Helsinki University Main Library, the largest academic library in Finland is located in a historically important city block in the very heart of the city centre. The library building complements the urban block by adding a curved brick facade, integrated within the street line formed by the adjacent buildings.

Architect: Elham geramizadeh,Ehsan Hosseini,Zahra Bakhshayi

Work-in-progress building Fallingwater from the original plans. Primary goal is to use the project as vehicle for developing my scratch built modeler and renderer. (written in Rust). This is a long term project and I am using quite a bit of AI for measuring/landmarking the plans (I'm not an architect). Currently doing R+D work on a simulated waterfall (using particles and implicit surfaces).

Context: My final was today and it was about Rocky Neck State Park on the beach section. And I had to present my work and I designed a long colonnade on the beach path, which made it a procession of rhythm toward the beach.

When the jurors commented on my work, he asked me why I had the bathrooms positioned this way. He then went on to say how it could be harder for wheelchair users to navigate and circulate through my space. And I responded by saying I made sure the opening were 4 ft wide, the stalls were ADA accurate, the sink was deep enough for them to position themselves to watch their hands.

And then I went on to say, “there’s not that many wheelchair users to worry about this kind of angle.” And there was massive laughter and amusement almost.
I seriously ended up thinking about what I said and I’m not wrong. I mean statistically there are way less people handicapped at my building than not handicapped.

But why is that? I know that it’s because majority of the population is not handicapped, but I haven’t seen a single wheelchair user at a beach before. Why? Because being disabled means you become overlooked and often the second thought. A quick google search will tell you hie much a beaches are accessible, only 8% of beaches have accessible paths for wheelchair users. Even I as a student wanted handicapped people to conform to me and my design when I really should have made a space where they could navigate.

I should have taken this final as a way to create a space where disabled people are allowed to exist in our spaces without feeling abandoned by the designers.

Ultimately, I just wished I had been more open minded and thoughtful as to what I was designing and how I was dealing with the spaces everyone would have to use. Because one day I want to be an architect who inspires and creates beautiful designs that make a lasting impact on people, and I highly doubt I can do that without making it accessible for everyone.

Ive always really liked this building.

I am two years out of college and working a mid size firm. Our bread and butter is mixed-use multi family housing or commercial spaces and it is very rare that we do anything outside of that scope. As I spend more time here, I get more and more uninspired watching each design come out cookie cutter similar to the last before it.

Are there any firms out there making interesting multi family projects? I’m looking desperately for inspiration to pull from in the hopes that perhaps one day, I can help design something that feels fresh or creative. Maybe I won’t, and every idea will be VE’d to hell lol.

Hi all! I’m a technical architectural designer with 8 years of experience in corporate interiors, mostly at large firms. I’m trying to transition into residential architecture in the Bay Area, CA, but so far, residential firms don’t seem very open to someone without a strong residential background.
I’ve been applying for designer-level positions because I understand there’s a learning curve, and I’m also aware that I’d likely be taking a pay cut.
At this point, I really want to move away from corporate interiors and do something different, but I’m struggling to get my foot in the door.
Has anyone made a similar transition? Any advice on how to approach residential firms or make my experience more appealing to them? I’d appreciate any suggestions!

Hi, I am currently reading Neufert architect data and I am confused with the measurement that he used. Sometime he did state the unit but without any unit it makes me so confused. I need to draw a plan in 1:100 which I try to change the measurement and measure with my scale ruler, and it didn’t add up?
I just want to be sure that I understand it right.
Thank you for your answer in advance.

I just wanna point out that in my country, to be a practicing architect, the requirement is to clear a bachelors degree which is a 5 year program. 3-4 year bsc, ba are not offered.

Architects who went to grad school for degrees in urbanism, landscaping, advanced architecture etc. What made you do it and why ?

I'm a fresh graduate currently struggling to find employment at a liveable wage in my country with a 5 year professional bachelor of architecture. The pay is quite poor for entry level roles and definitely not something I can survive upon. Opportunities in my town/city are also non existent.

I'm strongly considering applying for a graduate program abroad that is of my interest. Whilst doing my degree, I realised my shifting interests in various other domains such as BIM, Structural Engineering and Computational Design.

Would love some insight into the same!

I can understand "since builder/ designers are familiar with rectangle houses, that is just how it is" however i think that answer is somewhat just another way of saying "no one wants to put the time and effort to learn something new from scratch"

Objectively, it just seems like to me that hexagon layouts make more sense... central natural lighting, main center hub for living, relaxing. Every other room is attached from one of the 6 sides, and you can add another level for a nicely lit study or bedroom.

Aside from preference, what other obstacles would a hexagon house bring? If the design was already layed out to a T, would it still be a bad decision?

Thank you all!