Author: Aisha

Learning from Santiago

When I arrived home yesterday I had many thoughts about what I was exposed to in Santiago. I realize I had many preconceptions before I arrived there that were proven false. For one, I thought that the city would be larger in terms of surface area. However, in reality it was a bit denser than I expected. This density provided a liveliness to the city and a necessity for well operating public transportation. Actually, I think above everything I was most impressed by the transportation and infrastructure in Santiago. For example, the roads and tunnels were well maintained and none of the roads we encountered were rough like we have here in the United States. Also, the metro station had pretty consistent arrival times between stops and across different lines as well.

So, what could big cities in the United States learn from Santiago in terms of infrastructure? I think what I noticed above all is that there was an effort to improve on what is working. In the United States bureaucrats have a tendency to accept that what is working is acceptable. While most places in the United States do not have the density to run an efficient metro or bus like Santiago does, we should be invested in improving the infrastructure we already have. There is no incentive to fix things until they become a problem. Admittedly, this might be a societal problem that we as Americans face which is where the difference in amenities occur. So, while it does dishearten me to see my home running so inefficiently, I also see it as an opportunity to plan on what I can do as an architect. On this trip we had so many types of students. There were architecture, landscape architecture, city and regional planning, business, and law students in attendance. The amount of talent and different insight on the trip made me optimistic that we as a generation can use this knowledge moving forward to design or plan projects that give back to society. We all play a role in the process of making spaces that give back to society.

Valparaíso’s Crafted Authenticity

Traveling through Valparaíso was a beautiful experience from start to finish. It was awe-inspiring to see the many architectural styles within such a short distance from each other. We were enlightened with views of pretty houses on a hill all leading to the big blue ocean.

However, there was this emptiness to the portion we walked through. It kept nagging me through the walk that the only people we saw were vendors, waitresses, and other tourists. Not to say that it was necessarily a bad feeling, but at some point I had to ask if I was walking through a film set. Most of the houses appear to be houses in terms of typology but had a lot of variance in the programs. It might be unreasonable to expect a majority of people to be able to afford the maintenance for such a house. Yet, at the same time I think houses built should serve their purpose as houses and not as vessels to drive the tourism market.

One of the main reasons I believe it only to be geared toward the tourism market is the emphasis placed on appearances. There were many houses empty and vacated that were being renovated to have the appearance of vibrancy even if it did not necessarily start that way. I am a fan of the appearance of the city, but I do believe it is similar to Santa Monica where zoning code drives a lot of the decisions of the outer appearance. In my opinon, giving individuals the opportunity to control their facades would be preferable. Even though the houses were eye-catching, I felt myself more moved by the murals throughout the city. That was the most authentic experience for me personally. The same energy used to paint the intricate work could be applied to the surface treatment of the facades.

Valparaíso gives an appearance of parts relating to the whole while the relation is only surface level

This door shows a treatment of surface where formal properties are overlayed with graphics

Even with a mural painted over the masonry the bricks’ pattern is still present and gives the image another layer of depth

San Joaquin v. La Contador

One example of the different approaches to site specific design is that both campuses have a very different attitude toward main circulation. At the Campus La Contador the passage mostly occurred through the interstitial space between buildings. As the site is small a lot of the buildings must be accommodated by squeezing them in tightly next to one another. This means there is no central axis or point that guides the circulation. San Joaquin Campus definitely has a central axis which you are meant to use to branch off into different paved ground. The buildings generally line up with this main axis so it is very much a key driver of the design. 

Another example of the difference in attitude is how the landscape is created. San Joaquin definitely makes use of its vast sight and spreads out as many kinds of vegetation as possible. It also makes use of large planters that become furniture or objects on the site to encourage interaction with the landscape. On the other hand, Campus Lo Contador had the restriction of the small site to work with. They deal with this small site by gathering their many types of vegetation into one courtyard. The courtyard at Lo Contador does not have as much of an idea of interaction in place. Most of the vegetation feels as if is on display and non approachable by people. 

Overall I had a great time learning the differences between the two campuses today. It also gave me a lot inspiration for my new studio project, which is a mixed-use building like UC Innovation Center. Also, seeing the campuses gave me a lot of ideas on how to improve our own campuses. 

San Joaquin’s large site allows for bigger formal opportunities

Proximity of buildings at Lo Contador make courtyard spaces like this important for bringing in light

Courtyard at UC Innovation center is also used to bring in light at a larger scale

Light Creating Ambiguity

Pre-Colombian Art Museum courtyard colonnade and shadow drawing

In this sketch I am exploring light interacting with the objects of the courtyard at the Pre-Colombian Art Museum and the placement of the statue in relation to the columns. The light was coming down through the square opening of the courtyard. This gave the shadows a hard edge that cut the courtyard into illuminated and shaded. Additionally, the shadows give the entablature depth which then makes the wall have an extra dimension. Next, the statue of the woman’s torso had an interesting position next to the colonnade. From where I was sitting it seemed to suggest that the statue was a part of the colonnade. Essentially, the curators made a caryatid so that the statue would break the line of columns to mark entrance while not standing out too much. 

Aisha’s Pre-Departure Blog

Finally, it is departure day! I am really looking forward to being outside of the country for this spring. It feels like an opportunity to continue my education, but in a less formal setting. Honestly, the value of studying abroad is vastly underplayed as I believe most see it as a vacation rather than an educational experience. Sure, I am excited to visit Chile and see a part of the world I have not yet experienced. However, I am even more excited for the fact that this trip could potentially change how I experience architecture.

As I have been pursuing an architecture degree for 2 years now, I believe I have become a bit jaded about my own perception. Being successful in school means you have to be highly critical of not just your own work, but of work done by people you might admire. To do this I have had to be more evaluative of work and have not just stepped back and actually enjoyed the projects in their entirety. For this reason, I really want to force myself on this trip to not find faults with the projects I encounter and instead appreciate the effort or intent of the project. Since I will not be in a school setting, it will be easier for me to simply admire the work and focus on representing it through sketch. Essentially, I would like this to trip to be an exercise in how to perceive and represent the architect’s vision.