Student Work

Wow...I've been away awhile. So long that I had to go through all the rigmarole of resetting my password and user name (both of which I had of course forgotten).

Things are going well here. I am teaching Furniture Design and 5th year architectural design (these are graduate students preparing to do their thesis project so i'm not sure i've got their full, undivided attention). I ride my bike to work every day - that'll end soon as the cold weather comes in - as far as the weather up to this point though....oh my god - it's perfect. It starts out a little chilly in the mornings (35-40) then warms up to btwn 65-75, few if any clouds, it's wonderful.

I am working with a Mechanical Engineering colleague on a grant proposal and trying to get as much of my own writing / research done as I can.

Here are some pictures of my furniture design class work. In the first project I asked them to build a chair out of used cardboard (2 1/2week project or so). In the second project I had them design / build a clock (2 week project) - this to get them used to the tools.

Farce has a BIG day.

Big day today following a somewhat negative day yesterday. Yesterday we got two pieces of bad news (or so we thought), no need to mention what they were - but they were somewhat bad. Today however is a different story. First, we found out that we got the "Bungalow" house (as it has become known) check it out at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbdezines/636696640/in/set-72157600510764337/

and then I received an email from Phillip Mead (acting chair of arch. faculty at U. of Idaho) who said that I would be teaching a 5th year studio and Furniture Design. This excites me! Things seem to be shaping up on the western frontier.

In other news the summer academy ended well. I had a lot of fun with my students - seemed to have had a really good group.

I would give you other news but i've tried to be as lazy as possible over the last several days so nothing much has happened. going to lunch at betty's tomorrow for my daily adventure and then i'll probably try to take it easy...that'll be enough excitement for one day.

Idaho it is!!!!!

I received a phone call today from Wendy McClure (University of Idaho Architecture Faculty Chair) who has extended an offer for me to come to U. of Idaho as a tenure-track faculty member. I'm pumped!!! I'll be teaching two studios in the fall and a studio and perhaps a seminar in the spring. Of course, this means the family will be moving to Idaho, a place I never envisioned living - though what I have seen of it is gorgeous and the University itself is wonderful. Emilie and I have discussed this in length and feel that it is the right decision for us at this time in our lives - who knows what the more distant future holds. I really can't wait to begin our new lives.

Quick Update

Had my final thesis review today - my project went over well, below are a few renderings of what the building ended up becoming (the program itself was for a new central library in Fort Worth).
The review went well and I am happy to have it done. I am sad to be leaving school (I never would have said that about undergraduate school) - I have enjoyed my time at UT very much.

I am still waiting on word from Idaho and K State about teaching opportunties - fingers crossed.

Our house has recently gone under contract, young couple - first time home buyers - we'll see.

Topher's team is in the playoffs right now - they won their first game. We also found out that he will be playing on the all-star team, busy summer of baseball for the Jacobus family (just like I like it!)

I am going to be teaching at the Summer Academy at UT - a program that allows people who are trying to decide whether or not they want a career in architecture a 4 week intensive studio. That will be my month of June.

I guess that's it - we'll see what life has in store for us over the next few months. I am officially unemployed - YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!

Idaho and Kansas

One week until the Idaho lecture. Found out yesterday that Kansas State called my references and asked about me. We'll see how this all pans out.

Very saddened by the Virginia Tech news.

Life after School

I am traveling to Kansas City tomorrow for an interview with HOK Sport - they are a large firm that specializes in stadium work. They are designing the new Yankee Stadium as I write this (and you know I LOVE the New York Yankees!!).

Yesterday I received some wonderful news from the University of Idaho - they have asked that I come up and interview / lecture. This makes me a tad nervous but there's nothing I can do about that now. It's a priviledge to be invited - the odds were not in my favor.

Other than that - Topher hit two doubles yesterday and Benny is taking a great liking to baseball. I love those kiddos.

Sculpture Falls

I took Christopher out to 'Sculpture Falls' today for a swim - so refreshing.

Career Week Interviews

I have several interviews lined up over the next couple of days - yes, I have to get a real job again....ugh. I have one interview this afternoon with Overland Partners , they look like they do really good work - fun.

Other than that I have been fulfilling my duties faithfully as an assistant baseball coach, student, and member of the UTSOA Faculty Search Committee. The committee itself is a lot of work but has some fringe benefits, i.e. free meals at nice restaurants, getting the inside scoop on academic employment, etc. etc.

The New Apple iRack

I think I might buy this:

The Apple iRack

Christopher's Photograph

We recently found at that Christopher won an award of merit at the state level for a photograph he took of his brother Benny. Send him your congrats if you get a chance.

In other news - I hear a rumor that Joe Barton bet his balls (and I guess mine too) that Global Warming is a myth. It appears in this blog:

Would You Bet Your Balls On IT Joe

Check it out!

Seattle

Just got back from our trip to Seattle - a wonderful city - my first time visiting. It was mainly an architectural pilgramage. We saw the central library (OMA, Rem Koolhaas)
the St Ignatius Chapel (Stephen Holl)
and the Ballard Branch Library
We also drove around the U of Washington campus, the Montlake area, and had dinner at a great Tai place. Our hotel was by the space needle but wasn't anything to write home about. Emilie and I had a wonderful trip - our first together away from the kiddos! We did miss them very much. Now, I need to go 'get' Benny!!

Travel Scholarship

I recently found out that I have received a travel scholarship from UT. The scholarship is meant for research towards my Masters Design Study. Emilie and I will hopefully be traveling to Seattle to visit the central library (picture shown on previous post) as well as the other branches. Word on the street is that Seattle is putting some good money into their library systems buildings - good for them.

On a different note - Enterprise, Alabama, a town that I grew up in and where my sister (Gina) still lives, was hit yesterday with a major tornado which killed a number of people. The tornado went directly over the hospital where Gina works and levelled a large portion of Enterprise High School. Gina and her family are ok but shaken. My hopes and thoughts go out to them.

Nice Library in Montreal

Manufactured Landscapes

view trailer at:
http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/Introduction/Manufactured_Landscapes.html

Seattle Public Library

I have applied for a travel scholarship to visit this library. I might have mentioned that I am working on designing a public library building for my Masters Design Study.

Molly Ivins, 1944-2007

After Patrick J. Buchanan, as a conservative candidate for president, declared at the 1992 Republican National Convention that the United States was engaged in a cultural war, she said his speech “probably sounded better in the original German.”

Her subject was Texas. To her, the Great State, as she called it, was “reactionary, cantankerous and hilarious,” and its Legislature was “reporter heaven.” When the Legislature is set to convene, she warned her readers, “every village is about to lose its idiot.”

A wonderful writer has passed. I will miss you Molly Ivins.

House of Parts - Fall 2006

Fond Memories