Appeal for Change of Topic

Maraming bagay ang nadadaan sa pakiusap. Kung ayaw mo, pwedeng umapela.

So I was all set. I had my topic approved. I submitted a letter to the Dean of College of Education to request a consultation regarding my thesis. She sent me to Ma'am Gomez, from the Department of Special Education. Before I went to see Ma'am Gomez, I was already having doubts on my topic (after some initial research in Educ Lib and too much googling.) When she said inclusion (children with disabilities are in the same classroom as those without disabilities) is what is now recommended in books, that made me decide not to pursue the topic. I mean, why would I design an architecture they're not gonna need anyway? It's not like I'm designing a table centerpiece.

The weekend before that meeting, I had, like I said, been googling too much. So I stumbled upon this site, which made my heart skip a beat! Eureka! I never had that feeling with my approved topic, the school for the multisensory impaired. I wasn't as happy and enthusiastic about it as I was in the thought (though it was just a thought then and I haven't even made a proposal) of creating something for the writers community, more specifically for the children's book writers and illustrators.  So I emailed the two names on the site requesting if they could be my client and blah blah blah. And gah, heart attack when the regional adviser replied just after about an hour or two!

Ito na 'yun eh. Architecture + Early Childhood Learning + Literature + Creative Industry. I got really excited by the thought. So a week after they approved of my "School for the Multisensory Impaired," I submitted another topic proposal:

Emergent Literacy: Mutable Spaces and Multi-site Architecture

Design Problem:
To design an effective learning space for children’s literacy development and a creative collaborative environment for writers, illustrators and other artists and professionals involved in children literature.

The research aims to know how to design an environment that will increase children’s interest in literature, to motivate them not only to read but recognize and appreciate the value of literature in their lives, to promote integrated literacy in early childhood learning, and to foster a creative collaborative environment and a vibrant community for the people behind the books these children read.

I went to my professor's office and submitted it, he approved it right after reading it and recommended some professionals who could help me, one from the Reading Education Area from Educ and the other from Child Psychology.

I had to admit that the idea was still sketchy in my mind. It wasn't clear exactly what it is I'm building, but I was sure what I'm going to do. So when asked, "What exactly are you building?" I didn't have a ready answer. I guess there's just no word for it yet.

Meeting with the Adviser # 2: Any questions?

So let's start with the expectations, do's and don'ts.

I didn't have any questions then so there wasn't much to say. But of course, what's an adviser without any advice. These aren't the exact words she said, but I'm sure you get the point.

1. Think of an interesting title.
2. Interview. Understand the protocols for dealing with the users of your project.
3. Solve the architectural problem, not the sociological.
4. Update. Know the past. History, you may not use it but it gives you a better perspective, and a good starting point.
5. There will come a point where you will say, "Ops, tama na! Hanggang dito lang ako." And that's important. Know your limitations.

Oh yes, one white chocolate mocha tall for Tix. Thanks, Ma'am! :)

Mistake #1: Close-mindedness

“The most fatal illusion is the settled point of view. Since life is growth and motion, a fixed point of view kills anybody who has one.”  ― Brooks Atkinson

I committed my first mistake by narrowing my thesis topic at the very beginning. I was sure I want to take something that would fall under Education and Early Childhood Learning.

The thing is, when I was writing the thesis proposals, the one thing on my mind was 'Kindergarten,' that Froebelian concept. So I went into proposing my three topics which fall on the same plane. See Topic Proposals.

There are so many things out there that needs some fixing, some illuminating or backing up. So I advise you, dear fellow architecture student, to OPEN YOUR MINDS and your eyes to these things. Of course your thesis should be of your interest, but don't close your mind from the other might-be-more-important-and-urgent things in need of your attention.

After all, we are here to save the world! Do what's necessary and do it first.

Meeting with the Adviser # 1: Expectations

I wasn't informed. Hence, my absence from the first adviser-advisee's meeting at Starbucks, Wack wack. No free coffee for me.

Thesis Topic Proposals

Topic Proposal 1: (Approved Topic)
School for the Multisensory Impaired
Design Problem
To design a learning space for children with physical disabilities so that “the blind could see, the deaf could hear and the mute could speak.”

The research aims to know how a learning environment could be best designed so that the physically-impaired can still utilize the space in a way that he or she is not limited by his or her impairment. It also aims to provide an effective learning space where optimal child development is enhanced and learning is at its best quality, which will provide the foundation for the development of skills and capacities they need in order to reach their individual potential.

But it should also be taken into consideration that when they leave the secured grounds of a school specifically designed to complement their physical disabilities, the world outside of it is not as secure.

Topic Proposal 2:
Home to School Transition Spaces: Children's Garden (Kindergarten) and Farmer's Field School

Design Problem
To design an effective learning environment for both the financially-disadvantaged parent and child where learning occurs side by side with parental involvement.

The research aims to know how the transition from home to school is best achieved through architecture for both the financially-disadvantaged child and their parent/s so that they that will have the foundation for the development of skills and capacities they need in order to reach their individual potential and make broader contribution to society. It also aims to provide an efficient learning environment for an improved parental involvement in children’s education and a healthy interchange of knowledge and skills between the adults and the children.

Topic Proposal 3:
Tabula Rasa: Rethinking the Early Childhood Learning Environment
Design Problem
To properly merge educational concepts relevant to this world with facilities that will support them.

Starting from early childhood care and education, we dismiss all notions of what is and replace them with what should be – a learning environment that encourages the child’s own independent process of self-development and critical inquiry.

Thesis 2013 THEME: Service-Oriented Architecture

So as the thesis faculty have decided, and "with the view that UP is the National University with the mandate to serve the nation and not merely be a teaching institution, thesis topics must not serve only the interest of the few or of business but must truly serve the Filipino people."

The Requirements:

Inspiration: John Hardy's Green School

I have watched this TED Talks. John Hardy: My green school dream about a year ago, with my roommates. The bamboo buildings, the school activities and John Hardy's passion are just so wonderful, we all got inspired by this Green School in Bali.

Bali reminds me of the Philippine provinces for its greenery, landscape and open spaces. It is saddening, that while we have the same potential of turning our environment into this, efforts coming to fruition like Hardy's are nonexistent here. But it also makes me hopeful and I keep my faith for a positive change in our country!

And as Ric O'Barry said, "Social change comes from individual passion."

Managing O'clock

(Pardon the quality of my phone cam pictures)
Schedule 1st semester A.Y 2012-2013
Green: THESIS WORK. Blue: OFFICE WORK. Orange: STRUCTURAL CLASS. Pink: PRIVATE TUTORIALS

To start of, and to keep my direction focused, I made a schedule that would guide my days in the next three months or less. (I like organizing and planning though most of the time, they don't happen.)

Green. Most of my time, of course, shall be spent on my great undertaking, that is, my thesis.

Blue. Next to take my time is my internship at D.A Silvestre & Associates, taking baby steps towards my license to build.

Orange. And aside from thesis, I am taking Arch173: Architectural Structures V: Concrete Structures. Uhm. Yeah. Need I say more?

Pink. My math tutee since August 2011 is still taking lessons with me at some afternoons after her class, or my class. Last year, the subject was second year Algebra. This year, it's third year Geometry. Though it's frustrating sometimes, nothing beats the feeling of being able to make her understand and making it stick.

The shaded time slots in green, blue, orange and pink are more or less fixed in my schedule. Those unshaded are the times I would assume I will be prone to either distractions or idleness. I would like to save them by jogging, reading a book or writing, depending on my mood. But Sunday late mornings would allow both idleness and distractions, but to rest would be best.

About Life Blueprinted

Oh no, no more drama this time...

I made this blog, the "Life Blueprinted" in order to document my last year in college, not because it is my last year but because this is 'Thesis Year' and that means doing something great, something meaningful, something worthwhile, something that would live forever, be it on paper or beyond it.

Opposite of my other blog, "Some Things Happen on a Whim," where I have written stories touching on the dangerous instability of my whims, this blog aims to live a 'masterplanned life' wherein whims are to be controlled, direction focused and distraction eliminated. Simply said, it would be a big leap from whim to will.

Yes, enough of the depressing posts. No more drama this time. Life is wonderful!

This would be a very GREAT year indeed! :)