Final Blog Post

 This project was an opportunity for me to further explore my interest in architecture while at the same time working on the skills I had built up through the architecture macro. I went into this project knowing that I had a lofty goal in mind. Usually, it takes a team of architects months to fully design and deliver a building for a client, but I decided I wanted to try to do it in three weeks. Knowing this, I still wanted to try my best to get as far as I could in the design process. And I did get fairly far, seeing as how I had finished the conceptual phase of the project. 

I made several drawings to display my idea, and each serves a different purpose. Throughout this project my mentor reinforced the importance of each of these drawings, making it clear without each one we couldn't get a full idea of my project. The floor/site plan displays a top-down view that develops the relationship of the rooms, as well as the relationship between the outside and inside of the building. The elevations give a good idea of what the building looks like from the outside, as well as allow more artistic elements to be on display such as colors and shadows. The sections give a view into the inside of the building from the point of view of an elevation, giving us key information such as roof support. foundation layers, and floor thickness. It also gives us insight into rooms that otherwise wouldn't be seen in things such as attics or basements. 

My project, however, I think was lacking in research into green methods. Due to time constraints, I really didn't have time to look into these methods as much as I wanted to. I also wish I was able to look into more of the material side of things, as I felt that area was kind of lacking in terms of sustainability. 

In terms of future endeavors with VOCON, I'm not the first Hawken student to work there from what I was told, so VOCON already has a good idea of what Hawken is capable of producing in terms of students, so future senior projects should be relatively easy to set up.

I've had nothing but good experiences with VOCON when I have worked with them on my project, as well as when I shadowed them back in the fall. Daniel was the best mentor I could have asked for, and his sound advice has only made me want to pursue architecture even more. All the employees at VOCON were welcoming and made working there a pleasure. 

Also as a piece of advice to juniors looking to do a Hawken project, try to make as many connections as you can while you are in your project, as you never know who you may meet down the road and what those connections could do for you. meeting and setting a good impression on people during your Hawken Project will do you a lot of good.

And lastly, my final takeaway from this project is that architecture is a career that never has an end to it. There is always something to innovate, something to change, something to create, and that is what excites me about it. There is never truly an end to a project, only a deadline you have to have a version of it done by. Also seeing like-minded people who want to use architecture for social good made me really hopeful for my future in the field.