Me encanta Barcelona

Hey everyone! I'm the President of AIAS at CUA for the 2008-2009 year and I spent the spring semester studying abroad in Barcelona. Just wanted to share some of my experience!

The Mediterranean breeze blew across the beach as our group walked to the glinting fish sculpture designed by Frank Gehry. It’s the middle of January and seventeen of us, all architecture students from Catholic University, began to explore our new home in Barcelona. Lindsey Dehenzel, one of the juniors studying here, called the beginning of our trip our “honeymoon period” filled with naïve bliss and joy in everything we find. Slowly as the weeks passed we waited for life and reality to fall around us, and for our love for the city to dim, signaling an end to the honeymoon.

In Barcelona, we took classes under the direction of Eric Jenkins and Christy Cole, both traveling with us from CUA. Eric ran our studio class, while Christy directed our sketching and field trip adventures. They worked together to create an incredible experience for us as we learn about urban design. We were able to walk through the old parts of the city and soak in the sunny Placas and courtyards in the morning and then dissect urban history with Cece Tham, a Harvard graduate and practicing architect in Barcelona, in the afternoon. They layer their classes so that all our learning is very cohesive.

We visit iconic architecture by Mies van de Rohe, Callatrava, and Gaudi. One day we even traveled below the street level to explore the Roman ruins of the city that have been built upon. Our classes also explored the dynamics of other urban environments, through extended field trips. We had a week of touring Spain; exploring Madrid and its famous housing projects; Cordoba and its Arab bath; Granada and the Alhambra; and finally, the historical and pastoral Seville. Our adventures also took us to Morocco in the Spring, a highlight of the semester.

On the roof of Sagrada Familia by Gaudi on our hard hat tour

We enjoyed our café con leches and croissants, and most afternoons we stopped by the Boccaria market to pick up fresh produce for dinner. We picked up wine at the corner market for a few Euros and every evening we looked out over the Plaza Universitat and its ever changing inhabitants; whether they were skateboarders, acrobats, Evangelical Christians, or just families strolling with their children on bicycles. The city has a pace much slower than D.C.’s. In some cases, like when we wanted our Internet fixed, the lack of urgency is a nuisance. Most of the time, however, we just enjoyed our siestas.

During our free time on the weekends we explored more of the city. One of the first weekends in the city we took an adventure up to Montjuic, the Mountain of the Jews, to explore a
fortress built in the 17th century. The view was amazing. We could see the whole city before us and as we began to travel down the mountain, we venture through the Olympic Village and the MNAC, Barcelona’s National Art Museum, and finally arriving at Mies van de Rohe’s Pavilion. The iconic building makes for a graceful walk-through experience.

Skipping around the MNAC

Being in Europe we also take the time to country hop. I was able to visit out other program in Rome one weekend to celebrate my birthday. I was able to explore the history of the city and sample Italian culture and cuisine. My Easter break was spent in the Muslim county of Turkey, discovering the beauty of the ancient mosques of Istanbul.

When we stayed in the city we'd sometimes go out to enjoy the Barcelona nightlife- clubs that spill out onto the beach, or pubs that line pedestrian streets and spill into each other. If you come home before 5 AM, you’re obviously not a local. Locals themselves are usually friendly and considerate, especially since the majority of us absolutely butcher their language.

After almost four months in this "foreign land" I decided that I have found a perfect match with Barcelona and consider it another home. The honeymoon lasted until the day I had to leave and I hope to return soon, to visit the friends I made and the city I fell in love with.

To learn more about our love for this wonderful city you can read our student blogs. Links for all the student’s blogs can be found at http://cuabarcelona2008.blogspot.com/….and since I’m a total nerd and self promoter, read mine: jordenbcn2008.blogspot.com.

Ciao, Roma, ciao!

In January, I packed two suitcases and headed for what would undoubtedly be one of the best experiences of my life. I was excited, yet anxious. I did not know what lay ahead of me. I was one of nineteen architecture students who had the opportunity to study in Rome for one semester. Overall, the program was successful. We took advantage of our location and used the city as our classroom. Everyday, we were out in the city learning about its urban development and its history. The history of Rome is reflected in its architecture. Ancient Roman buildings are preserved while modern buildings are being constructed. We also had overnight field trips to Florence & Siena, northern Italy and southern Italy. Everyday was a learning experience. There was so much to see and take in. During spring break, I visited Basel, Switzerland and Munich and at the end of the semester, I went to London. The cities were architecturally "refreshing". It was exciting to see modern European architecture that was different from Rome.

Our apartments were in Campo de Fiori, right in the heart of the historic center of Rome. During the day, the Campo is an open air market where fresh food is always available. Not only is Campo de Fiori known for its market, it is also known for its nightlife. Our convenient location provided us with the opportunity to explore the city with ease. We were a five minute walk from the Pantheon and about a twenty minute walk from the Vatican. Italians are very hospitable and friendly. Talking to the locals was always fun. Most know how to speak English, but it was always appreciated when conversations were in Italian. My Italian was a bit shaky, but I soon gained confidence and my speaking skills improved throughout the semester. The city is very busy and, to my surprise, fast paced. It was a little intimidating to walk around by myself, but after a while I was fine with venturing out on my own. We walked 70% of the time. When places were too far, we took the buses. By the end of the semester, I'm sure we walked the entire city.

Four months was not enough. I didn't want to leave. I loved being immersed in the Italian culture and living in Rome. The memories will stay close to my heart. All the stories and adventures throughout Italy and Europe would fill this blog up and I've definitely learned a lot about architecture and about myself. I am very grateful for this opportunity to be in Rome. Without the program, I don't think I would have done everything that we did. It added to my love for architecture as well as my passion for traveling.

Roma, tu sei il mio amore.

Grassroots Leadership Conference 08

From July 17-20th Irene and I attended the Grassroots Leadership Conference here in Washington DC. We met so many cool people!

Each year officers from all of the national AIAS chapters converge on DC to learn more about how to enhance membership experience, leadership and exchange ideas to improve our schools. We met the new officers from University of Maryland and Howard University. Next year we will be collaborating on at least one after studio social as well as attending the Northeast Quad conference at UMD in spring 2008. Oh yeah and the Fall Northeast Conference is in Toronto Canada!

The thing that stuck with us from the conference was the enormity of AIAS. Across the nation there are so many people just like us, with studio and professors that face most of the challenges we do at CUA. I also never realized the professional connections AIAS provides. We met the leadership from national organizations like NCARB and the president of AIA. Being in DC gives our chapter a great opportunity to take advantage of these connections. Grassroots taught us how to make the most of AIAS at the National level. Look out for new events and more about Grassroots in the first few weeks of fall semester!

Hello from Exec Board 2008-2009!

Hello! This is Catholic University's AIAS official Blog, run by the exec board members. Over the year we hope to bring you information about AIAS, the school of architecture, competitions, National events, and links to the professional world.

First off I want to introduce you to your exec board for the 2008-2009 school year.



Irene Jorden
President
44jorden@cua.edu

Marcus Johnson
Vice President
20johnsm@cua.edu

Nina Africa
Secretary
82africa@cua.edu

Mikey Ticzon
Treasurer
04ticzon@cua.edu

Mateusz Dzierzanowski
Program Planning Coordinator
61dzierzanow@cua.edu


Please feel free to contact any of us if you have questions, comments or concerns. Also check out the links on the right hand side of the blog to learn more about AIAS at a national level and architecture at our university.