Case Study #2

Clemson Floor Collapse

In order to make a precise investigation on the floor  collapse, there needs to be  more information on the event. We need to examine the original plans (Specs), the occupancy limit, and what was the room used for. These factors will help us understand if the floor was able to resist the load applied during the party. There is also need to be an analysis of the structure and check for previous damages.

According to the case, the party was held in a meeting room. Is more likely that the load applied to the floor in the room was not meant to hold 30 people jumping around. I believe that the most of the responsibility falls on the owner for not enforcing the rules and regulations of the room.

-Luis A.

Case Study #1

As a professional working architect, your main responsibility is to make sure you protect the health, welfare, and safety of the public. As a licensed architect, your career is a risk if any of your staff and/or clients are put in any type of danger because of your malpractice. That’s why is very important to work under rules and regulations. In Case Study #1, the architect is being compromised by the construction’s superintendent work ethics. This person has been cheating on the cement content of the concrete to save some money on the construction. The problem is that it does not meet with the strength required by the specifications and by the local building code.

One of the problems of this case is that the owner is aware of the situation but doesn’t care if it saves him money. Another problem is that the architect now must decide on the situation. I believed that the architect should stop construction as soon as possible before anything happens. Then the owner, architect, and superintendent should meet and discuss the current situation to find a solution. At the same time, the architect should notify the DOB and report the case. Also, the contractor’s requisition should not be certified. It was clear that the contractor didn’t follow the specifications of the architect and the right materials weren’t used. In the case of an agreement to continue the job, all the structures involving the concrete should be redone with an additional inspector on-site.

My Dream Career

Luis Alava

Dream Career

When I was a kid, my favorite toys to play with were Lego blocks. I used to spend hours just exploring and building anything with those blocks. I felt free and happy just imagining all the possibilities I could create. As I was growing up, I learned that my father was an architect. At first, I didn’t understand what an architect did, but as time went by, I was intrigued by the drawings and the “real-life” construction work he was involved in. This was as exciting as playing with Lego blocks.

Then, in November of 1999, my family and I decided to start a new life here in New York City; I was 10 years old. As a kid, I managed to adjust accordingly to this new lifestyle. But unfortunately, my father’s case was not the same. As an architect not from the United States, my father had a horrible transition. He was no longer working in his field, and the change in language hit him the hardest.

Coming from a Spanish-speaking country, Ecuador, we had to learn a new language, a new culture and eventually new laws. My father had to work in factories and couldn’t practice his profession as he did in Ecuador. This change in life also changed my education and interests. I was no longer just interested in one thing, but instead, I found myself liking different areas of studies, such as; science, psychology, math, etc. Sadly, architecture was no longer a priority for me.

As time went by, I decided to study civil engineering. Unfortunately, it wasn’t my best interest. Instead, I ended up switching majors a few times, leaving school for a few years, and later come back in 2017 to finish my degree at City College in New York, in Bachelor of Science with a Psychology major. At this point, I was an adult still trying to figure out what to do with my life. Then, in the same year, I realized that I had neglected my original career path, just to explore different areas of study. So, in Fall 2017, I decided to enroll at the New York City College of Technology, in the Architectural Technology program. This was the only way to start from zero, a new career path, and become what I always wanted since I was a kid, a Licensed architect. City Tech has given me the tools and education needed to reach my goal. Semester by semester the professors and the education I had, has inspired me and made me more passionate about the profession.

As a 30-year-old man, my dream career has changed a few times. After going through many loops in life, I believed I am finally on the right path. After completing my degree at City Tech, my next step would be to work at an architecture firm and continue my education towards a Master of Architecture (M. Arch.). Then, after a few years of experience and some exams, I would apply for the architecture license and eventually work towards my goal of owning a firm. This dream career has been in my mind ever since I began playing with Legos, and even though the path has not always been straight, it is never too late to follow your dreams, especially if you know the dream is worth waiting for. The key is patience.