this project in Haiti with Ben Stiller. Yes, THE Ben Stiller. Pictures 32 & 34

This is an organization that I would love to get involved with in some capacity in my lifetime. My British ARCH 231 professor, Mark Taylor, is involved with them and has given us mini-presentations about the organization throughout the semester. What I really like about the organization is that they not only work on the big disaster relief "hotspots" like Haiti and Japan, but recognize that there is a tremendous need all over the world, even in our own backyard. Here's a small project the Chicago chapter of AFH is working on: http://architectureforhumanity.org/node/1147. It's really sweet to see how the small efforts of so many people throughout our nation can truly make a global impact. I'm really excited to see how the Lord can use me and my passions in the future for His glory!

“To belong to Jesus is to embrace the nations with Him.” — John Piper

Fall Getaway, growing closer to Christ

Wow. I'm involved in an on-campus ministry here called Cru, and I just got back from a retreat called Fall Getaway. If you're reading this and you're a student at U of I, GO NEXT YEAR. It was such an awesome experience and a chance to grow closer to the Lord, and further understand the personal relationship I have the honor of having with Him. Our speaker we had for the weekend was Ryan Berg (twitter: @ryanbergusa), who is a guy who's on staff with Cru in Cincinnati. Man is he on fire for the Lord! He's a man filled with such passion for the Truth, and he's blessed with the gift of explaining it in a way that everyone can understand and relate to.

What I enjoyed most about his talks was that he dispelled the common misconception that Jesus Christ was a nice guy who just hugged everyone and had cute squirrels and doves all around him. In his talk about Christ being the Good Shepherd, he made it clear what that truly meant. Typically we think of shepherds today as this:

I don't know what this is, but it's weird.

easterpageantcostumes.com

That looks like the lamest, most boring, weakest job you could have. In the time that the book of John was written, however, the hardship of a shepherd was well known, and the Pharisees who Jesus was talking to understood the true caring and labor He was talking about (John 10:1-18). The shepherd had to constantly pick up the sheep who would get themselves into trouble. When sheep got scared, they would freeze up and fall over on their sides, unable to get up on their own. The good shepherd would very carefully massage each leg of the sheep to restore feeling, then slowly pick the heavy sheep up to a standing position... but still wouldn't let go. Then he would help the sheep start to walk again, then set it on the correct path, and THEN finally let go. This parallels the fact that Jesus doesn't just let us stay fallen as if we weren't worth His time. He takes His strong hands, the hand of a father who cares, and brings us back to life, then leads us toward His intended path. Without Him, we would be laying helplessly on our backs, with no chance of getting up, just waiting for death. But our Lord cares for us individually, and seeks a personal relationship with us. This weekend just gave me some perspective on that, and really helped me to grow more in my faith.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

John 10:11

Music: Adderall to the Ears

[Photo: GadgetSin.com]

I love music.

It's as easy as that. But what amazes me constantly is how much it can have an effect on you at any given moment you're listening to it. Whether it's getting the urge to dance on the quad like a solitary flash-mob because the next catchy tune from the radio comes on, or when you get the chills down your spine as the climax of an instrumental epic explodes in your eardrums, music can (and frequently does) affect you physically. Today I was working in the studio after yet another frustrating experience at Kinko's (but we'll save that for another post), and I was exhausted. So of course, what did I do? I popped my headphones in and got ready to rock the heck out. Music of choice? Super Mash Bros.

My brain felt like this.

BAM! Efficiency and focus went up by like 50 points. There were X-acto blades flying everywhere, paper was whirling around like a blizzard... it was probably a safety hazard, but what did I care? I was in the ZONE. After about 30 minutes I already had all my work done for a project I had set aside at least an hour for. I've also recently started to listen to the scores of movies (e.g. Lord of the Rings, Tangled, How to Train Your Dragon), and man do those work! I just feel like I'm on some picturesque mission filled with wonder and adventure to, like, complete an assignment or something. For some people, listening to music can be a distraction, but for me pumping music through my ears while I'm working is no doubt the best way to really lock me in to what I need to get done.

Getting Started

     We switched sections today in one of my architecture courses. I used to do more technically-focused work (plans, elevations, sections, the usual), but now I'm in a more abstract design focused section, which means a bunch of goofy educational art projects! Our first assignment is to take a bunch of pictures of two buildings, focusing one on different shape compositions, and one on line compositions. As a flood of sophomores engulfed the graduate architecture building and business facility, here's some of the pictures I came up with (one of which is the wallpaper of this blog!). Of course they're black and white, so I can hide the fact that I'm not really a great photographer...

Business Instructional Facility

Business Instructional Facility

Business Instructional Facility

Business Instructional Facility

Temple Hoyne Buell Hall

Temple Hoyne Buell Hall

Temple Hoyne Buell Hall