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Julie Beckman

Julie Beckman presented to our class on February 8th. Beckman is currently the Director of Student Development, as well as the Adjunct Assistant Professor at the College of Architecture + Design at UT. She mainly discussed her Pentagon Memorial that was completed and opened on September 11th, 2008. Julie was actually a witness to part of the 9/11 attacks, so using her architectural knowledge she found a way to give back after the tragedy. She entered the contest for the Pentagon Memorial with her partner, Keith Kaseman, completely anonymously and ended up winning and constructing their work. The memorial remembers the 184 victims that passed away during the attack on the Pentagon that day. I was interested in the fact that the 184 benches are actually in lines according to age, with the first benches representing the youngest victims. I also liked how there are no extra lights at the memorial, only lights under the benches and in front of the years carved on the side of the park. Beckman did fantastic work on this project, and thought that without the memorial, the victims would have soon been forgotten. This memorial can now remember them forever, and I think that is beautiful. 

Julie is a great architect and it is clearly shown in her work, and overall I really enjoyed the lecture. 

Pictures from http://archdesign.utk.edu/faculty-staff/facultystaff/julie-beckman/ and https://educationaltravelconsultants.com/blog/2014/06/19/student-tours-of-the-pentagon-and-the-911-pentagon-memorial-in-dc/

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Craig Dykers

“You need to move in order to think.” -Craig Dykers

This lecture was amazing. Craig Edward Dykers presented in the Bijou Theatre on Saturday, April 29th. His lecture discussed Snøhetta, the extremely impressive practice of architecture that has offices around the world. Dykers is a major part of this. The first project he discussed was the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt. This masterpiece took over 15 years to create, and has seen amazing events in its lifetime. It has expressed signs of female equality, with over 50% of the workers in the library being female, as well as glowing pink at times to show support of Breast Cancer Awareness. He has designed many other structures, such as the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet in Oslo and the James B. Hunt Jr. Library. 

Two of my absolute favorites are the Norwegian Wild Reindeer Pavilion and the Ryerson University Student Learning Centre, these two structures are purely fascinating. Craig talked about how these projects were created, as well as the little features of each project that make them unique and successful. I loved hearing about all of these projects, and how they have actually affected people as well as how people have transformed the meanings and uses of the structures. These buildings have grown with how individuals perceive them and use them, and I think that is powerful. I believe that architecture should influence individuals, and several of his projects have done just that.

Overall I thought this was an amazing lecture and I would absolutely go to another one of his to hear about more of his experiences. Snøhetta is a very innovative group and I think that what they have done as well as continue to do is truly changing the world. 

Picture from lecture: Me

Pictures of Projects: http://snohetta.com/

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Samantha Sowell’s Review

Samantha Sowell presented her final review on Wednesday, April 26th. She had created a train station that would be placed in Braddock, Pittsburgh and that would connect with other existing train stations around the area. The views of the station were elegant and the attention to detail seemed outstanding. A few things stood out to me as I observed; the first was the pillars that roof the station. These pillars were not all the same height and did not all touch, which allowed for sunlight to enter easily into the station. They also contained drains that allowed rain to collect and run through their center, and this rain could be stored for situations such as gray water use or irrigation. Another topic that stood out to me was the word “rhizome,” which was an overall theme of the work, and rightfully so. The idea of a rhizome matches the purpose of the station, having a central “stem” that shoots out different routes to other locations. I admired how these ideas were connected and I believe it went well with the overall work. 

There were only a few critiques that were discussed. One reviewer wanted more of a narrative in the boards, stating hat there was not as much of a story that she desired. Another was that the size of the station might be slightly impractical for the location, given that Braddock is not extremely populated. Nevertheless, this review proved very impressive and showed me how much effort and detail goes into creating magnificent structures like this one.

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Clarity.

I have finally found where I belong. I stand on the balcony, overlooking the water that dances with the wind passing by. I live in a transparent house, one with the idea of clarity wrapped around it. I am content. People go through life blindly; some do not quite know where they are going or who they truly are. A fog clouds their future, as it did mine for years. But I finally know who I am, and this fog has vanished. Now I can see where I am going and what I want to do, letting the clarity of my future guide the way. I live in a transparent to show that I can see the things that I am, and the places that I want to go. Clarity is key, and if you make it a lifestyle, you might actually learn more about yourself. I am content, and that’s how one should be.

Picture from https://www.dezeen.com/2017/04/21/lake-flato-blue-retreat-vertical-waterfront-home-marble-falls-rural-texas/

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Des_read.listen.write

11: 245-288 My Flower 

I finally have my flower all to myself. I love her, yet she does not seem to want to be here. She is my flower; she is also my life. I want her by my side at all times, I want to wake up to her. Yet she does not seem to want to be here. She is my flower; she can have everything I own. I have cows to feed her, I have a sword to protect her. I just want her to be happy, to be with me. I finally have my flower with me, I finally have my whole world. Yet she does not seem to want to be here.

12: 143-184 Bewitched

I have been cursed. I have been bewitched. I have basically seen it all, so there is not much less to lose. I was almost drowned into a swamp, I have been threatened in almost every way possible. Yet, I am strong. I have overcome everything: the curses, the witches. They have tried everything but my death, but have still proved unsuccessful. I have been cursed, yes, but even curses do not stop me. I am strong, strong enough to make this journey. I will survive. 

Picture from: https://www.pinterest.com/varvaz/kalevala/

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The Future of Living

The Earth cries for help as we use up every resource we can get our hands on. 

We are destroying this world. Our cities grow bigger; our space shrinks. Looking for ways to keep the environment from dying, we lose a little more hope with every day.

But, as I stand here in front of this house, I see hope. 

The mesh walls and PVC filter the air around me, and the plants atop the structure decrease the air pollution. I step inside the house and glance through the walls to the outsiders. I am conflicted, feeling safe within the walls of the home as well as connected to the environment around me. After touring through the house, I can’t help but smile. The future of living now seems bright. Architecture can save this dying world, one house at a time.

Picture from https://www.dezeen.com/2017/04/05/so-il-future-sustainable-city-house-smog-filtering-mini-living-milan-2017/?li_source=LI&li_medium=bottom_block_1

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Silence

(Des_writing_1)

The waiting

The anticipation

The silence.

The need for approval or for some words of guidance

The continuous silence.

The whistles of small birds in the distance

The thoughts bouncing of their waiting wives at home

The need for a person to break 

The silence.

The creeks of the closure of continuous trees creating a camouflage from the enemy

Sight varies, sounds echo through the forest

But the continuous silence was louder than my beating heart

As I wallow in the silence.

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Ghost Barn

There’s a uniqueness in being in the woods, away from everyday life. It gives a different perspective; it gives time to stop and think about everything happening around you. You don’t feel rushed, and distractions become rare. I sit in this fibreglass room to brainstorm new ideas for my next projects. I find that working in the woods proves more effective. I feel at ease, and the open door feels welcoming to the outside world. The ghost barn is my place of work. I love the woods; I love the sounds of the nature around me that echo off the walls as I work. The birds that sing, the sun that creeps in. Life moves so fast, but here I feel like time is stopped. I can walk around, and entertain different thoughts as I look at the life growing around me. Everyone says that you should love what you do. I, however, am lucky enough to love where I do it. 

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War

(Gladiator_des.seq.1)

I have an entire army around me, yet silence fills the air. Only the sound of footsteps is clear, but nobody is talking. Maybe it is because everyone is too occupied with what they are doing, or too focused on what is about to happen. For me, however, it is fear. I remain speechless, but not by choice. I have done the same tasks a million times. I move the weapons and ammo, get in position, and wait. But the fear never gets better. I am going to war, and it will always leave me afraid. The trees go on for miles, and the birds sing in the distance. The view would actually be quite pleasant in another circumstance. But my fear keeps me from taking in the scenery. A man shouts for everyone to get in position, and within seconds the sound of footsteps disappears. 

Everybody is frozen now, almost like statues. An empty field lies between us and the trees up ahead. It consists of only a few sticks and dirt, yet in only moments this valley will be filled with bodies. I can hear my own heart nearly racing out of my chest, and my mind is struggling to keep up with it. The only thought I can make is that I am doing this for a good purpose. Everything else is fear.

I am a gladiator. I may fight with fear, but I also fight for glory. Because war is not simply a game; it is life or death. I start to see the others appearing through the trees not far from us. Only a battlefield now stands between our two armies, a beautiful field if that. Destruction will soon change this field forever, but for a second I just take it in. I see the irony in that this forest, and the nature in it is so full of life. Even the field before me was once full of life and trees. But although life surrounds me, this valley will soon be full of death.

I hear the orders to charge, and the sound of shouting drowns out my racing heartbeat. I am off to war.

Clip source:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MYxtpGxGJI

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Limitless

Architecture, to some, is merely the idea of buildings or houses. They believe it is bounded, and only applies to certain structures. The great historian Nikolaus Pevsner even said, “A bicycle shed is a building; Lincoln Cathedral is a piece of architecture.” This is wrong, however. I sit on this platform, looking above these pyramid-like objects into what seems like infinite space. Every detail has a purpose; it all has architecture. Even the empty space was designed. Architecture should not simply be seen as these great structures, because that is not all that it contains. It is in objects as well as space. It is not bounded by anything, but instead grows with our imagination. As I stare, I realize that architecture is all around me. It is everywhere. Infinite. Limitless. 

Picture from https://www.dezeen.com/2017/03/24/doug-wheeler-psad-synthetic-desert-iii-installation-spiky-floor-guggenheim-museum-new-york/

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Life on Stilts

I stare out over the city while the sun slowly crawls out of sight. The remaining light reflects off the snow, allowing it to illuminate the inside of the “High House.” The stilts only raise the structure around ten feet, but this gives two unique perspectives. I live in elevation; one that gives a new view of the world. I can see houses and buildings in different ways than others. An elevated life gives me the opportunity to look at things in a new light. This is the first. The house also allows for a second view: a ground floor where one can interact with the nature outside of the house. With the weather permitting, I can sit on this floor and experience the “snowy exterior” for myself. A house with two different perspectives. It not only changes the traditional view of how one should live, but it changes how I view life itself. I am grateful for being able to live a life that challenges the way I think, a life that gives new perspectives. A life on stilts. 

Quotes and image from https://www.dezeen.com/2017/03/09/high-house-delordinaire-holiday-home-cabin-white-concrete-stilts-quebec-canada/

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Isolation

I’ve never been great with teamwork. Group projects tend to leave me feeling powerless, for I do not believe in the power of numbers. I lose focus when working or studying with others due to occasional distractions and my lack of attention. I can only find true focus in being alone. So, a library like this only proves perfect for me. I sit in my seclusion; snow dancing and wind whispering just outside of the wooden walls. Only the sound of music keeps me company as I rock back and forth in my chair, reading over the latest work I’ve done as I quietly whistle to the tune. The window welcomes little light into the workplace, but the black box leaves only this as a view of the outside world. The enclosed room gives me comfort, but it is not for everyone. Everyone learns in different ways. I, however, choose to work in one way: Isolation. 

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Silence

The sun has retreated, slowly disappearing over the horizon as I try to focus on my research. The library is silent, but not because it is enforced. The beauty of the structure instead leaves everyone speechless, especially with a view like this. I rarely come here to read. I rather sit in front of the magnificent window and watch the day go by. There is beauty in silence, in peace. A library contains so much knowledge, but this does not have to be its only purpose. It can contain beauty, and this library has found a perfect balance between the two. I close my book and enjoy the view, figuring I won’t get any work done anyway.

Picture from https://www.duvalldecker.com/mlc

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Details

“People often say, ‘A lot of work went into this’ when they sense the care and skill that its maker has lavished on a carefully constructed object. The motion that our work is an integral part of what we accomplish takes us to the very limits of our musings about the value of a work of art, a work of architecture.” As I stand in the center of this space, I cannot help but think of how much care and effort was put into every single detail. Care that was completely unnecessary, especially in an era of mass production and neglect in pure detail. The devil is not in the details, but instead the passion and care for accomplishment. 

(Quote from “Work Within Things”)

As I walk past several kids skipping stones into a lake, I think back to my own childhood. I imagine myself sitting atop a boulder watching the waves crash and retreat on the shore. My brother and I would stack rocks at every beach we visited, putting unnecessary effort and care into something so little. The amount of detail used in stacking these proves crucial; one mistake and the carefully placed masterpiece could come tumbling down. This construction was not for recognition or anything in return, but was simply for the sense of accomplishment in ourselves. Our detail was not to impress others, it was not for anyone else. We went to these great lengths for us. Architecture should be appreciated for its detail, not because of how it looks to others but because of the care put into it. Enjoying the view is nice, but remembering the effort put into stacking every single rock only makes the view nicer. 

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The Blueprint

“What is the aim of a city under construction unless it is a city? Where is the plan you are following, the blueprint?” ‘Cities never stop improving,’ I think to myself as I lay back, looking through the top of my tent to watch as the stars dance across the midnight sky. I recall my hometown; the constant construction and need to grow. We as human beings work long days with no clear direction. No clear path guiding us, no clear blueprint. But for what? Without construction, there would be no destruction. Every improvement will one day fade or fall to the ground, leaving nothing constant but the lights up above. “The sky is filled with stars.’There is the blueprint,’ they say.”

(Quotes from “Cities & The Sky 3″)

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Falsehood

“The city must never be confused with the words that describe it. And yet between the one and the other there is a connection.” The word “utopia” can be the perfect description of a city. However, even a utopia does not have the power to simply create happiness for someone. A perfect view on a beautiful day, no clouds in sight, miles of ocean between the horizon and I. Yet these things only bring a sense of false happiness. Happiness must be created within, not from the things around you. It should not come from material objects, but instead from ourselves. One could describe the perfect city, but the only way to find happiness in the city is to create it for yourself. Once one learns that “Falsehood is never in words; it is in things,” they will find happiness from within instead of from things that are described as perfect.

(Quotes from “Cities & Signs 5″)

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No Place Like Home

The crowd roars as the sun shines down into the roofless stadium. The bleachers squeaking and seats shaking as a sea of orange and white cheers for their home. I gaze around the structure feeling a sense conformity. This building does not inspire individuality, but rather the opposite. The idea of community rises, the idea that one should feel like part of a giant family while here. Standing out should not be the goal, but instead coming together. I sit in astonishment as an unfathomable number of attendants joins to represent their pride; the pride of Knoxville.