Santiago Teacher's Note

[bill0246]

Thanks all for the input! I was trying to entice the students to discuss the problem I assigned......didn't happen....

Here is the assignment:

I gave my students a (pretty bad) first floor plan that "was done by a fired employee, whom they replaced". Their task was to elevate what they had (but with a suggested 2nd floor and to either a Craftsman, Prairie, Spanish of Tuscan character. They started with bubble planning process, went to rough, sketched elevations, then to sketched elevations to scale. They had to tweak the first floor and design the second floor to accomodate their elevation design. They then utilized to Revit to model it. Outside first...with a reasonable idea of what will be inside...but not exact. I am trying to get them to think about the inside concurrently while they design the exterior. Students researched their character with a number of books I have in the classroom, websites, and me giving info. It's a lot to take in. And making Revit do what they want in the early stages is challenging (family creation, generic models, roofs, what to model and what to draw as drafting lines, etc). I am trying to introduce them to the design process, problem solve, create authentic architecture, use Revit as a tool to model and create CD's, sketch as a tool to communicate their ideas, and research resources (including AUGI).

Their 2nd assignments ALWAYS turns out better because they realize how important research, planning and massing are to a good design.

Hope that helps the professionals out there assist my students to be better architects and utilize Revit more effectively! Several will be looking for jobs in a few months....and again, THANKS for the critiques!!

Bill Brown

[.chad]

i think its a great program you have running from what ive seen so far.

just a thought - when in school, we almost always flushed out plan concepts well before moving to any sort of vertical concept ideas, rather than having a section / elevation and then moving to plan (i did have one studio that focused entirely on secton - and honestly i loved every minute of it - it was also completely hand drafted.)
im not second guessing your program at all, just pointing out my learning experiences through my b.arch program - which i assume at least one or two of your current students will eventually be entering a b.arch or m.arch program.

something else to not overlook is the power of peer reviews. i understand that it may not be feasible at this point (not sure if its a 1 semester / quarter class or a year long) but discussing ways your peers can improve their projects is almost always a boon to improving your own project - especially in the academic environment. it forces critical thinking about critical aspects of the design process, as well as ways the software can be used to further design intents - even if its not a "recognized" way of using it.

anyways - i think its great that architectural design programs are making their way into highschools, and i wish everyone the best of luck with their projects and future endeavors within the field. it really makes me want to either go back to school, or try and get into a teaching position somewhere locally. 8)

[kpaxton]

Oh, you just knew that I would chime in on a thread like this!!! :)

I also applaud the introduction of programs such as Revit in the classrooms at such an early stage. I'm interested to see what the 'end product' will be if some of these students go onto college in a design curriculum. Will they produce better work? In a quicker timeline? We certainly understand that we are in a dire shortage of those who know the program. (It's also interesting to me because I have children who are also in school at this age!)

Many Architecture schools are 'design oriented', which is typical, and focus primarily on the ephemeral aspects of philosophy and feeling of design- as opposed to the technical side. Many refer to the circle diagram of Art & Science, where architecture is the center area- the union of these two philosophies. Luckily, the school I went to (Iowa State University) was nicely balanced in this regard- and I feel that I left there with a good understanding of both sides of the fence. To me... this is an important aspect of a good designer.

I say this, because I feel that Revit, along with the myriad of other software out there, is merely a tool to help me convey my ideas to my clients. It is just as important to know WHY you're placing the columns, as to HOW you're placing them. On the flip side, knowing how a building goes together - such as what makes up a typical wall section - will immensely help users with understanding how a good Revit model is put together.

I will agree with Chad - in that usually fleshing out the plan is a good first step. It sounds like you're outlining good steps to help your students understand the process (bubble diagrams, etc.). I would also like to add that when I'm looking at laying out areas, rooms, etc... I'm trying to understand how a room "feels" to me. The buildings that we eventually build - define space and define light. For example, a room with a high ceiling and lots of windows feels totally different than a room with a low ceiling and one window. This may seem a little obvious to some - but ask your students the following question: Is there a particular space that they enjoy being in? (This can be anywhere - the family room at home, the library, a classroom, anywhere...) Now have them look at this space and ask themselves... Why? What about the room or space makes them feel that way? Is it the height of the ceiling? Is it the color of the walls? Is it the amount of light? Is it a combination of a few of these ideas?

On the aspect of Peer Reviews - Someone who is looking at going into the design profession has to understand one simple fact - Criticism will occur! Criticism must occur! I rely heavily on other's opinions because no matter how good I think I've designed something, someone else will have a different way of looking at the problem- and it may be just as valid or better than my own. This is not always an easy thing to swallow, but pride aside, will most always result in a better solution in the end. My advice to the students in this regard - Be open to giving and taking criticism, but make sure it is constructive criticism. It's easy to say 'That doesn't look good"; it's difficult, but more productive to say why it doesn't look good.

Maybe I've missed it in another post, but I'd like to know more about what you've given the students as the problem (screenshot of the plans, etc.). It helps to know what they started out with as we're looking at the solutions and elevations with which they're creating. We'll certainly assist in anyway we can during their projects.

Good Luck!
Kyle

[bill0246]

Thanks for the input Chad C and kpaxton! I am listening.

My goal is to compliment the BA Arch programs as well as prepare students for Community Colleges and work right out of high school....obviously with a goal of a degree program. Having students able to work BEFORE finishing their degree will make them more marketable and prepared for the tasks/challenges an entry-level architect will take on.

We have not focused on interiors yet. The Revit model will help me show the student(s) what space they have available (section boxes, camera views, etc). That really helps. We will research the architectural characters and their details with class books such as "The Bungalow", Prairie Style, "Casa California", Red-Tile Style", "Tuscan and Andalusian Reflections", and other classroom books I have dented my checkbook with. I want to get them used to researching instead of designing blindly.

I was trained by a senior designer in Southern California (every Friday from 3-6pm and every other Saturday from 8-12noon for 2 years!) to get a sketched front elevation before formalizing the floor plan, to assist on keeping the character authentic. Students are forced to think exterior while thinking interior concurrently. I could go on about the master plan to get them to the promised land......

The students are listening to your comments....please keep them coming! In a few weeks, they will slip into CD's and design suggestions will be less influential

Revit users Scott Davis, Jim Balding, Mark Kiker, Ernest Stewart, and Jay Holland have already presented to my students. They were awesome....and I hope to have them back this year. If any of you Revit users would like to present (almost any topic will work) please contact me. The students are enthusiastic learners and potential employees???

Time to grade papers :(

[kpaxton]

I'd like to wish you all a Fun and Safe Holiday Season!!!!

In the meantime... Looks like everything is progessing nicely in class! - keep up the good work!! I'd like to make one small request - could get slightly larger screenshots in the posts?? It is a bit difficult to make out some of the work and details in the smaller thumbnails!

Thanks!
Kyle

[bill0246]

Thanks Kyle,

We are just getting used to the AUGI format. I was not aware one could change the size of the thumbnails. How do you do that? As we progress, questions will be more specific (to Revit) and zoomed into a particular area. Expect questions like "How do I change the profile of this exposed rafter? or "Is there a good Tuscan roof tile out there to apply to this roof?" Hopefully the professionals will tell us skills/knowledge they want from young students soon to enter the workplace. Things like creating (smart) families, correct details, and sensible building models.

I attached a .jpg to manipulate.

Keep the comments coming!

[kpaxton]

Thanks Kyle,
We are just getting used to the AUGI format. I was not aware one could change the size of the thumbnails. How do you do that? As we progress, questions will be more specific (to Revit) and zoomed into a particular area. Expect questions like "How do I change the profile of this exposed rafter? or "Is there a good Tuscan roof tile out there to apply to this roof?" Hopefully the professionals will tell us skills/knowledge they want from young students soon to enter the workplace. Things like creating (smart) families, correct details, and sensible building models.
I attached a .jpg to manipulate.
Keep the comments coming!Hey Bill - Hope you and your class had an awesome New Year!

As to the sizing of the pics - There isn't a direct control here on the boards to control size or quality. I believe this is directly related to the size and quality of the Original that you make/upload. I'm not sure why exactly your students images were coming in quite small. Are they using the "Export to JPG" feature of Revit???

I think they may be.... but the settings may be a little off. I've enclosed an image for you that points out a few changes to make to give you larger, more readable images.

Another good combination is using <PrintScreen> and MSPaint (or any other photo-manipulation software). This works fine for many of us in making images with comments, etc. Remember- the image is going to be based off of your screen size and will be ~72dpi.

Personally, I use SnagIt (http://www.tucows.com/preview/195062)(Thanks Scott D.) for capturing images and making commentaries, as it not only grabs a screen or window, but allows me to use balloons, arrows and text to make my points. I enclosed a small example I previously posted regarding someone's need to understand the Mouse controls in Revit.

Hope this helps!
Kyle

[bill0246]

Kyle,

That's exactly how I instructed them to set up the pictures...exporting as a .jpg without worrying about the settings. I will take your suggestions.
Coincidently, Scott Davis presented to my class about 2 hours ago! Small world/community!

Thanks for the constructive criticism of my student's work. They have a ways to go, but are farther along than most their age ( I think).

The more they learn, the more they realize how much they don't know.....a frustration for all of us ??? (or at least me).

Bill Brown

[sleimgruber06]

Oh, you just knew that I would chime in on a thread like this!!! :)

I also applaud the introduction of programs such as Revit in the classrooms at such an early stage. I'm interested to see what the 'end product' will be if some of these students go onto college in a design curriculum. Will they produce better work? In a quicker timeline...
The answer to your question is... well, just look at Exhibit 'A' ... (ME! :lol: ) Question Solved... how's that for a timeline Kyle?

Yea yea laugh it up!

I can absolutely relate to these students (since I was once subject to the torture of Mr. Brown's seemingly asinine timelines, harsh and punitive critiques, and the heart-crushing "Oh My God I dont want to do Architecture anymore! phase of my life...) But all in all it was...well... definitely an experience to say the least, but well worth it!

P.S.
WHATS UP K-PAX! How's it going?

[bill0246]

Kyle,

I took a student file and applied the setings you suggested, setting the fit to 900 and checking the "visible Portion of current view box". Is it more readable?

I'll check on the SnagIt. Looks cool....hopefully easy to use.

[kpaxton]

Bill,
YES - Much better! Of course, I'm running on Dual 1280 x 1024 flat's - so anything bigger is better! The increase does help in seeing a bit more details in the models - so I'd say this is a success. Probably could go to 1024 as most people run this resolution nowadays.

and yes, SnagIt is very easy to setup and learn!!

Kyle

[bill0246]

Kyle,

Great. I will pass on the new settings to the students.

I bought the SNAGIT. Just another tax write off.......

Thanks again!

[sleimgruber06]

...and yes, SnagIt is very easy to setup and learn!!

Kyle
Yes I will also have to echo Kyle on this one, we are using SnagIt here at our office as well (or experimenting with it if you will...) and it seems to be going well...