Author Archives: Guest Contributor

Reflections on Otaniemi Chapel

March 20, 2012 – 11:16 am

Designed by Heikki and Kaija Siren in 1957, the Otaniemi Chapel is settled quietly among the pine and birch trees on the Aalto University Campus in Finland. The woodland clearing contrasts starkly with the hustle of the main campus. As this was my first trip above the Baltic, I found all Finnish architecture enchanting. And [...]

Posted in Beloved Buildings, Influences | Comments (0)

Architectural Trial by Fire

February 7, 2012 – 1:40 pm

My six-month internship at Centerbrook Architects proved essential to my architectural education. The internship not only complemented my coursework, it also expanded upon that preparation by incorporating the real life consequences of dealing with colleagues, budgets, and clients. The collaborative atmosphere of firm work – between client, designers, and consultants – instilled a tangible appreciation [...]

Posted in Process | Comments (0)

Lessons Learned at Centerbrook

September 9, 2011 – 10:01 am

As a teacher serving a month-long “externship” at Centerbrook this summer to gain insight into “real world” applications of my curriculum, I was particularly interested in learning how the firm approaches academic design, which represents a substantial portion of its work. I teach pre-engineering courses, including architecture and design, at Old Saybrook High School, and [...]

Posted in Around Centerbrook, Process | Comments (0)

Teacher is Learning at Centerbrook

July 27, 2011 – 9:57 am

I teach pre-engineering courses, including architecture and design, at Old Saybrook High School, and to improve my own, and ultimately my students’ understanding of real world applications of these subjects, I am working this month at Centerbrook Architects and Planners. I sit in on design meetings, observe how Revit, Navisworks, and other new 3D technologies [...]

Posted in Process | Comments (0)

A Preservationist’s View of the Ocean House

June 10, 2010 – 4:24 pm

The Ocean House, constructed in stages between 1867 and the early 20th century, was a key landmark in the Watch Hill Historic District and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  It was one of seven resort hotels plus guesthouses and private cottages that made Watch Hill a popular and premier summer destination [...]

Posted in Beloved Buildings, Preservation | Comments (0)