ARCHIMESS IS ON FACEBOOK NOW - LIKE THE PAGE
- Firstly, I’d like to welcome all my new followers. Since the Gathering the Architecture Community post came out, I’ve gain so many followers and I’d like to say am very thankful for you all. I can’t browse through all your blogs right now, but I will, just to show my appreciation.
I’m also glad that some of my tumblr pips also got many new supporters. This actually worked. “Architects supporting each other”.
I figured out, in a couple of days, if that picture goes 1000+ notes, to gather all the reblogs (because I can’t know if the “likes” are actually architects, or just someone that liked the picture) and add a page on my blog where all of you will be gathered, so that there will be a list for the newbies, to get to know the architecture people and blogs.
- My second note on the agenda is the Facebook Page I’ve made. I though I could use a facebook page, so that other people, that are not on Tumblr, can see the posts, talk to each other, intecarct and also I would like to make some diversity and share some inspirational stuff form the pages I follow on Facebook.
So, people, LIKE THE ARCHIMESS PAGE and SHARE IT with your friends. Thank you and cheers
(via archimess)
Source: archimess
Choosing an “architectural laptop”
Choosing a computer for your journey through architecture school is a very important decision, so choose wisely.
I should have written this post a long time ago, but it never hit me, until this anon asked me, so here we go.
THE FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT THING > If you are an architect - YOU NEED A DESKTOP COMPUTER.
A laptop won’t get you much work done. Although you can draft in AutoCAD, do some minor modeling in Rhino or Max, you’ll see that, when working on big projects, is simply brutal to actually feel the poor response time of your laptop. Don’t even think about rendering “pretty pictures” on your laptop. It will get you some poor quality, default fake material renders done, for your “thinking process and that is all. Sure you can leave your laptop, for a few days on “render”, but when you are an architecture student, you simply won’t have any time to spare. In general, a laptop doesn’t have the power a desktop does, period.
BUT, when you are an architecture student, you will be all the time on the move, in studio, at the coffee shop, not so much at home (but it counts) … you’ll simply be everywhere and that’s why, it became a general rule - if you are an architecture student, you need a portable unit. So, because of this, when we go to architecture school, we buy a laptop. It is portable and this is his biggest advantage over the desktop. And, trust me, your laptop, will be your everything. You’ll love it truly, you’ll even give it a name and punch it when “it’s bad”. If you lose it, you lose the semester.
I’m sorry, I can’t tall you - “buy this one”, but I can give you some tips on choosing the right laptop for you. So, here are some tips on choosing an “architectural laptop”:
* I am a PC/Windows guy, so everything I write is for this platform. I’m not interested in MAC/Apple. But this is my opinion - every architecture student should get a PC. You can find all types of software that can ease your live greatly. Again, my opinion. Don’t get alarmed, you Apple fans :)
- The most expensive one is the best, usually.
This is a general rule in sales and marketing, the most expensive thing, is usually the best. So, if you have some doubts between some units, take the more expensive one.
- There is a difference between a “gaming laptop” and an “architectural laptop”
Many people make the mistake thinking - if you take a “gaming laptop” it will be better that the one that is with the same configuration, but it doesn’t contain the word “gaming” in their name.
Don’t get me wrong … gaming computers are great for us, architecture students, but for the ones that understand computers, you can see that some hardware parts are not the right ones that can cut you time on rendering, or a better workflow.
Games don’t work the same way your design software works, hence, the difference in hardware components.
I know some people here on Tumblr that have an Alien laptop but they have problems with the whole design process and envy their friend that bought the “simple” Dell laptop.
- Nothing can replace a good brand
These are the world top three brands that make laptops:
#1 Lenovo (IBM)
#2 Apple
#3 Dell
(others, don’t whine. Google it, you’ll see I’m right)
I have my Lenovo for four years and it still can, pretty much, handle all the work.
- Good hardware is nice, but quality hardware is nicer
These are your basic needs:
- 4GB RAM DDR3 - 6GB or even 8GB Recommended;
- i5 Proccesor - i7 Quad Core Recommended, with 6-8Mb cache, with turboboost - the proccesor and RAM render, the graphic card only helps;
- NVIDIA GeForce GT Graphic card - 1GB - 3GB Recommended;
- A BIG Hard Drive - because you will save all kinds of stuff;
- A great cooling power - Heat is the enemy. Get a cooling unit, that is put under your laptop. After I bought mine, my laptop had a rebirth.
- Keep an eye on the screen
1. Your laptop screen will give you trouble, especially after spending a few days on the computer. Although almost every laptop screen has the same Hz (working unit - refreshing the picture) don’t fall on some weak working tact screen.
If you lose your sight, why will you need architecture?!
2. The big question - 15” or 17” screen? I truly can’t answer this for you, but here is the tip:
- If you think you can handle, dragging a 17” laptop with you, all the time, then get the 17”. Bigger is better. It will greatly ease your workflow. Just, remember, getting a bigger screen laptop means more weight, but on the other hand, means more cooling units and space, so, again - If you think you can handle the bigger, get it.
So, that’s that people. I think this is what you have to have in mind when buying your laptop.
… ooo, and one more thing - clean your laptops. A format, from time - to time, won’t hurt anyone and it will help your laptop a great deal. And once in a while take your laptop on service to get the hardware cleaned, on the inside (note to self - take laptop on service for cleaning)
Cheers
Gathering the architecture community on Tumblr.
Reblog this, so that we can see who’s who.
After a week or two, I’ll post every single blog that has an architect/architecture student behind it, or any blog that has something to do with architecture.
It will be a nice promo for everyone
My professor on Solar Architecture put up a dream catcher in the workshop. I didn’t get to ask him why, but my guess is, because some of us sleep there. Awesome
The other side of my studio presentation
I’ve done the same thing, but only with my first plotted project :)
10 reasons Architects can fix it
I love this text. I’m posting this for all those first year architecture students and the rest of you who forgot what a great profession we all have and why are we needed in the world.
1. Architects broke it
It’s probably our fault to begin with. I don’t really know the exact numbers, but buildings use more fossil fuels than cars, construction debris makes up the highest percentage of our landfills, building roofs and parking lots account for the majority of storm water run-out issues, and Market driven greed for greater and greater return on investment fueled a decade of speculative office and housing developments at a scale never seen before. And, now entire communities sit vacant and waiting for a recovery that may never happen. Can Architects be trusted to come up with solutions for problems we played a major role in causing in the first place?
2. Architects solve
Architects are some of the only professionals that are educated and trained to find, explore, consider, analysis, and obsess over solutions for complex problems. These are skills that can be applied to create opportunities for community enrichment, or simply arrange toilet partitions. The trick is setting your priorities.
3. Architects create
All Architecture begins with a blank sheet of paper. We begin with nothing but a need, or a desire. And, Architects are able (or willing) to draw the first line on that blank page. That is a powerful position to be in.
4. Architects are current
Architects are obsessed with “now”. We are always looking for the next thing. We are drawn to innovations and new solutions. We are restless; always seeking a better solution; a stronger image; and a more elegant representation of our collective aspirations. Architects reinvent ourselves with each and every project.
5. Architects are right
Architects have consistently and persistently believed in the right things. We were designing buildings that were environmentally sensitive years before “green” design became a fashionable buzz-word. Architects believe in efficiency; water conservation, recycling, using our resources wisely. We believe in urbanity. We believe in communities. We believe in cities.
6. Architects hope
Architecture embodies the collective passion of mankind. Architecture asks us to be better than we are. What other profession can make that claim?
7. Architecture is in our DNA
The built environment creates the parameters of our life. We are born, live our lives, and die within the walls of Architecture. From hospitals, to daycares, to schools, to offices, to homes, to parks, to restaurants, to funeral homes, to cemeteries. Architecture stands beside us (consistently and patiently) as we define our very existence in the world.
8. Architects collaborate
Architects no longer “design” we “negotiate”. The art of creating buildings lies in the choreography of complex systems and diverse interests and forces. The Architect can act as leader, facilitator, counselor, our collective conscience, a touch-stone, inspiration, and lynch-pin. Architects are fuel for creation.
9. Architects are indestructible
In 2009, 40% of all Architects were laid-off. We are ALL still here. ALL of us started our own company. Architects continue to work because we see a continued need for our service and skills and efforts and talents and passion. Architects will continue to work for the needs of our community, with or without bank financing.
10. Architects are storytellers
No one is excited about the program of a building. No one cares about the materiality of the forms. No one thinks about the building systems. No one really loses sleep over the cost of a building. No one remembers the difficulty we traversed during the process of design. Everyone forgot the 2 week delay, No one is interested in the references we made, and no one remembers the speech you made about balance and harmony at the city council meeting. But, everyone remembers the folding chair they sat in to watch their son or daughter graduate kindergarten and middle school and high school and college. Everyone remembers their first job interview; their wedding day; or the 10 days in ICU after the birth of their 3rd son; or the first time they noticed their Grandmother’s fading memory; or looking into your future wife’s eyes at 2am and slowly brushing her hair out of her eyes and seeing a path that leads to the rest of your life. Architecture is not a form; Architecture houses a life.
Architects can tell that story.
Source: coffeewithanarchitect.com
Source: baesfk
