ethics

This week's discussions on ethical matters made me realize several things. First of all, the vague nature of the diction revealed a naive side of me. Secondly, I learned the importance of principles and one's own ethical standards in the workplace. 

My own ethical principles are based on the lessons I have learned growing up. Influences would include my friends, family, organizations, and academics. The importance of ethics to me is really based on the future. The questions that I consider before completing a task consist of things such as: how will I feel about this matter in a week, would I be willing to openly talk about this later, or how will this shape the opinion of me by people who I consider important?

Miscommunication!

While working as a bank teller over a summer, I witnessed a miscommunication between a customer and an employee. The dilemma arose from 'noise' in the environment. The customer was on her cell phone, the employee was multi-tasking, and the environment was ripening for an error to occur. The employee posed a question to the customer, who responded promptly. Unfortunately, the response was simply offered without any thought. After the tasks were completed and the cell phone call was ended, the customer became upset that her business was not done correctly. Of course, it was an easy fix, and promptly corrected, but it was very evident to me that miscommunications are easy to do. Whether it is body language or vocal language, any one party's inattentive nature can create problems in the communication cycle. 

portfolio

As a continuation on a previous topic, I would like to say that I enjoyed Erin's presentation of administering first aid. Her background in the subject made it rather interesting, and her knowledge on the subject was evident. Additionally, I think it was probably one of the most useful presentations. It very well could save a life!

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I have some experience with an online portfolio. Freshman year, it was a requirement to create an e-portfolio for both English and Architecture. The assignment produced a piece of work that I am embarrassed to reflect back upon. I created the layout and pages in Microsoft Publisher. The quality was shoddy and the design makes me cringe as a fourth year architecture design student. 

I have learned a lot of the years, especially through Architecture 401 (portfolio class). I hope that the layout and design skills from that class will assist me in creating a 'work' that will be worthy of my business writing documents. I look forward to what I will gain from working with an online portfolio this time around, and I hope to be happy with the project three years from now!

in-class_presentations

Whether I am giving or simply listening to an in-class presentation, I typically cannot honestly say that I enjoy them. However, when students are allowed to select their own topics things become much more interesting. So, I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the variety and content that has been presented through this assignment. If I had to pick three favorites, it would be tough, but I think the finalists would include: Kenneth, Scott, and Andrew.

Kenneth's presentation about the Boykin Spaniel definitely tops my favorites. The detailed history and information showed true interest by the presenter. Not to mention, it was also interesting to me. To top it all off, he brought his own Boykin Spaniel as a prop. 

Scott's look at the Jetlev-Flyer was also an interesting topic. The best thing most likely was the randomness of the topic. It was something that most of the class, if not all, had never heard of. I appreciated the discussion he provided about opportunities and price. Nice work. 

Lastly, I found Andrew's presentation of the Allman Brothers to be interesting. The best part of his presentation was the true interest and compassion you could tell he possessed for the topic. When a presenter truly appreciates and takes pride in their topic, it shows and becomes that much more interesting to the audience. 

The entire class has done a great job so far. Kudos also go to the presentations on Locks of Love, Laughter, and Jaguars. I look forward to giving my own this week!

the_cover_letter

The cover letter is an important aspect of any application or resume. I gained some experience with cover letters last semester as I began applying to graduate schools. Looking back, after examining the website, I definitely found some areas of improvement. Hopefully none of my mistakes will result in letters of rejection. 

A few things about the website that I found helpful were the checklist and the reality section. The checklist reminded me that my letter was possibly too long. However, one thing that I did not include, but am not worried about is a postscript. I see this addition as unnecessary. If your main focuses are presented in the beginning and recapped in the end, I'm not sure an added emphasis for a third or fourth time is warranted. Otherwise, I will definitely be consulting this website in the future. I also look forward to finding out what others thought of the information provided. 

client_visit

This week we had the first visit from our client: the Healthy Campus Initiative. The client expressed many possible approaches for the semester-long project, though the important goals are reaching students, and promoting health, wellness, sustainability, and social justice on Clemson University's campus. This seems like a very open and exciting project for our group. I am convinced that our client will be pleased with the result. 

After the client visit on Monday, I was absent from classes on Wednesday and Friday for a field trip. I am ready to return to the group in order to listen and learn about any group decisions made thus far and the direction of the project. I have full confidence in their ability to move forward and respect for their decisions. After all, I chose to work with them. 

job_interview

A job interview can be very stressful. The need to make the right impression is crucial and can lead to simple mistakes by the candidate. 10 Biggest Interview Mistakes is a website that helps to avoid these mistakes and can increase your ability to land the position. Personally, I find the tips to be quite helpful. Though I have held two separate jobs, I have never participated in a formal interview. I know this will not happen again. So, any and all tips are certainly welcome pieces of knowledge.

For my first real interview, I plan to practice fielding questions. I also will aim to research and gain knowledge about the company. As for the stress and anxiety of the situation, I have a feeling that a good night's sleep, breakfast, and a workout will go a long ways in conjunction with practice and knowledge. I truly believe these elements will be helpful in preparation for the interview, along with one last reminder from 10 Biggest Interview Mistakes. 

Good luck!

the_dutch

While studying abroad in the fall of 2007, our class took the opportunity to go to the Netherlands. The progressive nature of the Dutch was truly captivating. Their approaches to energy, tactics to reclaim land from the sea, architectural design, and urban planning were overwhelming. Our time traveling in and around Amsterdam was much too short to truly appreciate everything around us, but every minute was definitely educational. 

The "whale," pictured below, allowed its design to be dictated by environmental factors. The roofline was established based on sun angles to optimize energy and lighting. Additionally, the architects took an interesting approach to egress by using the stairs that link varying levels. Unconventional, yet functional.

The university dorms pictured below were meant to be temporary structures. The colorful 'pods' come prefabricated and construction simply consists of stacking and attaching them. Interestingly enough, this colorful addition to the campus has become a popular housing option and their fate on the campus has yet to be decided. 

The Netherlands is more than legalized prostitution, weed, and wooden shoes. Go see for yourself! 

ten_years_from_now

In ten years from now, it will be 2019. I will be 31 years old and wondering where the time has gone. At this point in my life, I will have received my masters degree, completed my IDP hours, taken the tests of certification, and have just become a licensed architect. It should be a good stage in my life with a huge sense of relief and accomplishment. 

Professionally, I would like to be employed by a large architectural firm. An urban setting is a must. I hope to be a promoter of mixed-use urban design and do my own part to help stop the vast sprawl and suburbanization of the United States. Additionally, at this time in my professional life, I hope to begin studying, taking, and passing the LEED AP exams. I hope that I will keep an inspiring design philosophy and not give in to the restraints that limit design innovation and originality. 

Personally, I hope my life will include a family of my own, taking my grandfather's advice in marrying a 'happy girl with good teeth.' I want to follow in my own parents' footsteps by raising and influencing active, ambitious children. I want to actively volunteer in my community and promote service work. 

All in all, I want to be happy, going places with my career, and know that I'm making a difference in my community and in other people's lives. 

See you in 2019!

the_machine_is_us/ing_us

The age of the internet has exponentially increased the level of change that the world is seeing. The 'machine' has led to a society that is extremely well connected. It has indeed become 'us'. The internet has become my own source for news, entertainment, corresponding, and learning. More and more seldom do I rely on the printed news and television, though they are not obsolete. I depend on my computer to bring those two elements of 'yesterday' to the comforts of my own space. 

As an individual who has been in the forty hour-a-week world and who will shortly re-enter that world for a final time, I see the machine and web 2.0 as exciting elements for the workplace. The possibilities for any profession, including architecture, are greatly expanded. I believe that my prospects for design will surpass those who are ahead of me, and those who follow will have possibilities even greater than my own. 

Those who are already in the workplace are not at a disadvantage, but must realize that they are at a critical crossroads. Their ability to evolve and learn will determine their own relevance to the field. They must be capable of rethinking anything and everything. In our changing world, nothing is constant. Consequently, this should include everyone's own thoughts. Rethinking everything is not going to change someone, but it will change how they can contribute to the evolving world of web 2.0. 

personal_intro

My name is Blake. I am a senior architecture major pursuing a minor in business administration. I intend to graduate with a BA from Clemson University in May 2009. Currently, I am submitting applications to graduate schools. In August, I hope to begin my three years of study to receive a master's degree in architecture. 

A proposal for an international design competition. Fall 2008. 

In the fall of 2007, I attended Clemson University's Charles E. Daniel Center for Building Research and Urban Studies in Genoa, Italy. The experience of living in and learning about Italy's cities and architecture was a great one! While there, I, along with the other fifteen students, took part in blogging. You can check out that blog here: G.O.A: The Cultural Exchange. I would highly recommend taking part in the 'fluid campus' experience of the architecture program at Clemson University. 

The City of Genoa, Italy at night. Fall 2007.