There are several wonderful opportunities for the CBF to fund in a robust way projects that are student oriented and that would celebrate the CBF’s contributions to all students of the Architecture Department. I am including some initiatives that I would like the CBF to support.

1) Student Assistants APPROVED

The Group II Funds have provided tremendous support for change to existing facilities, and in particular to the design studios; however, the University did not authorize the use of these funds to hire students to assemble studio furniture. The CBF will provide this support for the student workers. (The Department compensated architectural students who built most of the furniture received prior to the Winter Quarter.)

Est. $5,000

2) Josef Kasperovich APPROVED

The CBF could provide support to continue to offer ARCH 367 and ARCH 340 (under Josef Kasperovich). The two classes are complementary and offer students a unique perspective on photography. Student interest remains steady for the courses however budgetary constraints have, in the past, prevented the offering. Support for this course will bring Kasperovich’s knowledge and expertise into the classroom.

Est. $8,000

3) Interdisciplinary Studio APPROVED

The fourth year interdisciplinary studio is in its second phase of development. Professors Jim Doerfler, Kevin Dong, and Tom Fowler have created a studio that bridges architecture and architectural engineering. The work produced by the studio last year was of a very high caliber and the participating students were thrilled by the learning outcomes. In addition, a team of student participants received an honorable mention in the International ACSA/AISC Steel Competition. Support for this studio will allow for field trips, professional workshops, lecturers, etc.

Est. $7,000

4) Teaching Assistants APPROVED

A number of digital technologies have been secured to enhance student learning experiences. Student assistants are needed to work with faculty to teach the operational basics for the various machines. (Funding for 40 hours a week to be divided among 3 to 4 TAs for 10 weeks at $12/hour.)

Est. $4,800

5) 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year Field Trips

Off-campus field trips are memorable experiences for students. While faculty members do offer field trips in some design studios a tradition was started by founding Dean Hasslein to travel collectively to Los Angeles and San Francisco to visit offices and their creative work. While this is no longer an official part of the College’s agenda the inspiration offered by these trips has not diminished. Travel sponsored by the CBF could allow 3 – 4 trips per year thus allowing a cohort of students to travel to a metropolitan area (perhaps 160 students per quarter).

Est. $3,000 per trip

6) CBF Lecture Series APPROVED

The College has built a considerable reputation on the Hearst Lecture Series, which is in many ways the envy of west coast architectural institutions. Last year the department sponsored a parallel lecture by renowned photographer Julius Shulman. The lecture was a tremendous success and Mr. Shulman is willing to return to Cal Poly and participate in a thematic series with two other speakers. This three part series would focus on the specific issue of seeing through the lens of a photographer, an architect and an artist. CBF support would allow for these parallel lectures and would also publicly highlight the significant contributions the CBF makes.

Est. $1,500 per lecture

7) Exhibitions APPROVED

The Hearst Lecture Series (and potentially the CBF Lecture Series) provide a strong presence for the architecture department within the CAED; however, there is a significant missing link in the department’s public outreach: a permanent exhibition series. In the past, space considerations made it difficult for the department to host these events; however the sponsorship of renovations to the Fishbowl, creating a more permanent exhibition and review space will make this possible.

The show "Fabrications" will travel to the department from Chicago in spring 2009. “Fabrications” brings seven models of important architectural projects constructed by students over several years. Models included in the show are:
Perspective Machine by Albrecht Durer (1523); Brion-Vega Cemetery in San Vito d’Altivole, Italy (1970-72) by Carlo Scarpa; La Chiesa de San Giovanni Battista – La Chiesa dell’autostrada del Sole in Florence, Italy (1960-64) by Giovanni Michelucci; Cathedral a Theoretical project (1997), the Bye House (Wall House 2) in Connecticut (1973), and Christ Chapel a theoretical project (1996) by John Hedjuk; and the Monastery of Sainte-Marie de la Tourette in Eveux-sur-Arbresle, France (1956-60) by Le Corbusier.

The CBF could be recognized as a sponsor of this show and several others over the next years.

Est. $2,800 (current show)

8) Workshops

A variety of workshops have been offered for students in recent years. Proactive faculty members have used their connections to bring workshops on technology and computer programs, and workshops on Rome, the Body Tectonics and portfolio development were all well attended. There are many opportunities to expand our offerings and enhance our curriculum through workshops and the CBF could be instrumental in helping achieve this goal.

Est. $1,500 per workshop

9) Super Reviews

The size of the Department (probably the largest in architecture in the country) does not allow a holistic review of the talents of our students and the teaching methodologies of the faculty. A ‘super review’ of 3rd year was initiated at the end of Spring Quarter two years ago. This review featured a selected number of projects – a 'snapshot’ of the entire year. This year, the Winter Quarter super review will be in its third iteration. It has become an event that elevates the architectural discourse with faculty and outside reviewers. It is an intense day and allows an assessment of the learning outcomes of the design year. In addition, students welcome the additional level of scrutiny and the students, faculty and reviewers (generally alumni and professionals from LA and the Bay area) interact at a very high level.

In Spring 2008 second year initiated a similar holistic all school show and there is momentum for annual super reviews to become a tradition. The Department sponsored the 2007 and 2008 super reviews (second and third year).

Est. $3,000 per review

10) Archives Room APPROVED

At long last a room has been secured (05-306A) where faculty can store and showcase student work. The present accreditation room is being purged of some student projects while other projects, the best representations of the architecture department, are being maintained. To bring the space to the level necessary to appropriately archive student work the room needs attention. Simple and quick alternatives for shelving, as well as a desk and chair to facilitate storage of computer archives are being investigated. It is imperative that this room is fully functioning for the upcoming NAAB visit.

Est. $2,500-3,000

11) Department Design Studio Improvements APPROVED

The Department has earmarked an estimated total of $650,000 through Group II funds to provide long overdue improvements in the facilities of the department. These changes directly benefit all of our students.

Unfortunately the University has set a temporary freeze on funding improvements. Prof. Bruno Giberti has been charged with this important project and has outlined the projects which need CBF support to complete. The items are as follow:

The highest priorities are Minis and peripherals to accompany the already purchased and delivered LCDs ($33,798).

NOTE: Request that the funds are paid by the CBF, and when the freeze is removed, the department will have an additional $52,219 to continue necessary (additional) improvements on the overall facilities of the design studios.

Est. $52,219 to finish the planned purchases.