On Monday, May 3rd WHSAD’s Makerspace students and interns learned about the award winning design firm IKON 5 architects. IKON 5 was formed back in 2003 and over 80% of their projects are for higher education clients all around the United States. During this presentation Arvind Tikku, managing Principal of IKON 5 architects, Joseph Tattoni, Design Principal of IKON5 , and Harjit Jaiwal, marketing director, gave us an overview of understanding of IKON 5, the process to be hired for designs services, and the design process. Mr. Tikku said “there's a very important” aspect to architecture: winning the job. IKON 5 architects is located in Princeton, New Jersey and New York, New York. Each one of their projects has a designated staff from … [Read more...]
The Column
Archived here is every article written for WHSAD's student run newspaper, The Column.
WHSAD Students Reflect on and Set Goals for The Tompkinsville Esplanade Project
At WHSAD, students have the opportunity to participate and learn from numerous partnerships and projects. An example of such a partnership is the Tompkinsville Esplanade project, which has been developed over the last few months by students. At the beginning of the project, students were given a simple overview and goal of the project to develop a design concept that would fit the needs of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC). They turned this information into a vision and presented the idea to stakeholders at the midterm. They received feedback in response to the presentation and updated their project accordingly. The second presentation of the project's progress was held on Wednesday, April 21st. In attendance were … [Read more...]
Brooklyn Borough President Candidates, Khari Edwards and Antonio Reynoso
Disclaimer: This is not an endorsement of any candidate. Mr. Edwards and Mr. Reynoso were the candidates who responded for an interview. As summer approaches, thoughts about the last election start to fade and the thoughts of the next election creep closer. On June 22nd, the primary for the Brooklyn borough president will take place. Once the borough president is elected, the candidate will have to take on many tasks to fulfill their position. Some include advising the Mayor of New York City, appointing officials and community board members, and focusing on borough needs while working with the annual budget (which reaches just above $100 million). As of now, 13 candidates have opened campaigns and joined the race for the “by far … [Read more...]
The Pilecki Project-Witold Pilecki’s Great-Grandson Speaks to the Group
On Saturday, April 24th, WHSAD had a meeting with the creators of The Pilecki Project, a project about the life of Witold Pilecki, a Polish resistance leader and fighter who volunteered to go to Auschwitz, one of the worst Nazi concentration camps. Pilecki worked undercover to recruit people for his resistance group. The Pilecki Project enables students to interact, communicate, organize, and realize projects with one another while learning about Mr. Pilecki and how his story inspires people to this day. Click here to visit the Pilecki Project website. Each of WHSAD's participants answered the following questions about the presentation: Can you talk a bit about what you've done in the Pilecki Project? What did … [Read more...]
RAMSA Pre-Mentorship Program Session III: On-Site Virtual Visit with Michael McGrattan
During RAMSA session three, the focus point of the presentation was teaching students and listeners about conceptual design, final design and the construction process. Along with these three main topics the speaker Mr. Michael McGrattan (photo to the right) also explained how to conduct yourself while surveying construction sites. While presenting, Mr. McGrattan used one of his current projects, which is located on 150 East 78th Street and is in the process of being built, as an example of the building process and as an example of what a construction site looks like along with how to act while on site. Many students attended the RAMSA program and had different perspectives and opinions of session three, and below, three students gave … [Read more...]
Holocaust Survivor Ruth Gruener Speaks to WHSAD
Ruth Gruener is a Holocaust Survivor. She has lived through Soviet occupation and Nazi Rule, spending 8 months inside a cramped closet space to survive the latter. Through Project Witness, a Holocaust education and resource center, we were able to hear Ruth speak once again. Ruth began by retelling her story, recalling her feelings of loneliness, fear and gratitude for having survived such a calamitous event. She managed to endure isolation by telling herself stories and talking to God. “I felt that God was my friend, why not talk to God, ” she said, as she didn’t have anyone else. Ruth was often left alone and ignored in the Schziggle household, the Polish Christian family that braved the risk of hiding her. As Ruth puts it, “I … [Read more...]
Freshmen Fundamentals of Architecture and Design Class
This article is an overview of the Architecture and Design class for freshmen. Below teachers, Mr. Geringer and Mr. Rodriguez talk about what the class will be like for incoming freshmen and what to expect. Who are you? My name is Ira Geringer, and I am one of the freshmen architecture & design teachers at WHSAD. After a long career as a professional in the graphic design industry, I became a CTE teacher and aim to develop the design skills and creative thinking process of all of our students. My name is Abraham Rodriguez. I am a career and technical educator with a strong passion for design, technology, and sustainability. Through computer-aided design and work-based learning, I facilitate students' learning experiences to … [Read more...]
Interview with RAMSA Architects, Nadeen Safa and Taylor Brophy
On April 20th, two of WHSAD’s journalists, Kevin Garcia and Amelia Velez, had an interview with two RAMSA speakers Taylor Brophy and Nadeen Safa. Nadeen and Taylor both work as Architectural Designers at Robert A.M. Stern Architects, located in New York City. They both have been designers at RAMSA for about three years now. Ms. Brophy works in RAMSA’s institutional studio, where her focus is mainly on projects for universities ranging from residential dorms to student centers. Taylor’s most recent project was to design the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art for the University of Notre Dame. She attended the University of Miami and interned at Cure & Penabad Architects along with Chipman Design Architecture firm. Nadeen Safa is a Yale … [Read more...]
WHSAD’s Battery Park City Project
Battery Park City is situated on the southwest part Manhattan Island. This 25-acre park in Battery Park City, as well as the entire community, has been managed by Battery Park City Authority since 1968, transforming the area from a feeble state to today's thriving community. A problem has recently arisen regarding the current map of Battery Park City: the issue revolving around its relative lack of detail. Battery Park City Authority, as expected, acquired the job of editing and improving the map. This is where the Battery Park City project started. Permit Associate John Sherzai, a WHSAD alumnus, contacted WHSAD in hopes of developing a partnership for students to assemble the drawings as a work project. Through the completion of this … [Read more...]
WHSAD and Robert A.M. Stern Architects Pre-Mentorship Program-Sessions 1 and 2
This year WHSAD students have had the opportunity to participate in RAMSA’s pre-mentorship program. RAMSA, which stands for Robert A.M.Stern Architects, is a 265 person firm that consists of architects, interior designers, and landscape architects. Founded by Robert Arthur Morton Stern, RAMSA is a fifty-year old firm. In the first session, WHSAD students learned about the day in the life of a RAMSA’s architects, interior designers, and landscape architects. During this day, students remotely participated in a design exercise. In the second session, WHSAD students had a portfolio workshop in which they learned about developing a comprehensive and convincing portfolio. During the first session of RAMSA we focused on what creates the … [Read more...]