*Notice*
I wasn't expecting the day's findings... so I did not bring a camera to take
pictures with. To make up for this, I have for you my very own picture
collection of bull moose. (Photo courtesy Google Images)
Enjoy.
10:00 AM: Check-in
In the morning I checked-in with Ms. Okamura on my progress so far and my outlook for the next few days. Friday was supposed to be a slow day for me, since none of the firms I contacted could set up an appointment for the day. The architecture department at USC did not offer a tour or interview either, so I was basically stuck. So the plan for the day was to check-in at school, peep in on some on-campus seminars, follow-up and double-check on past and future shadow days, and maybe do some college research.
The heading says it all- I poked in on some seminars (glass fusing!) and had a short chat with Samir (If you haven't already, check out his Spring at Sage blog. Some very interesting intellectual thought going on there!) about multiculturalism. Then, almost by luck, Mr. McNeil approached me in the Town Square and told me that Sonnet Hui, from Steinberg Architects (the firm that will be working on our new science building), was on campus for his seminar and that she might still be sticking around to chat with students. Of course I dropped my chicken-bacon burger from Sapphire and ran to H207-208.
11:30 AM: Chat with Sonnet
I was lucky enough to catch her before she had left the room. Once most of the students were gone, I introduced myself and told her a bit about my Spring at Sage project and my long-term goal of becoming an architect. She told me she was more than happy to stay and talk to me. Sonnet had come to Sage to talk about the brainstorming, design, and presentation process of architecture and how they might apply to entrepreneurship. As I observed in the last three days, effective presentation and communication make up a very important part in the architecture field.
Sonnet's workshop consisted of the following: the students brainstormed the ways in which they could improve the design of the lower library to create a more collaborative environment. I was not present for the workshop, but from our conversation I picked up that the Steinberg Architects puts much emphasis on understanding the wants and needs of the client before beginning the design.
Ms. Shank told me earlier this week her reasons for choosing Steinberg. On their first visit to Sage, the representatives did not bring anything... but eyes and ears to see and listen, to observe the campus and lifestyle of students and staff. The importance of paying attention to the client, I think, was something that I took away from both my conversation with Ms. Shank and Sonnet.
Sadly Sonnet was in a hurry, so I did not get a chance to talk to her much about her story or her firm, but hopefully we'll stay in touch. I believe she's part of the group in charge of our new science building, so maybe I might see her again on campus. Meeting Sonnet was a delightful surprise; you just never know what's waiting for you out there!
I think your post really shows that (at least with independent Spring at Sage projects), you really don't know what a day during Spring at Sage will hold. The time is full of constant surprise, and although we all start out with primary goals, they quickly expand and change with the events that the week holds (kind of like glass-blowing I guess). Maybe I'm in a writing mood from hanging around a magazine company but I am really enjoying reading your blog! I also admire that you have a concrete idea of what you want to accomplish in life long-term, I wish you luck in meeting this goal of becoming an architect!
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