Día 19

Espacio Público

Día 19 | 18 de septiembre

Giovanna explaining one of her students work to the jurors

Today I sat in on the midterm pin-up of a public spaces workshop by Professors, Carlos David Montoya, Giovanna Vittoria Spera and John Octavio Ortiz. Over the course of the week at UPB-Medellín it’s been interesting to see a group dynamic play out in all of the classes I’ve sat in on. It seems typical of the students to work in groups for their projects whether it be workshops (studio) or design classes. The quality of their work and their creativity rivals that of anything I’ve seen back in the states from a typical studio, the only difference is the wealth of information they’re able to bring to the table and the amount of exploration they can reach with their ideas; It goes without saying there’s strength in numbers, and it shows in their work.

Día 18

Urbanismo

Día 18 | 17 de septiembre

Urbanismo design class

Today I had a chance to sit in on Professor Calarines Duque Tello’s Urbanism design class where I had a chance to interview some students to gauge their reactions about the city and where they see themselves fitting into the future of Medellín. Between the 4 hour class, I had a chance to wander the halls and interview other Architects working at the school on research projects, more students and some professors I missed a chance to meet with earlier on in the week.

Día 16

Back to school

Día 16 | 15 de septiembre

Escuela de Arquitectura y Diseño

This week I’m back on the campus of UPB-Medellín. Today I met with a professor and Architect, Giovanna Vittoria Spera and sat in on a lecture of workshop projects from the previous year. The rest of my day was spent hammering out appointments to meet with professors and setting up times when I can sit in on some classes.

Día 4

Research

Día 4| 3 de Septiembre

Today I decided to change my plans from exploring more of Explora and the Jardin Botanico. Given my daily, morning email correspondence, I changed gears to venture out to the Universidad Pontificia de Bolivariana to formally meet and greet the director of the School of Architecture and Design, Samuel Ricardo Vélez Gonzalez.

Prior to this scholarship when Medellín was a growing interest, I learned while talking to a Colombian friend that UPB Medellín’s Architecture program is seen by many as the preeminent School of Architecture in the country, I knew reaching out to them for help during my stay was a must.

To my delight Samuel and the School of Architecture have extended open arms to my stay in Medellín and research of the city.

Overall, I will utilize UPB Medellín’s faculty and students to gauge the perspective of the city’s changes from the side of academia, while also utilizing their resources to gain a better overall knowledge of Medellín and the Antioquia Department.

Below, Research…

Medellín guestbook

Medellín origin, progress and development

History books, my notepad and my trusty high school dictionary

Medellín, 300 years of history, 1675-1975

Medellín