Category: Canada

Building a future in Vancouver

Posted on by Claire Aubin

Before attending graduate school, I worked as a fabricator at a custom kinetic architecture design/build shop. One spring morning, a group of University of Oregon architecture students visited the shop as a part of the Vancouver Program led by Stephen Duff. The reason for their visit was to introduce them to their kinetic architecture class in Vancouver, BC. At the time, I was thinking of returning to graduate school and had been accepted into a few different graduate schools. Meeting those students, learning of the kinetic architecture course offered in Vancouver, and hearing all about Stephen Duff from my colleagues and other students was what eventually inspired me to attend the University of Oregon. This past spring, through the help of the Vancouver Program Scholarship, I Processed with VSCOcam with g3 presetwas not only able to participate in the program that brought me to the University of Oregon, but it has been the highlight of my graduate school career thus far.

My biggest highlight during the Vancouver Program was the course that started it all for me: Kinetic Architecture. Prior to attending the University of Oregon, I was primarily a fabricator of kinetic architecture. In the Vancouver Program, I learned what went into designing the kinetic architecture I helped build. This included learning about different machines, mechanisms, and their advantages and limitations. Structures, materials, and connection details were other major learning points in the course that I greatly enjoyed. Another aspect of the course I enjoyed was the group work. Throughout the term, we worked in self-selected groups based around our interests. Not only did I get to learn from the knowledge of my classmates, but I got to further practice designing and producing as a team. This RB_10_Architecture Design Studio final modelis a skill set I think a lot of architecture students should experience in school, as the profession depends heavily on team work, not only amongst your teammates, but amongst your clients and consultants as well. You can learn a lot from each other.

Related to the kinetic architecture class was the digital modeling course taught alongside it. In this class, we learned two different digital modeling programs to help us produce digital animations of our kinetic architecture projects. One of my biggest weaknesses as an architecture student has been in digital modeling. This has been primarily because I have been so intimidated by the rendering process of digital modeling. From textures, texture mapping, to lighting, camera angles, and camera settings, it gets very overwhelming. Learning digital modeling, animation, and rendering under the direction of one of the original developers of the modeling program was amazing. Not only did he break down my fears and apprehension towards digital modeling, but his enthusiasm towards digital modeling was contagious. I can’t wait to apply what I have learned to my other architecture design studios.

Amidst the kinetic architecture course, getting to study abroad in Vancouver also taught me a lot about the successes and failures of Vancouver as a large cosmopolitan city. Unfortunately, one of its biggest failures is its high cost of living. Not only is food expensive, but housing prices are through the roof. This I noticed prohibited diversity in the ages and backgrounds of its residents. One of its greatest successes I saw in Vancouver however was its waterfront. Nearly all of its waterfront property in down Vancouver has been turned into bike and pedestrian trails, with parks intermittently placed along the way. By giving the waterfront to the public, it provides its residents a positive resource for recreation and sustainable transportation. It is one of the biggest reasons why I think so many people find Vancouver to be such a beautiful city. I am looking forward towards using these experience in future urban planning courses.RB_1_panorama of Vancouver

Upon my return to the United States, people ask me what my favorite thing about Vancouver was. Without a doubt, I will always mention the kinetic architecture course and the urban environment of Vancouver.

– Rachelle Byarlay, Architecture in Vancouver

The Value of Adventuring

Posted on by Claire Aubin

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One of my favorite experiences in Vancouver occurred on the first weekend! I love hiking and exploring the outdoors so I did a lot of research before the trip on the best hiking spots in the Vancouver area. This allowed me to waste less time looking up the information when I was there and spend more time exploring. The first weekend I sent out a message asking if anyone in the group wanted to hike Bowen Island, letting them know it was a fairly intense hike and that we would need to leave by eight in the morning if we wanted to return before dark. I figured it would be a really good way to get to know some of my colleagues and spark good conversations. I woke up the next morning and was so excited to realize six of us were about to embark on an amazing adventure.

The sun was shining and the sky was clear. A perfect day for hiking! We began by taking the bus from Downtown Vancouver through North Vancouver to the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal. From there we boarded a giant ferry headed for Bowen Island. Bowen Island is a small island with a tiny town located off the coast of North Vancouver. The majority of the island is an ecological preserve and the forest is defined by enormous red cedars, green bogs and huge granite outcroppings. Once on the ferry we spent the entire ride on the front deck taking in the picturesque mountain landscape. Very rarely do you get to see mountains and forest that come directly to the ocean edge.Tucker_img_2

After arriving on the island we followed a set of directions I had written down to find the trail head and began our four hour ascent. The hike was incredible. It was steep and fairly demanding but the surroundings were exquisite and the giant tree canopy kept the forest floor nice and cool. As we hiked and talked we learned more and more about each other and I really enjoyed the company. I was excited to spend a term exploring and learning with these people. At the top the view was indescribable! We were so high up we were looking directly at the mountain peaks north of Vancouver. To the west was the Pacific Ocean, appearing endless and directly southwest was the City of Vancouver itself. The buildings were so tiny you could squish them between your fingers. The moment was so rewarding. After hiking and traveling all day we had reached our goal.

Tucker_img_9For the rest of the term we always looked back on that hike and the fun we had. You could barely make out the peak of Bowen Island from Downtown Vancouver, but we were constantly pointing it out to people saying, “We were up there!” It encouraged us to continue spending our time outdoors and experiencing the lifestyle and culture of Vancouver, BC. The time I spent in Vancouver was very rewarding and I am happy I had the opportunity to participate in the program and make so many good friends.

– Cody Tucker, Architecture in Vancouver

Reflections on Vancouver Spring 2014

Posted on by Sam Bethel

Making the decision to study abroad in Vancouver was the best decision I have made in college thus far. I grew up fifteen minutes from Manhattan, feeling privileged, thinking I grew up next to the best city in the world. Moving to Oregon for college, was a big change—no more fast pace, tall buildings, or public transportation systems. In Eugene, my bike became my transportation, tall buildings were replaced with evergreen trees and everything I did took an extra ten minutes. I could never say if I liked the city life, or the “Oregonian life” better; but after living in Vancouver for three months, I don’t need to make that decision anymore. Vancouver is what I like best. It is where I felt most at home.

There is nothing about Vancouver I did not love; okay, except for the squawking seagulls that dwelled on our studio roof, but I could easy fix that with my headphones. I had my favorite market on Davie Street where I got all my fruit and vegetables. The man who worked at the Grainry, a place to buy snacks in bulk on Granville Island, expected me there every day because no matter the quantity of my purchase, I would eat it all during one day in studio. I even found a nail and hair salon I trusted. I have none of that in Eugene and only half of it in New Jersey.

 

DCIM101MEDIAWhile living in Vancouver, I also made it a point to go around Stanley Park at least once a week, sometimes biking, sometimes running. That eight mile trail along the water front was too beautiful to not want to be there all the time. The interior of the park is a forest with endless amounts of trails too. I think it’s my favorite part of Vancouver.

I was afraid of getting lost the first time I ran through the interior of Stanley Park, so Justin came with me. Justin and I ran Stanley Park a few times together. We got to know each other pretty well on our runs. I never kept track of how far we were running because I stayed so engaged in our conversations. I think he always knew how far we were though because he has an incredible sense of direction.

The group I lived with in Vancouver was very eclectic, but we did have one thing in common—a love for architecture. Exploring a new city with fellow architecture students undeniably influenced how great my experience was. When pointing out details or admiring a building, we all just get it. We toured the city on bike with one of Vancouver’s city planners. Every design decision made in the development of Vancouver just makes sense. My favorite part of the development is that pedestrians have the closest access to water, followed by bikers, then cars. The city planning of Vancouver definitely makes it a desirable city to live in.

My roommates, Nicki and Dianna, also had a positive effect on my stay in Vancouver. Although the hotel room we lived in was small for three, I loved every second of it. All the friendships I made while in Vancouver are indescribable. The experiences we had together will never be replaced and I am glad to have met everyone. Of course, last but not least, Stephen Duff was the reason for all of this. Stephen set easterup relationships with Emily Carr professors that I learned so much from. Thomas Groppi, who taught our media class was overly knowledgeable on the programs he taught us, SolidWorks and SoftImage. I am impressed with myself and the rest of the students for how much we learned in a short amount of time. I learned a lot from Stephen in studio as well. He pushed my limits and enhanced my design method. Stephen is such a cheerful professor too. He knew we were all dedicated students; therefore he always made sure we made time for fun. He planned outings for us like a Paella party, and kayaking that got us to stop worrying about school for a little and just enjoy life. That really is why studying abroad in Vancouver was a life changing experience for me—I learned that the best knowledge and creativity comes from enjoying each day and studying what you love.

-Jackie Stinson, Architecture in Vancouver