Post 3

Hi!

I’m in my third year of architecture and today I'll talk you about something that really interests me, the architecture in cinema.

When I watch a film, I really like to see how the architecture can create different atmosphere in a film and can make different scenarios to make a different storyline. Both are arts that can be perfectly combined  to broadcast to the viewer the things that the director want to. The film “La Grande Bellezza” is an example of how the architecture can be protagonist even if it’s not. In there, Italy is the set of all the sequence; the churches, palaces or ruins of ancient Rome are the perfect environment to express the pure decadence that its protagonist is going through, even in the most beautiful way.

La Grande Bellezza (2013)

In cinema, are many ways of how architecture works through different situations, in the film “Parasite” is another film where the architecture is part of the perspective and metaphors between the two families; other example is “Her” where the colors (predominantly red) and the minimalistic style in the interior spaces they can show the mood of the situations in each scene.

Parasite (2019)

Her (2013)

Architecture is definitely in anywhere and I think it’s amazing how you can work in different areas, I think it's one of the best things from this career. 

Post 2: The best concert ever

Hello again!

In my life, I've only been to one concert, that was from Paramore in 2013 at the Movistar Arena. For those of you who don't know, Paramore is an American rock-pop band formed in 2008 integrated by the lead vocalist Hayley Williams, guitarist Taylor York, and drummer Zac Farro, but when I went to the concert, bassist Jeremy was part of the band.

I was only thirteen and it was my first time in Santiago, so I was very excited about it. I went with my friend (which was also her first concert) and we waited to get in for like 3-4 hours, but it was definitely worth it, I think it’s one of the best experiences that I had. The show was amazing and we enjoyed every second there, we jumped and sang every song and the time goes by so fast, we didn’t want the concert to finish. I also remember that when the members of the band said goodbye to us, nobody wanted to leave and then they come back, it was a very exciting experience. 

Post 1: A country you would like to visit

One of my biggest dreams is to travel the world and visit as many places as possible, but if I have to choose just one of them, Japan immediately comes to mind.

I would like to visit Japan because the culture is very fascinating and different, like the language, the food, the people and the coexistence of traditional and modern. In addition, the architecture is beautiful and very varied, where you can find all around the country, from the big cities with skyscraper and futuristic places; to rural towns with wonderful landscapes and natural beauty.

If I have the chance to go there, I would like to see Kyoto, known as the cultural capital of Japan, and visit the temples, shrines and Zen gardens, which are truly spectacular, as well as explore the traditional neighborhoods and experience what it's like to live there. For all this is that I believe that Japan is a wonderful country that I hope to visit at least once in my life.

Post 8: A subject I've enjoyed studying this semester

This semester I've been learns many things, but definitely the subject that I most enjoyed this semester was from the class “Problems of modern architecture”, there we did a duo work which we need to study a 20th century project, know how it works and think about it critically. In our case, the study case was “The Garden City”, which is a model of urban planning created by Ebenezer Howard, as a solution to the problems of the Industrial Revolution and its impact on the cities, particularly in England. It was very interesting to inquire about the main principles and concepts of the Garden City, because it was to request the benefits for the people, taking the lifestyle of the city and countryside, combining the advantages of both environments for the common life of the people, providing proximity to nature and an increase in employment opportunities.

During the course, we had to do two rehearsals analyzing the city from its theoretical position and conceptual, and how this was expressed in the garden city movement of modernity. Also, we investigate about others other works by architects and urbanist like Jane Jacobs, where we could make comparisons between the model of garden cities and different vision about the modern cities.

Blog post 7: Who is a person/expert on your field that you admire?

Hello everyone, again! Today I’ll talk about Eileen Gray, who was an architect and furniture designer, being one of the first women to be recognized for her contribution to industrial design and known as a pioneer of the Modern Movement in architecture.

She was born on August 9, 1878, in Enniscorthy, Ireland. Her interest in painting and drawing was influenced by her father, who was a landscape painter. She started her arts studies at the Slade School of Fine Art in London in 1900. After passing and traveling through different countries, Gray settled in Paris, where she met the Japanese artist Seizo Sugawara. From that moment, she starts to dedicate herself to learn and develop in interior design and furniture pieces, where she integrated modern and disruptive designs. By 1921, the Romanian architect Jean Badovici, encouraged her growing interest in architecture without any formal training. Finally, in 1924 she designed her most famous work: E-1027 House in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France.

I choose her as a person that I admire because she was an exceptional in her discipline, and that despite being in a time, where the professions were dominated by men, where even some of her works were attributed to others. Despite all this, she became internationally recognized for her creativity and stands out as one of the most influential woman in those fields.

A picture of Eileen Gray. 

Eileen Gray's Iconic E-1027 House.

Post 6: How can my major make the world a better place

As I mentioned before, I'm studying architecture and as you know architecture is everywhere, that's why I think that the contribution of my major is essential to achieve development in the design of urban spaces, cities and the world in general from a sustainable vision. During recent years, the role of most architects has had to respond to the diffusion of creating an ecological architecture, through using new techniques to decrease pollution in the building’s construction, for example, implementing recycled materials or reducing the energy needs of buildings in an efficient way. These are measures that can minimize the impact on the ecosystem during the construction process and also reduce operation and maintenance costs, increasing at the same time comfort and health benefits on people.

As an architecture student, I see myself learning more about the integration of new technologies and measures that can bring benefits to the environment from a sustainability perspective, and how this can ensure good design of buildings or public spaces for the community.

Post 5: A Photograph and its story

Hello everyone! today I’ll show you a photo taken a long time ago on a family travel to the snow, where are we my dad, siblings and me (my mom was the photographer). 

Well, it was very difficult choosing a photo because I don't usually take many, so I looked in my family album and finally I decided to show this one. I like this photo because when I saw it, it reminded me many things about my childhood; and until made me feel a little nostalgic about it. Also, I can perfectly remember when we used to go to many places when I was little, especially in my dad’s car listening bands like Creedence Clearwater Revival, while my brothers and I waiting expected to arrive.

In this photo we go to Chillán in winter vacation to see snow, which are one of my favorite places to visit until to this day. About the trip, I can't remember many things, but I think one of the most beautiful things about photography is that I could immortalize those memories that made me happy at some point in my life.