How was your work as an intern meaningful to your education?
This internship really helped me learn about how Architects do their thing in the real world. It made me realize how much work there is to do when trying to design a building, let alone build it. There are thousands and thousands of things you have to deal with, processes you go through, people you talk to, and so on, so it's taught me that architects are truly hardworking people.
What did you learn about your own work from your internship project?
I learned that I'm not too bad at designing houses! I was really surprised at how well all the houses I designed turned out. I think that even though I had only been working for three weeks on the process of making a house in Revit, I still did a pretty good job for the most part.
What new appreciations did you develop while working as an intern? Why?
I really have a new appreciation for James, my mentor. He works really hard to do what he does, and he makes beautiful products. The way he can talk on the phone, and give you some of the best advice you have ever heard is really great. I really appreciate all the work James has done, and I appreciate even more how he let me come and experience work in an architecture firm.
How was your work significant or meaningful to the world beyond school and your specific internship site?
I think my work was significant because it opened me up to seeing what I might be doing in the future. The houses I made over the three week period might be just a small start for me, and if one day I do become a well known, or just a known architect, I can look back at my houses and say "This is where I started."
What qualities or characteristics did you see in the people around you that you want to develop in yourself? Why?
James is a really great people person. He knowns how to make you feel comfortable, and he knows exactly what to say when talking with you. Seeing him do what he does has really helped me figure out that I would love to do the same kind of thing. He is really an inspiration to me, and he has given me a whole different outlook on what an architect does, how an architect does it, and it has impressed me beyond belief. I am excited to see what happens with my future. I am not 100% totally sold on one day becoming an architect, but I am really close to it.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Self-Advocating Intern
How have you advocated for yourself during your internship, or seen advocacy demonstrated in other situations?
At my internship, I'm really not afraid of asking for help if I need it. Just yesterday I was working on the design of a house, and I didn't know how to put the roof on a two level house. James had no problem helping me out, and I have been asking questions all along the time that I have been here. I had never used the program Revit before, and I needed some help with just getting some of the shortcuts down and memorized, and one of the other interns was happy to help me out. I have really enjoyed that if I need help with something, I have people around me who are willing to help me. It's cool too because it's focusing mostly on something I am really excited about.
At my internship, I'm really not afraid of asking for help if I need it. Just yesterday I was working on the design of a house, and I didn't know how to put the roof on a two level house. James had no problem helping me out, and I have been asking questions all along the time that I have been here. I had never used the program Revit before, and I needed some help with just getting some of the shortcuts down and memorized, and one of the other interns was happy to help me out. I have really enjoyed that if I need help with something, I have people around me who are willing to help me. It's cool too because it's focusing mostly on something I am really excited about.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Photo Essay Demysitified
Here is a picture of my area. I'm in the conference room, so I've got a lot of room for the books I look over and my laptop too.
This is a closer look at just some of the books that I've looked at. There are three Revit books, which help me with the program, and then The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice is all about the business side of architecture.
First Week Impressions
- My observations of the site:
My first week at CTA Architects was pretty great. Every morning I loved waking up a little later than usual, and then coming into work. It is really nice to have my own space in the CTA office, so that I can have everything I need at my hands reach. I usually have various books out, my laptop, usually my camera if I ever find something I think I should take a picture of, so I really am glad I have a place that I can kinda call my own. I feel really welcome here, so I enjoy that too. It's pretty quiet around the office, but I actually like being in that atmosphere, because I find myself working harder since I'm not being distracted. Although a lot of the time the phone is ringing, or James is talking with Andy, so it's not ever completely silent.
- My evaluation of the site’s mission/purpose:
I think the one thing that I've learned about James and Andy and what they do, is that they design these amazing buildings all for a purpose. I don't think that there has ever been a project that either of them have not been into, or not enjoyed. Just knowing James, I feel like he is able to overcome all struggles, and deal with people who he might not like to deal with, but he does both in style and with a smile. I really like the fact that the architects at CTA are not just into architecture for money, or just to take over the world, but to leave their clients happy and enjoying the structure that have.
- New skill sets that I know I will need to work on?
Using the program called Revit has been somewhat of a challenge. It's a program that is used for designing buildings, houses, whatever you want. It's a great program and I am loving every day that I get to come in and use it, but Revit is a very complicated program. There is a lot more to it than just drawing up some walls and adding windows and doors. I think the thing I will most need to work on is just learning more of the shortcuts and what many of the functions do. I have not had trouble designing something, but there are ways to make your design actually come to life using accurate topography or colors of buildings and other things as well.
- Any likes and/or dislikes that I have experienced within these first two days.
In terms of dislikes, I really don't think there are any. I have really been enjoying my time here. I have learned a lot just from me messing around with Revit and I know that I will continue to learn more about it. I also like how I feel welcome, like mentioned before. I was really nervous that internships might get weird if I had a mentor who was not friendly, or someone who I couldn't connect with, but James has been awesome. I am really bummed that internships are only three weeks, because I feel like this process has been amazing.
My first week at CTA Architects was pretty great. Every morning I loved waking up a little later than usual, and then coming into work. It is really nice to have my own space in the CTA office, so that I can have everything I need at my hands reach. I usually have various books out, my laptop, usually my camera if I ever find something I think I should take a picture of, so I really am glad I have a place that I can kinda call my own. I feel really welcome here, so I enjoy that too. It's pretty quiet around the office, but I actually like being in that atmosphere, because I find myself working harder since I'm not being distracted. Although a lot of the time the phone is ringing, or James is talking with Andy, so it's not ever completely silent.
- My evaluation of the site’s mission/purpose:
I think the one thing that I've learned about James and Andy and what they do, is that they design these amazing buildings all for a purpose. I don't think that there has ever been a project that either of them have not been into, or not enjoyed. Just knowing James, I feel like he is able to overcome all struggles, and deal with people who he might not like to deal with, but he does both in style and with a smile. I really like the fact that the architects at CTA are not just into architecture for money, or just to take over the world, but to leave their clients happy and enjoying the structure that have.
- New skill sets that I know I will need to work on?
Using the program called Revit has been somewhat of a challenge. It's a program that is used for designing buildings, houses, whatever you want. It's a great program and I am loving every day that I get to come in and use it, but Revit is a very complicated program. There is a lot more to it than just drawing up some walls and adding windows and doors. I think the thing I will most need to work on is just learning more of the shortcuts and what many of the functions do. I have not had trouble designing something, but there are ways to make your design actually come to life using accurate topography or colors of buildings and other things as well.
- Any likes and/or dislikes that I have experienced within these first two days.
In terms of dislikes, I really don't think there are any. I have really been enjoying my time here. I have learned a lot just from me messing around with Revit and I know that I will continue to learn more about it. I also like how I feel welcome, like mentioned before. I was really nervous that internships might get weird if I had a mentor who was not friendly, or someone who I couldn't connect with, but James has been awesome. I am really bummed that internships are only three weeks, because I feel like this process has been amazing.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Mentor Interview
I had a great experience interviewing my mentor. I thought it would be just like a usual interview, but it turned out to be something very different. I really enjoyed hearing what James had to say, and typing it all out was cool too. I went in with a list of questions, but came out with an almost 2,000 word, declamatory, speech if you will. Basically, I asked him the first question, and tried my best to type his every word. From just asking one question, James answered most all my other questions. After that, I decided to go through and pick out the best words that answered my questions.
-Please tell me a little about yourself.
“I’m 47, and I love my wife of 16 years Tammy. I have 4 kids, and I love being a dad. I love the Lord, and I endeavor to be like him. I live in San Marcos, I play piano, keyboard and organ. I have conservative views…. I'm the kind of person who stands for what they believe and I’m willing to talk about those things, and though my mind is made up in a lot of ways, I’m always open to persuasion. If I was effectively in any are, political, architectural or otherwise. If you don't stand for something you don't fall for anything.”
-Tell me about this organization/company.
CTA is a very diverse company; we expand a wide range of projects, so that’s helped up in the downturn of the economy. We do focus on like private Christian buildings and we work with a diverse array of clients, and good communication skills have helped us achieve that.
-How long have you worked here?
That comments is tongue and cheek, but there is a lot to love about the business and I usually don’t love it if I get behind or miss a deadline and then it starts becoming unpleasant, but I suppose that’s true for any industry. CTA is in its 7th year, and was founded by Andy Taylor and myself.
-What is a typical work day like?
We work on a diverse number of projects, and we number them sequentially…and we're up to project 279. So in those seven years we've done 279 projects. We've been blessed in these slower times that we have 3 new projects that just came up, and we'll get that number to 282. I don’t usually plan my days, but I plan my week and execute my week. It’s easier to plan your week instead of day. You're out a lot, or you’re in production mode so it depends…It gets really challenging, but if you got 2 or 3 things going at once, you got to do it and if you got nothing going on you have to get the work. But then, you have to do the work and that’s a challenge, and it presents its various challenges, and of course you have to get paid for the work, and sometimes that’s a challenge but hopefully not.
-What skills and training are necessary for your position?
There is a lot of diverse knowledge and you need to be skilled. Communication is so crucial. You have to be bold and be willing to ask the hard questions, or sound dumb or whatever. Just go for it. You can't let fear stop you. And if you are going to fail, fail big. Crash and burn. Some of the best lessons are in times of failures.
-What college did you attend?
I graduated from San Diego State University, go Aztecs...I guess. I started in engineering, moved to the industrial arts department, and landed in the art department. I graduated with a degree in environmental design, and I suppose of note, is that I actually got my license to do architecture 2 years before I got my degree in environmental design. It’s a myth that many people think you have to have a degree in architecture to become an architect, but this is not true. Although their requirements have changed in recent years, a degree is still not needed, but rather 8 years of combined experience that can be gotten in many ways. The most effective is time under the direct supervision of a licensed architect.
-What or who inspires you?
I consider myself form the Frank Lloyd Wright school, and I really appreciate the ingenuity and creativity and originality of his design work and whatever you may think of the man, like an arrogant sort of a fellow, you can't deny his art as significant, timeless and really important. In terms of the contribution he's made, I have a love of Japan like he did and he borrowed his architectural design from Japanese design. I think along those same lines.
-Do you consider a career in this area satisfying? In what ways?
…It beats digging ditches. That comments is tongue and cheek, but there is a lot to love about the business and I usually don’t love it if I get behind or miss a deadline and then it starts becoming unpleasant, but I suppose that’s true for any industry…Maybe 5% of the time are those great moments, where you have opportunities to do special, dynamic things.
-How important is getting along with others in this career?
Very important. Our philosophy here is one where we serve our clients needs and for the most part we do what were told to do…it’s our purpose to meet the needs of our customers and not to peruse our own arrogant wins.
-What advice do you have about working in the field of Architecture?
Really bad things can happen to a design, and maybe the most important role as an architect or as the conductor of the architecture symphony if you will, is that the architect is still there. And I’ve come to know that it is no small task to do successfully. When it is done successfully, the reward is outstanding and there is personal satisfaction…. In all fairness, good projects only come from good clients. Yeah, you need to be a good architect, but a bad client will kill it. Kill any project. And a great builder helps too. As I’ve told you before, you can have the best set of plans and a lousy builder and you'll have a lousy building. Or you could sketch something out on a cocktail napkin and a great builder can make it sing.
-Please tell me a little about yourself.
“I’m 47, and I love my wife of 16 years Tammy. I have 4 kids, and I love being a dad. I love the Lord, and I endeavor to be like him. I live in San Marcos, I play piano, keyboard and organ. I have conservative views…. I'm the kind of person who stands for what they believe and I’m willing to talk about those things, and though my mind is made up in a lot of ways, I’m always open to persuasion. If I was effectively in any are, political, architectural or otherwise. If you don't stand for something you don't fall for anything.”
-Tell me about this organization/company.
CTA is a very diverse company; we expand a wide range of projects, so that’s helped up in the downturn of the economy. We do focus on like private Christian buildings and we work with a diverse array of clients, and good communication skills have helped us achieve that.
-How long have you worked here?
That comments is tongue and cheek, but there is a lot to love about the business and I usually don’t love it if I get behind or miss a deadline and then it starts becoming unpleasant, but I suppose that’s true for any industry. CTA is in its 7th year, and was founded by Andy Taylor and myself.
-What is a typical work day like?
We work on a diverse number of projects, and we number them sequentially…and we're up to project 279. So in those seven years we've done 279 projects. We've been blessed in these slower times that we have 3 new projects that just came up, and we'll get that number to 282. I don’t usually plan my days, but I plan my week and execute my week. It’s easier to plan your week instead of day. You're out a lot, or you’re in production mode so it depends…It gets really challenging, but if you got 2 or 3 things going at once, you got to do it and if you got nothing going on you have to get the work. But then, you have to do the work and that’s a challenge, and it presents its various challenges, and of course you have to get paid for the work, and sometimes that’s a challenge but hopefully not.
-What skills and training are necessary for your position?
There is a lot of diverse knowledge and you need to be skilled. Communication is so crucial. You have to be bold and be willing to ask the hard questions, or sound dumb or whatever. Just go for it. You can't let fear stop you. And if you are going to fail, fail big. Crash and burn. Some of the best lessons are in times of failures.
-What college did you attend?
I graduated from San Diego State University, go Aztecs...I guess. I started in engineering, moved to the industrial arts department, and landed in the art department. I graduated with a degree in environmental design, and I suppose of note, is that I actually got my license to do architecture 2 years before I got my degree in environmental design. It’s a myth that many people think you have to have a degree in architecture to become an architect, but this is not true. Although their requirements have changed in recent years, a degree is still not needed, but rather 8 years of combined experience that can be gotten in many ways. The most effective is time under the direct supervision of a licensed architect.
-What or who inspires you?
I consider myself form the Frank Lloyd Wright school, and I really appreciate the ingenuity and creativity and originality of his design work and whatever you may think of the man, like an arrogant sort of a fellow, you can't deny his art as significant, timeless and really important. In terms of the contribution he's made, I have a love of Japan like he did and he borrowed his architectural design from Japanese design. I think along those same lines.
-Do you consider a career in this area satisfying? In what ways?
…It beats digging ditches. That comments is tongue and cheek, but there is a lot to love about the business and I usually don’t love it if I get behind or miss a deadline and then it starts becoming unpleasant, but I suppose that’s true for any industry…Maybe 5% of the time are those great moments, where you have opportunities to do special, dynamic things.
-How important is getting along with others in this career?
Very important. Our philosophy here is one where we serve our clients needs and for the most part we do what were told to do…it’s our purpose to meet the needs of our customers and not to peruse our own arrogant wins.
-What advice do you have about working in the field of Architecture?
Really bad things can happen to a design, and maybe the most important role as an architect or as the conductor of the architecture symphony if you will, is that the architect is still there. And I’ve come to know that it is no small task to do successfully. When it is done successfully, the reward is outstanding and there is personal satisfaction…. In all fairness, good projects only come from good clients. Yeah, you need to be a good architect, but a bad client will kill it. Kill any project. And a great builder helps too. As I’ve told you before, you can have the best set of plans and a lousy builder and you'll have a lousy building. Or you could sketch something out on a cocktail napkin and a great builder can make it sing.
Monday, May 24, 2010
First Impressions
What are you excited about learning through this internship experience?
I think I am most excited about learning the logistics of being an architect. After just one day, my mentor already told me so much about how being an architect is not just drawing and designing pretty pictures. He went on, listing the many different parts of the field of architecture, and it is somewhat overwhelming. I always knew that there was more to being an architect than just drawing pictures, but I never really knew how much more. I am also excited about learning more about how to use the program called Revit. Revit is a program used by about 20% of all firms, and it is basically the future of architecture. Instead of physically drawing up the plans, Revit helps you draw it up digitally. I have been using the program since about 11:00am, and I already have gone through many drafts, just figuring how it works. I am excited to actually start working with it more and more, and I know that Revit is probably going to be a big part of my life, should I one day become an architect.
My mentor James is really cool. He makes me feel comfortable and I know that I can ask him anything anytime. I already am feeling at home and welcome in the CTA office, and I am excited for what the next three weeks hold. Once the day was over, I couldn't believe that it had ended so quickly.
I think I am most excited about learning the logistics of being an architect. After just one day, my mentor already told me so much about how being an architect is not just drawing and designing pretty pictures. He went on, listing the many different parts of the field of architecture, and it is somewhat overwhelming. I always knew that there was more to being an architect than just drawing pictures, but I never really knew how much more. I am also excited about learning more about how to use the program called Revit. Revit is a program used by about 20% of all firms, and it is basically the future of architecture. Instead of physically drawing up the plans, Revit helps you draw it up digitally. I have been using the program since about 11:00am, and I already have gone through many drafts, just figuring how it works. I am excited to actually start working with it more and more, and I know that Revit is probably going to be a big part of my life, should I one day become an architect.
My mentor James is really cool. He makes me feel comfortable and I know that I can ask him anything anytime. I already am feeling at home and welcome in the CTA office, and I am excited for what the next three weeks hold. Once the day was over, I couldn't believe that it had ended so quickly.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Carrer Day Assignment
For my internship, I am going to working for an architecture firm in San Marcos, CA. I will be working for CTA Architects. They specialize in commercial properties but also do some private properties as well. I am very excited to start working, and after just that one day I know that I am in for a fun three weeks. I have always wanted to be an architect, so this is going to be a great experience.
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