The site I chose for my thesis project is the southwestern end of downtown Oregon City and the industrial island across the Willamette.  This is a Sketchup image of the master plan as of mid-term.  It's changed a little, but will remain mostly the same in form.  The buildings that I am going to design in detail, the next phase, are the two reaching across the bridge and the one behind those on the same axis.  There will be 2 funiculars (diagonal trains used on steep slopes) and one elevator to link the upper Oregon City neighborhoods with the new downtown section.   I'm currently working on getting the site contours cut for what will be a gigantic site model.  I'm freaking out just a little bit.  The second image is from the opposite edge, near the falls.  Some of the fabric there is existing, like the narrow curved walkway and the circular building, to be an amphitheater, which is now a stinking sulphur vat.

Pad See Ew

I will be posting some images of my project thus far soon, but until then, please enjoy some Pad See Ew.

I made this tonight and seeing as it's my favorite Thai dish, I thought I would share the recipe (copying off of Andrew, I know).

You will need:

2 tablespoons of sugar
1/2 cup of pork, chicken, or tofu
2 tablespoons white soy sauce
2 tablespoons black soy sauce
2 cloves of chopped garlic
1 lb of fresh flat rice noodles, or dried noodles
1 lb of Chinese or regular broccoli, and carrots
1 egg, scrambled

Cut the rice noodles into strips 1 inch wide, by about 2-3 inches long. If using dried noodles, put a medium sauce pan half full of water on the stove on high and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat and soak the noodles while cooking the veggies and/or meat.

Heat a wok or large skillet on high and add 2 tablespoons wok oil or vegetable oil. Once heated, drop in the garlic and simmer until golden, then add the pork, chicken or tofu. Add the fresh rice noodles, or the strained dried noodles after they have sat in the hot water for about 10 minutes, once the meat is browned or tofu has a crispy edge. Stir to break up the noodles, then add the white and black soy sauces and the sugar. Stir.

Open up a spot and drop in the egg. Scramble it up being careful not to mix in the other stuff yet. Once mostly scrambled, mix it all together. Now add the veggies and toss for a couple of minutes until they are cooked. Don't let the mixture sit for too long without tossing or the noodles will burn. Add white pepper if you like spice. I usually have to add more oil too. Enjoy :)

The Last Class

Even though Carl, the speaker at our last class, was mostly speaking to you digital arts kids and not the architecture kids, I thought it was a really interesting presentation.  This is mainly because of how his advice relates to what we've been reading, especially the Guy Debord stuff. While there are some connections between our two fields, there seems to be a widening gap between how we network and share information.  I guess what I'm wondering is....are you guys REALLY going to do all of that stuff?  And if so, how would there be any time left over to do the work you're trying to promote?  I never thought I'd agree with my father's viewpoint that technology is a negative force in our present society, but it's beginning to become overwhelming, at least for me.  

I spent three years after undergrad working at an architecture firm to gain experience and, hopefully, a more directed vision of the path I would like to take in the field.  While some of the experiences I had at the firm were amazingly unique (travel, travel, and more travel) a lot of time was spent parked in front of a monitor.  I like to think that over those 3 years I made a lot of progress in becoming efficient with various computer programs, and honed and developed a set of skills useful in the field.  But I can say one thing for sure, I don't want to spend the vast majority of another 3 years after I graduate parked in front of a monitor.  This can't be the way we are supposed to live and connect to each other.

I'm not anti-technology but I sense  something important is slipping away, and I keep thinking of Guy Debord's spectacle.  I was really critical of his ideas at first, thinking that a statement like that can't be made to blanket all of modern culture and that the individual is more important.  But maybe it's inescapable.  I mean think about it, we take vacations....from what?  From this.  Ironic.  It also seems like a very ironic twist that art and digital media are mixing the way they are.  It really begs the question of what is real and what is not.  

Now I'm just rambling.  Time for happy hour.  

Contours are cool

I was working on my topo model for my studio project and kept being mesmerized by the dramatic contours of the site. I took some stills and thought I'd post them. Of course, being rainbow helps the wow factor, but nonetheless....

Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise seeks a mate with like interests. Enjoys eating jungle bugs and making noises with tail.  Also likes to show off.  No birdbrains please. 

Ok, just kidding, this is really not a classified for a bird.  But seriously, have you seen the BBC Planet Earth series?  What these birds do to attract a mate is amazing.  My new favorite animal.  

I have no design

I have no design

My thesis is underway

Where is my building?