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Design Discovery 2008

About Design Discovery
Posted: June 20, 2008


Design Discovery ||| Architecture Summer Camp


What is involved in the profession of architecture? What do architectural students study while in college? How can a person best prepare for an education in architecture? Many people who think about architecture have these or similar questions that should be answered before they make a decision about their career. Although we are all affected daily by the built environment, architectural education and the profession of architecture are often not fully understood by prospective students.

To find more information about Design Discovery, click here

Site Map:


Day 1 ||| Post | Gallery
Day 2 ||| Post | Gallery
Instant Environment Review Gallery
Day 3 ||| Post | Gallery
Day 4 ||| Post | Gallery
Day 5 ||| Post | Gallery
Final Cardboard Sitting Device Gallery
Day 6 ||| Post | Gallery
Day 7 ||| Post | Gallery
Day 8 Gallery
Final Cotton District Design Charette Gallery
Videos
Donors + Sponsors
Misc. Architecture References and Links

Day 7 ||| Thursday

Final day of work
Posted: June 19, 2008

As we near the final stretch, the students are operating at mach speed. With a careful eye on the way their building will function, control light, ventilate, and just plain look good, this project will be extremely demanding. However, from this observer's perspective, all of the students appear to be approaching it with great care. The work seems to be very good so far.

Pictures of the work can be found here.

After finishing up this afternoon Austin Barnes (a 4th year architecture student) will play music for the students. Dinner will be Little Dooey's, which is the area's tastiest barbecue. This should be a great way to unwind after such an intense week of drawing, modeling, and just design in general.

FINAL REVIEW SCHEDULE


The attached PDF is a schedule of the design review for tomorrow (Friday) morning. If you want to see a particular person's review, make sure you are in the auditorium at the time they are listed at. Preferably get there at least 15 minutes ahead of time.

Film Series 6


The Fifth Element ||| In the colorful future, a cab driver unwittingly becomes the central figure in the search for a legendary cosmic weapon to keep evil at bay.

Related Files:

» Final_Review_Schedule_1.pdf

Day 6 ||| Wednesday

Cotton District Design Charette
Posted: June 18, 2008

After making the scale model of the Cotton District, the students will need to design a building that fulfills certain requirements. After figuring out exactly what they need, they will build a large detail model, and a smaller model that will fit onto the Cotton District site model. Such necessities include designing a space that matches the assigned clients needs (including dancer, poet, sculptor, or painter), holds the edge of the space, and approaches it in an innovative way. Pictures can be found here.

This morning, the students were able to visit and sketch the Hunter Henry Center and the Landscape Architecture Building.

Last night we tested and reviewed all of the Cardboard Sitting Devices. Videos can be found here and pictures can be found here.

Film Series 5


Metropolis ||| A film by Fritz Lang depicting a dystopian future. Made in 1927, it was strikingly ahead of it's time. Only showing the intro of the film, ~10 minutes.
Sketches of Frank Gehry ||| A look at the life and work of the renowned architect.

Videos

Chair Testing
Posted: June 18, 2008

This project consisted of a 2 hour design period, followed by a 5-hour build period. The teams were mostly Juniors and Seniors in high school.

Alanna's Group



Ashley's Group



Blake's Group



Mark's Group



Martin's Group



Sarah's Group



Shannon's Group





Day 5 ||| Tuesday

The Cotton District
Posted: June 17, 2008

This morning, we traveled over to the Cotton District to sketch and document the area. It was a beautiful day, which made it even better. These sketches will be used to recreate this particular area in a detailed site model, which will be used in a later project.

Today's Pictures can be found here

Film Series 4


2001: A Space Odyssey ||| A powerful film by Stanley Kubrick that details the events that unfold during a space mission set in 2001. This film was made in 1968.

Day 4 ||| Monday

Cardboard Sitting Device
Posted: June 20, 2008

Cardboard Sitting Device +


After finding out that paper can hold a brick amazingly well with the proper folding technique, they will apply that knowledge to making a Cardboard Sitting Device. With just cardboard, glue, and twine, they will need to make something that not only elevates at least one team member off of the ground, but also has at least one other conceptual move. Something "extra" that makes it more unique, as well as more challenging to accomplish. Design is done this morning, construction this afternoon, and testing tomorrow evening.

Pictures can be found here.

Film Series 3


Children of Men ||| As a follow-up to An Inconvenient Truth the class will watch Children of Men (a bleak and dystopic view of the world in 20 years) . . .

Day 3 ||| Sunday

Perspective Drawing + Kit-of-Parts
Posted: June 16, 2008

To start the day off, the students are getting a crash course in perspective drawing. Groups have stationed themselves all over the building, and are in the process of sketching the various hallways and corridors.

After spending a couple of hours with that, they will move on to a Kit-of-Parts spatial study. Using a set of various shapes cut out of cardboard and chipboard, plus a few skewers, they will construct an abstract environment. These should have public and private spaces, though there is no strict requirement on what the finished construction should look like.

Today's pictures can be found here.

There will also be a review of the Instant Environments that were constructed yesterday. Even though there were some storms, it was dry enough to get some amazing work out of the students. All of the structures are well made, and even during the building process they weathered any storms that passed. Final pictures of the Instant Environments can be found here.

Film Series 2

An Inconvenient Truth ||| Al Gore's scathing look at Global Warming and mankind's effect on it. (It should be noted that buildings and their infra-structure are responsible for 50-70% of all energy usage on the planet). Also see The Union of Concerned Scientists for some more information on the subject.

Day 2 ||| Saturday

Drawing Workshop + Instant Environment
Posted: June 16, 2008

After a late night of designing their instant environments, the groups had a good idea of what they wanted to do. Of course, as things go, plans change, but having a clear vision of what you want to do is an integral part of this project. Unfortunately, the skies have a foreboding feel, and there is a reasonable chance of rain this afternoon. There is a map and forecast for the area here.

The construction hasn't begun yet, but updates will be provided later in the day, when there has been more work.

This morning, there was a drawing workshop with Bill Andrews. With a slightly unusual take on sketching, including a few exercises where the students were drawing inside of a paper bag. This workshop should bring the best out of the students.

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Film Series 1


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Garbage Warrior ||| Renegade (real-life) architect (and self proclaimed Bio-tect), Michael Reynolds, builds sustainable 'earthship' communities out of recycled materials in the Southwest US desert and around the world.
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The Fountainhead ||| Howard Roark (Ayn Rand's fictitious Frank Lloyd Wright) battles the classical view of architecture, with his attempt to design and construct his out-of-the-ordinary buildings.
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Pictures of the workshop, and of the construction can be found here.

Day 1 ||| Friday

First Project | Instant Environment
Posted: June 13, 2008

After having dinner and saying their goodbyes, the students were plunged headfirst into their first project: the Instant Environment. Provided only with bamboo, twine, and muslin cloth, the students will design and build a structure for their individual group. The sites are in various places around the building, and have unique characteristics that need to be accounted for.

With such restrictions as only being allowed to touch the ground in one place, this project should bring quite a bit of ingenuity and cunning out of all the students. The structures will need to survive for the duration of the camp, which may include a few storms if the forecast is correct, so it will require the utmost in precision and build quality.

The students have tonight to brainstorm, and plan out their design. The actual building process will occur tomorrow afternoon, over the course of 5 hours.

Tomorrow morning there will be a drawing workshop. This should help to introduce the basics of using sketches and plans to aid in the design process.

Pictures can be found here.

Donors + Sponsors

Thanks to All Those Who Helped
Posted: June 12, 2008

The directors and staff would like to take the time to thank the following companies for their generous donations to help make Design Dicovery 2007 run smoothly:

MSU Architecture Alums
[Nashville, TN: Alan Hayes, Casey Newman-Tice, David Landry, Michael Speck, Willie Stokes, John Tettleton, & Anna Roberts]
One Scholarship offered to a student attending Design Discovery.

Johnson-McAdams Firm, P.A.
[Greenwood, MS]
Five (5) scholarships offered to student either living in Leflore County, Mississippi or a minority high school student.

Chickasaw Container Corp.
[Okolona, MS]
Donation of corrugated cardboard

Columbus Brick Company
[Columbus, MS]
Donation of masonry bricks

Misc. Architecture References + Links

Misc. Architecture References + Links
Posted: June 13, 2008

Suggested Reading


We would like to recommend the following readings to help bring the world of architecture and design into your life.


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Becoming an Architect: A Guide to Careers in Design--Lee W. Waldrep

An Incomplete Manifesto for Growth (and Design)--Bruce Mau (PDF)


Sierra: Can Technology Save the Planet?--Reed McManus (PDF)


Student Organizations



American Institute of Architects

AIAS
American Institute of Architecture Students



National Organization of Minority Architects (National Organization of Minority Architecture Students)
Tau Sigma Delta Honors Society

ASID
American Society of Interior Designers

Websites


ArchNewsNow.com
















Home

Pre-Camp Information

Check-in Information
Posted: June 11, 2008

It's almost time! Just a few reminders about the check-in:

Time | 3-5 PM on Friday (June 13th)
Place | School of Architecture, Giles Hall (Map Link) -- It is on the top floor of the newer portion of the building; enter the green doors at the top of the brick stair up from the curved parking lot. (NOTE: This main entry to the building is on the opposite side of the football stadium.)
Dinner | @ 5:15 PM for students (and parents who have previously paid as per letter of acceptance).
Introductory Meeting | will follow dinner @ +/- 6PM. Parents and guests are strongly encouraged to attend.

Hope to see you there!

About Design Discovery (Architecture Summer Camp - Workshop)

Application + Info:
Posted: June 12, 2008

What is involved in the profession of architecture? What do architectural students study while in college? How can a person best prepare for an education in architecture? Many people who think about architecture have these or similar questions that should be answered before they make a decision about their career. Although we are all affected daily by the built environment, architectural education and the profession of architecture are often not fully understood by prospective students.

The School of Architecture at Mississippi State University is offering an eight-day summer workshop that is intended to answer many of the questions about architecture as a field of study and as a profession. The major goal of the workshop is to simulate the information, skill and the intensity required for an architectural education, while providing a clear insight into the practice of architecture. With this experience it will be possible for the participants to make an informed career decision about architecture and its related disciplines.

Admission into Design Discovery is open to high school age students (16 and above) and incoming college freshmen who are interested in the field of architecture and/or other related design fields. Older students are also encouraged to attend, but they must contact the School of Architecture for specific instructions and arrangements before filling out the application. Neither school transcripts nor letters of recommendation are required. Prospective students, as well as those considering a career in architecture, have found Design Discovery helpful in confirming their choice of architecture as a profession and in making a smoother transition into the First-Year Design Studio. Also, the dedicated faculty members and high-caliber students who work as counselors and instructors during the week provide knowledge, experience, and friendships that will be valuable to entering freshmen in architecture. The School of Architecture highly recommends that all those who have been accepted into First Year Design in the fall semester of 2007 consider participating in Design Discovery.

First come - first served (limited space): The Design Discovery brochure/application [in the related files below] must be physically mailed to the School of Architecture.

Related Files:

» Des_Disco_Brochure_2008_4.pdf