August 2011
46 posts
Thank you for giving me hope when all seemed lost. Advice when it was needed and reminders of why I love studio so much. You are permanently part of my studio life and memory.
That is our sole purpose
“As a purely mathematical fact, people who sleep less live more.”
—Amy Chua, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother (via imgeli)
The All Nighter GOOGLE
If you GOOGLE The All Nighter we’re fourth on the list!!!!! Right behind a movie of the same name, a investment banking publication and finally an overnight hair treatment. But the best part about it is that we are actually ahead of RISD’s student publication the all nighter. TAKE THAT RHODE ISLAND!!!!!
Why do women find architects desirable vs. why should they actually run the opposite direction?
1. Desirable: They have the mind of an artist and the hands of a craftsman
Run bitch run!: All they can talk about is theory but they have no idea how to put up a wall.
2. Desirable: They make serious $!!!
Run bitch run!: The contractors and even sub contractors they hire make more than them on a project
3. Desirable: They are so mysterious and intriguing
Run bitch run!: They wear black because you can gauge how few showers they took if they were to wear white
4. Desirable: They can design my dream home
Run bitch run!: Yeah they can design it but they can’t pay for it. Maybe you can pitch a tent with his drawings
5. Desirable: When he takes me on a walking tour he can name the building, the architect who designed it and a little bit of history.
Run bitch run!: When he takes me on a walking tour he can name the building, the architect who designed it and a little bit of history.
Architecture School: Top 10 commonly asked questions in studio: →
archistudent.tumblr.com
1) What’s your concept?
2) How’s your work?
3) What time did you sleep? (/did you sleep?)
4) Have you consulted your tutor? (/What did your tutor say?)
5) WHERE’S MY SCALE RULER!
6) Who has a plotter card?
7) Lend me a ruler!
8) Structure settled?
9) What did you not submit?
10) CAN I GIVE UP….
SSD question (just something I thought you might want to add)
To the previous SSD question, Evan is correct and use of programs that use scratch disk space will greatly improve speed and accessibility of files. HOWEVER, it is also important to note that although they are getting better, write speeds on these drives are still a bit slow, so saving and transferring may be considerably slower if you don’t by the top of the line drive. Still, once data is on there is is as safe as ever, as there are no moving parts and less opportunity for damage. There is some debate about the heat produced by these drives, and it seems to be brand dependent. Check the reviews of the one you’re buying (on Newegg, TigerDirect, ect.) and look closely at the write speeds and heat that is produced (increased heat from the drive may damage or quicken the degradation of nearby components). Otherwise, prepare for all the benefits Evan mentioned, as well as shoving some increased performance into all of your less productive classmate’s faces!
Wise words from Scott Archambault…love you man
How about tht reality show "Architecture School" on the sundance channel?
I have seen that show and it is something I would recommend to people. It’s a reality show about students but in an office like situation because their work is being built. I feel that they didn’t intend to appeal to the general public which is why students or practitioners like us can relate. I guess most of us desire a show about arch students or an office that’s extremely dramatic like on MTV or Bravo. LOL. But yes I recommend “Architecture School” on the Sundance Chanel!!!
I like to do a lot of my 8.5x11 and 11x17 printing from my computer to my own printer but lines are fuzzy and not as sharp as the printing from my school's computer lab. What would be the perfect printer for quick sharp nice prints for school?
I would say just clean the the jets on a normal basis. Even though the school has thousand dollar printers they also hire people to operate and clean them.
Smell That? It's fear..... semesters coming
On January 10 2011 we started off our blog in a similar manner wishing everyone good luck with their studies and studio. Today I wish to do the same.
The difference between then and now is that I will be wishing new students of architecture good luck and beware. For those entering undergraduate, about 30% won’t see spring semester. This is very sad but often very true. But don’t worry architecture is not for all so good luck. To those just entering grad school I wish you farewell. You will have no time to listen to your fairy god fathers Ben and Stanz but we hope to see you keep your sanity. Finally to those who are either seeking employment or employed, congratulations and good luck on paying your insane debt you have compiled over the last few years! Good luck… on winning your local lottery.
No matter what year you are in, where you are from or how many allnighters you plan on pulling this academic year I have some reminders for all of you. Lose yourself in design but do not lose the design. Compromise just a little but do not compromise your well being. Finally do not get too distracted with a social or love life because architecture seems to enjoy fucking us from time to time anyway. HAPPY SEMESTER!!!!
hey!! i'm a student in portugal and a friend and I are thinkin on working abroad for a couple of years after we finish our masters thesis (wich should be this year), and we're checkin some city's out to go to.. How's the scene in New York for young foreign architects seeking a 1st job?
Things are not too bad here. Construction is on an upswing compared to 2-3 years ago during our recession. There has been a trend for the past year or so where a massive wave of unemployed designers and undergrads flocked to Masters programs and still might be in school. I guess now is an okay time to look for work in the United States but you hafta be resourceful and persistent.
Need A Computer, Consider This:
This is another post in ARCchat asked by us and answered by my man Evan Emery from emerydesign. Listen to what he has to say, he knows what he’s talking about.
The AllNighter: “Do you think it would be worth upgrading a laptop hard drive to an SSD for running Windows as well as heavyweight programs like ACAD and Revit? My computer is fairly new, but even running AutoCAD pushes my comp to the point of getting extremely hot. I’m already planning to upgrade from 4gb to 8gb of RAM, but I’ve heard some good things about SSDs for intensive software.”
Evan: ”getting a SSD and using it as you primary boot device will greatly increase your boot time as well as performance on programs that require large amount of scratch disc space. I would highly recommend a SSD for those in the architecture field because it will boast performance in many of the programs that we use (Adobe/Autocad/Rhino 3ds). Along with the increased performance withing the program itself, the time it takes to open said applications will be much shorter…Just to clarify a SSD will allow you to access information from you hard drive much faster (open/closing files).. It will not increase overall performance of the application itself: that task falls on the CPU:RAM:GPU”
Mac or PC???
This is a response in ARCchat for the famous question…Mac or PC (bum bum bum bummmm)? Don’t hate on us for this but he definitely makes some good points, and that’s coming from a Mac user.
PC for sure. MACs are mac’s, you cant customize or change there parts. unlike PC, they are limitless and you can buy graphics cards specific for autodesk, upgrade hardware constantly, plus are much cheaper all around. all architecture firms i have worked in (3) and all i have seen in person (over 10) all have used PC’s so whatever facts, cons, pros, and opinions you need reality has proven it for me
- Brandon Smart
Play
Blanket Forts Contest
Remember blanket forts? U know you and your friends had sleep overs and made sick forts out of blankets with pillows and stuffed animals as masonry units? Those were the days.
Well lemme get to the point. Make a blanket fort, send us a pic with you in it and the sickest blanket fort wins a prize! It is still summer time and lets face it none of us are using those blankets and comforters. Send your submissions to theallnightr@gmail.com. I’m not sure when the deadline should be but lets shoot for mid September.
Open Bar in NYC!!!!! Your all invited again!!!
To all my followers I invite you all again to another open bar. Well its free for me and half for all of my guests but I do encourage you all to come. The bar is Mcfaddens on 42nd and 2nd Ave. Just like last time say my name (Ben Chan) at the door and you will receive a wrist band for 50% off drinks (if you find me I’ll hook you up with sme drinks). It’s from 9-Midnight this Saturday 8.13.11. I am not sure why I keep winning these things but whatever. Great way to hang out with my followers before the school year begins again!!!.
HI,I am going to study architecture in university soon, I have done research on few pc brands and decided to go for mac. I am having dilemma on choosing the MBP 13'' or 15''? I would use it for autocad, 3d software(rendering) and cs3 software(photoshop, illustrator). Shall I get the basic 15'' for better graphic card? the price of 15'' MBP will be the same as the upgraded 13'' MBP(8GB ram with Apple protection plan), but im trying to get one that is affordable, I dont mind if the screen is smaller but definitely should be portable(light weight). Which MBP is good enough for mine situation?
Better graphics. If ur studio has lockers its probably gonna stay there. LOL odds are ur ass is going to be glued to the studio so it ain’t going anywhere. Get the 15”. Trust me 2 inches goes a long way and saves u a lot of “panning” over time. LOL
I have a couple of interviews lined up for the remainder of this week and next. Im applying for a position in which i must use revit modeling, two teaching positions and two drafting potisions. What type of attire should i wear,would jeans and a button down be ok? I believe presentation on half the battle. What would you suggest i wear?
Not a shirt that says “Rub me on your butt” with a picture of a bar of soap. But seriously dude no jeans. Its still an interview. Dress appropriately. I know none of us do it for a crits because were too sleep deprived and disgusting. But this is an actual fucking job for your actual fucking life and not a stupid ass grade. Dress shirt, tie, pants, leather shoes, a blazer might be over kill I dunno. ROCK IT!!!!
Play
Do you think it would be worth upgrading a laptop hard drive to an SSD for running Windows as well as heavyweight programs like ACAD and Revit? My computer is fairly new, but even running AutoCAD pushes my comp to the point of getting extremely hot. I'm already planning to upgrade from 4gb to 8gb of RAM, but I've heard some good things about SSDs for intensive software.
I’m not totally sure, let me post this on ARCchat to get some better feedback…perfect question to test this out on lol. You can check the group yourself but once i get some answers ill post this again
http://www.facebook.com/groups/179364818758957/?notif_t=group_activity
ARCchat →
facebook.com
So, a bunch my friends created a facebook group called ARCchat when they graduated, to stay on top of various architectural topics and discuss them. They are similar to this blog but one thing that they can utilize, that we can’t, is back and forth discussion. The good news is that WE are members of this group (as the AllNighter) so we can partake in the discussions. My point being is that you all should join and whenever you send us a question (if you like) just write at the end “ARCchat.” This way, on top of us answering your question, I will place the question on the group so everyone, including us, can discuss it. But don’t worry, we will also answer it on Tumblr as well. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS!!!
I'm a real person and a architecture student in Houston but not at U of H
Awesome bro! keep being real
To the person who asked about bootcamp on a mac.... I would highly suggest it. Or if not, VirtualBox is a great alternative to running Windows on your Mac (as you can run both OS at the same time as opposed to just one or the other).
Although arch programs/software for mac are expanding, I highly suggest if you do decide to get a Mac (great decision, I love mine) I would put Windows on it SOMEHOW, just to be safe. While programs such as Rhino (work in progress version), Autocad, etc are available for Mac, I find that they still are not as complete versions than the Windows ones are. I would say 90% of the time I am on my Mac side using those versions of Rhino and Cad, while the other 10% I use Windows for Vray to render and plotting from Autocad.
If you are able to afford the Adobe Creative Suite (see if you can get it through your school as alot of times there is a significant price discount), I would highly suggest it as those programs are just as crucial to have as any Arch ones. I have the Adobe programs for my Mac side and they work great.
Good luck with school and I hope this helps !
This perfectly compliments the previous question, THANKS :)
Does an architecture major need to have a mac book pro?
No, in fact it may be more convenient to have windows as all the programs you will need are compatible. If you go mac you need to bootcamp windows onto you laptop for certain programs. Having said that, I own a mac and love it :)
Could you suggest any summer architecture reading for me?
Hunger Games!!!! I know its not architecture but its sooooo good. I’m trying to fill that void in my heart Harry Potter left…. :(
First, I have the utmost respect for your blog; you two are on point for most if not all of your musings on architectural education. However I have to respectfully disagree with your "no glue gun" mentality. While it is difficult to use effectively, it is by no means impossible. If you plan your models out well, presumably like your designs, then no one should even be able to tell what kind of glue you have used, if any. Like any other tool, you need to know when to use it, and ignoring any tool that you have in your arsenal is a mistake.
I suspect this thinking comes from a professor or instructor who built a lot of models or physical ideations in their career (this is the case at my SoA) and gets passed on through the school system, where the beauty of the object carries more value than the content of the architecture itself. This is a bigger discourse than simply architectural models. I am certainly not cultivating ugly models, but we are architecture students, not carpenters (well maybe a bit of both).
Please keep up the good work!
Fine point my good sir (or mam)…I guess our argument is that there are better and stronger glues that make less mess. Perhaps you can give us (or send pics) of examples where hot glue would be the choice glue
why no glue guns??
Because you don’t model with glue guns. They should only be used for quick molds. NEVER A REAL MODEL!!!!
I'm of the opinion that a cheap laptop and a good desktop is a great combination. A desktop is cheaper for a more powerful and capable machine, and you'll normally have a larger screen too. In a way it helps you stay on task too, since you can use the desktop exclusively for work while reserving the laptop for entertainment and portable entertainment (and writing papers for other classes). Because really, how much studio work do you actually do outside of the studio?
All desktops have a hole to lock the case together and to your desk (as well as the monitor. Do this regardless of how safe your studio is.
Is there a question in that?
O well…… yeah what he said. LOL.
Just to add: You will always find ways to procrastinate…if you have the internet lol. Reserving your laptop for entertainment and then putting it away when you work can only work in an ideal situation
What are some of the best tools in your model making arsenal? I'm trying to get a nice kit together before fall studio.
A metal arch scale (but never cut with it), two pieces of aluminum angle iron welded together and cork on the bottom (the most superior cutting edge), an xacto metal right angle (i think its a 45.45.90 and smaller than your hand), blue xacto blades, tacky glue, mini clamps (a lot of mini clamps), small but dense cast iron weights (over the years I discovered heavy books suck), blue painters tape, assortment of sandpaper, jewelers file, a really fucking big cutting mat, a decent super glue (watery consistency and no gels), a wet sponge (for cleaning off excess glue), soldering set, a solder suction thingy (I don’t know the real name), I want to say Dremel but you have to have a lot of hours experience with this tool (it can betray you), smooth on brand rubber (for making casts), and finally NO FUCKING GLUE GUNS!!!
would you recommend a desktop computer or a laptop for architecture students?
also, if i purchase a mac - do i really need bootcamp (to run a windows operating system) for photoshop, indesign, autocad and 3ds max programs?
thanks :)
Wow this is seriously like the top five question we get. It depends on the desk space you are given.
Hi, i am searching for a laptop, i was wondering do graphic card very important for architecture students software use? if yes, do you have any suggestion on which to buy or laptop with good graphic card/s?
Yes graphic cards are important. Get a Dell Studio XPS those are solid. Alienware laptops have BALLS!!! But they’re quite tacky looking. I think they’re so big they can actually fit a Desktop graphix cards LOL.
Sorry, what is the email address for sending projects to?
theallnightr@gmail.com. Hooray!!!
Project Submissions???
So far we have had only two project submissions…we need more so send em in.
