Lake Como has been an ongoing project for I believe more than 5 years. I began working on Lake Como my freshman year in 2020 remotely and made significant progress since then. This year makes it my fourth year working on Lake Como. The primary goal of this project is to take advantage of Lake Como’s natural features and create an enhanced asset for the town, making it unique from the towns around it.
The goals of this project are environmental conservation to protect the natural beauty and biodiversity of Lake Como, community engagement to engage local communities involved in decision making processes and ensuring their interest and concerns are addressed to each part of the project, and tourism promotion to enhance Lake Como’s attractiveness throughout the town. These goals are to enhance the overall quality of life for residents, visitors, Borough of Lake Como and our Stakeholder Jon Gibbons and the town overall. The town is named after Lake Como, a small area but located near a lake. It is near a mix of homes, schools, and businesses but also a lot of green spaces. The area is surrounded by parks and green spaces that provide opportunities for very fun and calm activities. Overall, Lake Como offers a beautiful blend of natural beauty and recreational opportunities making it an attractive destination for residents and visitors.
Describe your involvement in the project.
Stages I have worked on are Lake Como Pathway to the Lake, Landscape Design for the Median Part one, Final landscape design for the Median and lastly this year working on the Arboretum Design for Lake Como. One of the most memorable moments in my journey occurred during my junior year when I had the opportunity to explore Twinmotion for the first time. Mastering this software proved to be challenging and even discouraging. There were moments when I wanted to give up due to the complexity of learning it. However, with the support and guidance from both my teammates and teacher, Mr. Rodriguez, who knew how to use Twinmotion very well, I was able to improve my understanding of the program and develop confidence in my abilities. With their assistance, what was once a source of frustration transformed into an enjoyable experience. I saw unique ways in which Twinmotion allowed me to represent my final design with joy and accomplishment.
I have experienced significant growth from this project in various aspects. Firstly, it has allowed me to enhance my public speaking skills. My involvement in projects in WHSAD’s Makerspace has provided me with valuable opportunities to develop confidence in addressing audiences. For instance, in February, I delivered a presentation for the Borough of Lake Como where I felt well prepared and capable of giving me a good experience. Similarly, during a recent project named Corporal Thompson Park: Renovation for the Playground on April 9th, I found myself presenting alone at the Borough of Staten Island due to my teammate not being able to attend. Through the preparation leading up to the presentation, I felt ready and confident. I got positive feedback from both my teammates and Mr. Rodriguez where they noticed my progression from being a quiet individual to a confident presenter. Additionally, this project has empowered me to work independently, interact efficiently with the community to understand their needs and learned new software, all of which have contributed to my overall development and ability.
Describe your working experience with Mr. John Gibbons.
Collaborating with Mr. Gibbons and the Lake Como residents has been an exceptional experience from the beginning to the present moment. Interacting with them has been consistently positive, with warmth and hospitality. Mr. Gibbons, in particular, has been both a very inviting and welcoming person through each interaction.
Mr. Gibbons has supported me over the years by making sure I don’t have any questions or need assistance. He has also provided information and images that are needed to continue the progress. He is always very responsive when we need feedback or additional information. Some memorable moments I have of Mr. Gibbons are when we are usually in meetings. He likes to show off his cat and it is so adorable, usually a good way to start our meeting and there is sometimes where we would get off topic and just get to talk about our day and events happening right before getting into our meeting. There is also a time where Mr. Gibbons brought both Mariah and I marshmallow peeps for Easter and for our good work in our Pre-presentation for the Arboretum Design. Mr. Gibbons has been a great pleasure, and I wouldn’t hesitate to continue working with him in the future.
Describe next steps for you and the Lake Como Project.
I plan to pursue further my studies in Architecture at City Tech in Brooklyn. During my journey in college, I aim to develop a list of skills I haven’t unlocked yet, particularly focusing on enhancing my public speaking abilities. I am eager to explore the similarities and differences between studying architecture at college level versus high school. Some challenges that I can anticipate are making new friends and seeking assistance when needed. I recognize the importance of overcoming my shyness and becoming a more engaging person.
My involvement in the Lake Como Project has enhanced me with valuable tools and strategies to tackle future challenges. Understanding various software applications and honoring public skills are essential aspects of architectural education. Moreover, teamwork and collaboration are big components that I have to come to appreciate through my participation in this project.
As my involvement in Lake Como concludes after the Arboretum design presentation somewhere in May, I reflect on the impact it had on me. Although I am uncertain about who will take over in leading the project, I am confident that they will find it to be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Lake Como holds a special place in my heart as it has strengthened my passion for architecture and has provided me with so many valuable opportunities. I envision the project’s future progress will involve the ideas from the future students contributing to the beautification of the town.
Lake Como will always remain significant to my life as it supports my career path in architecture. I look forward to continuing my collaboration with Mr. Gibbons even after my graduation, as we work together to further enhance the project and the community it serves. Thank you to Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Codio, and Mr. Gibbons for a great experience with this project and all the opportunities they have provided me through my four years.