Blog Archives

Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska

Why did you choose to study interior architecture & design?

My father has owned a residential construction company my whole life. I think that design is just in my DNA.

What makes earning a degree at NewSchool special?

Because of the size of my class, which is very small, I’ve been able to build invaluable relationships with my professors and mentors that have allowed me to excel as a student and as a professional.

What has been your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?

The extracurricular opportunities that I’ve been able to participate in — the Design-Build Institute of America Student Competition, becoming a member of the International Interior Design Association Student Chapter for Southern California, and joining study groups for LEED certification and CIDQ examination.

What are your career goals after you graduate?

To one day be published in a major print publication like Architectural Digest or Interior Design Magazine.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

If I weren’t pursuing a career in Interior Design, I’d be studying Clinical Psychology and working in Mental Health.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

I’d highly recommend minoring in Construction Management. In doing so, and by participating in CM competitions, I learned so much about the application of design in real life with budgets and schedules.

Why should a prospective student choose NewSchool?

The size of NewSchool has allowed me to develop relationships with faculty and professors in each of the departments. Having connections in the Design School, the Architecture School and in the CM Program has been really valuable to me.

Christa’s Favorite Class Project

The Flood | Second Year Interior Architecture & Design Project

Project Completed in Collaboration with Megan Sullivan | Instructor: Prof. Marianne Berg

Description: The premise of this project was to design a cocktail lounge that would live in Hillcrest’s “The Flame” – built in 1946, remodeled in 1955, and closed once again in 2015 after six changes in ownership. John Pani, the prospective client, asked that the design of the future [2000 SF] cocktail lounge be respectful of the structure’s historical facade, incorporate all senses, have a Southern California feel, and ensure interaction with the exterior of the building. Click here to check it out!

Hometown: Ramona, California

In which branch of the military did you serve?

United States Navy

Years of military service

9 years

Why did you choose NewSchool?
Rigorous and practical curriculum.
How do you apply your military experience to your education?

Tenacity and teamwork are huge factors for success. Making the most of a challenging program requires both.

What has been your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?
The involved teaching staff with many years of practical experience. Small class sizes allow for greater learning.
What are your career goals after you graduate?

Reaching a point of critical recognition and in Architecture.

How has your experience in the military and in college prepared you for your future?

The military and college require dedication especially when one can feel totally overwhelmed. Goal setting and making a reasonable plan are key skills one must master for both.

What would you like people to know about the life of a student veteran?

We worked hard to be here, and we bring valuable experience and perspective to the college community.

What advice would you give to veterans who are thinking about pursuing a college education?

It is the most valuable benefit you can earn.

Click here to check out Bill’s favorite class project.
Embarcadero Mediatheque, Multimedia Museum and Market
Second Year Graduate Architecture Project
Instructor: Mitra Kanaani

Hometown: Tampa, FL

Why did you pick your major and what do you want to do with your degree?

I wanted to do architecture from a little girl – it has always been a passion of mine. Growing up working with my dad on his construction sites inspired me to want to design and create beautiful things and I enjoyed the challenge of putting things together. With this degree, I would like to truly make a difference in creating better spaces and buildings for the future generations as well as help promote female architects in the industry.

What makes NewSchool special?

NewSchool being such a small school creates a family-like environment getting to know your classmates while creating long lasting bonds.

What was your favorite class at NewSchool and why?

My favorite class at NewSchool was actually not on NewSchool campus but offered by NewSchool. It was a study abroad Studio in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. It was the best experience ever! The three week program abroad gave me knowledge and experience in a variety of ways – learning a different culture, experiencing old architectural techniques, and developing solutions for a project that directly affected the community gave valuable lessons that were learned through this opportunity.

What was your favorite project?

One – My personal favorite project was a Climate Action Competition that was initiated by Joe Kennedy at Newschool. It was a very challenging project in which core lessons were learned by developing new ideas and team collaboration through what we have learned in school as well as reaching out to other resources to create better solutions for the future in which my group’s project won 3rd place. Two – 4th year studio, the two quarter long project of developing a city block of a proposed National City Downtown while challenging, has been very beneficial in learning real life project, situations, restrictions, collaborations, and process of a new development of building and city planning.

What is your favorite memory at NewSchool?

Favorite memory is joining the fraternity, Alpha Rho Chi. It has been a great experience being a part of a family of brothers that you will have in school as well as after you graduate.

Where is your favorite spot on campus and why?

My studio desk would be my favorite spot. In working on getting my architecture degree a lot of hours are spent designing, so most of my friends and classmates are there always working on either studio or other assignments so its the most convenient spot for us to talk, hang out, eat, etc. while we get work done.

What do you plan to do after graduation?

After graduation, I would like to continue on the path to acquiring my license as an architect, so I will be working and collecting my internship hours as well as studying to take the exams.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I am originally from a small island in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago, and I served six and a half years in the United States Navy.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

This is the first step in creating a better future for yourself and it won’t be easy getting your degree so work hard for your passion, be confident in the work you do, believe in yourself, and don’t give up, it will all pay off in the end, and remember that small accomplishments still count as a victory!

Hometown: San Diego, California

Why did you choose to study architecture?

I found that architecture and the design field, in general, was a culmination of all the things I enjoyed. I love creating and designing. I realize I was interested in architecture at a young age, I found myself excited being in new places, homes, and buildings I’ve never been in or seen before. I expressed it through art and drawing and it was something I loved doing. The notion that people should follow their passions, led me to pursue architecture.

Coming from community college to NewSchool, I’ve learned so much and I feel validated in this career path I’ve made for myself. Through architecture, I’ll be able to use the knowledge and skills I’ve learned to design spaces and experiences that I, myself, would love to see and share with the world.

What makes earning a degree at NewSchool special?

Earning a Bachelor of Architecture degree here at NewSchool not only is a symbol of the hard work and achievements over the last few years but it’s also the start of a new chapter. I’ve grown so much at NewSchool and there is so much more out there to see and learn. Receiving my degree from here, and in my hometown no less, is an honor and an exciting moment in my life. I see it as a starting point to finding my place in the architecture and design world.

What has been your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?

My favorite thing about attending NewSchool would have to be all the connections I’ve made with my peers and faculty. I’ve learned so much from the people I work with and their perspectives on life and design. Just meeting new people whose interests align with mine but also still challenge me is something I feel like I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else.

What are your career goals after you graduate?

I have a few overarching goals, similar to many students in this field, like to gain more experience working at firms with sustainability and design goals that align with my own and ultimately becoming a licensed architect, but also I want to travel the world and absorb as many experiences possible that could shape the way I see architecture and design. I don’t have a specific plan on the order in which it will be done but I think that’s what makes it exciting for me, going into the world with goals and no hard expectations.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Outside of architectural design, I freelance in other mediums like digital graphic design and illustration for local small businesses and universities, photo and video editing, and music production.

What advice do you have for incoming students?
One piece of advice I would give incoming students is to nurture your own creative style and confidence in your ideas and designs, no one else can design what you have in your mind. There will be juries and critiques that you may take personally on your design ego but know it’s never personal and to take all critical advice as suggestions to grow from. It’s this energy and design confidence that attract opportunities and goal-driven people that you would want to surround yourself with.

Why should a prospective student choose NewSchool?

NewSchool is a community that is very project-based with focus on real life projects and global issues and for those who learn best by doing and observing I would say this is the school to be at. Coming from a community college to suddenly being completely immersed in a full schedule of design classes was so exciting. I would say it’s unlike any other higher education program I’ve been in, attending NewSchool has been both an enjoyable and valuable experience.

 

Andrea’s Favorite Class Project
Project Title: ODOT Block Urban Analysis
Description: Analysis of urban conditions and impact of the Central Eastside neighborhood in Portland, Oregon.
Partner: Sadeem Almutairi
Instructor: Daniela Deutsch
4th year Bachelor of Architecture Project

Hometown: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

 

Why did you pick your major and what do you want to do with your degree?

 

Originally, I chose it because it’s a very creative profession, plus the fact that you could have something that you’ve designed realised in real life. As time progressed, I began to be intrigued by how buildings could affect the way we live, our mood and behaviour. We spend most of our lives in buildings – through architecture you can influence the way people live their lives for the better.

 

Also, the building industry influences CO2 emissions greatly, so you have the opportunity to reduce negative impacts upon the environment through design.

 

What makes NewSchool special?

 

I think the whole learning experience, as students are encouraged to learn and experiment with different software and media. The library is also one of the assets of NewSchool.

 

What has been your favorite class? Why?

Studio Class. Studio is an atmosphere of intellectual curiosity, where new ideas and multiple points of view are encouraged. It promotes cooperative understanding and views where architectural ideas are discussed and debated, and also contradictory viewpoints can co-exist.

 

Where is your favorite spot on campus?

 

The Library. The NewSchool library is my number #1 resource whenever I’m starting a project.

 

What do you plan to do after graduation?

 

I’m planning to take an internship with Emmar in Dubai and hopefully open my own firm.

 

What would people be surprised to know about you?

 

I’m an oil artist and a professional scuba diver.

 

What advice do you have for aspiring designers?

 

Be brave and express your knowledge.

 

You recently won an award for a project presented to the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission. Please tell us more about your project and the award you won!

 

The project was The Museum of Scent.

 

The museum is a one-of-a-kind, fun, interactive and instructive museum concept, bringing to life the making of a mythical luxury object that isn’t regularly shared with the consumer with something that’s apart of our everyday life; perfume. Through this experience, visitors are now invited to follow the manufacturing process from raw materials to harvesting, extraction, distillation, formulation, industrialization, and bottling, together, of course, with the creative process and work of the master “noses”. I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to SACM for choosing my project “Museum of Scent” to be recognized amongst my four fellow Saudi students exemplifying great work in other majors across the U.S. I’m humbled by the honor of being presented in the innovation corner and the celebration held by the Embassy of Saudi Arabia for the 89th national day in Washington DC.