selophane.blog

Atlanta

spencer — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:23:17 +0000

I’ve gone down to Atlanta for an extended weekend. While I’m here I’m just planning on relaxing, and maybe getting a little studying done for my Building Systems exam. In addition, I figured I’d see what the Job market looks like down here, not that I’m seriously thinking of relocating, but hey, I [...]

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Atlanta

Structural Systems

spencer — Wed, 13 May 2009 04:03:01 +0000

I take the structural systems exam on Thursday and I am scared! I have no idea how to do earthquake or wind loading and just barely grasp the basic concepts, plus I’m still not sure how many formulas I’ll need memorized. My only real consolation is that the vignette seems really easy. Add to [...]

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Structural Systems

Freelancing

spencer — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:04:05 +0000

Two colleagues of mine were let go a few weeks ago. Since then, the three of us have decided to pool our collective architectural resources and work towards developing a client base and a freelance design business. This sounds much easier than it actually is. The time it takes to find people [...]

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Freelancing

Ceilings torn down, one foot at a time

spencer — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:39:24 +0000

So today I had my first solo freelance gig. I was going to consult a homeowner on whether a wall was structurally necessary and if not, provide some help with a bathroom design. When I got there, I took a look at the space and went up into their attic to see how the roof [...]

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Ceilings torn down, one foot at a time

Take the Good with the Bolt

spencer — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:27:23 +0000

I have been searching for an inexpensive way to visit my family in New York, and the express buses seem to be the best option. I haven’t taken Megabus yet, just Bolt (primarily for the use of wifi and outlets). So I have now taken three trips between NY and DC on the Bolt [...]

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Take the Good with the Bolt

I’ve been cheating on my own blog!

spencer — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:41:13 +0000

I’ve been harboring a secret for the past few weeks and been dying to post about it but had to wait until it went live. I am now a weekly feature writer for the DC architecture and property blogDC Metrocentric. Its one of the reasons O haven’t posted on here very much, that and [...]

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I’ve been cheating on my own blog!

Unemployed and legally in the Nation’s Capital

spencer — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:56:37 +0000

[Image via The Washington Post.] The Washington Post ran an article recently highlighting the human side of how this recession (depression?) is affecting architects in the DC area. One of the people they interviewed is a former co-worker of mine from a few years back. I’m saddened to hear that she is also going through what [...]

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Unemployed and legally in the Nation’s Capital

ARE – The first of seven

spencer — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:18:39 +0000

So I’ve been sworn to secrecy that I cannot divulge any information about the licensing exam section I took yesterday. But I can discuss my preparation, my opinions and the testing center. I’ve spent the last few weeks splitting my time between looking for work and studying for the Construction Documents and Services ARE section. [...]

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ARE – The first of seven

Autodesk meets Barbie Dream House Architect

spencer — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 05:40:51 +0000

I just read a great article on the New York Times about a new product from Autodesk (Design Your Dream House, Lamps and All – Bits Blog – NYTimes.com). It looks like Autodesk is getting into the 3-D home architect/interior design business with their new product “Project Dragonfly”. But instead of charging an arm, a [...]

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Autodesk meets Barbie Dream House Architect

Links of the moment

spencer — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 22:01:07 +0000

Here are some of the links I’ve been looking at today: The washington post has a column discussing the trials and tribulations of the new apple store in Georgetown and what this protracted historic design board rejection/approval process means for future developments here and elsewhere. Icon Magazine has an interesting article about an exhibition at the Tate [...]

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Links of the moment