Architecture Student Exhibition 2022

Introduction

The Focus and the Magic of Creativity

One cannot not know history so said architect Philip Johnson. History is part and parcel of architectural design, from Classical, Gothic, Neo-classical, High-modern, Post-modern to, even what many feel, is the anti-historical De-constructivism of Frank Gehry, or Zaha Hadid.

The students in Architecture 121 (Design II) in the spring of 2019 were asked to pick an historically important building from a given list. They were to write an essay and do a model of the particular building they decided to research.

The renowned American architect, John Lautner observed:

The Creative process its a sweat. The thing is to be able to hold, and try to pull together all the possible emotional, physical, structural elements and Nature, and try to pull that into one grand idea.

This exhibition is coordinated by Craig R. Weber, an Associate Professor at the Engineering Technology Department of Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York.

The Villa Savoye - Poissy, France (1929-30) (detail)

The house was designed by Le Corbuiser in 1929-30.

This house, along with Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water in Pennsylvania of 1937, and Mies Farnsworth of 1947, are the most well-known 20^th Century dwellings.

Le Courbuiser, or Le Corbu (1887-1965), has been dubbed The Picasso of Architecture. His urban planning ideas greatly influenced the development of many cities, including New York. As a multi-tasker, Corbu considered himself a painter in the morning, an architect in the afternoon, and a planner in the evening.

Mr. Grabarnik plans to continue his architecture studies at Pratt Institute, or he would like to go to Yale University, where QCC’s Arch. Student Nicole Lebau graduated 7 years ago. Elan is very talented, with good design instincts; therefore, success in this field is a foregone conclusion.

Architectural model by Elan Grabarnik
Foam core, wood, model car. 2019
Model of Mansion and Property in Sands Point LI

This model was for the class project in Arch111 (MT481) Design I.

The client for this project was Dr. P.M. in Sands Point LI. The program called for a main house and a guest house on six-acres of land, located on top of a hill overlooking Long Island Sound. The existing house on the property was razed, and was previously owned by Hollywoods Rudy Valle’s agent, who called the road to the house Rue de Valle. In the 50’s, the house was rented to the young actor Paul Newman, before he decamped with his bride, Joanne Woodward to their new Connecticut residence in Westport. While at QCC, Mr. Lopez was active in the Architecture Club, where he served as President, V.P., and Senator, during his time here. He came to us from the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan. He is a talented artist.

Architectural model by Ronal Lopez
Bainbridge board, frosted mylar. 2011
Model of The Contemporary Art Museum in Niterói, Rio de Janiero, Brazil

The Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, also known as the MAC, was designed by the famed Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer and was completed in 1996.

This iconic saucer-shaped structure, situated on a cliffside above Guanabara bay in the city of Niterói, brilliantly frames the panoramic views of the city of Rio De Janeiro and encapsulates the simple, yet brilliant signature aesthetic of Niemeyer. Mr. Dutan is at present at QCC, and wishes to study at U. Cal Berkley, or Cornell. His hand work ethic will surely help him attain his goals. Oscar Ribeiro de Almeida Niemeyer Soares Filho (1907-2012), known as Oscar Niemeyer, was a Brazilian architect considered to be one of the key figures in the development of modern architecture.

Architectural model by Roberto Dutan
Plywood, polychrome. 2019
Model of an Estate overlooking the Long Island Sound

This model was for the class project in Arch111 (MT481) Design I.

The client for this project was Mr. & Mrs. O.R. in Darien Conn. The program called for a main house and a guest house on three-acres of land, located on an outcropping overlooking Long Island Sound. The architectural choice was to retain only the existing footprint. The final design integrated well with the site and its orientation to the winds, allowing for cross ventilation, making the house a good low-energy solution. While at QCC, Ms. Gamborini was active in the Architecture Club, where she served as president, and senator, during her tenure. After graduation, Gail transferred on scholarship to R.I.S.D. (Rhode Island School of Design) in Providence. She graduated from R.I.S.D., and is presently working as an architect in Massachusetts. One of the best and brightest students at QCC, she also worked as assistant teacher of high school students in Continuing Education. From day one, Ms. Gamborini was determined to be successful.

Architectural model by Gail Gamborini
Bainbridge board, mylar, trees, moss, wood. 2004
Model of The TWA Terminal at Idlewild Airport now JFK, New York City (detail)

The terminal was designed by Eero Saarinen in 1962. The terminal was one of the first with enclosed passenger jetways, baggage carousels, and the satellite clustering of gates away from the main terminal.

Eero Saarinen (1910-1961), the Finnish born expressionist architect was the author of a very diverse body of work. His list of projects include St. Louis Arch (1965) MS, the Kresge Auditorium and Chapel (1956) at M.I.T.’s Campus in Cambridge, MA., and David Ingalls Rink at Yale University (1959), New Haven, CT. Mr. Bonilla is continuing his architecture studies at RISD (Rhode Island School of Design), in Providence, RI.

Architectural model by Jose Obed Bonilla
Foam core, plexiglass, lights. 2017