Author: Justin Keener

So Worth It

Although it feels good be back home, the wheels of the plane touching down in Columbus was a shadowy feeling because that meant that our trip had come to an end. In the most honest way, I can say that this trip was the greatest experience of my life. Not only was I given the unique opportunity to travel to a different part of the world, but I also learned more than I thought was imaginable. In Santiago, I learned an immense amount about the city’s culture, its architecture and most importantly about myself.

Arriving in Santiago started a very new experience for me as this was the first time I’ve ever been subject to a new culture outside of the United States. It was interesting for me to get the chance to interact with a different culture and to see how the gears of society turn in a foreign country.

As far as architecture goes, I was able to see and understand a great deal of themes throughout many projects in Chilean architecture. Such as, the ideology of designing for sustainability used frequently by Radic and Aravena, and also the challenge of building in mountainous terrain as the Adolfo Ibáñez campus was. Being able to see many of these impressive pieces of Chilean architecture in person gave me a perspective on the architecture that was completely unique to studying a project from photographs in a classroom.

When I signed up for this trip I had no idea what kind of personal experience it would turn out to be for me. Before leaving for the trip, I feared that I would not come out of my shell and it would negatively affect my experience in country, but thanks to an incredible group of people and the new friends that I made, this was no problem for me. Thanks to this trip, I learned so much about myself and the things that I am capable of. I am immensely thankful to everyone on the trip that helped me make this study abroad opportunity in Santiago, the time of my life.

Comparing Capitals

While at the Mapuche Cultural Center, I noticed and admired the highly decorative, composite styled columns in the space’s lobby. Afterwards, we made our way towards the Tirso de Molina market, where I noticed the decorative capitals that the structure has. There existed a stark difference in appearance when comparing these capitals to the former ones mentioned. The capitals of the columns in the cultural center were obviously an embellished classical styled columns, whereas the capitals of the columns at the market posses a modern contemporary style. The reason why I compared the capitals of these two columns is because although they are both, in their own way, ornate, they look incredibly different. the two diagrams below show a side by side representation of the two very contrasting styles demonstrated in the columns’ capitals.

Decorative capital of columns at Tirso de Molina

Ornate qualities of composite style columns in Mapuche Cultural Center

Broken Language Barrier

During our free time to sketch in San Joaquin, I found a bench that was across from an interesting statute that I wanted sketch. As I sat down and reached into my bag to grab my sketch book, I was startled when I looked back up, as a man had approached me and was greeting me with a handshake. He spoke words in Spanish, I couldn’t understand what he said but I believe he was asking me a question. In my below adequate Spanish skills, I tried to explain to him that I didn’t understand and apologized. He seemed somewhat shocked and slowed down, then he asked, “De donde eres?” I replied with, “Estados Unidos.” Then in perfectly clear English he said, “Oh! You’re American!”

The two of us continued a conversation in English as he explained to me that he was from California and had just moved to Santiago two weeks prior. He asked me what I also was doing in Santiago and I explained our trip to him. When I mentioned that we were from Ohio State, his eyes widened because he had a good friend that also goes there.

To me, this interaction was unforgettable because what I thought would end up being a quick and meaningless conversation due to limited dialogue – actually ended up becoming a rather long talk between the two of us. Despite limited dialogue, we were able to move past the language barrier and established common origins. These origins allowed for the continuation of our conversation. Something that we encounter everyday is facing the barriers that gets created by trying to make connections with others. Establishing common origins with others shapes our experiences.

Keener – blog post (3/10)

While walking along the outermost exhibit space of the Pre Colombian museum’s upper level, I noticed the doors that lined along the perimeter walls. These doors were comprised of tall glass panes and fit the contemporary style of the rest of the exhibit space. But behind these doors were another set of doors that, in contrast, did not fit the space’s style. The outside doors consisted of a more classical style. This is where I noticed one of Smijlan Radic’s ideologies of “remembering the past”. The tall panes of the contemporary doors allow individuals to see and recognize the classical doors behind them. Radic designed these doors to maintain a modern style on the interior and also to recall the building’s original style. I realized that the exact threshold between contrasting these two styles is in the small void space in between the two doors. Here, Radic uses the void and materiality to also create the distinction between the interior and the exterior façade. A section drawing below shows separation of these two styles as the contemporary style comes from the interior space to the first door and then the classical style continues from the second door the exterior features including a small balcony.

Justin Keener’s Pre-Departure Post

I find it hard to believe that it was several months ago when I signed up to go on this trip, and now today is the day that we’re leaving and its now a surreal reality. I’m eager to embark on this new journey because it will be an incredible journey and experience for me.

Despite my excitement, I was lazy when it came to packing as I spent my last 2 hours in Columbus packing. Although I had everything laid out and ready on my desk, I didn’t pack anything away into my carry on or my suitcase until last minute. I don’t know why I do, but I always procrastinate with packing.

I’m excited to leave the country and to experience a foreign place for the first time. In a way it’s kind of shocking that come tomorrow when we land in Santiago, we will all be engaged in a completely new culture that may very different from what we’re used to. Something that I’m looking forward to upon arriving in Santiago is noticing the little differences and contrasts between the United States and Chile. For example, I’m curious to see how things like traffic lights and street signs in Chile differ from what we’re used to in America.