The All Nighter

It can be a productive all nighter or a very unproducctive 1. I’m talking itunes playlists, movies, tv shows, studio games, verbal trivia with your friends or even making rube goldberg machines to destroy sumbodies model (this really happend). They can be stories, photos, lists, hell they can even be very descriptive illustrations. For example my two favorite games are probably Studio Ball and Studio Joust. Stanz will probably post up the rule and visual aides for those games. I’m also guilty for using my second screen to watch movies from my perifs. 

So feel free to send us anything that keeps you going during the grind. Our email is theallnightr@gmail.ccom or just submit your stuff to our tumblr.

It seems as though our last call for submissions was a failure because no1 really gives a shit about fucked up professors. Well thanx to sykchan we thought of a new idea. For the next two weeks we are gonna wanna hear what gets you thru the night. 

It can be a productive all nighter or a very unproducctive 1. I’m talking itunes playlists, movies, tv shows, studio games, verbal trivia with your friends or even making rube goldberg machines to destroy sumbodies model (this really happend). They can be stories, photos, lists, hell they can even be very descriptive illustrations. For example my two favorite games are probably Studio Ball and Studio Joust. Stanz will probably post up the rule and visual aides for those games. I’m also guilty for using my second screen to watch movies from my perifs. 

So feel free to send us anything that keeps you going during the grind. Our email is theallnightr@gmail.ccom or just submit your stuff to our tumblr.

It seems as though our last call for submissions was a failure because no1 really gives a shit about fucked up professors. Well thanx to sykchan we thought of a new idea. For the next two weeks we are gonna wanna hear what gets you thru the night. 

It can be a productive all nighter or a very unproducctive 1. I’m talking itunes playlists, movies, tv shows, studio games, verbal trivia with your friends or even making rube goldberg machines to destroy sumbodies model (this really happend). They can be stories, photos, lists, hell they can even be very descriptive illustrations. For example my two favorite games are probably Studio Ball and Studio Joust. Stanz will probably post up the rule and visual aides for those games. I’m also guilty for using my second screen to watch movies from my perifs. 

So feel free to send us anything that keeps you going during the grind. Our email is theallnightr@gmail.ccom or just submit your stuff to our tumblr.

“That’s interesting”

Cool!

“Hmm interesting”

I can’t comprehend what you are saying so I am buying time

“Wow”

Wow

“What’s that”

Thats gotta go

“Holy Shit”

This is visually pleasing but its shit

“Check these buildings out”

Good ideas. Look these things up to expand

“You should read these books”

Your ideas suck. Read these books.

“That’s very impressive”

I am going to steal this

“Now you know”

I told you so fucker

“Awesome”

I no longer think you’re braindead

“Talk to so and so for help”

I am tired of dealing with you. Go talk to my brown noser.

“I want five study models”

I know you only have time to produce 3 good ones and 2 shitty ones but do them anyway for my amusement

“We communicate through our drawings. That is why I am so hard on you.”

Stop sucking at drawing

“Do you have more to show me?”

I know you don’t but I wanna see you squirm

“You should oranize your desk”

Throw out your old models. They’re painful to look at. 

“Start sketching”

Old school mother fucker!

“You’re not being aggresive”

You’re a pussy

“This project can be more dynamic”

You’re being a pussy and your work shows it

“Get some sleep”

You’re not being productive and starting to smell. This greatly offends me.

“Where did you go for undergraduate?”

I probably went somewhere better

daisyames:

This is quite a fun way to grow up… in a house with three floors connected by a slide… by Level Architects in Tokyo

(see Dezeen for images and plans)

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

We received many fantastic photographs for our desk submission segment last week. Those photos will be posted and credited starting tomorrow.

This week we would like to hear some stories. More specifically stories about your professor under the influence. Most of us have seen professors drunk during a end of the semester dinner or wine and cheese party. But the stories we wanna read are them drunk in the middle of the day, coked out during a review or smelling of the chronic during a desk crit. I had a single professor who did all of that and in my opinion is still the greatest professor I ever had. Now he’s teaching kids at the Cooper Union. 

So try to keep the story under two paragraphs and provide a picture if you have one. Submit all stories to theallnightr@gmail.com or submit it directly to our tumblr. Same as last time no pictures of dicks please

Hey guys just wanted to know how people desks look like. Whether it be at work or school, messy or clean. As long as its got four stable legs and a user to match it, we wanna see it. We will accept and post all desk/beds. Here’s mine.

School (early in the year)

Work (can’t wait till the new xps comes in)

See it’s not that hard. Just submit your pic(s) to theallnightr@gmail.com by 2/23 at 11:59.  On 2/24 we will post every ones pics and have a sort of desk gallery.  

Also be sure to mention your tumblr name

Please no pictures of dicks

1 - “No One Is God” - This is the hardest and longest lesson to learn as many people do not figure this out until the end of their schooling career.  Everyone has the same chance to get an A once you figure out how to play the game.  Studio is a game and once you figure out the rules and what you can get away with…the rest is just hard work.  The studio “gods” (A students) just figured out the game early on. 

2 - “How Hard You Can Work” - It was once told to me that the greatest lesson ever learned from studio is that you find your limit and endurance when it comes to your work.  Now, you don’t wanna work this hard everyday of your life, but it’s really helpful to know you can do it.  Knowing this will help you succeed in every thing you do

3 - “Public Speaking” - Self explanatory…everyone should be comfortable, at some level, doing this

4 - “Dealing With Others” - Many times in your life you will have to deal with people you truly hate on an everyday basis.  Studio allows you to experience this earlier than most and helps you figure ways to deal with it.  Everyone has at least one kid in their year that sucks…but you gotta live with it.

5 - “Taking Criticism” -  No one wants to hear all the bad aspects of their own project after all the hard work they have put in…but it’s necessary.  Finding out flaws in anything makes it better, just think of it as good advice no matter how much of a dick the critic is.  Also it is important to be able to pick and choose which criticism is worth taking.  Everyone has opinions, not all are good.

6 - “Titles Don’t Mean Shit…Kind of” - Building off of #1, your professor (or whoever else is above you) is not always right.  Just because they say something or have an opinion on something, does not mean it is the right one.  The students I have most respect for are the ones that defy their professor and come out with a good project.  If you believe your way is better, DO IT…but make sure you’re ready to prove it or ready to get burned.  

7 - “How To Bullshit” - In architecture bullshit is key…In life bullshit is key.  Learn how to sell anything you do because in the end it doesn’t matter who is better, all that matters is who wins (In most cases lol)

8 - “All Nighters Don’t Pay Off” - Three hours minimum is the required amount of sleep to get each night and still be productive.  Anyone will tell you the same, no sleep equals no productivity.

9 - “Friend People Who Can Help You” - It sounds mean but it is so true.  Need something lasercut after hours, or something printed after the lab is closed…would sure be helpful to have a friend who works at either.  Now I’m not saying you should use people but being nice to them won’t hurt.  And if they’re cool, get tight with them and hang out some time.  The old phrase: “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” applies in all terms of life.

10 - “Hard Work Doesn’t Always Get You Far…” - It is sad but true.  As many of you realized architecture isn’t the greatest of majors when it comes to your career.  You will most likely not be rich of any kind, will have to work really hard…harder than most, and if you do get successful - say goodbye to any kind of personal life.  Compared to most majors we are one of the hardest with one of the littlest payoffs.  Majors such as pharmacy, nursing, law, and engineering are examples of majors that work just as hard as us but get payed a lot better coming out of school.  This is important because it brings people to a reality of life where everything doesn’t always work out.  But don’t be discouraged, many other great things are brought upon you when going through with architecture.  

“Not For School But For Life” 

emilyunrelated:

by Iris

1. All night long, all night strong.

2. We are damn good with our hands.

3. If we can commit to chipboard, relationships should be easy.

4. You should see the things we errect.

5. Use to doing things over and over again.

6. Finishing early never happens.

7. We know the true meaning of interpretation.

8. Creative positioning.

9. Work well in groups.

10. Entry and passage are always exciting.

1. When asked “Why did you do this?” Answer “Because I’m a fucking idiot!”

2. When someone else is presenting quickly rush up to their model and smash it to bits. Scream “What is this? A center for ants? This building needs to be atleast…. 3 times bigger!”

3. Purposely don’t draw foundation or a ground plan in your section. When asked “What is this built on?”. Quickly jump on a table, air guitar and sing “We built this city on rock and roll!”

4. When asked “What structures your building?”. Reply with “Hopes and Dreams.”

5. Purposely forget to build entrances to your models. When asked “How do you enter this building?” Answer in a epic tone and English accent “One does not simply walk into Mordor!!!”

The Canon - This is the person who has a DSLR that costs more than your tuition. For some reason they were compelled to bring a tripod and digital light meter to a short site visit. They take thousands of pictures of this particular site even though it’s extremely close to campus and they can return at anytime. Odds are the closer you get to midterms more and more people harass him or her for their photos but they would often say no because you mocked them for taking so many photos in the first place.

The Cartographer - The title pretty much explains itself.They would bring the longest tape measure commercially available. Take every single measurement possible except for the important ones. Lastly they will take immense pride in what they are documenting even though most of it can be found online.

The Caregiver - These folks are like the moms of studio. They usually own a minivan and drive pretty much anyone who doesn’t have a car to a the site no questions asked. Sometimes they even bring snacks like pretzels and boiled eggs. You really wanna know these people.

The Centipede - This is a majority of the studio. They simply walk single or double file behind the professor. They observe, take notes and form a giant centipede like creature of conformity.

The Keg - They would often stray from everybody else. Take some photos, sketch, observe, and meditate. All in fifteen minutes. They would then proceed to the closest bar with a few other mavericks.

Mircon: You sound like a Mexican version of Excel

Rapidograph: Well at least I don’t run out of ink after a month and get thrown out

Micron: Please, you’re a fuckin mess. You bleed way too much and if the user forgets to clean you over vacay you’re done

Rapidograph: I am a quality product which requires regular maintenance and proper care

Micron: O yeah that’s what a fucking architecture student needs. More shit to worry about. I’m quick easy and go great with moleskines

Rapidograph: You’re just a fine tip sharpie wanna be for double the price. That’s not really saying much considering how those messy bastards go through the fucking page

Sharpie: Yo did I just hear my name? Rapido you talking shit again?

Rapidograph: Face it Sharpie you don’t have the elegance and craftsmanship I have

Micron: Dude most students purchase you as part of a student package and never even open your case

Rapidograph: That’s not true… they just want to preserve my sleek design.. right?

Sharpie: I bet you think strippers are genuinely interested in what you say too

Micron: Come on Sharps me and lead holder are gonna hang out. Lets leave “bleeds like menstruation” alone with his thoughts

Rapidiograph: I only leak when you tap me too hard, or shake me up and down, or fill my cartridge more than 2/3 of the way, or aww fuck I am a douche.

1. All-nighters are not a requirement

Architecture students are terrible at managing their time. While part of the design process is the vetting that goes on between students, rarely do architecture students show up, put their heads down, and get to work in a methodical productive manner. There is a lot of competition and gamesmanship that goes on but if you manage your time like the studio was your job, all-nighters simply wouldn’t happen. I see all the time that when older people go back for an architecture degree or a masters – people who have been out in the work place or have other “grown-up” responsibilities, they never pull all-nighters. They don’t have to because when they are at the studio for 8 hours, they get 8 hours of work done. It’s the guy sleeping in the lounge during structures class whose desk is littered Starbucks cups  that pulls all nighters. This person will also brag about pulling an all-nighter – as a “grown-up”, this makes me chuckle.

2. Last minute changes do more harm than good

It’s always hard to stop designing, especially in school, but at some point the goal is to present the concept and the drawings and models to support your ideas. If you were to think of this process as if you were presenting to a client and work backward from a deadline, you will have far less negative work. If you determine that it is going to take you 4 days to build your model out of basswood and 2 days to render the drawings, leave yourself the appropriate amount of time and stop creating original work. If you have all these great ideas and no method to effectively communicate them who cares? (I don’t)

3. A bad presentation during your review will not sink your grade

If things are still the same, people get really worked up and more than a little stressed out when the time comes to pin your work up on the wall and get reviewed. The good news should be that your professor, the person who will actually be giving you your grade, knows all about your project and how much time and effort you’ve put in. As a result, you should be less concerned about the guest professors/ reviewers who don’t know anything about your work, have 10 minutes to “get it” and then offer some meaningful insight. More times than not, those professors have their own pet project or something that they are into and their comments are simply a narcissistic way to make your project about them. Your project could be a multi-disciplinary research housing station on the dark side of the moon and the “sustainable” professor will find some way to ask you about rainwater harvesting. (think about it – I’m not making a joke, you know that could totally happen). Same thing happens to the person who can render really, really well. Their presentation will look amazing and the guest reviewers will go on and on about great this project is and how feeble the previous one was, this person’s on a entirely different level, etc. etc. … But everyone in the class (including the professor) knows that this project doesn’t work, despite looking as great as it does. Everyone is influenced by snazzy graphics – but unless this is a rendering class, you professor will know who did what and where the value lies.

4. Your portfolio has a 3 year lifespan (max)

Yes, your portfolio is important and you will use it at various points during school and your early career to leverage it into something you want. Just realized that at some point in the early future, you will be embarrassed that you thought your work was so great when it clearly sucks. Your portfolio will find a home in some closet with other items of diminishing importance because you will discover that the purpose your portfolio serves isn’t what you thought it was. It isn’t to show off some awesome creative project you designed, it is about illustrating your proficiency in various skills of the trade and demonstrating that you know how to think and process information. Think about it – do you really want the message your portfolio sends to be how great you can render? Because you’ll be the “render guy”.

5. Hard work is easy to see

You aren’t fooling anyone, there isn’t any coasting and if you think you can get away with it you learn the truth in the most public and humiliating manner. That guy we mentioned earlier – the one who thinks you have to pull all-nighters even though he sleeps during class – he’s full throttle isn’t he? He lives, eats and breathes this stuff  - clearly he is going to make a great architect. Right? I could make a drop-in appearance in any studio and pick out the people who work really hard versus the ones who work hard at looking like they are working hard … and your professor knows it too. Yes, there are still prof’s out there who like and support this sort of behavior because it shows “dedication” or at the very worst a high interest level.Ultimately, hard work is it’s own reward.

6. Take business and real estate classes with your electives

I never did this and to be frank, it never even occurred to me. I was already taking a million hours and I saw my electives as a chance to coast a little. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy them or get anything out of the process . I took an intro to Ceramics class as a 6th year senior – all the other students were freshman Fine Arts majors. I had a great time in this class and I am pretty sure I had a guaranteed A after 3 weeks. The professor and I would talk about design and trends and he appreciated that I was there because I wanted to be there, not because I had to. I also did about 50x more “projects” than anyone else because I didn’t screw around as much as the others. Looking back, it was one of my favorite classes but I really wished I had burned that elective with something that would have helped me with my job today.

7. Visit your professors during office hours

This should be lesson #1 but it wasn’t as cool a lead off as all-nighters. This isn’t particular to studio as much as it is any and every class you take. When you take the time to visit your professor and ask some questions, say hello, whatever, magical things typically happen. Most professors are required to keep office hours and depending on the class they teach, I found that nothing happens during this time. As a result, I could ask about the lecture and not only would it get personalized for my benefit, but the professor was now engaged and invested in my success. I wasn’t a suck-up, I didn’t go by to say wass’up but I did make it a point to make an appearance early on in the semester.  I just wished I had learned this lesson before I took physics as a freshman.

8. ”Sell” your professor

You should get used to thinking of your professor as your client and not your buddy. I know this might sound contrary to the preceding point but this is more about settings expectations. When you talk to your professor about your project, it’s important that you be able to clearly articulate your reasons for taking the design in the direction you have chosen. You need to think that it is your job to convince them that your assumptions are valid and that there is a good idea behind your logic. The professors job isn’t to do your project for you but rather help protect you from yourself and help guide you along the path you’ve chosen. I always like to hear professors engage in psychiatrist talk, i.e. “Why do you think this was an appropriate gesture” or “what do you think the result of that (blank) would be?” It’s their job to help guide you, not tell you what to do.

9. Crits are not what you think they are (value)

I touched on this a bit in item #3 but most architecture students think this is just about presenting their design and getting the wise and illuminating input from the guest reviewers – it’s not (see #3). This is really another important part of your education. The most important thing you can get out of these critiques is practicing the art of standing up in front of a room of people and emanating confidence and knowledge. You are the expert on your design so you should be able to convey the objectives, strategies, and directions your design takes better than anyone else. Talking under pressure without ahh’s and uhmm’s is a skill – not a gift. If I had known that the ability to effectively communicate was a more prized skill than designing in an architectural office, I would have put more effort into developing it. Nobody wants to hear that anything other than good design sells but it simply isn’t true. The person who can be put in front of the client and communicate and make a connection will be more valued than a skilled designer. Those “star-kitects” you see in the magazines generally have the ability to be amazingly good at both.

10. Break the Rules (big picture)

The best projects tend to be about ideas and not about the literal execution – at least it is at design oriented programs. Who cares how that 10″ column is going to support the “lifestyle pod” on your habitat tree. If people are talking about your toilet layout and not your positive and negative space, your design probably isn’t very good and you are on the road to becoming a successful project manager. Kudos.

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I feel like it is important to add that there are all kinds of value to staying up late and being with your studio mates. Going out for a coffee and street meat at 1:00 a.m. tends to build relationships and strengthen solidarity within the studio. I am not telling you to avoid that – you need to do it;  it’s part of your education process. I am telling you to get your work done during regular hours (8am to midnight) and then you can screw off with your friends late at night listening to Miike Snow and remixes by Mark Ronson all you want. You can even be “that guy” who walks around offering unsolicited opinions that require a massive design reset - if you want, but nobody likes that guy (that’s #11).

I am here to tell you that nobody gets their best work done past midnight – EVER. Look up the word ‘serendipity’ if you disagree with me. I am also aware that the work is typically more important than the grade so please don’t misconstrue what I am saying: this is about smarter not harder. Spend the time in the studio working instead of playing tape-ball. Please don’t act like there isn’t a lot of screwing around that goes on, we all know better. But don’t think that the old guy who is working over there in the corner while your rounding second base is a jerk because he wants to get home and see his kids. You are supposed to have fun in college, I am just telling you that there is an alternative manner on how to go about your business – one that will make a difference beyond this semester.

Day 1 - Alright buddy glad you didn’t head straight for the laser cutter. What’s that? Two Ply? Psh I can cut that bitch like nothing. Bet I last at least two whole study models.

Day 2 - What did I tell ya? Bring it on big boy. Wait is that cardboard? Use my bro utility…. okay that’s cool I still got some in me.

Day 5 - Okay I know I panicked a bit a few days ago but I am a precision tool. Next time remember if your gonna use me for those jobs I cut with the grain.

Day 7 - Well I guess that’s smart. Broke my point to create a new sharp edge… save a few pennies. Can’t blame you I mean you do spend more cash on materials than proper nutrition.

Day 12 - Buddy? I’m pretty much done. Throw me out. You snapped me twice man. You didn’t even use a cutting mat yesterday!

Week 3 - Okay all you’re getting are ruined edges on your material. You might as well cut your shit with a chicken bone…. wait is that foam core? Are you smoking crack? Your edges are gonna look like popcorn!

Week 4 - That’s right run back to your laser cutter oooor you can just fucking change me you lazy asshole! Seriously 99 of my brothers are waiting.

Month 2 - Is that what I am to you now? I turn bottles into makeshift cups?

Month 3 - Finally sweet relief you’re throwing me away. Remember buddy you gotta wrap me tape so I don’t hurt anyone. But at this point I can’t even pop a balloon…

Final Review model - Wait what the fuck? Why am I back? O you son of a bitch. Noooooo!!!

After Model - Look at me!!! Look at me!!! I’m covered in glue and black burnt shit!!! I’m not designed to wipe your glue. Here’s a tip STOP PUTTING SO MUCH FUCKING GLUE ON YOUR EDGES!!!!

Ok, what shall I rant about this time…

• The “Studio Isn’t Everything” Speech - Everyone has heard the talk, probably during orientation or the first week of school, when the Dean (or whoever) speaks to you about time management and emphasizes ”studio isn’t everything.”  They tell how you should be getting a full 8 hours of sleep every night, how health should be a priority, and how time for yourself is important. BULL SHIT! This is usually right after the “architecture isn’t for everyone speech” where the scary fact that more than half the class will drop is laid on you.  This is also the same mother fucker who scolds you for not doing enough work when you haven’t slept in days…the same mother fucker who tells you to stop fucking around when you haven’t seen your friends in a week…The same mother fucker that tells you to drop everyday.  What the fuck! Just be straight with us and tell us that studio will own our lives.  We deserve at least that.

• The “Everyone Loves My Music” guy - This is that stupid cunt who believes his taste in music is generally appreciated throughout the studio.  Instead of just plugging in those 300 dollar headphones that he/she probably has, this person finds it necessary to share his/her passion of shit music with the class.  Now everyone loves the occasional late night communal jams but at least the majority should enjoy what is being played.  Sometimes I just wanna slap the kid in the face.  The last thing I need is studio to be more uncomfortable…FUCK!  

• The “I Think Your Project Should Be…” kid - In this major, criticism is very important and having your studio mates criticize your work is necessary.  But every studio has that one kid who is completely clueless yet finds the time to tell you how to do your project. FUCK OFF, you can barely pass, and you have nothing to show for weeks of work so shut the fuck up.  Now, because I’m a nice guy, I have to sit through you explain this fucken long (which it always is) explanation on why my project is going in the wrong direction.  If you can’t even get your own shit together, FUCKING LEAVE ME ALONE!  

And remember, this is based off of my experiences and views…just wanted to know if you guys feel the same way