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Harrison Bink, AIA "I
was infatuated with Frank Lloyd Wrights Falling
Water in PA. I made models of it in college
however, I didn't start out to be an architect, I
started out in Photography. While attending the
Rhode Island School of Design, I transitioned to
architecture after the first year."
"I was recently asked if there was a particular architectural style in Central PA; I don't believe there is nor should be. There should just be a response to certain circumstances of the client's desires. Any architect known for a particular style, would be showing a limitation. An 'enfant terible' architect that died fairly recently, Phillip Johnson, (whom at 86 was still practicing) was known as a "wild child" in the world of architecture. He's done all types of styles." Some great buildings and some not so great like the International Place in Boston. On the other hand, the glass house that he designed in Connecticut back in the "Modern" days was beautiful. Not a practical design for the essentials of your day-to-day living but absolutely beautiful. Then there is Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water. The furniture design didn't sit flat on the floors, therefore the chairs all wobbled, but they looked good and the place was beautiful. Is that architecture to aspire towards? Yes, in certain ways, but utilizing perspective. "In the '70's, there was nothing here to hold a young professional, there is now. This is a better design environment, the builders are competent and you can exceed the expectations for the greater communities interest than you could in a more suburban area compared to the high design environment. In a city environment you have less latitude to work things. Architecture is a broad brush, with urban planning, reduction of sprawl, and use of resources. It is very frugal field. It's much more than just "decorating a box" in Manhattan. Central PA is a rewarding place to be an architect. This area is great for quality of life and family. Architecture inevitably affects everyone's life, daily. Where you live, where you work, what you drive by, and even where you shop. We have an extremely large potential for positive interaction. Architects have a tremendous impact on the entire community and our environment." On Architects "Architects have a spotty
reputation within architecture. Outside of architecture its
one of the most well respected professions. That is because
the public perception of us is different then our internal
perception. Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis I. Kahn are
aspiring and influential architects. When I say spotty
reputation, those two individuals had notably horrific
personal lives and not necessarily something you want to
emulate - the egocentricity of architecture is
embarrassing." "Architectural
education is the most well rounded education that I
can think of. A lot of people who study
architecture go on to very diverse personal
professions. Fifty percent of people who graduate
from architecture work in movies, design computer
graphics, etc. Conceptualization of three
dimensions is the key, but it's a hard subject to
teach."
On The Architecture Student "I was infatuated with Frank Lloyd Wrights 'Falling Water in PA'. I made models of it in college however; I didn't start out with an interest in architecture or to be an architect. I began in Photography. While attending the Rhode Island School of Design, I transitioned to architecture after the first year. I currently go to Career Days and mentor students. Typically the first question I get is: "Do you make a lot of money?" No. "Do you have to be good in math?" No. "What's the most important subject in school?" Public Speaking (speeches) and Theater Arts". Design is a tremendously important component, but it only accounts for about ten percent of what you do. Architectural education is the most well rounded education that I can think of. A lot of people who study architecture go on to very diverse personal professions. Fifty percent of people who graduate from architecture work in movies, design computer graphics, etc. Conceptualization of three dimensions is the key, but it's a hard subject to teach. Theater arts and public speaking are important because you have to convey your ideas before you have them built. You have to promote yourself to be able to get work, to be able to do the work, and to be able to do the next project. It helps if you are outgoing and conversational with good communications skills. Architecture is a relatively abusive form of education. They give you more work than you can handle, but it builds that mental stamina of continually working at all hours to try to get any improvement you possibly can on any design that you're working on -- that breeds the sort of "you're never done" mentality. Architects work crazy hours, but although it may seem that you'll never get it done, you should always take time to go home to your family -- the crisis will still be here the next morning." Click
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