This week, my eyes were opened even more into the professional world of architecture. On Monday, November 7, 2011, our studio professor, Ana de Brea, invited us to attend a lecture by Daniel Bonilla on his works as an architect. Not only did he discuss projects he has and is currently working on, but his lecture involved topics our studio section is studying in our own projects, such as transformation and flexibility. Along with a very interesting lecture, he had the bravery of venturing up to the third year design studio to see what we were working on.
Our conversations included the topics of how to create a place people would actually have an interest in going to and creating an experience there. He related this project to the School of Architecture at Yale University and how users of the building are forced to work for their experience throughout the structure. The 26 different levels of the building allow the various visitors and students to get a different experience based on where they are in the building. A major factor in Daniel’s discussion with our studio group is how he does not visit museums anymore because “they are dead.” It is up to the architecture to make the work come alive and allow a user to have a unique experience throughout the building. You can see the works of Daniel Banilla here.
Several days later, on Wednesday, November 9, the American Institute for Architecture Students brought in Dan Wilson, a principal at the firm OLSON KUNDIG ARCHITECTS, to give a lecture on his experience of the past 12 years at the Seattle-based firm. From the beginning, I could sense an immediate passion for architecture through Dan. Through Olson Kundig, Dan has acquired an even stronger passion for the natural environment and emphasized the importance of the preservation, magnification, and composition of architecture with the world around it. Later in the evening, after a short question and answer session with exclusive members of the AIAS, the executive board, myself included, took Dan out for a Muncie dinner at a locally-owned restaurant. The quiet environment allowed us to really get to know Dan and we discovered he DOES have a life outside of his very demanding architectural career. Hearing those words out of an architect who has had a very successful career is inspiring and gave the seven of us hope that we are able to achieve that someday. The following morning, we provided transportation for Dan to speak at the AIA Indiana Chapter at Indianapolis lecture and then to the airport. Having the opportunity to see Dan interact with students and faculty of Ball State as well as registered AIA members was a very rare opportunity and I greatly enjoyed the experience of seeing a humble architect in action and outside of his element.
Check out their work–
its INSPIRING
& will help you understand
how it has influenced me
in the progression
of my studio project!
LAS
How great it is that you are meeting and seeing your future profession in real life. It should give you a great advantage when you get out of school and search for your place to put your experience and knowledge to work.