23

This sign greets me in the undergraduate studios.  No fun.  A uplifting sight.  The first hour of introduction includes no less than 23 versions of "difficult."  My professors emphasize how intensive the next four weeks will be, and the TAs reiterate how architects are an oxymoron: they have no lives and their lives are architecture.

In general the day was not too work intensive.  Much of the organization and administrative stuff was taken care of -computer issues, studio setup, tour of the hall, introductions, and an overview of the next week.  By next Saturday I will have my first crit, as well as a scale model of a famous building that I will have to bring around Charlottesville and take pictures with.  It is, as far as they are concerned, the only important thing in my life.  They've already planned a weekend getaway for us and our models to Fallingwater.  Class runs 6 days a week with half days on Sunday.  Studio runs late, into the early mornings.  I hope I like architecture as much as I think I do.

There are 22 of us total, about half landscape and half architecture, but they emphasize that these disciplines are blended.  Matthew Jull, a former employee of OAM and geo-physicist intimidatingly covers the first week of model making, sketching, hiking, visualizing, thinking, and so on.  

My peers are all kind and very intelligent, many of them having already worked in their fields and have some years on me.  But we're in this together, and they make sure we know that.  

I don't have too much to report on a deeper level, since we didn't start critical theory or hands on work.  The day began at 9 and went till about 5.  At 5 the TAs took us around Downtown Charlottesville where we enjoyed some live music and eventually go dinner.  I got back shortly after 9, and then got ready for my next day.  A 7 am hike up the Blue Ridge Mountain Trail, then class in the afternoon and studio work after that.  

Also Phoenix and the xx are playing free concerts in the fall so that's pretty sweet.