The Column

For the past couple of weeks, WHSAD SYEP students have been researching skyscrapers' design and constructions. Starting last week, students started designing and building not only the skyscraper, but the environment surrounding the structure. The students had a lot to keep in mind in order for their projects not only to look visually the best, but also to be realistically functional. The most important requirements are listed below: The skyscraper had to be at least 10 storiesA footprint of at least 500 square feet and no more than 1,000 square feetAll items such as benches,trash bins, etc have to be up to scale ( 1"= 5') Additionally, all projects would be evaluated in these 5 categories. Creativity Presentation Accuracy … [Read more...]

Summer Bridge students learned how to maneuver their way through AutoCAD by creating 3D light boxes in Mr. Codio's summer bridge program. Although many of them are just learning how to use the 3D design platform, they all picked up the demonstrations quickly. View below to see their amazing designs and process statements. Francisco Honorato~ Hi, my name is Francisco Honorato, and I'm an incoming freshman at WHSAD. In summer bridge we did a light box where we selected our favorite pictures and had to outline them. One thing I liked about this project is that we had to sketch our pictures. In my case it's a Pokémon named "Pichu". One thing I didn’t like was that there was a lot of steps. One of them was that we had to place the … [Read more...]

Last week, SYEP students visited Gilbane Building Company, that was established almost 150 years ago. After our regular commute to the offices, we had breakfast provided by the company. We were presented an agenda on what would we be learning at this trip, along with different staff members presentations and their positions at Glibane. After the staff wrapped up their presentations, they presented students with an assignment. For this project, the students were split into 5 groups. Each group had to make plans to create a building and students had to pick one of these building uses: Residential/Commercial/Mixed. Now although they didn't have to actually make a model, students had to include these details in their plans to have … [Read more...]

Last week, WHSAD SYEP students visited the offices of Sciame Construction LLC, a construction company that was established almost 50 years ago. After our usual commute to any trip, we headed into the building located on 14 Wall St. After heading up to the 2nd floor, we had breakfast provided by Sciame. While settling in, an employee by the name Martin Dellato handed everyone folders. The folders had an agenda of what presentations we would be hearing, a diagram that denotes the positions of people in the company, and many pictures and descriptions of projects the company has done. During the presentations, the workers showed us various projects that they have completed or will complete in the near future. But one project that stood … [Read more...]

A brief introduction to STV and some of its employees Last Thursday, WHSAD SYEP students visited the offices of STV INC. to investigate potential career options in the architecture and engineering fields. After settling in and eating the breakfast provided by STV, we were able to hear 6 presentations from employees at the firm. The presentations varied, from the interior of a building, plumbing issues, and preventing disasters that can occur inside or outside the building/site. Below are the employees names and their positions/roles: Lauren Alger: Sustainability/Civil Engineer​ - Works on how to use materials in the best way possible and works on how public places are maintained and looking at potential hazards. Breanna … [Read more...]

Students visit the firm to see what environment architects work in and ask questions regarding the workers' profession. Perkins Eastman is an architectural firm that has worked on many projects: from schools, skyscrapers, and cultural institutions. The firm is well known for its motto, "Human by Design," which according to their website and their explanation means "We believe design should have a positive impact on people's lives and the environment". Before the presentations and tour of the firm started, the firm was generous enough to provide food for the WHSAD SYEP students and staff! We started with presentations with workers and interns, and how they got to the architecture firm and their backgrounds. During the middle of … [Read more...]

Students visit the historical landmark as a part of the SYEP Salvadori Center program and learn more about the bridge's origin On Thursday 7, 2022, rising Sophomore's and Junior's visited the Brooklyn Bridge as a part of the SYEP Salvadori Center Program. This trip provided the students with a more in-depth view on the origins of the bridge. Along with the students, mentors, teachers, Mr. Andrew and his colleague Mr. Emiliano, who was the head of the tour, explained how parts of the bridge work together. While Mr. Emiliano was explaining the different parts of the bridge, students had to complete a packet with questions on the historical site. The students were able to interact with the historic site, while learning about the site. … [Read more...]

WHSAD students have enjoyed many opportunities to work with mentors from Gensler architecture firm. Receiving feedback from professionals in the industry provides students with insights about keeping work organized, the process of putting together their collected works, and how to diversify in order to provide future viewers with a wide scope of the students' interests and abilities. Thank you to the professionals from Gensler, Anne-Sophie Hall, Geoffrey Diamond, and Chasen Van Lang, for their knowledge, patience, and dedication. Below, a few students wrote about the experience and shared some of their work. Brandon Rosario-WHSAD Sophomore Today I met with three mentors from Gensler. They met with several WHSAD students from … [Read more...]

This year at WHSAD we started the film club with BRIC teaching artist, Grace Ann Leadbeater. We hoped to gain some knowledge about different aspects of film, and the skills required to create a quality piece. We ended up making four films: a mental health PSA, a series of interviews about the things that both stress and motivate people, a film about gender stereotypes, and two street interviews. We learned what makes a good film, how to handle a camera, why we use the equipment we do, and how all the different parts people play in a film combine together to make a piece. Check out all the films here: Below, students have written about each film and their experiences while making them. George Pinto “Street Interviews” The idea … [Read more...]

The process of the Makersville project: 1. Brainstorming-Using house designs from Halloween and Christmas house design projects, project manager, Lawrence Pierre along with his peers and Mr. Codio and Mr. Yetema began to envision a model town that has been years in the making.  Initially based off of Disneyland’s Magic Kingdom design, the final product illustrates how designs change considerably over the course of a process. After some discussion, the group shifted its ideas away from a utopian vision to a more realistic combination of rural, suburban, and urban landscapes. According to Lawrence, the most challenging aspects in this phase were the departure from the theme park idea and the initial orientation of landscape … [Read more...]