i visited the Cathedral of Christ the Light (click on photos in the gallery on the left of the page) a few weeks back to hear the architect from SOM tell about the project. it’s the first time i’ve gone to a lecture about a building in the building and it really got me thinking about what a different experience that was. rather than show photos of the 4 stories of wooden slats, he just pointed to them. when he spoke of the white light panels at the entrance and the ceiling, we turned around to see them. and when we told of the story of the relief sculpture of Jesus 2 stories high at the front and center of the room, He (as in Jesus) was already looking right at us. unfortunately, it was also night… which made any mention of warm, indirect lighting, or sunlight patterns painted on the floor an architectural taunt.

i think my critique of the space was the most authentic it could be. i wasn’t visiting the building later and trying to recall his spoken intent. no, i was there process as he was communicated. it truly was a unique situation and one i hope to replicate as often as i can.

if ever you’re in the bay area and i’m not enough excuse for you already, or are around but want an architecture immersion, let me know. i have an phenomenal place in mind for us to explore.

i get this question a lot. it’s the natural result of being a new person… i get asked the most basic of questions over and over again. and the benefit of the exercise is i’ve had countless opportunities to practice my response. the ironic thing, i still cannot figure out how to answer.

‘well,’ i hesitatingly begin,
‘i’m an architect by education,’ immediate eye brow raise and two points for me.
yes, it is the perk of being a student of architecture… i’m automatically assumed to have a high income, high profile, and high intelligence.
i’ll let you in on a secret, though… none of the above are true.
but can i let you in on another secret? i probably shouldn’t even call myself an architect, as i don’t even have autocad on my computer… which as all newly minted architecture students know, is our only purpose is life.

‘but, now i’m working as a sustainability adviser,’ continuing my explanation.

here’s the next problem, most people back at home didn’t even know what sustainability is, much less how to advise in it. at least here, the word ’sustainability’ has crossed their eyes a couple of times and i get slightly less ‘deer-in-headlight’ gazes.

i attempt to explain… ‘i help architects, engineers, owners, and developers manage and design more efficient buildings. buildings consume 60% of the energy we use and if we can do it in a more responsible, productive, and efficient way, all of us benefit. building sustainably doesn’t have to cost more but rather makes money, and usually, results in much more wonderful spaces to live/work in.’

‘hmmm,’ they usually respond.

‘really, we’re just trying to save the planet,’ i usually succumb to the fru-fru answer that makes even me uncomfortable.

‘oh, i see,’ they conclude. ‘well san francisco is a great place to do it!’

‘that’s why i’ve come,’ i conclude in a way that’s sarcastic to me, but genuine to them. and the dialog concludes.

but really sustainability? what does that really mean? and ‘saving the planet’? come on, that seems a little out there, a little arrogant. both are a lot bigger than we can understand. it’s not creating buildings/organizations which use less materials, energy, and waste. it’s actually creating places and organizations which produce more energy than they use… places that bring life, that regenerate, that leave a area better than it was before they were there.

‘is that possible?’ you now ask.

i think so. i really think so. someday, i hope to see out how. in fact, i might be spending all of my ‘someday’s learning how to do it. and that, i don’t believe is a fru-fru answer. i’ll try keep you updated on my process. but for now, i’m going to figure out what exactly it is that i do and how to explain it better.

<a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/jillmarie/1581080458/” title=”Brightworks Team [portland, or] by jillmarie, on Flickr”><img src=”http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2251/1581080458_9d8d9f394c_o.jpg” width=”356″ height=”504″ alt=”Brightworks Team [portland, or]” /></a>

brightworks:
jessica [sitting second from left] & i [on bench] with the portland group [everyone else]
with our projects in the background

cross it off of my list of things to do in life.
been there, done that; i’ve seen the taj mahal.
what did i think? you may ask.
overrated. i would reply.
i know that sounds arrogant, it’s one of the world’s seven wonders.
yes, it’s beautiful. it’s a brilliant white marble tomb.
the finest example of mughal architecture,
combining elements of persian, turkish, indian, and islamic architctural styles.
it’s carefully crafted details, standing majestically in front of the blue sky.
but still overrated.
one of the earth’s modern wonders?
come on now.

maybe i was tainted by the city of agra…
45% of the city involved in tourism. money can corrupt a place.
i was getting fired up at our taxi driver as he kept taking us to see local ‘art forms.’
a.k.a. over-priced stores in hopes of getting a kick-back.
my dad had to cool me down.
thankfully, i didn’t have a t-square in my hand. [see why here]

maybe it was because i was sick…
yes. i got the stomach bug again.
fever, headache, bathroom breaks, the whole bit.
i had no choice, i had to use the tap water to brush my teeth.
i think i should have opted for the bad breath.

maybe it was because this isn’t the india i love…
tourists everywhere in their mini skirts and short shorts.
put some clothes on! i wanted to say. we don’t dress like that here.

this isn’t india, i wished i could explain to them…
meet the people in the villages or sit around a fire as they play the jimbay.
find food for 1/5 the price you are paying and 5 times as good.
drink a chai with the locals in the morning and make chapatis with the women for dinner.
visit the fish markets as the catch comes in and hike in the himalayas.
this building, this place, this isn’t india.
but as you see in from the outside, that’s all you know of this country.
you come to take your photo in front it’s white mass.
you return to your home with a sense of accomplishment,
but you’re not much different from when you left.
see the india i’ve seen and see if you can leave the same way you came.
try to love the way you did before, give the way you did, live the way you did.
not possible.

bill clinton once said,
there are only two kinds of people in the world,
those who have seen the taj mahal and those who haven’t.
maybe.
or maybe not