everyday closer

As you may be fed up of reading posts about my dream of becoming an architect, I will talk today about my dream of becoming an architect;)

I wrote some weeks ago that I could see university approaching and I was quite scared about it. Well, I am still a bit worried about the changes my life will experience in the next six months, however, I couldn't wait for them to come more eagerly.

Two days ago I was looking through information about the grade, when I came across with the official page of the UPC (the University where I'll be coursing my studies), (what a chance, right?) and found the documents where every subject is analyzed and presented to the students. I must confess I was afraid of finding something disappointing. Nevertheless, what I found only increased my excitement about this degree. I was very pleased too to discover that UPC is rated both by students and by official european institutions as the third best university in Spain, and the best one in terms of architecture.

To conclude this last My say about architecture, I will just promise something I hope to fulfill: as early as I will have concluded my first project, I will link it here for you to check it out!

21st century school

High schools are often recognized for their massive and prison-like looking (specially mine). The Sandy high school, in Oregon, is now a highlight from the 21st century schools.

The 310,000-square-foot building is perfectly integrated with the forestal area and provides students an approach to nature through architecture, as well as plenty of facilities. Finished in August 2012, Sandy high school is inspired in the old roman constructions, with a central piece that joins three axis in the part where most social activity takes place. In every axis there are classrooms, laboratories, etc. And the building even includes an atrium, gym and an auditorium.

Regarding that my school has a considerably prison-looking, with huge grey concrete walls and grilles in every window, Sandy high school seems to me a perfect place to get inspired and work harder more motivated. A school well integrated in nature, with wooden walls, enhances people's creativity and creates a more comfortable atmosphere.

september '15

In my last post I expressed my feelings towards 2nd Bat, and I ended up saying that my lack of motivation was probably due to the fears of dramatically changing my life this new September.

I decided I wanted to study architecture about two or three years ago. Back then, I saw University as a long-term dream, as something that happened in films and that, even though was going to come, something far far away from my comfortable life in town.

Now, I'm just five months from it and and my excitement is boosting day by day, as well as my concerns about it. When last year I said I wanted to study architecture, it was "half a decision" because I was still able to change my mind without any compromise... now, in one month I'll have to apply for university and it'll be almost irrevocable. I'm eager to start this grade, though I have to admit that as it approaches I get more and more nervous. This nervousness makes me hesitate: will I enjoy it? is it the right choice?

 Luckily, this weekend I was able to talk to a cousin of mine who lives in Seville and that is in her last year of architecture. Her advise was really useful, and her point of view on the degree, as well as her experience and reflections helped me to see that all this doubts are, again, the result of seeing university everyday closer... Barcelona, here I come!

jonathan ward

As technology industries rise at a stunning rhythm, so does the number of employees they hire and the facilities they require. The needing of expanding their headquarters bring to the tech-giants the chance to demonstrate their power by building modern impressive centers. 

Not only designed for being functional, these buildings are meant to represent the companies' philosophy. By constructing campus that house both offices and leisure zones, they try to turn the centres into social spaces, where colleagues interact more and even mix with citizens. The times of hieratic massive skyscrapers are gone, they say the 21st century architecture is about building cities in each building rather than erecting towers in the cities.

From my point of view, this new way of understanding work places can be extremely positive to both employees and citizens. Working in a building that transmits its nice atmosphere to the people in it, boosts creativity and productivity. And it's obvious that impressive buildings attract tourists and enrich a city.

Read the complete article.