Practice Magazine Spring 2016

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P RACTICE M A G A Z I N E

A BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE P U B L I C AT I O N S P R I N G

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EMPLOYED: WHY FIRMS TURN TO THE BAC WHEN HIRING » 12

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MAKING @ THE BAC »

PRESIDENTIAL INVESTITURE » 16

U S I N G B O STO N A S O U R L A B O R ATO RY

Practice Magazine » Spring 2016

Editor Allison Postlethwait

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Associate Editor Molly Chase

Dear BAC Community,

Graphic Designer Erika Stigliano

Copy Editor Alyssa King

Proofreader Shannon Buckley

Photography Molly Chase Roger Farrington Tom Klein Liz Linder Allison Postlethwait Sam Rosenholtz

Vice President of Institutional Advancement Evan Gallivan, MBA, CFRE

Director of Development Lindsey Cimochowski

Since I assumed the presidency last September, it has been a busy time at the BAC. Our entire faculty and staff have been working to reposition the College in its marketplace, recruiting students from a wider variety of places and raising more funds through philanthropy.

These are our initial goals, but to understand our long range direction, we have initiated a strategic planning process. This began in early September and included a range of meetings with the Board of Trustees, Overseers, administration, faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Each group has identified and prioritized numerous issues, goals, and visions for the future, including: • Increasing enrollment while maintaining our quality reputation • Re-evaluating program length • Providing opportunities for Continuing Education online and on campus • Enhancing the visibility and prestige of the BAC, both nationally and internationally • Increasing endowment, reducing net tuition, and engaging with students and alumni in diverse ways to foster a culture of giving These are, of course, highlights of the numerous issues that were identified. The BAC’s and my interaction with the community will continue and grow as we move into the future.

There are many upcoming activities that will offer opportunities to expand your involvement with the BAC. Our Spring into Design Gala will take place on April 21 at The Innovation and Design Building in the Seaport District. It will feature food and music, a silent auction, and opportunities to extend your professional and community network. Next fall, we will host our homecoming celebration, which will feature many programs, Continuing Education opportunities, and the annual alumni awards reception. Of course, you may also attend our BAC Lecture Series, which will now feature the Maurice Childs and Arcangelo Cascieri endowed lectures.

Practice is published for the Boston Architectural College community. © 2016.

Have comments about this issue?

Email the editors at communications@ the-bac.edu. Update your information by visiting us on the web at the-bac.edu/alumni or emailing us at alumni@the-bac.edu.

My first several months as president of the BAC have involved a fascinating learning curve.

I have enjoyed meeting many of you and hope to continue building those relationships.The BAC has wonderful traditions, based on the fundamentals of practice, accessibility to a wide range of students, and open enrollment. We will continue to build on these traditions and, through our strategic plan, confidently establish the BAC as the pre-eminent practice-based design school in the United States and beyond.

Please join us in this bold and noble journey.

Glen S. LeRoy, FAIA, FAICP President

CONTENTS 02

Around the College

23

Winter Awards 2015

06

5-Minute Exper ts

24

Catching Up with Alumni

08

Making @ The BAC

26

In Remembrance: Ruth Ganong ’54 and Sandy Greenfield

10

Featured Student Group: SASLA

28

Connect with Us

29

Save the Date Commencement 2016

11 2015–2016 Gateway Projects 12

Employed: Why Firms Turn to the BAC When Hiring

16 Presidential Investiture 18

Using Boston as Our Laboratory

22

Student Stories

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PRACTICE MAGAZINE « SPRING 2016 02

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AROUND THE COLLEGE TWO BAC STUDENTS CHOSEN AS WINNERS AT STUDENT DESIGN SHOWCASE

with the BSA membership and general

BAC, was awarded for his project entitled

public. The showcase is also an opportunity

“Zoo-Logical.” Using Boston’s Franklin Park

to celebrate the numerous architectural

as his site, his goal is to transform the land-

programs in the greater Boston area. Jose

scape to help develop three interactions

January 2016

Gonzalez, Bachelor of Architecture candi-

between human and animal.

Two BAC students were recognized as winners at the annual Student Design Showcase and Competition, sponsored by the Membership Enrichment Committee of the Boston Society of Architects (BSA).

The purpose of the competition is to provide students with a platform to recognize and exhibit their work, sharing their projects

date at the BAC, was recognized as one of the winners for his project entitled “Superheroes and Skyscrapers.” With the objective to use a superhero as inspiration for an intervention at Boston’s Hancock Tower,

PRESIDENT LEROY EARNS AWARD FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Jose draws inspiration from Hercules to

January 2016

solve the problem of wind. Andres Moreira,

BAC President Glen LeRoy, FAIA, FAICP,

Master of Architecture candidate at the

was honored with the Design Industry

#

AROUND THE COLLEGE

Award for Academic Innovation from Ford Motor Company. The award acknowledges President LeRoy for his academic leadership in responding to the automotive industry and developing an innovative design curriculum that embraces industry studio processes and technologies. Ford recognizes LeRoy for his work as dean of the College of Architecture and Design at Lawrence Technological University (LTU), a role he held before joining the BAC as president last year. At LTU, LeRoy

POPULAR BAC HASHTAGS

#BACProcess #BACCityLab #BACNCA2015

from the National College of Arts (NCA)Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The four Pakistani students and faculty member, Khalid Ibrahim, arrived on campus for the Fall 2015 semester as part of a three-year partnership made possible by a grant from the Public Affairs Section, US Embassy, Islamabad, Pakistan. This fall, Khalid spent much of his time shadowing and observing BAC faculty as he worked on developing the course that he plans to implement at NCA.

significantly, expanding to 13 offerings,

January 2016

photogrammetry, a digital documentation

including a long-range plan for the College of Architecture and Design to reposition itself in a competitive marketplace. As part

which included one of the school’s most successful degrees, the Bachelor of Science in Transportation Design. Created under LeRoy’s vision, the Bachelor of Science LTU’s location in the home of the US autoautomotive leaders to ensure this program would meet the needs of their companies.

As a result, the program received significant financial support and positioned its graduates as extremely competitive within the

On Patriot’s Day, Crandon Gustafson, dean of the School of Interior Architecture, and Juan De Loera, a student in the Master of Architecture program, will represent the BAC along the 26.2-mile course from Hopkinton to Copley Square. Beyond running the marathon, Crandon and Juan have each pledged to raise $10,000 toward the BAC Fund, which directly funds resources

Khalid participated in a workshop session on technique used by preservation architects that he will now introduce to the architecture curriculum at NCA. In addition to course development, Khalid worked very closely with the four NCA students who were studying at the BAC.They all observed, attended, and contributed to the studios and reviews. Throughout the semester, the students were proud to share their work with Khalid and their BAC peers and faculty, and they experienced tremendous personal and academic growth.

for curriculum development, student aca-

Follow their trip using #BACNCA2015 on

demic services, technology, investments in

­Instagram.

collect donations toward their goal up until race day. While both Crandon and Juan have

TOP TWEET ON TWITTER DEC. 9, 2015

“BAC Student Maria Martinez Romo finds new passion in interior design, working with @TaniyaNayak…”

marathon experience, 2016 will be their first Boston Marathon.

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faculty, and more. Both runners will work to

ALUMNA LAUNCHES NEW ARCHITECTURE FIRM December 2015 BAC alumna Jeannie Pierce Thacker, who

BAC WELCOMES SECOND COHORT OF FACULTY AND STUDENTS FROM NCA-RAWALPINDI

graduated with a Master of Architecture in 2011, has launched a new architecture firm named TRIA, located in Boston’s Seapor t District. Jeannie, principal, and

December 2015

her colleague Sherwood Butler, managing

The Boston Architectural College’s Design

nearby life sciences and technology com-

Studies program welcomed the second cohort of exchange students and faculty

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marketplace.

Boston Marathon in support of the College.

Preservation program. Through this class,

SPRING 2016

motive industry. LeRoy worked directly with

the BAC community will be running the

Bachelor of Design Studies in Historic

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in Transportation Design takes advantage of

For the second year in a row, members of

Heritage Documentation in the BAC’s

PRACTICE MAGAZINE

He learned by attending classes, particularly

of this plan, he grew the college's programs

BAC STUDENT AND FACULTY MEMBER PLEDGE TO RAISE FUNDS AND RUN BOSTON MARATHON IN SUPPORT OF THE COLLEGE

established a strategic direction and vision,

principal, founded the firm to serve the panies. Jeannie was formerly with Perkins + Will and Signer Harris Architects, and

AROUND THE COLLEGE

TOP POST ON INSTAGRAM

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PRACTICE MAGAZINE

T HAN KS G IVIN G 2015

“With Thanksgiving around the corner, we asked some students what they are thankful for at the BAC. Join in the fun by sharing what YOU’RE thankful for…#HappyThanksgiving”

GATEWAY PROJECT ADDRESSES LOCAL SCHOOL’S DESIGN CHALLENGES November 2015 As par t of the Gateway Initiative, BAC students have been on the ground working with the Henry L. Higginson School’s students, parents, faculty, and staff to develop design recommendations for both immediate and long-term improvements to create a more suppor tive learning environment. Although the school, located in Roxbury, is an inclusive school that educates approximately 200 students with and without disabilities, the aging building

she has an extensive background work-

of landscape architecture, including its rich

ing with life sciences clients. She also

history, the natural and social sciences in

brings real world scientific experience to

which the profession is grounded, and

the firm, having held research positions

the wide range of projects occurring in

at Harvard Medical School and Takeda

the academy and in the profession, as

Pharmaceuticals.

well as the optimistic future of the landscape architecture discipline.”

does not represent the school’s mission of accessibility and inclusion, and it would benefit from an assessment followed by design suggestions. The project is especially relevant as the City of Boston, Boston Public Schools, and Mayor Walsh’s Education Cabinet launch a 10-year capital upgrade program for all schools in the Boston District. The work of this Gateway

DEAN OF SCHOOL OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PRESENTS AT ASLA CONFERENCE

COMMUNITY PRACTICE EARNS BSA FOUNDATION GRANT

team will provide invaluable materi-

November 2015

November 2015

of the city’s plan.

“María Bellalta, dean of the School of

The BAC’s Practice Depar tment earned

Landscape Architecture, presented at the 2015 ASLA conference in Chicago, IL, on November 6, with Sean Rotar of Purdue University and Richard Hawks of SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Their presentation, “Of Immediate Concern: Student Enrollment and our Professional Future,” focused on celebrating the landscape architecture profession as well as revealing the changing environment of landscape architecture education and the interrelationship of student enrollment, retirement, and professional growth. María specifically spoke on the ­alluring elements

al to ensure that the Higginson School is considered for inclusion in the first phase

a grant from the Boston Society of Architects Foundation. The grant will support Community Practice, a two-semester foundation course for all BAC students, both undergraduate and graduate, that refines and tests the necessar y skills of communication and

TOP TWEET ON TWITTER

collaboration in the context of community engagement. Capitalizing on the momentum of the Imagine Boston 2030 planning process, students in Community Practice will develop and create intensive strategies for engaging Boston youth in conversations about the future of their city.

O CT. 5, 2015

“4 days until Glen LeRoy’s Investiture as the BAC’s president!

Welcome him using #BACPresident”

AROUND THE COLLEGE

INSTRUCTOR NAMED “40 UNDER 40”

THE BAC GIVES BACK Boston Architectural College faculty and staff were busy giving back to the community throughout the holidays. During Thanksgiving, the BAC donated over 200 pounds of food to those in need through the Greater Boston Food Bank. Over the holiday season, the BAC donated to Toys for Tots. Devon Butler, coordinator of education, organized both drives with assistance from the education and facilities departments. Thank you to all who participated!

September 2015 BAC

instructor

Blake

Jackson, AIA,

NCARB, LEED Faculty, earned recognition as one of the top “40 under 40” architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals for 2015 by Building Design + Construction Magazine. The list represents the emerging leaders in the AEC industry who are making an impact, ity. Blake, who has been affiliated with the

BAC TEAM COMPETES IN IIDA NEW ENGLAND FASHION SHOW

November 2015

November 2015

director at Tsoi / Kobus & Associates. His

Michael Sadler, a student in the BAC’s

For the fifth year in a row, BAC students

Master of Landscape Architecture program,

sent designs down the runway at the

professional within an architectural prac-

was named a 2015 University Olmsted

IIDA New England Fashion Show on

Scholar in the Landscape ­ Architecture

November 5, 2015. The IIDA New England

Foundation’s Olmsted Scholars Program,

Fashion Show is an event where firms and

the premier national award program for

schools get sponsored by industry vendors

landscape architecture students. Michael’s

and create fashion designs out of materials

research experience led him to study issues

from the vendors. The Romo Group, AIS,

of agency, collaborative group dynamics,

and Legrand sponsored this year’s BAC

and the relationship between identity and

team. Student team members outfitted

landscape. Seeing the way par ticipants

three student models with designs created

in his ethnographic studies reacted and

from fabric, lighting, and desk plastic lam-

related to the natural systems around

inates. The 2015 theme was SENSEation,

them inspired him to think critically about

and the BAC team interpreted the theme

how to best manage and facilitate that

into a dichotomy between good and evil.

relationship in others. Through future

The completed designs reflected a runway

professional practice and his current

narrative between a pure child, a mature

educational career, Michael hopes to high-

protector, and a shadow of fear, evil, and

light the ability of landscape architects to

darkness. This year’s team included stu-

impact the worlds of public, ecological,

dents from each discipline, and half of the

and political health with designs centered

team was first semester students.

unique role as a dedicated sustainability tice is to integrate sustainable design principles throughout all client work, as well as the company internally and the broader community. P

CARE TO CONNECT?

@thebacboston @thebacboston Facebook Linkedin

»» YouTube

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@thebacboston

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Give a shout out to the BAC or find us online.

SPRING 2016

societal well-being.

and accomplishments as sustainability

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on longitudinal qualitative research and

BAC since 2013, is honored for his work

PRACTICE MAGAZINE

honoring Blake for his work in sustainabil-

STUDENT NAMED 2015 UNIVERSITY OLMSTED SCHOLAR

beautiful and functional hand-held objects; and a call for design-build proposals to solve various spatial needs of our 320 Newbury Street building.

I invite you as students, faculty, and alumni to take advantage of an incredible movement at the College. Add to your designer superpowers by exploring materials, tools, and a hybrid of analog and digital fabrication workflows. And while there are a myriad of reasons to use these incredible tools for your next project, here are some specific

5-MINUTE EXPERTS

entry points for designers in each discipline. If you’d like to learn more, reach out via cnc@the-bac.edu or shop@the-bac.edu.

Landscape Architects: Turn those contour lines into a physical model—fast! The CNC router is the perfect tool to build small scale site iterations. Cut three iterations using rigid foam so that you can carve and patch as the design evolves, then paint or gesso.

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PRACTICE MAGAZINE

Architects: Take advantage of our laser cutter for structural models,

IF YOU BUILD IT...

higher-craft than working intricately by hand! Use the CNC to build

By Kyle Sturgeon

a site model, a complex surface, or a beautiful object for your home

“If you build it, they will come!” This was my thinking in early 2012,

(or your employer).

while setting out with a few colleagues to ensure that the BAC

Interior Architects: CNC routers are made for wayfinding signage,

community had access to the most essential fabrication resources for designers.

flat-pack furniture, light fixtures, or surface treatment mockups. Have you ever wanted to design your own doorknob? How about a com-

From my own student experiences in design build at University of

ponent for the next IIDA fashion show? 3D print your inventions (and

Virginia and digital fabrication research at the University of Michigan,

maybe even sell them!).

I’ve come to hold with high regard the level of sophisticated think-

Design Studies: Digifab had made its mark on nearly every indus-

ing that these tools (both “digifab” and shop equipment) can unlock, and what beautiful work they can produce. If you build it, you will understand the work more deeply.

try—fashion, industrial design, and now building construction. Consider getting your feet into these workflows by experimenting with CNC routing to make molds for designed objects or inventing entirely new

In 2013, the BAC’s Material Matters: Digital Provocations student work

workflows and techniques. P

exhibition celebrated the initial grassroots efforts elevating the culture of making at the college—an event we hope to repeat in the coming year. 2015 brought a major renovation to our woodshop, an upgraded laser cutter, and new 3D printers. We’ve come far in a short

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or screen patterns and façade etching—it’s often much faster and

amount of time—but these advancements represent the tip of the iceberg for our growing maker community!

In 2016, these machines will be joined by an additional

CNC

machine

and

additional

staff. Ongoing curricular and extra-curricular workshops for experimentation with equipment alongside knowledgeable staff continue to grow—such as our Mastercam and Making & Modeling courses; a

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second “Let’s Spoon” workshop, wherein students craft

ABOUT KYLE STURGEON Kyle is a registered architect, licensed construction supervisor, and design educator hailing from Virginia. Since 2012, he has served as the BAC’s director of advanced architecture studios and building technology curriculum and a coordinator of the CNC Lab and Woodshop.

Before joining the BAC as faculty and administrator, he earned a Certificate in Design Education and worked with Boston-based firms Office dA, Kennedy & Violich Architecture, and Safdie Architects. He is a founding partner of the open-source design education website sectioncut.com. His educational research investigates tactical pedagogies, demystification of the design process, and design-thinking as a form of empowerment for new constituencies.

CRAFTING WITH LASERS

By David Hansen

One of the most powerful and versatile tools in the modeler’s arsenal is the laser cutter—and the BAC has two that are available for students, faculty, and staff to use. We have Universal Laser Systems VLS 6.6 free-standing models, and they live on the fourth floor of the 320 Newbury Street building in the deceptively named Laser Lab. They are available by appointment only, and each user must have taken the training course prior to using the laser cutters.

The laser cutters can etch, score, and cut onto or through any non-toxic, approved materials using a 60-watt air-cooled free-space gas slab laser. Knowing that last bit isn’t as important as knowing that it means the VLS laser cutters have much longer laser-life and less fall-off when being heavily used than the cheaper water-cooled glass-tube laser cutters you may find online.

David Hansen trains students how to use the BAC’s laser cutter

Even more important than knowing what they can do is knowing what you can do with them. The laser cutters offer an incredible level of precision and speed. In capable hands, a student can cut out a site model, the context buildings, a massing model with a detailed façade, and even a fair amount of entourage in one two-hour appointment.

If planned well, everything will come together and fit just right when gluing it all together.

However, that two hours does not include the time necessary to layout the plans in software, modify those plans to account for material thickness, and then double-check all the adjoining edges to make sure it will all come together correctly at the end. The old rule of measuring twice and cutting once is doubly true for laser cutting when you’re using expensive materials.

How does a student with a full-time job, three nights of classes, and 40 hours of homework get the most out of the laser cutters? How do the busy professionals with clients, kids, and other commitments do it?

First, always plan ahead.

Know what materials you are going to use before you start laying out your drawings for the laser cutter. Know how much material you have to work with. Put rectangles the size of the laser cutter bed in your drawings so that you can arrange all the pieces most efficiently.

Most importantly for three dimensional constructs, always know the thickness of the material so that adjoining edges will have the right amount of overlap.

Second, destroy your drawings.

One of the best things about laser cutting is that you get to ignore all the CAD conventions you have to follow at work or in class. Name them whatever you want, give everything zero line thickness, turn off plot styles and line weights, and put everything on just two or three layers. Refine your cutting and etching line work from largest to smallest, so that if you don’t happen to get everything drawn, it will still look consistent. (It’s better to have a flat plain mass that represents your design, than one highly detailed piece and empty space where the rest should be!)

Third, practice, a lot.

There’s no rule that says you have to wait until a project is due to work on the laser cutters. If you have just taken the training, sign up for a Sunday morning spot, come in with some spare cardboard, and play with the settings and try to make some things. Test out etching with different patterns. Try scoring and folding some chipboard to make unique shapes. Try cutting cardboard in different directions to learn what effect the corrugations create at different angles.

It may take 10,000 hours to become an expert in your craft, but it won’t even take 100 hours to get really good at using laser cutters. P

ABOUT DAVID HANSEN David Hansen is the manager of education applications & support at The Boston Architectural College, where he manages the computer labs, 3D printing, and laser cutting. He developed his skills with those same tools as a professional architectural model maker in Union Square prior to joining the BAC in 2012. David is also teaching the occasional workshop on photogrammetry, and he studied photogrammetry and laser scanning at the Preservation Institute: Nantucket.

Model by Philip Reville, Master of Architecture

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PRACTICE MAGAZINE

CNC ROUT ER

W OOD S H OP

LA S ER CUTT ER

CREATED WITH:

MAKING @ THE BAC

Laser Cutter CNC Router 3D Printer Hand/Woodshop Tools

HA R D AT W O RK

#BAC

See what BAC students snapped on Instagram...

@N ILT UZ CU

Let's Spoon workshop Photo by Christian Borger

BAC Alumni Awards are made with our 3D printer.

@JT MCMUFFIN

@BAC_CN C

FENWAY FARMS

FIRST FRIDAY

The BAC’s Student Chapter of the American Society of

FEATURED STUDENT GROUP

Landscape Architects (SASLA) has been exceptionally active on campus during the Fall 2015 semester. From designing and constructing a temporary public park in parking spaces along Hereford Street for Park(ing) Day, to hosting field trips to rooftop gardens in Fenway Park and Assembly Row, to celebrating Halloween with pumpkin carving in the loft, to hosting a Thai-themed Food for Finals event, it was hard to miss members of the student group throughout campus last semester.

ABOUT SASLA The BAC’s SASLA chapter connects landscape architecture students to each other on campus as well as to the local and national professional networks. Students participate to learn more about the field of landscape architecture, understand related skills, and be involved in a community of their peers.

SASLA

PARK(ING) DAY

ASSEMBLY ROW TOUR

PUMPKIN FEST

LEARN MORE ABOUT STUDENT LIFE ON CAMPUS AND CONNECT WITH US!

BAC Student Life

@BACstudentlife

blog.the-bac.edu

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2015–2016 GATEWAY PROJECTS

1 THE NATURE OF DISCOVERY

4 RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURES Students are examining the challenges and opportunities of adapting to and living with rising sea levels in East Boston, building on the foundation of research developed by the BAC Huxtable Fellows. Students are working closely with Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH) to develop tangible, accessible, and equitable strategies for climate mitigation. Students are furthering and building upon the work NOAH has already done, examining opportunities for resilient design strategies at multiple scales of infrastructure.

6 (RE)VISIONING BELMONT VILLAGE The modernization and reinvigoration of Belmont Village, a 100-unit public housing development built in 1949, requires creative thinking and community consensus. Working with Metro West Collaborative Development, students are engaging community members and residents to solicit input for future growth and development. Using this input, they are developing proposals for a new vision based on a careful analysis of many factors. The information gathered and the students’ design ideas will be used as a catalyst for a community conversation about future public and private investment in ­Belmont Village. P

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Students are on the ground working with Roxbury’s Henry L. Higginson K–2 School’s students, parents, faculty, and staff to develop design recommendations for both immediate and long-term improvements to create a more supportive learning environment.

Working in collaboration with Higher Ground Boston, and generously supported

by The Architectural Team, students are providing recommendations to help the aging building more effectively represent the school’s mission of accessibility and inclusion.

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This year-long engagement with the Madison Park Development Corporation (MPDC) features a series of site investigations paired with design development for three sites within the Dudley Square, Lower Roxbury neighborhood. For the initial, short-term assignment, students are preparing multiple layouts for a new restaurant in an existing retail space on Dudley Street. The second, more expansive undertaking encompasses the development of three residential parcels, two owned by the MPDC and one by the City of Boston. The proposed design solutions are in response to the City of Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Development initiative to develop affordable homeownership opportunities.

Working with Four Corners Main Streets, students are addressing the rapid changes occurring in Dorchester’s Four Corners district, sparked by the recent development of the Fairmount Commuter Rail Corridor.

As an innovative and inclusive urban design project for the public realm in the heart of Four Corners, the Gateway group is helping local merchants and residents to communicate a community-supported vision for the future of their neighborhood, while simultaneously fostering a stewardship for community assets and empowering residents to participate in the development process.

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2 DEVELOPING DUDLEY

5 ELEMENTARY

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Students have joined forces with the Southern Massachusetts Pine Barrens Alliance and the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation to make the riches of the Massachusetts Myles Standish State Forest, located in Plymouth and Carver, more accessible to the public. The BAC is helping to design a Pine Barrens Discovery Center that, when complete, will be the lens through which visitors observe and enjoy the land and the region’s rare ecosystem, the Atlantic coastal pine barrens.

3 IMAGINE FOUR CORNERS

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BAC students work with local nonprofits, community organizations, and municipalities to provide pro bono design services.

EMPLOYED:

WHY FIRMS TURN TO THE BAC WHEN HIRING

BY MOLLY CHASE

Students and graduates of The Boston Architectural College have made a name for themselves within the design community. In a competitive field, they have proven to bring unique qualities and skills to the table, and, because of that, they have both built and PRACTICE MAGAZINE

maintained a strong reputation in the professional market, especially Boston’s.

The foundation of this strong reputation ties back to the BAC’s rich history. Since its establishment as a club in 1889, the BAC has continually evolved but has always upheld the importance of open admission, affordability, dedicated faculty, and the value of learning through practice. The consistent commitment to these pillars has attracted students who are motivated and eager to learn, and it has produced graduates who are equally as motivated and exceptionally

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prepared to succeed in the workplace.

“BAC graduates have a keen ability to balance between the practical

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and the abstract in a way that many other graduates do not,” said Howard Elkus, BAC trustee and principal and co-founder of Elkus

Manfredi Architects. “The theoretical studios they take in school, ­coupled with continuing practice and ongoing engagement in the local architectural community, makes the BAC student both a great thinker and a great leader within our practice and beyond.”

These impressive student and alumni bodies create a propitious cycle.

The stronger the impression BAC students and alumni continue to make, the stronger the College’s close ties to the local design community become. These close ties are exemplified simply by looking at where the College’s students and graduates work.

Based on data from students and alumni who have LinkedIn profiles, the five places that employ the highest number of BAC students and graduates are Elkus Manfredi Architects; Shepley Bulfinch; Gensler; ADD Inc., now with Stantec; and Perkins+Will. These are nationally (and globally) known design firms with strong presences in Boston, which highlights not only that the majority of BAC students and alumni are employed in their field of study, but also the strong local ties made during their education at the BAC. Silverman Trykowski Associate team. Of the firm’s 12 current employees, 10 are from the BAC. All three named principals, Felice Silverman, David Silverman, and Thomas Trykowski, are alumni.

These five firms, and many others, have their reasons for hiring BAC students and graduates so regularly—and in some cases, almost exclusively—which typically stem from the fact that time and time again, they prove to be an impressive bunch, bringing unique skills and ­attitudes and a distinct grit to the table.

“BAC students are self-motivated, creative thinkers, multi-disciplinary, open-minded, and team players.”

Felice Silverman ’92, MID ’14 BAC overseer and principal of Boston-based architecture and interior design studio Silverman Trykowski Associates, Inc

Yanel de Angel

PERKINS + WILL ELKUS MANFREDI ARCHITECTS GENSLER

Associate principal at Perkins+Will, a global architecture firm with a Boston practice ADD INC./ STANTEC

of Elkus Manfredi Architects

Matt Roberts, M.Arch ’07 Associate at ADD Inc., now with Stantec

These traits that make BAC students and graduates stand out have their roots in the College’s practice-based curriculum, which students often highlight as the reason they chose to attend the

and flexible course schedules that include evening and night classes, the BAC, unique to other colleges, is structured to accommodate students who work full-time while also in school.

“There are aspects of real world design that you can only learn in practice,” explained Luis Araque, Bachelor of Interior Architecture student at the BAC and designer at Silverman Trykowski and Associates, Inc. “The concurrent program encourages students to be more professional, mature, and able to multi-task. It also teaches you how to be more detail-oriented and how to manage your time well.”

Students acquire vital professional skills and expertise through handson projects and real-world employment while also attending their classes and studios onsite or online, earning credit and gaining experience in both settings.There is often overlap in what BAC students are learning in the classroom and in their firms, which uniquely prepares them to thrive in a professional setting upon graduation.

BAC above other schools.

“I found a generative feedback loop of knowledge emerging as I

The core of the BAC experience is a unique learning model where

applied in the office, and skills I was developing in the office in-

delved deeper into my studies; lessons I was learning in class were

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“The BAC teaches you to know your limits, how to time-manage effectively, and prioritize. These skills are key to being successful in architecture, and really any business for that matter.”

al workplace simultaneously. With strong support systems in place »

Howard Elkus BAC trustee and principal and co-founder

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design education happens in the classroom and in the profession-

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“The maturity they have developed in presentation, workflow, and communication with consultants and clients immediately sets them apart as interns or recent graduates.”

SHEPLEY BULFINCH

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“Graduates of the BAC stand out because of their technical competency and work ethic. The BAC graduates that we hire have been reliable, focused, and self-directed.”

BAC student Ian Hester and colleague at Shepley Bulfinch.

trusted expectation is that they will come to work prepared for the pace and demands of the working world, as well as possess the skills to contribute to projects of any size.

BAC student Jessica King in her work space at Shepley Bulfinch

formed my classroom activities,” explained Meghan Marchie, MLA ’15, PRACTICE MAGAZINE

landscape designer at Copley Wolff Design Group. “In this light, a concurrent curriculum is an extremely valuable asset and made me both

Howard Elkus BAC trustee and principal and co-founder of Elkus Manfredi Architects

a better employee and student.”

Through this practice-based education model, students also learn how to juggle many responsibilities at once. Managing a busy course load, job, and personal life often becomes the norm.

“The BAC offered me valuable lessons in balancing life—professional,

“The BAC educates its students to be problemsolvers. This is a skill that students develop as they work to meet the demands of projects in the workplace and the classroom.”

personal, and academic,” said Stephen Messinger, M.Arch ’11, BAC Alumni Board president, and architectural designer at Perkins+Will.

“I learned to be more efficient and more organized. Besides that, the

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“BAC students are generally very experienced and well established in their field when they graduate.

It takes many years of coursework and internship to complete the program, and this makes them uniquely confident in pursuit of their professional goals, as well as in their ability to integrate into the firm’s practice.”

BAC further developed my critical thinking, my problem solving skills,

Carole Wedge, B.Arch ’90 BAC trustee and president of Shepley Bulfinch

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and my ability to analyze and address design challenges.”

Since the curriculum takes more time to complete than most traditional schools, the BAC is able to provide a longer window of opportunity for students to acquire a range of professional project experience.

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“In this longer academic experience, I learned personal time management, professional expectations of the workplace set by practicing

“What makes the BAC unique is the practical experience, hands down. The school fosters an environment where students can learn as they go.

It’s hard to retain what you’re learning when you’re not practicing it.”

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professionals as instructors, and the various building typologies I would be interested in working on by exposure to a variety of

Taniya Nayak

studios,” said Holly Arnold, M.Arch ’14, architectural designer at

Attended the BAC’s School of Interior Architecture and is now a

ADD, Inc. now with Stantec. “This helped me learn about nearly every

design expert member on HGTV and Food Network and owner of Taniya Nayak Design

firm in the Boston area to guide on a path of selecting the firms I would want to be a part of by the time I graduate.”

While the balancing act of attending classes and working is anything but easy, it truly does help prepare students to meet the many demands of the working world, which employers value and appreciate.

“BAC students are some of the hardest working people I know,” said Matt Roberts, associate at ADD Inc. now with Stantec. “Their portfolios usually demonstrate an equal display of academic design work and professional design work, which easily sets them apart from other recent architecture school graduates who do not have the professional experience yet.”

Those who play a role in hiring at their firms, like Matt Roberts, have a certain confidence when they hire BAC students or alumni. The

“BAC students and grads have the perfect balance of design knowledge learned through academic study and application—they’ve been exposed to theoretical, research-based issues, and practical real world scenarios, and have learned how to best solve a problem using both of these tool sets.”

Felice Silverman, ’92, MID ’14 Silverman Trykowski Associates, Inc.

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Taniya Nayak, who actively turns to the BAC when she is hiring, with her design team.

so often, we’d end up working in the same firm one day. Two years

has made the BAC’s connection to the design community stronger

later, I got hired here and have been here for a little over three years.”

city like Boston, and the BAC’s integration into the design community immediately puts its students and graduates in a position to succeed.

Alumni often cite having found their current job, and past jobs too, through their BAC network.

While these connections made at the BAC can help get them in the door, the students themselves have built the strong reputation they now have in the design community. Through their perseverance and motivation, they continue to pave the way for future students and graduates to have the same successes. As firms continue to be

worked at over the last 10+ years have been through BAC connec-

they increasingly turn to the College with employment opportunities.

tions.”

Needless to say, it is a great time to call oneself a graduate or student

Marcus Hamblin, BIA ’14, designer at Gensler, also found success

of The Boston Architectural College.

through connections he made during his time at the BAC, prompted

BAC students and graduates do not sugarcoat how intense, daunting,

by his involvement in student leadership.

and caffeine-fueled their experiences were while earning their degrees.

“It was this involvement that caught the attention of a colleague at Gensler, and prompted him to ask me to apply for a position at the firm,” said Marcus. “This was a completely unexpected opportunity, but has proven to be a major step in my professional development.”

Josh Castellano, B.Arch ’15, designer at Silverman Trykowski Associates, had a similar experience. He was actively involved with the BAC’s student culture, and as a member of Atelier, the BAC’s student body government, had the opportunity to regularly interact with other groups on campus.

“One of those groups was the Alumni Board,” explained Josh. “During a mixer with them I quipped to David Silverman, founder and principal of map-lab at the time, that if we kept running into each other

They openly admit that being a full-time student and employee is one of the biggest challenges they have ever faced. But with hard work comes huge reward—and earning a degree, skillset, and reputation that is recognized and respected within the design community is a lifelong reward.

“My journey to obtain my master’s degree was the most challenging three and a half years of my life, yet the experience molded me into an extremely capable, and therefore valuable, asset to any design firm,” concluded Meghan Marchie. “The best two words I can use to describe my experience at the BAC: Worth it.” P

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impressed by the work ethic and skillsets instilled by a BAC education, »

As Stephen Messinger, explained first-hand, “All three firms I have

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than ever. Connections can go a long way, especially in a close-knit

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This positive reputation that BAC students and alumni have earned

“WE WANT GLEN AND THE WHOLE BAC COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT BOSTON’S DESIGN PRACTICE IS COMMITTED TO A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE TOGETHER.”

Carole Wedge, B.Arch ’90, President of Shepley Bulfinch

"IN CHOOSING GLEN LEROY AS YOUR PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE FOUND A PROVEN LEADER… WHAT A FUTURE YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU! WHAT WONDERFUL OUTCOMES YOU WILL ACHIEVE! NOTHING IS OUT OF REACH. EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE."

Elizabeth Chu Richter 2015 AIA President

PRESIDENTIAL INVESTITURE The BAC celebrates the investiture of Glen S. LeRoy as seventh president of the College.

Faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends of The Boston Architectural College celebrated new leadership with the official Presidential Investiture of Glen S. LeRoy, FAIA, FAICP, on Friday, October 9, Harvard Club of Boston to celebrate the BAC’s next chapter, which will be led by LeRoy as the College’s seventh president.

Delegates representing higher education and professional associations marched in the investiture procession, joined by members of the BAC’s internal community, including student representatives, deans, vice presidents, and members of the Board of Trustees. Delegates from the higher education community included esteemed presi-

PRACTICE MAGAZINE

2015. More than 200 guests came together as a community at The

dents and leaders of universities and colleges in Boston and the professional associations marched Architects (AIA) Elizabeth Chu Richter, who also provided a greeting.

Dana Rowan, chair of the BAC’s Board of Trustees, led the historic ceremony, which was started off with a welcome tative Jay Livingstone. Guests included education and design field leaders; and family, friends, and colleagues of LeRoy from across the country. P

President Glen LeRoy

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Boston city councilors; fellow higher

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from Massachusetts State Represen-

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President of the American Institute of

“I BELIEVE IN THE BAC, ITS MISSION, ITS PEOPLE, AND ITS COMMITMENT TO BOSTON AND THE BROADER REGION. THE BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE IS THE RIGHT SCHOOL AT THE RIGHT TIME, IN THE RIGHT CITY TO ENHANCE, AND PERHAPS REINVENT, PRACTICE-BASED DESIGN EDUCATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY. I ASK THAT YOU JOIN US IN THIS WORTHY ENDEAVOR.”

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beyond. Among those representing

USING BOSTON AS OUR LABORATORY

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PRACTICE MAGAZINE

BY ALLISON POSTLETHWAIT

How well do you know the city you live in? How often do you think about the design of your surroundings or the historical context from which they emerged? In an urban environment, there is always something new to discover. This is the basis of the BAC’s innovative program for incoming students. Every fall and spring semester, new students gather in Cascieri Hall for the kickoff of an intensive course called CityLab.The course name ­“CityLab” emphasizes using the city of Boston as a laboratory for learning about design stewardship. Piloted in 2012, CityLab Intensive has become a highlight of the foundation experience for BAC students.

THE BUZZ

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Read what students are saying about CityLab

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“I’ve learned to view my surroundings with a different perspective and take in what I see, hear, and smell throughout the city—or anywhere for that matter.”

Over the course of four days, regardless of rain, snow, or shine, incoming undergraduate and graduate students are immersed in a series of field-based exercises focused on the exploration of systems, structures, places, and populations that comprise the city of Boston.

Following kickoff presentations by staff and faculty members, students are dispersed into course sections corresponding with familiar names of Back Bay streets. For many, this is just their second day living in Boston, and they are already sent off in teams alongside instructors to observe, sketch, and analyze a diverse range of city spaces.

Students sprawl out around notable landmarks and hidden gems alike with BAC lanyards around their necks, sketchbooks in their hands, and their heads pointing toward the sky as they quietly take in their surroundings. Following a field guide of course assignments, students fill their sketchbooks with drawings, photographs, and reflections, and instructors provide insight to spark discovery and discussion.

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The concept of CityLab was developed within the College’s new curriculum as a way to introduce students to the concurrent education experience at the BAC. With a new emphasis on foundation studies, it was important to incorporate an early hands-on experience that teaches students how to learn outside the classroom. Len Charney, dean of Practice, conceived the idea, and it has continued to be run by faculty and staff within the Practice Department at the BAC.

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“I have many favorite moments from CityLab, both big and small,” reflected Sara Bourque, MLA ’14, CityLab coordinator in Practice.

“One moment that never gets old is when self-conscious students start to blossom with a wealth of beautiful, thoughtful sketches and begin to engage in meaningful conversations with their groups.”

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The goal of the CityLab Intensive has always been to get students excited to study in Boston. The intensive serves as a space for students to develop their sense of curiosity and appreciation for learning outside the classroom in an applied manner. Students are pushed to cultivate the skills they need to accomplish their assignments in the field, and they are assessed on their mindfulness, teamwork, leadership, professionalism, and communication skills. Throughout the four days, students build their confidence to take risks in visual representation and civic engagement.

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“I personally can no longer experience a city without thinking of the questions that are posed in CityLab,” commented Arlen Stawasz, B.Arch ’13. “CityLab attracted me as an instructor because of the opportunity to teach students how to view our cities through not the lens of a tourist, but the lens of a designer.”

The first CityLab Intensive was co-piloted by Len and Shaun ­O’Rourke, former director of sustainable design at the BAC, during Spring 2012 as a research-based community impact study Gateway project. Based on its success, it was developed into an elective course for graduate students. With the instrumental help of Brynya Gibson; Sara Bourque, MLA ’14; and Susan Pranger, MDS ’15, CityLab grew its vital roots and proved that it was an enlightening and fun program for students. In Fall 2013, it was launched as a required course for new students.

“CityLab is a great example of what makes the BAC unique. Learning by doing is core to the BAC experience, and as we were revising the curriculum, it was an opportunity to embed this ethos from a student’s first day on campus,” reflected Shaun O’Rourke. “The development of the course challenged the faculty and staff to think differently about the student experience and how we can use the BAC’s

“I’ve learned to look at the city as one big piece and to look for the problems in order to create a solution using the skills of a designer.”

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“CityLab gave me a kind of third eye and understanding about how all structures and little discrete lines affect us in many ways.”

In Newbury Street, short buildings with narrow front faces give us a sense of human scale. In spite of high density of building and people, cozy places make human comfort. Peopl’s talking voice and food scents add the charm to this street.

The volume of high-rise buildings contrasts the void of wide streets in Massachusetts Avenue. Large scale of building, noise of a street, and materiality such as metal, concrete, and glass creates monolitic city scape.

Massachusetts Avenue always remains me Tokyo, my home town.

Christian Science Plaza has most of all features of open space in city. I will compare this park and other two parks in open space section.

Observation Sketches

Left: Moeko Hara, Master of Architecture student Right: Cheng Wei, Master of Architecture student

BUILT FORM Old building with Palimpsest Before attending City Lab Intensive class, I have never paid attention

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the palimpsest. All palimpsests I found were on brick buildings. One Get a glimpse into the sketches students created out in the tofield.

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new

The sketch left is the comparison of sensory experience between Newbury Street, Berklee college of music neighborhood, and Christian Science Park. From an architectural point of view, a scale, volume, and density of building drastically changes once stepping into another district. Character of each are also change in association with an occupancy.

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this very

HEALTH & HUMAN CONFORT Observation from Newbury Street to Christian Science Plaza

building near North Station had an earlier form of stairs and floor slabs on the surface. These are the good source to know daily history of architecture in the city.

location in Boston to build relationships, push the comfort zone, and see the city in a new way.”

In August 2014, a true game changer happened for CityLab with the hiring of a director for the program. Director of Foundation Instruction in Practice Beth Lundell Garver was brought on to develop and centralize CityLab’s curricular experience.

Old building with Palimpsest, 280 Congress St. Building “Since joining the BAC, I have aimed to organize, refine, and evolve the course into a deeply impactful student experience— both geographically and pedagogically,” commented Beth. “CityLab serves the dual function of orienting students to past, present, and future Boston while simultaneously introducing them to foundational concepts of design thinking and practice.”

Beth’s excitement for the program is unparalleled, and her impact is apparent. Describing it as a perfect fit, Beth revealed that in her graduate school application essay, she wrote about the power of utilizing the city as a laboratory. With a Master of Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) and over eight years of professional practice, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the program.

“Beth has truly captured the imagination of the rest of the school with her design of the intensive,” said Len Charney. “Her excitement is infectious, and it translates to her students and instructors.”

In contrast to Palimpsest, this is the example of the old building with a

new structure. addition of theby building creates beutiful interior a current event or publication. Recent Since August 2014, the course The hasnewbeen space. When thinking about sustainability of Boston as an architecture, to think about how to create comfortable environment without“Design, Health, and themes have included, expanded and refinedweinhave a variety of ways. losing the history and charm of this city. Not only creating new buildings, Urbanism, A main highlight includes the concentration preserving historic buildings is our important roll. ” “Practicing Inside Out,” and “Visionary Practices,” in direct response to of the geography of site explorations. In the Boston’s 2024 Olympic bid. The themes fall, when the weather is warmer, the course influence selected site explorations as well focuses on sites that are connected or indias guest speakers. Each intensive features a rectly affected by Boston’s Central Artery, Big panel of speakers that introduces students Dig, and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway to real world experiences from the profesprojects. Students explore areas from the Old building with Palimpsest sional industry. Past speakers include David West End, to the Zakim Bridge, to China­town, Manfredi, founding principal of Elkus Manfredi and more. In the spring, when the weather Architects, who spoke about his key role on is colder, students explore interior networks the Boston 2024 Olympic bid committee including the Prudential Center, Boston and their vision for underutilized areas like Public Library, the Museum of Fine Ar ts, Widett Circle, as well as Alex Krieger, proMassachusetts General Hospital, and more. fessor in practice of urban design at Harvard An impor tant element that is now woven GSD, BAC overseer, and principal at NBBJ, throughout each course assignment is apwho spoke about the history of urban deplying five CityLab lenses: health and human velopment in Boston with particular mencomfort, mobility, open space, built form, tion of the West End, Central Artery, and and cultural systems. These lenses are a way greenway projects. of simplifying and distilling complex overlapThe beauty of CityLab is that it has evolved, ping systems that occur around us all the and will continue to evolve, to give students time and should be considered as part of a unique introduction to both Boston and every design problem, regardless of its disthe BAC. As part of their course assigncipline. They serve as a common language ments, students use Instagram for site analfor architects, interior architects, landscape ysis documentation and georeferenced architects, and designers alike. data collection through the use of hashtag “As a licensed architect with a focus on urban #BACCityLab. The hashtag was launched in design, I know it can be overwhelming to abJanuary 2015, and there are currently 1,252 sorb and analyze a large, dynamic place at a posts on Instagram. Collectively, the images range of scales from an interior room to a capture the atmosphere and vividly share building, neighborhood, city, or region,” said the story of CityLab with the world.

Beth. “Based on student evaluations, my in“CityLab’s future relies on the BAC’s ability troduction of the CityLab lenses has helped to iterate and learn from each course and students navigate this process.” evolve the experience every semester,” Each semester has a guiding topic inspired

“CityLab has provided us with a basic understanding and a knowing of our local surroundings to help us progress further academically and professionally to our desired goals.”

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“I learned that there is always a driving idea or concept behind every design.”

The friendships formed during the intensive last. When students enter their courses, they already know each other, which enhances the collaborative spirit and energy of the classroom.This infuses into student life, organizations, and more both on and off campus.

“CityLab is an important program for incoming students. It was an eye-opening introduction to the city, and experiencing it with a cohort of other new students made you feel less alone and intimidated,” said Steven Godanis, Master of Landscape Architecture candidate. “I still work and collaborate with these students at the BAC.” CityLab Instructor Chris O’Neil engaging his team of students in a field exercise. Photo by Beth Lundell Garver

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I would like to acknowledge the BAC Practice Department’s contributions to this article, and I sincerely thank Beth Lundell Garver and Len Charney for their efforts in providing background and insight into this piece.

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“It’s hard enough to move to a new city and start school in an environment unfamiliar to you. Luckily, at the BAC, we have CityLab to quickly integrate us in the community with the help of faculty and fellow students,” said Juan De Loera, a second semester Master of Architecture candidate from Texas. “The class makes you get out there—walking up and down the streets of Boston, becoming aware of local major monuments and transportation hubs, and ultimately situating yourself in your new city.”

The CityLab Intensive is always one of the most exciting times of the semester for our community. We invite you to learn more and stay involved through visiting us on the web and following each intensive on social media with #BACCityLab. P

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“This coming Fall 2016 semester will be my fifth year doing CityLab. I continue to stay connected because I LOVE IT,” stated Sara Bourque. “Through working in small interdisciplinary groups, our students learn the value of building collaborative relationships from day one. The students really seem to bond with teammates and develop friendships that carry over through the semester and beyond.”

Students of different disciplines come to the BAC from all over, as far as Alaska, Brazil, and China, and CityLab gives them a common ground.

“The CityLab experience is invaluable to every new student,” stated Andy Vieira, MID ’13, CityLab instructor for the past five semesters. “There are students at the BAC from all different walks of life. CityLab is an amazing oppor tunity to bridge students’ interest in design with their previous experiences in built environments.”

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The enthusiasm over the CityLab Intensive has permeated throughout the BAC community, and its effects are being realized. Alumni, faculty, and advanced students are hired to teach, and over half of the instructors in the program have taught for more than five consecutive semesters. In October 2014, a CityLab Pro workshop was launched for design professionals, the general public, and alumni. And plans are in the works for CityLab Go, which hopes to offer students summer travel to other cities for cross comparison.

reflected Len Charney. “After only four days, they act like they have known each other forever. This will be the network that they build upon for the rest of their experience at the BAC.”

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said Shaun O’Rourke. “It has been exciting to watch the evolution and growth of the course, and I look forward to seeing where it goes.”

It speaks for itself that the CityLab Intensive is an instrumental curricular component at the BAC. As one of the only programs of its kind, it exemplifies the BAC’s mission of providing a top design education emerging from practice that is accessible to diverse communities.

#BACCityLab

See what BAC students Instagrammed during CityLab.

This is one of the most important effects of the CityLab Intensive experience. Beyond building the fundamentals of design education, students begin to form a core network. Students develop into tight cohorts throughout the four days, and the peer-to-peer relationship building is unmatched.

“The most rewarding moment for me to see is when students leave after the last day,”

@ LA E T I T I O U S CH

@ BACCI T Y LA B_ N

@ R A O _ RU T VI K

“I’ve learned a general framework for thinking about and expressing ideas about place making, as well as how to break down a large design problem in order to allow a group to work on different aspects of the problem while contributing to the larger solution.”

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WHEN PASSIONS COMBINE

STUDENT STORIES

Christian Borger’s photography style, a balance of posed architectural and gritty street photography, has been the winning combination to launch both his career and academic success. While his interests in photography and architecture developed separately from each other, Christian Borger, Bachelor of Architecture candidate at the BAC, is now finding opportunities to integrate the two professionally and academically.

In both the professional world and in the classroom, photography offers new perspectives. As an aspiring architect, Christian uses his photography to better understand how people interact with the built environment. Photos provide a conceptual artistic version of how people walk through spaces, move through cities, and interact with their surroundings.

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“It has been great to pull photography into the professional field,” said Christian. “The BAC pushes you to take what you love to do and really work it into your professional career. Whatever skills you have, you can develop them to launch yourself into the professional field, which is what happened for me with photography. It started as a hobby, and I’m now learning how to use it professionally.”

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Christian works at a Boston-based design/build firm, Placetailor, where he helps with graphics and photography. He works on the company’s photography of their projects, and he has developed a keen eye for exquisitely capturing and framing their work.

Christian Borger, Bachelor of Architecture, integrates architecture and photography in school and work

Christian’s photography skills have also been an asset in his classes at the BAC. Photographs help capture his models and offer a visual explanation of his design decisions. They highlight details that could otherwise be misinterpreted or missed. Christian previously took a semester off from class to explore what it would be like to do photography full time, but his desire to design, build, and spend time in the studio brought him back through the College’s doors. P

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE SPARKS RENEWED PASSION When BAC student Maria Martinez Romo entered the design industry, she was filled with renewed enthusiasm. Originally from Mexico, Maria moved to Vancouver after high school to pursue a career in acting.

After 10 years, she ultimately determined she wanted a career that would allow her to apply her creativity to something more tangible. Interior architecture fit the bill.

Now, after relocating to Boston, Maria is pursuing a Bachelor of Interior Architecture from The Boston Architectural College while simultaneously learning from leaders in the field. For Maria, balancing academics with a job is nothing new; she has grown familiar with the BAC’s model of combining coursework with real world experience. After her experience in the acting world, she finds familiarity and comfort in having a full plate.

That is one of the reasons she instantly fell in love with the excitement, pace, and complexity of a typical day at Taniya Nayak

Design LLC, where she has learned the ins and outs of a unique type of interior architecture: hospitality design. As its name suggests, the firm is owned and lead by Taniya Nayak, one of the nation’s foremost interior designers.

Maria is an important part of Taniya’s team.

Her responsibilities include building models, defining specifications, and providing direction for the furniture and general layout of spaces. Through all of her projects, vendor relations and accommodating the needs and styles of clients are skills that she has regularly practiced and strengthened. Taniya and her team take the time to really understand the client before making any recommendations. They guide clients based off what works best for their budget, space, and the future of their space—and always keep recommendations realistic.

As Maria continues to grow as a student and designer, she emphasizes the importance of

Maria Martinez Romo, Bachelor of Interior Architecture, learns from Taniya Nayak in unique field of hospitality design

staying connected. “Class work is intense and studying is important, but it’s also important to connect with your peers, colleagues, and BAC alumni and share your experiences,” she said. “There is so much support that students have to take advantage of here, and that’s how new and amazing opportunities will arise.” P

PLEASE JOIN US IN CONGRATULATING ALL AWARD WINNERS: Alumni Association Scholarship Jeremey Henrickson, BS in Architecture Christine Banister, Master of Architecture Philip Reville III, Master of Architecture The Architectural Team (TAT): Advancing Years Competition Award Joshua Butkus, Bachelor of Architecture Fernanda Dias Pinto, Bachelor of Architecture Jose Gonzalez, Bachelor of Architecture BAC Segment I Portfolio Award Rand Lemley, Bachelor of Architecture Norman Dandridge, Master of Architecture Brittany Ambruson, Master of Architecture

Dean Arcangelo Cascieri Scholarship Aaron Tetzlaff, Bachelor of Architecture Darguin Fortuna, Bachelor of Architecture Andrés Moreira, Master of Architecture Holly Cratsley Scholarship Jenna-Lyn Croteau, Bachelor of Architecture Ashlee Ortstadt, Bachelor of Architecture

Hurst Scholarship Lucca Townsend, Master of Architecture William E. Nast Scholarship 1st Place: Jason Weldon, Bachelor of Architecture 1st Place: Kevin Anderson, Bachelor of Architecture 1st Place: Stanley Poreda, Bachelor of ­Architecture 2nd Place: Rita Doummar, Master of Architecture 2nd Place: Joseph Porter, Master of Architecture 2nd Place: Sophie Bignet, Master of Landscape Architecture

Select Boston Architectural College students were honored for their hard work at the Winter Scholarships and Awards ceremony on Friday, December 11, 2015. Award recipients celebrated with family, friends, and members of the BAC community at a special reception at the Algonquin Club, located just a few blocks from the BAC campus.

Richard Painter Scholarship Darguin Fortuna, Bachelor of Architecture John Poillucci, Bachelor of Architecture Aaron Tetzlaff, Bachelor of Architecture Robert Scagliotti Scholarship Rand Lemley, Bachelor of Architecture Erion Nikolla, Bachelor of Architecture Mehran Jahedi, Bachelor of Architecture Hector Rodriguez, Bachelor of Architecture Joan Shafran and Rob Haimes Foundation Scholarship Jaime Bustos, Bachelor of Architecture Luis Perez, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

Jessica Alpert (Master of Landscape Architecture) and Christine Banister (Master of Architecture)

Steffian Bradley Architects Scholarship Christopher Perlik, Bachelor of Architecture Julia Warnick, Bachelor of Design Studies J. Cameron Christopher, Bachelor of ­Architecture A. Anthony Tappé Fontainebleau Prize Rand Lemley, Bachelor of Architecture

Peter Woytuk Scholarship Christopher Becker, Master of Architecture Jana Belack, Master of Architecture

President Glen LeRoy; Holly Cratsley Scholarship Recipients Ashlee Ortstadt (Bachelor of Architecture student) and Jenna-Lyn Croteau (Bachelor of Architecture student); Holly Cratsley, Bachelor of Architecture ’84

HOLLY CRATSLEY SCHOLARSHIP CELEBRATES WOMEN IN ARCHITECTURE The Holly Cratsley Scholarship is awarded each fall to an outstanding female architecture student based on academic merit and need, through the generous support of BAC alumna Holly Cratsley, Bachelor of Architecture Arch ’84, and Nashawtuc Architects, Inc. Ashlee Ortstadt, Bachelor of Architecture, won the award in 2014 and 2015, and Jenna-Lyn Croteau, Bachelor of Architecture, won in 2015.

"Receiving the Holly Cratsley Scholarship motivated me to branch out and explore ­other design opportunities.

It was such an honor to meet Holly and very encouraging towards my future endeavors.”

—Jenna-Lyn Croteau, 2015 Recipient

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Roy Viklund Scholarship Hui Xiang Chen, Master of Architecture

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Excellence in Practice, Foundation Level Award Corina Garcia Mueller, Master of Interior Architecture

Heenan Scholarship Mehran Jahedi, Bachelor of Architecture Luis Morel, Bachelor of Architecture

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Designers Lighting Forum Scholarship Richard Gardner, Bachelor of Architecture

Halvorson Scholarship Olivia Fragale, Master of Landscape Architecture Jessica Alpert, Master of Landscape Architecture

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Dean’s Award Giovanna Araujo, Bachelor of Architecture Sebastian Baliva, Master of Architecture Rana Bates, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Daniela Coray, Master of Landscape Architecture Kimberly Cullen, Bachelor of Architecture Allan Diaz, Bachelor of Architecture Erin Fitch, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Ryan Frania, Bachelor of Architecture Lance Guerrero, Master of Landscape ­Architecture Jodie Janas, Bachelor of Architecture Sarah Kresock, Master of Landscape Architecture Stephen Lea, Master of Landscape Architecture Maria Markova, Bachelor of Architecture Gregory Mateo, Bachelor of Architecture Scott Mathieu, Bachelor of Design Studies Colby Mauke, Master of Architecture John Mazzocchi, Master of Architecture Saleema Mohamed, Master of Architecture Alan Montufar Ochoa, Master of Architecture Luisa Ortiz-Wren, Bachelor of Interior ­Architecture Ashlee Ortstadt, Bachelor of Architecture Diana Osorio, Bachelor of Interior Architecture Nicole Pearson, Master of Architecture Guy Peck, Bachelor of Architecture Komila Rakhimova, Bachelor of Interior ­Architecture Christopher Santostefano, Master of Architecture Lauren Saracco, Bachelor of Architecture Camilo Tenjo, Master of Architecture Judy Timpa, Master of Landscape Architecture Amanda Tirado, Bachelor of Interior Architecture Colten Van Etten, Bachelor of Architecture

William P. Francisco, IV Memorial Scholarship Cory Mills, Bachelor of Architecture

WINTER AWARDS 2015

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Bay Cove Human Services Scholarship Adrienne Jones, Master of Design Studies, Design for Human Health Nadia Rachel, Master of Design Studies, Design for Human Health Janet Roche, Master of Design Studies, Design for Human Health

Adeline Graves Fournier Sketch Prize 1st Place-Xueting Wu, Master of Interior Architecture 1st Place-Jose Gonzalez, Bachelor of Architecture 2nd Place-Alexandra Ion, Master of Architecture 2nd Place-Eric Ramsay, Bachelor of Architecture

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CATCHING UP WITH ALUMNI BAC ALUMNA TAKES ACTION AGAINST FOOD WASTE

space that fosters communication and relationship building, while

Molly Gee, a graduate of the Master of Design Studies, Sustainable

The way Baraah sees it, the school in Jeddah is designed in such a

Design program in 2015, is using her passion for sustainable food systems to make a lasting impact. She recently organized an event called Disco Soup: Boston, a dinner and dance party with a focus on food waste reduction. Disco Soup, which originated in Europe, is an international grassroots movement that catalyzes action on food waste. Under Molly’s leadership, the event made a name for itself locally.

Molly’s interest in food waste evolved as a natural progression from

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studying sustainable food systems in general. Her passion and commitment developed after she repeatedly stumbled upon food waste as a major flaw in our food system. As she studied a wide variety of topics relating to food sustainability and noticed that food waste was consistently mentioned among all of them, she knew it was worth exploring more deeply.

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Since graduating from the BAC, all of the work she has put into mak-

maintaining the separation of genders. way that it reflects and encourages isolation. Made from concrete and very blocky in its design, it does not have any positive influence on the neighborhood, which is exactly what she aims to address. Her thesis proposes a more open layout, while still remaining sensitive to culture. Originally from Saudi Arabia herself, Baraah has a strong understanding of the country’s history and traditions, which includes keeping genders separate throughout the education system.

After completing this thesis project and earning her master’s degree from the BAC, she is going right into a PhD program at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom, where she plans to study the reconstruction of old buildings.This move brings her one step closer to her goal of becoming a professor, where she plans to teach others about the importance of designing with society and relationships in mind.

ing Disco Soup: Boston a success has been Molly’s priority, along with

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continuing to learn and develop more knowledge about tackling the issue of food waste. As she continues to explore the topic, she looks forward to embracing opportunities to develop waste reduction plans and forge new relationships with some of Boston’s businesses and endeavors currently underway to reduce food waste.

BAC GRADUATE REIMAGINES WOMEN’S SCHOOL IN SAUDI ARABIA As Baraah Muqaddam finished her Master of Interior Architecture degree, she took advantage of her thesis as an opportunity to explore how architecture can improve a society and impact human relationships. Baraah identified an all-female school in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as her subject to explore and suggest improvements. Focusing on the interior, her project is about creating a more transparent and open Baraah Muqaddam, MIA ’16

Jamie Farrell, BDS ’14

BAC ALUMNUS MAPS SUSTAINABILITY ACROSS BOSTON One evening, while crossing the Harvard Bridge over the Charles River, everything clicked for Jamie Farrell. While gazing at ally represented the height of each building’s individual energy usage

BAC ALUMNUS’ DESIGN/BUILD PROJECT FEATURED IN MAINE HOME + DESIGN

intensity (EUI) as opposed to its physical height? Would the Hancock

Christopher Grotton, M.Arch ’11, is busy making waves as an archi-

the Boston skyline, Jamie had the idea: What if Boston’s skyline actu-

Tower still be the tallest building you would see? Would this have an impact on energy usage throughout the entire city?

tectural designer for Phi Home Designs in his home state of Maine.

His work as lead designer on a contemporary farmhouse design/build

Jamie, a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Design Studies, Sustainable

project is turning heads, recently featured in Maine Home + Design.

Design program, took this idea and evolved it into his final degree

The project, known as “Happy House,” was a collaborative effort to

project, Datascapes. The project used design technology and data analytics to visualize energy usage intensity (in essence, energy used by a building divided by its square footage).

“This was an exciting exercise in ‘civic hacking,’ as it was based on the Boston energy reporting discloser ordinance BERDO. In other words, this is about taking available data, correlating new relationships, and then reimagining the manner in which to view and utilize this information,”

design and build a home for a growing family in Camden, Maine. As a parent himself, Christopher took lead on the design. The finished home features a bright and lively open floor plan infused with vibrant shades of blue throughout each room. Unique touches include a playroom loft that can be transformed into an intimate den when the children grow older as well as a staircase designed to be safe for crawling babies. The beautiful photos of the new home speak for

said Jamie. “This approach has the potential for far-reaching effects,

themselves.

especially in the areas of asset management and urban planning.”

Christopher was one of the first graduates of the Distance Master

Jamie’s design and data management acumen did not go unnoticed

of Architecture program at the BAC and has worked at Phi Home

and led to his current role within the Design Technology group at Symmes Maini & McKee Associates. Part of his responsibilities at the firm is to find ways in which designers can utilize data to influence the process of inquiry and eventual decisions made on projects.

Jamie continues to work on perfecting his monitoring and analysis tool this fall at MIT’s School of Architecture and Planning. His future sights are in distributing his expertise to help design and optimize urban environments.

Designs, a design/build firm in Rockport, Maine, since 2012. He plans to continue to advance his career in the architecture field and hopes that his own design philosophy will help shape the architectural thinking of the future. P

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Alumni, want to share your experience? Submit your post-BAC story to alumni@the-bac.edu.

IN REMEMBRANCE The Boston Architectural College celebrates the legacy of members of our community whom we sadly lost in Fall 2015, but who played a significant and everlasting role in the BAC’s history.

RUTH GANONG ’54

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PRACTICE MAGAZINE

First Woman to Graduate from the BAC Ruth Ganong ’54, the first woman to graduate from the BAC, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2015, in Albany, California, at the age of 91.

After graduating from Smith College with a degree in architecture, Ruth continued to pursue her dream of becoming an architect, a dream she held since she was just six years old. She passed the entrance examination to The Boston Architectural Center, now The Boston Architectural College, and was welcomed into its supportive community, male dominated at the time.

“During her time at the BAC, Ruth made strong and long-lasting connections.

Arcangelo Cascieri, chairman of the BAC Educational Committee at the time, was especially supportive and kind, which helped her succeed in the BAC’s rigorous environment.”

Through her hard work and perseverance, she became the first

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woman to complete a five-year architectural curriculum at the BAC. In a time when most women did not pursue professional degrees, Ruth took a path less traveled. Her diligence helped pave the way for future gender equality and still serves today as a model for students to be innovators and to never stop pursuing their dreams.

During her time at the BAC, Ruth made strong and long lasting connections. Arcangelo Cascieri, chairman of the BAC Educational Committee at the time, was especially supportive and kind, which helped her succeed in the BAC’s rigorous environment. They remained close long after Ruth moved to California after graduating in 1954.

Ruth went on to dedicate her life to public service, serving in many roles including as Albany School Board president, mayor of Albany, and on the boards of the Albany YMCA and AC Transit, where she served one term as president. She was involved for many years in protecting San Francisco Bay and improving education in Albany.

“Ruth credits her education at the BAC for giving her the analytical skills and discipline to succeed in any attempted endeavor.ˮ In 2010, the BAC awarded Ruth an Honorary Doctorate of Public ­Service. In a City of Albany Proclamation congratulating Ruth on the honor, Ruth credits her education at the BAC for giving her the analytical skills and discipline to succeed in any attempted endeavor.

Ruth stands with portrait of Arcangelo Cascieri, 2010

SANDY GREENFIELD

Former Director of Education at the BAC (1953–1974) Sanford “Sandy” R. Greenfield, FAIA, former director of education at The Boston Architectural Center, was a visionary and had a great impact on the BAC during and after his tenure.

Sandy was a Fulbright Scholar, held Bachelor and Master of Architecture degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and held a Master of Education from Harvard University. Prior to working at the BAC, he was a partner at Carroll and Greenfield Architects.

During his 21 years at the BAC, between 1953 and 1974, Sandy worked as a thesis advisor and as the director of education. His roles at the Center expanded to chairman of the BAC Lecture Series, project director of the BAC Workshop Series, and a member of the Steering Committee for the BAC New Building Dedication Week PRACTICE MAGAZINE

Committee.

Sandy’s tenure at the BAC was marked by a period of rapid transition in the school’s history. After leaving its early quarters on Beacon Hill, the BAC dedicated its new building on Newbury Street in 1966.

During this time, the BAC experienced an unprecedented growth in student population, growing from two hundred to six hundred students in less than five years.

This growth was a turning point for the BAC. As the school brought in more students from diverse backgrounds, it was forced to evolve Sandy was passionate about maintaining open admissions at the BAC

important role in shaping the BAC’s changing approach to education.

and making an architectural education accessible. He understood that

In 1968, he delivered an address at the annual meeting that outlined three different scenarios for the BAC’s future. It proposed daytime classes, faculty stipends, and professional accreditation for the first time. He imagined integrating students’ paid work in firms directly into

sional school.

When Sandy left the BAC in 1974, the BAC had grown from just 23 graduates between 1950 and 1965 to 113 graduates between his years as educational director from 1967 to 1974. Under Sandy’s leadership, the BAC sponsored a national conference in 1964, the first of its kind, titled Architecture and the Computer. It was so revolutionary that people still visit the BAC’s archives today to study the conference proceedings.

Sandy was integral in the evolution of the BAC from a professional center to the fully accredited institution that it is today. His impact will be forever remembered by The Boston Architectural College. P

the curriculum, creating a system of combined applied and theoretical learning where students’ professional work experience would dovetail meaningfully with their academic studies.

This idea developed into today’s practice component within the BAC curriculum. In 1971, the BAC was awarded its first full six-year accreditation by the National Architectural Accrediting Board, making it the first accredited school in the US with a structured work component.

His daughter, Stefanie Greenfield, a principal at Cambridge Seven Associates, Inc., reflected that her father often told her that getting the BAC accredited was one of his proudest accomplishments.

“His daughter, Stefanie Greenfield, a principal at Cambridge Seven Associates, Inc., reflected that her father often told her that getting the BAC accredited was one of his proudest accomplishments.”

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of the first full-time professional administrators at the BAC.

alternate method of educating architects from the standard profes-

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In 1967, Sandy was appointed director of education, making him one

a successful architect and maintained that the BAC should offer an

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“When Sandy left the BAC in 1974, the BAC had grown from just 23 graduates between 1950 and 1965 to 113 graduates between his years as Educational Director from 1967 to 1974.”

there was no formal way to predict whether a person could become

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from the intimate nature of the architectural club. Sandy played an

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