For the last three semesters I’ve had the pleasure of serving on the slice model jury for the Comprehensive Studio at CU Denver’s Architecture School. This semester the project was a black box theater at one of two locations in Denver. As part of the studio the students build a 1/2″ = 1′-0″ scale model of a slice through the building. The jury looks at each model to help the students with their ideas about structural and mechanical systems. On a highly technical project like a black box theater the discussion also involves discussion of how the design works as a theater.
My connection to the slice model jury is Chuck MacBride, one of the instructors. In addition to my attendance, I also brought along a couple of my experts, Dean Dalvit and Peter Lucking. Dean, in addition to being a great architect (and business partner) happens to have a mechanical engineering degree and designs many of our structural systems. Peter was the designer of the Ellie Caulkins Opera house and is a true theater expert. I worked for him on the Ellie and other theater projects at Semple Brown.
I’ve been thoroughly impressed by the work that I see in this studio and its a real credit to the instructors and CU Denver.
