Columbus, Indiana

“The purpose of Architecture is to shelter and enhance man’s life on earth and to fulfill his belief in the nobility of his existence.” – Eero Saarinen

During the sophomore year of my undergrad studies at SIU, I was fortunate enough to travel with Professor Jon Davey’s history class to a city rich in architectural body and soul. Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to re-visit this favorite city of mine—Columbus, Indiana. Unique is an understatement for this breath of fresh air. Columbus houses remarkable works done by renowned architects I.M. Pei, Richard Meier, Robert Venturi and Eliel and Eero Saarinen, just to name a few, as well as beautiful glass sculptures by artist Dale Chihuly. Experienced guides from the Columbus Visitors Center lead daily interactive tours that showcase the broad range of historical and modern architecture and art within the city. I highly recommend touring this beautiful city, words cannot begin to describe the impression it has left on me!
--Jessica Iskrzycki, M. Arch. Student

The image above is from www.columbus.in.us and shows Dale Chihuly's "Yellow Neon Chandelier & Persians."

Studying in the USA

Why do foreign students study in United States? A valuable investment is the main reason. Foreign students can derive professional expertise and knowledge from America. Then, they will find a better paying job when returning to their countries, and they will harvest a high return for their money.

Moreover , they will sharpen their English as fluent English speakers. In today’s world, English is the universal language for everyone and every country. People who are equipped with English ability will work successfully in English countries.

Finally, foreign students will acquire various international experiences because American universities offer a cross-culture environment. For example, about 20% international students study in America, so academic programs and social activities will provide an understanding of each other’s cultures. Students are better prepared for working in many locations around the world.

Therefore, with these useful skills and purposes, studying in America is the best investment to broaden one’s horizon, to enlarge one’s international experiences and to be a fluent English speaker.

--Kang-Hsin Fan, M. Arch. Student from Taiwan

School of Architecture Gallery

The School of Architecture opened its new gallery in Quigley Hall this summer! Graduates will remember the room as the senior studio. Seniors are now in the former junior studio. Juniors have a new studio on the second floor, sophomores have studio space on the third floor, and graduate students have a new studio on the first floor.

The gallery is dedicated to displaying the best work by students in the School of Architecture's programs: architecture, Master of Architecture, fashion design & merchandising, and interior design. It also hosts school events including graduation receptions, new student welcome parties, and many exhibits of work from those who present lectures in the school's annual lecture series.

Thank You, Rhea...

Rhea Williamson, long time receptionist/secretary for the School of Architecture, passed away October 1 at age 85. She retired from the school approximately three years ago. Everyone in the School of Architecture during her many years as receptionist will remember Rhea for her warm smile and for the candy dish she kept stocked on her desk for students! Rhea loved visits from our students. The candy dish is still there and is kept stocked for those times when students need a quick free snack.

Rhea Williamson will be greatly missed! She was loved by generations of students at SIUC!

Image above from John Dobbins' yard of an Encore Azalea now in bloom.

Libeskind to Design “City on Water” in Belgrade

Although it has its preliminary name, “City on Water”, city officials are looking at the project as an opportunity for a big investment in very center of the city of Belgrade and on the bank of the Danube River.

The master plan dictates a building of 2,200,000 square meters of business and residential areas, situated on land covering 96 hectares. The project includes not only new interesting skyscrapers but also Jan Gehl’s plan to revitalize the space within this city. Many green areas and parks will be added to the city, as well as major limitations on car traffic, so that pedestrians and cyclists could be given an advantage.



This common trend in today’s urbanism of bringing the people and cities closer to water would make Belgrade a favorable location for future investments and visits.

It is the first time these two architects are working together and that work has been done simultaneously on this project as one project. Collaboration has been very close so that everything has been included in the master plan that was suggested by both architects. This created development strategy, which is now a major vision for this project. 85 hectares of developed land and 11 developed on the water basin. The plan is divided between 30% for residential area, 30% for business area, with the remaining intended for green and water areas, roads and infrastructure.

The project will be carried out in phases. There will be five phases and they will be in five years length depending on needs and market. The future City on Water will be located on the right bank of the Danube River, in the place where Port of Belgrade is currently located. Besides residential and business facilities, there will also be cultural facilities, congress centre, school, nursery, and hotels.

The skyscraper, designed as a jewel in which two rivers, the Danube and the Sava, meet will be 250 meters tall. Everything is planned as a fusion of strategies of sustainable development, authentic Belgrade and Belgrade full of life. The project should employ around 100,000 people, out of which 45,000 would be newly employed labor.
-- Damir Sisirak, M. Arch. Student from Slovenia

Images from Studio Daniel Libeskind: Belgrade

Trump Tower Chicago -- One Student's Opinion

The Trump Tower in Chicago has residential, retail and hotel space, much of it unsold or waiting to be rented or leased. The riverfront walks are to be opend soon and hopefully the landscaping will follow, adding what could be the only highlight of this highly publicized building. It is the largest building to be built in North America since the Sears Tower (now Willis Tower). Even with its huge size, this new building adds little to the skyline because it doesn't make much of a statement. Its blue glass just reflects the buildings around it and in the evening can give off some nice colors from the setting sun. Yet it still can't compare to the Hancock, the Smurfit-Stone building, or the new Aqua building. These buildings make a bold statement and show you what they're made of. The Trump Tower has some setbacks to give it form and shape, but the building just looks like a Sketchup extrusion. From some vantage points it can look extremely fat and overbearing, while from others it can look slender, reaching for the sky. And an afterthought at the top is the antennae. It's out of scale and adds little to the buildings overall look and feel. There is some space on the terraces (green roofs) where there are plantings and concrete pavers for people to enjoy the outdoors. The only problem is that they are at such a height that the winds won't allow you to enjoy a conversation, a cigarette for those who smoke, or even the fresh air. The winds whip by so quickly that the plantings lay down flat on the pavers. Even the heavy concrete pavers had to be anchored down to keep them from blowing away. Overall this building optimizes the site and more attention was placed on the interiors and their materials than the exterior shapes and the way it could fit into the evolving Chicago skyline.
--Robert Hildreth, M. Arch. Student

Cash for Carbon?

This summer, the Obama administration launched its incentive program deemed “Cash for Clunkers”. The program took gas guzzling vehicles off the road and replaced them with more fuel efficient vehicles in an effort to reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere. As I parted ways with my ’96 Silhouette, I, along with 700,000 other Americans, looked to the future: the future with a more fuel efficient vehicle.

The deal appeared to be all around great, but one question still came to mind: Am I really helping out the environment? The burning of gasoline and diesel in a vehicle produces 20 pounds of carbon dioxide, which in turn, alters the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Carbon credits can be purchased at $28 a ton to reduce an individual’s carbon footprint, but when comparing the efficiency of the plan to the cost needed to extinguish emissions, $500 a ton would be needed to cover the cost of destroying the existing car and manufacturing a new one. By replacing the used vehicles with gas conservative ones, consumers save money, but now have greater potential to take advantage of their low fuel bill and begin driving more. In this “efficiency paradox” the overall cost of energy plummets and the earth isn’t any better off than it was before. A smart thing to consider: additional taxes on gas. Within recent years when gas prices have skyrocketed, people stayed off the road. An addition of new taxes would limit the number of people on the road and collect extra money for the formation of green programs.
Americans need their vehicles, but Americans need the planet more.
--Jessica Iskrzycki, M. Arch. student