Finish

 I am now wrapping up my project. After finishing my research last week, I started my presentation. It really taught me so much about my learning style and research in general. So, I have decided to share my experience here.

 What was my favorite part of my topic?
I have always had an interest in architecture. The art of designing a space for both functionality and visual enjoyment. I especially love the works of Renzo Piano and Philip Johnson. Their stunning works of steel and glass were what led me into design in the first place. I really loved working on spaces that took their influence, but adding my personal flair really let me open up and turn the project into passion.

 What was my least favorite part of my topic?
Like all art, in architecture, you can not do what has already been done. Looking at hundreds upon hundreds of city skylines led to a good outcome, but the time was definitely tiring.

 What did I like best about the 'genius hour' project?
I love the concept of genius hour. A project allowing students to work on whatever they choose, providing a productive outcome, gives a professional feel to the classroom similar to if I were at a firm, allowed to create whatever I want, not knowing if it will please the client or not.

 What did I like least about the project?
Although I did like the professional feel to the research, a professional deadline is not one of my favorite things. While the project was fun, I feel it was cut very short by both the deadline given and the end of the school year. My only suggestion about the project is that maybe next year it would be given at the beginning of the year and students would be allowed to work whenever they choose, allowing for much deeper research and an amazing presentation at the end of the year.

 What have I learned about myself these past four weeks?
I am a very curious person. When I set my mind to something, I could quite possibly learn anything and everything there is to know about it, allowed the time and will. Sometimes I let this take over me, not taking the time to write blog entries until the last day or putting off well-earned sleep for a few good hours of research. 

Wow

 So, as a natural optimist, I have to say this is doing quite well. I have gotten most of my space sorted out, and even found space for a bathroom in my large (almost excessive) closet. I'm still trying to keep building costs low, but in the right building, my apartments could go for as low as $1500 a month, while keeping to the NY studio style. 

Prices. Ridiculous.

 So, I recently looked at the average apartment prices in my 3 cities. The results are quite startling. 

Dallas -              Approx. $900 per month

San Francisco -   Approx. $3000 per month

New York -         Approx. $3500 per month

 Those prices may seem a bit high. That's simply because they are. Let me put this into perspective...

A 2015 Lamborghini Huracan (Pictured below) costs $237,250 at base. Living in Dallas at $900 every month, you could buy the car in 22 years. Now, that doesnt seem like much, but $900 per month can get you a lot of nice cars, on the average 5 year plan. But it gets better. Living in San Fransico, or paying $3000 every month, can get you the Lambo in 6.5 years. And lastly, living in New York, paying the $3500 every month can have you paying off your new Huracan in 5 years.

 Now, of course, if you're only an up-and-coming artist looking for a place to stay in your new city, you probably can't (and don't want to) pay for the Lamborghini. That's where I would like to make a difference, changing your rent from 5 year Lambo down to at least $1500 a month. So, let's get going.

Start

 The author Veronica Rossi once wrote, "How do you restart something that had never been turned off?" That is a perfect introduction into my first challenge. How can I change the architecture of our houses if I can't change our idea of a home? So I will.

 I decided to start with the basics and a good foundation. If I want to change housing, I need to start in the same place as many others, the apartment. The idea of an apartment is that you rent a small space to live until you can get a house of your own. So, why not change that? My dream is that someday an apartment could be just as cachet as a nice 2 story suburban home.

 So, for my project, I have selected 3 major U.S. cities to design a newer, more efficient apartment for. Number one, New York City, because of its importance as a major social and economic center. Two, San Fransisco, because of its cultural diversity and proximity to nice beaches, plus Los Angeles it TOTALLY overrated. And last, Dallas, because it's just a cool city.

 Looking at previous attempts by former mayors and their lousy city planners, all 3 cities have the same 3 issues with housing, space, construction budget, and long term affordability. So, my task is simple, design a cheap, 1 bedroom apartment that maximizes on space and equity.

Breaking Down My Question

Where should we live?

Where is where?
  Where could be a location. It could be specific as a planet, continent, country, state, city, or even suburb. It could also mean housing. Should we live in houses under the ocean or on another planet? Let's find out.

Who is we?
   We is everyone. We is you, we is him, we is her, we is they. We is anyone and everyone who wants better living. We will find out the answer to this question. We is me. 

What is live?
   Living is having fun and getting stuff done. I do not want to find out where we can survive, I want to know where we can live. I want fun, I want sports, shopping, concerts.

So join me on this adventure to find our home. Join us as we search for the perfect place to live. Join the We.