The Column

Providing students with a glimpse into their possible futures is what a high school should do. Therefore, giving our young women the opportunity to hear from professional women in the field is essential to show them that they have a place in the architectural field. In our Women in Architecture Series, WHSAD students listen to those who have worked hard to accomplish their goals and gain inspiration and insights as to what it takes hit the mark when you aim high. In the following narratives, students share their thoughts as to what they took away from the first session which featured Ms. Betty Fouché, who has experience as a project engineer, project manager, architect construction representative, and a variety other roles. On … [Read more...]

Thanks to Ilaria Costa, Executive Director at Italian American Committee on Education, and Lisa Ackerman, Executive Director at the Columbus Citizens Foundation, for giving us this opportunity and for all of the help along the way. This summer WHSAD students had the opportunity to design and create centerpieces displayed at the Columbus Citizens Foundation’s 80th Annual Gala last weekend. The goal was to design the centerpieces based off of landmarks in New York City associated with Italian Americans. The pieces were then auctioned off at the gala, raising money for charity. As part of the project, the students had the chance to attend the event, and were interviewed by ABC News in a segment that aired last Monday in the Columbus Day … [Read more...]

Thank you to Friends of the Ruin, Walter B. Melvin Architects, and Stephen Martin for providing WHSAD students with numerous opportunities to envision a future for this integral part of New York City's architectural history. Below are narratives from some students who attended this site visit. Smallpox is a deadly infectious disease caused by the variola virus. The virus killed over 2 million people. As a WHSAD student, I was fortunate enough to go to the Smallpox Memorial Hospital which is located on Roosevelt Island. I learned that the building that used to be a hospital and a nursing school is now a historical landmark that highlights NYC's health history. The primary purpose of the Smallpox Hospital was for people to be quarantined … [Read more...]

Each summer, WHSAD students have the opportunity to participate in various paying projects and internships through the New York City Department of Education's SYEP program. These endeavors provide students not only with remuneration but also with skill development opportunities. In the following article, WHSAD Seniors, Linda Foster and Felisha Solis, provide insights regarding their project on the Cole House on Staten Island. Thank you to AKT Architects for offering this opportunity to our students. For more information about the Cole House, click on the link here: … [Read more...]

Thank you to Ilaria Costa, Lisa Ackerman, and the Columbus Citizens Foundation for providing this opportunity to our students. For more information about the Columbus Citizens Foundation, visit their website: https://columbuscitizens.org/ Students working on this project responded to a few questions about their process, challenges, and skills they have developed. Read their responses below. What is the project and why is it important? Oscar: The project consisted of creating and designing center pieces for the Columbus Foundation which is an organization that commemorates Italian heritage. The center pieces include 3D printed models that showcase a building, structure, and sculptures made from Italian architects and sculptors. … [Read more...]

Thank you to the professionals at Robert A.M. Stern Architects for their continued efforts in supporting our students. One of the most daunting aspects of WHSAD/RAMSA summer program is critiques. Students need to learn how to weather the slings and arrows from professional architects who are providing feedback in the vein of what one might experience in the field. The first critique sometimes stings, but through the pain comes progress, and after the second, third times and beyond, students not only grow more comfortable with constructive criticism but also come to welcome the feedback as it assists in creating a more nuanced and sophisticated product. For their midterms, the students presented their designs, received feedback, and then … [Read more...]

Thank you to the Gensler staff and interns for taking the time to meet with WHSAD SYEP students. Students entering their junior and senior years took advantage of yet another opportunity WHSAD’s partnerships offer when they attended a meet and greet panel with college students who are working in Gensler’s summer internship program. The program runs over ten weeks and involves the interns working both with clients and on one collaborative project with their peers. The twenty-seven interns attend various schools throughout the country and pursue diverse majors that include architecture, interior design, finance, etc. During this panel, WHSAD students asked questions related to finding one’s footing in college, and the interns provided … [Read more...]

My first week went pretty well. I'm currently working on a restaurant design where I mostly work on interior designs, slides, and the presentation of the work. Working on a restaurant design project has been both exciting and exhausting since it’s a lot of work with lots of responsibilities. Most challenging was doing the research, which has taught me a lot about designing a functional and appealing restaurant space. From understanding the target audience to finding the flow of both customers and staff, each small detail that might seem irrelevant plays a big role for the project's success.  One of my personal goals is to work more on my communication skills, especially in large groups. Communication is key to everyone being on the … [Read more...]

My first week was not what I was expecting, but I did overall enjoy it. This first week gave me a chance to work on my teamwork skills and to become a better leader. My project is MAOarch retail store design. This project is about coming up with ideas that the space can be used for and how it fits in with the area. Our project is located at 595 Madison Ave in Manhattan.  The most challenging aspect of this project so far was actually trying to get the other members of the group to add their input and their ideas because a few people in the group talk about ideas while others stay quiet and do not add anything. Plus if you ask them what they think, they will just go with what you said.  By participating in this project, I hope to … [Read more...]