Architecture Studies

In this year, our 10th year in the Sogg Architecture Building, there were two extraordinary events in the library. In the fall, there was the Student Art Show; in the spring the Student Photography Exhibit.

Responsible for those events were students, students who conceived of the projects and then put in extensive thought and time to implement them. These exhibits generated fantastic visibility on campus for the School and the Architecture Studies Library. Even more, the events fostered a sense of community.

In recognition of their efforts, the Architecture Studies Library presented at the School Awards Ceremony on May 9 the first Library Engagement Awards to

*Anna Ball for the Student Art Show
and
*Robert Randall, Crystal Macaspac, and Edgar Gutierrez for the Student Photography Exhibit.

Congratulations to the students whose work was chosen as this semester's "Best of Jury". The work of those listed below is on display now and through the summer in the Architecture Studies Library.

James Chew, AAE 791, 6th Year Architecture Studio

Frits Bakker, AAE 772L, 5th Year Architecture Studio

Stewart Christensen, AAL 386, 3rd Year Landscape Architecture Studio

Stephen Quick, AAL 286 / AAE 282, 2nd Year Architectural Landscape Studio

Tommy Huggins, AAE 482, 4th Year Architecture Studio

Felicia Lozano, AAI 474, 4th Year Interior Architecture Studio

Eric Smith, AAD 182, 1st Year Architecture Studio

Chester “AJ” Taaca, AAE 382, 3rd Year Architecture Studio

Becca Hoynoski, AAE 712L, 5th Year Architecture [Bridge] Studio

Akosua Kena, AAI 274, 2nd Year Interior Architecture Studio

Donovan Ballantyne, AAE 382, 3rd Year Architecture Studio

Ju Yi Li, AAE 282 / AAL 286, 2nd Year Architectural Landscape Studio

Brett Anderson, AAE 282, 2nd Year Architecture Studio

Chris Boehme, Julian Costache, Robert Hersh, Daniel Laster, Charlie Smith, & Chad Svedin, ABS 440, Structures for Architects II

Come by and see the current exhibit: the AIA Nevada Design Award Competition exhibit. For a preview, or virtual exhibit, see our web site at http://www.library.unlv.edu/arch/events/2008exhibit_aia.html

I have mentioned before that the exhibit was covered in the Rebel Yell. Well it also warranted an interviewed by the producer of the UNLV Rebcast!

The exhibit is down now, but I thought you might enjoy reading some of the comments that were made by those who viewed the exhibit. and you can still see the images on our web site at http://www.library.unlv.edu/arch/events/aias/
Here are some of the comments we received:

*the exhibit was a success to me as it did a good job of highlighting the experience of a diverse group of students.

*the exhibit was very well composed. Combined with the Friday @ 5 event the timing couldn’t have been better. It’s a great feeling to know that there are these events to look forward to, to interrupt the monotony of studio/class work. This will be hard to top in the future.

*the exhibit was put together extremely well. I appreciated the collaborative efforts of the students within our school.

*I think the exhibit is wonderful! The graphics are amazing! I think events like these bring the three divisions together and are academically beneficial because we see things we may never have seen before, enriching our college experience.

*visually exciting!! What a great experience to see what students find interesting, fascinating, and beautiful.

*it has been by far one of the best exhibits I have seen, especially since it was put up by students. AIAS did an outstanding job!

*incredible!

*this was a great way to show our experiences and travels. It was nice to converse and share stories with colleagues – a great way to get to know each other!

*I honestly have not seen such an impressive collection in a very long time. I am more impressed knowing that these images were taken by students. I am awed.

Drury Crawley from the Department of Energy posted information to the Society of Building Science Educators list today, on the beta release of a new energy design tool. It is designed to work with Sketchup; you must also have EnergyPlus V2.1 before installing. Below is his posting, quoted with his permission.

"DOE and NREL are pleased to announce the public beta release of the Energy Design Plugin--an EnergyPlus plugin for Google SketchUp.

The plugin can be downloaded for free from the EnergyPlus web site at:
http://www.energyplus.gov/energy_design_plugin.html

The plugin makes it easy to create and edit the building geometry in your EnergyPlus input files. The plugin also allows you to launch EnergyPlus simulations and view the results without leaving SketchUp.

Designed to integrate seamlessly with the SketchUp environment, the plugin allows you to use the standard SketchUp tools to create and edit EnergyPlus zones and surfaces. You can explore your EnergyPlus input files by using all of the native SketchUp 3D capabilities to view the geometry from any vantage point, apply different rendering styles, and perform accurate shadowing studies. The plugin allows you to mix EnergyPlus simulation content with decorative content such as background images, landscaping, people, and architectural finish details-all within the same SketchUp model.

The plugin adds the building energy simulation capabilities of EnergyPlus to the SketchUp environment. You can launch an EnergyPlus simulation of the model you are working on and view the results without leaving SketchUp.

Highlights of the beta version of the Energy Design Plugin include:

* The ability to create and edit EnergyPlus zones and surfaces

* The ability to launch EnergyPlus and view the results without leaving SketchUp

This plugin makes it easier to work with EnergyPlus. However, expertise in using EnergyPlus at the text level is highly recommended for performing successful and accurate simulations. The beta version of the plugin does not yet handle all critical input objects. Some editing of the input file will usually be required outside of SketchUp.

After installing, the help files should get you started. You might also try opening some of the input files that are included in the Examples directory to help get your feet wet. If you have any problems, please contact me at the support email: energy_design_plugin@nrel.gov I would really appreciate any bug reports, suggestions, or other feedback from you.

The Pennsylvania State University Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library has surveyed design journals in order to determine their editorial practices, specifically whether they are peer reviewed, and if they have a blind review process.

The results of their survey are posted at http://www.libraries.psu.edu/architecture/refereed_journals.html

When next you come in to view the exhibit, please notice that we have out some exhibit comment forms. We would very much like to hear from you concerning the impact the student photography exhibit has had, especially how it may have affected you either personally or academically.

thanks!

and BTW, we will make exhibit comment forms available for all upcoming exhibits as well.

The UNLV Rebel Yell has a very favorable article on the Student Photography Exhibit in its March 10 issue. You can read it online at http://www.unlvrebelyell.com/article.php?ID=11736

One thing they did not make clear however is that three students led the efforts to put together this excellent exhibit: Robert Randall, Crystal Macaspac, and Edgar Gutierrez!

WOW! The School of Architecture Student Photography Exhibit is up and it is fabulous! Great photographs. A wealth of geographic encounters represented. And an amazing presentation framework.

Congratulations to organizers Robert Randall, Crystal Macaspac, and Edgar Gutierrez. And congratulations to all the students who contributed to this stunning exhibit!

Thumbnails of the photographs appearing in the exhibit are available at:
http://www.library.unlv.edu/arch/events/aias/aiaswebex/index.html

My last posting concerned Glenn Novak's entry in the art show. I just want to draw your attention to the books now located in front of his entry. Glenn graciously allowed the library to display a small subset of the books that are the subject of his piece, books that have not been used in the 10 years the library has been open. Look at the books. If they seem interesting check them out, or put them on a table. This activity will be enough to keep them in the ASL! Otherwise they will be going back to Lied.