My Individual Study Plan
L ARCH 300
Introduction to history and environmental influences in field while developing design and graphic skills. Site analyses and drawing to convey design concepts. Relationship of visual perception to drawing, role of values in design, verbal communication, and behavioral analysis of design process. Required for admission to Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program.
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Why?
Being the introductory studio for landscape architecture this class gave me the basic ideas and principles behind what a landscape architect does and the process they go through to achieve their results. In this class we worked on projects on real sites and visited four different landscape architecture firms.
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L ARCH 352
Survey of the development of landscape architecture as an art form from Mesopotamia to the present. Relationships to physical landscape, climate, culture, religion, and other arts. Open to non-majors.
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Why?
I originally selected this course in an attempt to get a landscape architecture major in conjunction with my CEP major. However, I changed my plan. Ultimately, I used the history of landscape architecture that I am learning to help develop my perspective on what it takes to make an impactful landscape.
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RE 510
Provides a basic overview of the participants, processes, workings of different components of the real estate industry (including a variety of uses spanning from residential, office, retail and industrial to specialized) as well as the quantitative components of the real estate decision-making. Additionally, students are introduced to an overview of construction management, sustainability, corporate services, property law and ethics.
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Why?
Real estate is an important and valuable aspect to understand the built environment as a whole. The introductory level of this course gave me the information to understand how exactly real estate plays a role in the built environment. Specifically, what resources are used to look at making a sound real estate investment and how to organize an excel sheet to forecast real estate investments.
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ARCH 528
Explores the rapid integration of fabrication, construction, and performance criteria early in the architectural design process, through the use of powerful digital tools. Students test advanced digital tools in architectural production and develop awareness and skills in integrated digital design, analysis, and prototyping.
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Why?
After completing this class, I had a good understanding of the possibilities of 3D modeling as a tool to produce simple to intricate fabrications and constructions. We used AutoDesk’s Fusion 360 and Grasshopper for Rhino 6.
ARCH 498
In this course the student will learn the layout and principles and practices of biophilic design; introduce the science and theory that serves as underpinnings for biophilic design, and to present biophilic design practices across a range of buildings.
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Why?
This introduction to biophilic design by prolific biophilic designer Dr. Judy Heerwagen, gave me insights into the importance of biophilic design, and how it’s role in the built environment can increase peoples happiness and health, help the planet recover from climate change, and increase profits for those who implement biophilic principles.
CM 311
Introduction to construction plans and specifications with emphasis on reading and interpreting them. Focuses on architectural/engineering drawings and associated specifications used in building construction.
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Why?
By taking this class and developing and better understanding of reading construction documents I am no able to look at plans and understand the ins and outs of the building. In my opinion, knowing how to read construction documents is the first step in making your own. This class has already helped me understanding and navigate construction documents in UW solar, and will no doubt continue to help me throughout my career.
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ARCH 332
Introduces the cultures and realities of making and materials through the study of how tools, materials, and cultures interact to produce our built environment at all scales. Includes substantial hands-on physical interactions with real tools and materials.
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Why?
Understanding how and why materials are used in the built environment is paramount in developing an education in the built environment. Especially now, when cradle to cradle, cradle to grave and cradle to gate are all important factors in the built environments carbon footprint and lifetime analysis.
ARCH 351
Surveys episodes in the history of world architecture during the period from about 700 to 1750
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Why?
Many of the classes I have taken are more technical classes and less related to the history of the built environment. I am hoping that taking this class will give me a more holistic understanding of the built environment.
ARCH 481
Lectures and weekly exercises focus on understanding and applying the underlying principles of 3D computer graphics and rendering software. Topics include user-interface, data creation and modeling, lighting models, smoothing, texture mapping, ray tracing, radiosity, animation, and solid modeling.
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Why?
This class helped me advance my 3D modeling skills on Rhino 6 as well as rendering in V-ray. I finished this class with a handful of portfolio worthy material, to showcase my ability in 3D modeling and rendering.
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CM 335
Studies issues associated with planning and constructing sustainable projects including development of LEED documentation and evaluation of financial, social, and environmental impacts of construction operations.
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Why?
I completed and obtained my LEED green associate certification and will got a lot out of this class in preparation. Not only the books for studying but practice exams and general questions for the professor.
URBDP 598
We will cover the different sub-systems and roles of the public and private sectors, as well as the historic and current structures that have created the domestic and global food system. We will touch upon how cities and metropolitan regions have addressed failings in their governance systems with regard to food systems, potential policy tools and considerations for their development, as well as alternative measures of the food system’s performance, including notions of food justice and food sovereignty. This class thus considers the food system within the context of the current socio-political-economic structure and takes this basis as a foundation for a critical perspective.
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Why?
In this class I learned about a world I knew very little about. Food systems in the United States and across the world are vital to the health and well being of out planet and ourselves. Exploring the unique methods of counteracting current food systems laws to ensure food sovereignty was enlightening and are surely techniques I will take with me in future design considerations.
AIS 308
Examines the historical relationships American Indians have possessed with local environments, with special attention to the ways these peoples have adapted to altered environments and new conditions, including migrations, involvement with markets of exchange, over hunting, dispossession, conservation, and mainstream environmentalism.
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Why?
Being in the Pacific Northwest, I value the insights of the indigenous people, and the perspective that they could bring to the future of the built environment in this region
