In this video, Matthew Zaczeniuk walks us through the build on which he and Brianny Estevez collaborated during their remote experience in their freshmen architecture class. Thanks to the flexibility and creativity of their teachers, Mr. Ira Geringer and Mr. Abraham Rodriguez, students stayed engaged and learning during the tumultuous spring months of the pandemic.
The project illustrates the potential for platforms, such as Minecraft, to heighten the design and creation process, develop partnerships in order to achieve exemplary results, and display final products through deliberate planning of presentations.
Below is both their artist statement, written by Brianny, and the video.
Our entire thought process surrounded current times and situations. We wanted a building that would not only be self sufficient, but also be a space that everyone could enjoy no matter what you were into. The mini parks were set up for those who wanted to relax and have some peace and a small space to themselves while still getting fresh air. The mall was made for those who wanted to have outings with family or friends and was at the convenience of those who wanted to visit, boasting a massive café/buffet for our patrons. Our educational floor was designed for workshops and field trips for those who wanted somewhere to go after school or wanted to learn a new hobby. Our office floor was meant as a rental space for offices that needed to get together while having a malleable work area to fit current regulations during COVID. Finally, our roof was designed to be a community garden with solar power atop the elevator, so that we could have be a sustainable building while trying our best to mitigate our emissions. All in all, we wanted a space that we could be proud of, and one that anyone could visit for any reason.
-Brianny Estevez