After talking to many of the senior design students, I decided to take a few pictures at the recently re-opened Echo Park Lake. This semester the Architectural Design 202 students will design a housing complex in Vernon on the eve of the many environmental scandals currently clouding that city. Their building site includes the L.A river which will serve as a great catalyst for more complex design solutions. 

With unmatchable sunlight created by Southern California, a group of Architecture and Art enthusiast met in front of The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. Unsure of what was in store for them, they entered the gallery, guided by James Kawahara, professor of East Los Angeles College (ELAC) and Advisor of the ELAC Architecture Club, to experience the exhibition of: “A New Sculpturalism: Contemporary Architecture From Southern California.”

Before reaching to the main exhibit, the tour was greeted by an appetizer gallery of Frank Gehry’s work for the National Beijing Natural Museum Competition entry. Mesmerized by the process and study models Gehry produced brought connection to what many of the students do on their daily basis of design class. Looking at the work created by the prestigious architect known for his organic works like the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, we get to see him push his limits further by incorporating new materials in his signature style.  Everyone couldn’t stop staring and gazing closer and closer to each piece; no wonder the security of the gallery had a tough time telling us to keep our distance to protect the models.

With such an appealing appetizer, it can only be topped by the main exhibit of other famous architect to showcase their experimentation in contemporary architecture in the past twenty-five years. Distinguished by innovative design and their immaculate use of material, it showcase their influences in today’s architecture. Models along with drawings, everyone was able to further understand each project with the QR codes under each piece to give detailed description of each piece. The hours we spent there brought everyone deep in trance of architecture as they snap countless pictures to capture the moments there. 

USC will be screening the highly anticipated documentary "Archiculture"  Friday September 27, 2013. It will be open to the public and it'll be the first public screening in Los Angeles.

click on link: Archiculture Film Trailer

By: E.G

Let me begin by thanking professors Patricia Combes-Brighton and Orhan Ayyuce, their efforts helped kick-start our students blogs.  Students will be able to read the blogs on the Archinect website, as well as the ELAC Architecture Department website.

My name is Ernesto Gonzalez and I will be posting on behalf of the department. I have been part of the ELAC Architecture department for two years, and going into my third this semester. I have become more involved with the department and its student club which has led me to this position. The goal is to post in the sites a few times a month, documenting our student work inside and outside the studio. The recent success of ELAC in student competitions, and its many recent transfer students to well respected universities, is a reflection of the great faculty and the high expectations we have here. The healthy level of competition among the students makes for the perfect learning environment.  

So, as for me, this is my schedule for Fall 2013:

Architectural Drawing III , Perspective Drawing , Details , & Revit.

A good luck to all students, and I hope you have fun this year. Here are a few pictures of last semester’s 2nd year design class.

Context: Museum at Mariachi  Plaza, Boyle Heights

By: E.G