Fall 2023 Studio 400
William Tate
“Building and restoring homes, lives and communities through faith”
In this project, our mission was clear: to design affordable homes that prioritize functionality, respect, and dignity. Focused on creating opportunities for families new to homeownership, the aim was to provide the same essential luxuries and well-designed elements found in traditional homes. Tasked with designing a 28x32 home with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, I focused to ensure accessibility and practicality. Collaborating with the executive director of Habitat for Humanity on their 22-home project in Staunton, Virginia, each student had the chance to contribute to this meaningful initiative.
ARKAZ CITY
Fall 2023 Studio 400 William Tate
“She who has drunk of this nectar, wanders like one who is mad’ - Kabir
Drawing inspiration from the sentiments and imagery evoked by Orhan Pamuk. Beginning with my existing line drawing from the start of the semester as a foundation and landscape reference, I introduced a 45-degree tilt to initiate the modeling process. I endeavored to replicate a similar emotional tone through the choice of analogous colors. While constructing the city, I incorporated essential elements integral to a cityscape, including castles, residences, schools, churches, mosques, piazzas, and more. Each addition aimed to capture the essence of what I deemed significant within a thriving urban environment.
DESIGN-BUILD DUKES
Spring 2023 Studio 302
Nick Brinen
In this project, the oak trees in Harrisonburg, VA were infested by emerald ash beetles, leading to their removal. Seizing the opportunity, my architecture class collaborated with the Harrisonburg’s Urban Wood reutilization program to repurpose these trees for a meaningful cause. Our task was to design and construct elements for the JMU Arboretum on campus, specifically creating a Children’s Storywalk and Reading Roost.
Throughout the semester, each student assumed a distinct role. Mine involved designing various iterations for signs, engaging in continuous communication with the arboretum staff to refine and finalize the concept by mid-semester. Subsequently, I transitioned to the woodshop, actively participating in cutting and assembling the wooden signs. Employing the traditional Japanese technique of shou sugi ban, we burned the wood to enhance its durability against decay, insects, and water. The meticulous process included scrubbing each burned piece to activate the desired effects and, finally, meticulously oiling each segment of wood for a polished finish.
INVISIBILE CITIES
Spring 2022 Studio 202 Jori Erdman
In this project, our inspiration stemmed from Italo Calvino’s “Invisible Cities.” Prior to diving into the creative process, I immersed myself in the intricacies of the book, embarking on journeys to comprehend its essence. Throughout this exploration, I keenly observed the built, natural, and social environments, prompting contemplation on Calvino’s structural choices and how I could draw inspiration from them.
The task at hand was to craft a series of five (5) collages, translating the evocative words from Invisible Cities into visual representations. The goal was to create dynamic spatial compositions by employing principles of composition such as foreground, middle ground, and background. Techniques like cutting and cropping, layering, and juxtaposition were essential tools in bringing the textual inspiration to life in a visual form. This project provided a unique opportunity to bridge literature and visual arts, allowing for a creative dialogue between words and images.
THE W.M. STUDIO
Summer 2023 Internship Wasib Mahmood
In the summer of 2023, I had the privilege of interning with an architect at the W.M. Studio firm. This immersive experience provided invaluable 1-on-1 mentorship and exposed me to the practical intricacies of the architectural profession. One notable project involved collaborating on a laser-cut panel design for a mosque.
Throughout the process, I actively contributed to transforming a foam design into a sturdy and aesthetically pleasing architectural element. The journey encompassed laser cutting, meticulous assembly, visiting a shop to fortify its durability, painting, and finally, on-site installation. This hands-on involvement illuminated the diverse spectrum of projects achievable within architectural firms, showcasing the tangible impact architecture can have in real-world settings.
