Architecture Students...

[mactastic]

Still there some times just no excuse for how uncoordinated the drawings are some times. It is one thing is the Architectures, MEP and structural drawings have coordination issues but there is no excuse for the architectures to have coordination issues with architectures drawings

It happens. A lot of times there are last-minute changes that just don't get followed through all the way. I've yet to see a perfect set of drawings, nor a building that has been built exactly the way the drawings show.

Sorry I gotten rather bitter about having to right REALLY stupid RFI's about dealing with uncoordinated drawings.

That's ok, I get tired of dealing with stupid RFIs from people fishing for change orders.

 

[peskaa]

From my experience of Architecture, the computer labs at the department don't hold as many computers as you'd hope - usually resulting in being unable to get a machine, especially if deadlines are coming up. Whilst you can use any PC at the university, only the ones in the Archi department will have the needed software.

I used a PowerBook G4 15" towards the tail end of my degree, and a PowerMac G5 at home. This worked well, as I could work at university without waiting for a computer, and at home I had access to some decent power for late-night sessions. I used VectorWorks and SketchUp a lot, and if I absolutely had to use AutoCAD I used Virtual PC. Of course, these days you can use BootCamp which is a far better solution. The point is, Macs make a perfectly good machine for Architecture.

Some of my friends on the course also switched to Macs, and currently use MBPs (15"ers) now they're into the final stages. No complaints.


Plus, £200 you save not buying the 17" will happily go into the cost of making models.

 

[NStocks]

From my experience of Architecture, the computer labs at the department don't hold as many computers as you'd hope - usually resulting in being unable to get a machine, especially if deadlines are coming up. Whilst you can use any PC at the university, only the ones in the Archi department will have the needed software.

I used a PowerBook G4 15" towards the tail end of my degree, and a PowerMac G5 at home. This worked well, as I could work at university without waiting for a computer, and at home I had access to some decent power for late-night sessions. I used VectorWorks and SketchUp a lot, and if I absolutely had to use AutoCAD I used Virtual PC. Of course, these days you can use BootCamp which is a far better solution. The point is, Macs make a perfectly good machine for Architecture.

Some of my friends on the course also switched to Macs, and currently use MBPs (15"ers) now they're into the final stages. No complaints.


Plus, £200 you save not buying the 17" will happily go into the cost of making models.

Thanks for that information. I have already ordered the 17" simply because it will be a investment for my studies anyway, and I'm going to try and keep it until the course has finished.

... When you say the cost of making models, what materials are normally used and does the University provide guidance and links as to where the materials can be purchased. ( are they very expensive )

NStocks

 

[JamesP12345]

Thanks for that information. I have already ordered the 17" simply because it will be a investment for my studies anyway, and I'm going to try and keep it until the course has finished.

... When you say the cost of making models, what materials are normally used and does the University provide guidance and links as to where the materials can be purchased. ( are they very expensive )

NStocks

I dunno about other uni's but at Manchester you can just purchase the materials from the workshops / paperstore. You will spend a lot on models; in total last semester I must of spent a few hundred quid on model materials and there are people in my form that have spent a hundred quid on a single model. Though that isn't necessarily normal, as we are in a group that actively encourages large scale model making. Certainly expect to spend a fair bit on materials over the year, be it for models, sketching or print costs.

 

[Plymouthbreezer]

I'm an architecture (undergrad) student here in the USA.

I've been using my MBP with no issues. Since you can run Windows via BootCamp, there is no reason *NOT* to have a Mac. However, I know most architecture programs do require the use of Windows.

Anyway, my MBA is a 2.2GHz SR model, and I figure I'll upgrade in about a year... The 17" screen would be nice for design work. I find myself doing intensive projects on the 20" iMacs here at school, since the larger screen real estate is nice.

 

[peskaa]

Thanks for that information. I have already ordered the 17" simply because it will be a investment for my studies anyway, and I'm going to try and keep it until the course has finished.

... When you say the cost of making models, what materials are normally used and does the University provide guidance and links as to where the materials can be purchased. ( are they very expensive )

NStocks

Paper, card (varying thickness), wood (usually balsa and dowels), glue, paint, more glue, then random other bits as needed. Models get expensive, running to hundreds of pounds especially as you go further on.

Most archi students are masters of scavenging. Saves money!

 

[NStocks]

Paper, card (varying thickness), wood (usually balsa and dowels), glue, paint, more glue, then random other bits as needed. Models get expensive, running to hundreds of pounds especially as you go further on.

Most archi students are masters of scavenging. Saves money!

Sounds like my thing !

My brother is a joiner, his company through loads of wood away that they will happily give me for free...

I know it's more than just " sticking and glueing " , do show you how to make models properly so that they don't look like a mess .

NStocks

 

[peskaa]

Free wood is always a plus, but you'll always use small/thin bits - balsa wood is great as it's flexible, can be steamed to hold shape and highly carve-able. I've not used a twobefour yet!


Model making is about precision, and it takes ages to make a good one. Measure twice, cut once is possibly the best advice you can be given. Good models fit precisely together without gaps, and without loads of glue ruining the look (try and get glue on the inside of joins).

Paint them white. However, use your judgement - sometimes natural wood colour + white works. Do not attempt to emulate life with colours (like that horrible brick effect paper) - you are not building a train set. A minimal colour palette draws attention to the architecture, not the grass. Beyond that, you can develop your own style. For example, I follow the school of thought that hills are represented best with contours (ie: stepped levels) rather than a more "realistic" flat banking - much like they'd appear in technical drawings. Others do it another way.

Glass (aka: see-through plastics) is really hard to pull off in a model cleanly, as the joins are obvious. Try not to get fingerprints on it! This just takes practice.