Spotlight on the Arts: Veronica Merril, Architecture

Are you an incoming or prospective student with a passion for the visual and/or performing arts? Then this is the week for you! Every day we will be featuring a guest blogger, each with a unique story to share about the thriving artistic communities at UVA. Our seventh guest is Veronica Merril, a fourth-year student in the School of Architecture!

 

“Oh wow, you’re in the ‘A School?’ I hear it’s really hard… do you even sleep?”

There are many specific terms and common sayings at UVA that incoming first years will learn throughout their time in college. For example, campus ‘must’ be called Grounds, O’Hill is a dining hall, and the Rotunda is often referred to as “Tundy.” Unfortunately, in a similar way, sometimes the term ‘architecture school students’ is seen as synonymous with the word ‘zombie’ or ‘sleep deprived.’

 

When I arrived at UVA, this was an off-putting reputation. Walking around grounds, I felt like every time I mentioned that I was in the A School (architecture school), people would widen their eyes and say “oh.”

 

It wasn’t that people didn't like A Schoolers, it was that they didn’t really understand what went on in the A School’s Campbell Hall. They had heard stories about long studio hours and difficult reviews. However, I am here to tell you what being in the A School as a first year is really like. Hopefully I will show another side of the A School and let you know about our supportive community, meaningful courses, interesting projects, and more.

Veronica with her first year, first semester studio group.

 

The architecture school offers three majors: Architecture, Architectural History, and Urban Planning. Within these three majors there are different options for your course work including Design Thinking for Architecture, Pre- Professional Architecture, Historic Preservation for Architectural History, and so on.

 

All incoming students are placed in a common curriculum their first year of study and later choose their major. The common classes include two architectural history classes, an introduction to urban planning course, a school of architecture seminar/discussion course, an introductory studio course, and a course that teaches the principles of design in general. These classes are interesting and intellectually challenging which is a great combination. For more information on the specifics of this program, check out the UVA School of Architecture website! There is also information for transfer students and students at UVA looking to transfer into the A School.

 Veronica works on a studio project during her first year.

As you progress through the first year common curriculum, you will be introduced to a variety of disciplines and by the end of the year you will be able to choose your major! I chose Architectural History because I felt that I wanted to learn more about different systems in the built environment and the way that different cultures and societies interact with these systems. For me, out of all the classes I took my first year, the architectural history courses stood out to me as meaningful and well-rounded, and I found myself wanting to learn more about the manifestations of different philosophies within our cities and structures. My friends who are majoring in urban planning and architecture in the A School found their studio or planning courses to be the most fulfilling. The wonderful thing about this common curriculum is that it introduces you to various subjects and you are able to choose your path, empowered by the experience of your courses! Regardless of your choice, there is a great education to be had in all the majors.

One aspect of the A School that I love is that most courses are open to all students. Additionally, students are encouraged to take courses in other schools at UVA like the College of Arts and Sciences. Having options to explore subjects outside of the A School is really nice and something pretty unique to the UVA Architecture School because many other architecture schools require students to exclusively take architecture classes. In doing this, the UVA Architecture school allows students to be well rounded individuals who in turn are better architects, historians, and planners. Go UVA!

A first-year studio desk in the Architecture School.

As you begin your time in the A School, the core classes will teach you more than just the history of Rome or how to draw. Though you will learn important basic skills and knowledge like sketching, pillars of design and history, and how to use an architectural scale, you will also be introduced to a culture of comradery, excellence, and support. Your courses in history will show you the untold stories of oppression in the built environment and you will learn from professors who tell a multifaceted story about our world. Your professors will expect you to produce the best work that you as an individual can create- inspiring you to think beyond your designs in studio courses. In urban planning, you will learn about what makes a city great, who cities have been designed for, and the intricacies of cities in a changing world. There is so much to learn and while it can be stressful at times, the community in the architecture school, whether it be peers, faculty, or staff, will always be there to support you. 

In studio courses, which usually meet 2 or 3 times a week, professors will take the time to individually meet with each student, thinking through their designs and discussing their projects. This relationship with incredible faculty is hard to replicate and a truly special experience that is unique to A School. This relationship building begins first year in the introductory studio class and lasts throughout your time at UVA. Though your instructors will change, many students remain close with their studio professors and see them as mentors throughout their time in school and beyond.

Veronica and her project partner, Genesis, created this sculpture out of recycled dining hall cans from UVA's recycling plant for their first-year studio class.

 So, what is a studio class? Studio is when students, typically majoring in architecture, though there are urban planning and history ‘studio courses,’ meet for class 2-3 times a week for around 4 hours a day. These courses are usually structured around a semester-long design project. Typically, studios have small numbers of students, allowing them to work closely with the professor leading their studio group. During the four hour classes, students are asked to work on their projects, meet with their professor or another mentor from the A School, work in the fabrication lab, or attend lectures that their professor has arranged. Often, students have to work on their projects outside of this studio class because projects will require students to build different types of architectural models or complete advanced renderings and 3D computer models. Though this work takes a lot of time, when I talk to my friends in studio classes, they are all invigorated by their work as their projects often work towards the goal of improving our world. Professors tailor studio classes to inspire students and it is clear at the end of the semester when students participate in ‘reviews,’ they have become really invested in and excited by their work. Just to let you know, ‘reviews’ happen at the end of the semester when you present your work to a panel of professors and architects who come to UVA to critique your work. These are often a little nerve wracking at first but are great practice for public speaking and learning how to express your ideas verbally. Also, your peers are always with you, sitting behind the panel and cheering you on! These reviews are usually filled with support from your friends, professors, and TA’s and are a wonderful way to conclude the semester.

 

One of the most incredible times at the architecture school is a time called ‘charette’ when everyone in the school is finishing their studio projects for the semester. Though many people spend long hours perfecting their work, the Architecture School Student Council brings food and coffee to the school and everyone is working alongside each other, encouraging their neighbors and commiserating at the same time. This studio culture of support is unique to the architecture school and a wonderful part of many students' time at UVA. While it's true that studio courses require many hours of work, it is rare that students pull all-nighters. Though A-Schoolers are very busy during the day and spend hours in studio classes, often working into the night, it seems to me that other students outside of the A School pull all-nighters more than Architecture School students…!

Veronica poses with her work during a final review.

 

There are many other incredible classes offered by the A School. As an architectural history major concentrating in historic preservation, many of my courses are hands-on, like field methods. In the class, we visit historic buildings and document them through 3D scanning, and drawings. We also learn about construction methods and materials and participate in demonstrations like learning how to lay bricks! I particularly loved conducting archival research on a building we were assessing because I learned about its hidden history through piecing together clues from the UVA Special Collections library. Then, I visited the building and was able to understand the structure in a more complete way.

 

Speaking of Special Collections, another course that I loved was a course called ‘Evidence and Archives,’ where we were tasked with exploring UVA Special Collections, the Charlottesville Deeds Office, Charlottesville Historical Society, and other collections to learn about the African American history in Charlottesville. Being able to handle materials from the 1800s and study the handwriting of individuals from the past is such an intimate and eye-opening experience. I am so thankful that I am able to attend a school like UVA in a town like Charlottesville where these records are accessible to all. Additionally, professors like Louis Nelson and Andrew Johnston attempt to ensure that the way we are learning history is not exploitative and we are understanding the full scope of the field. Our architectural history program is truly excellent (as are our architecture and urban planning programs!).

 

Finally, I want to make it clear that entering college is difficult. Especially in the era of Covid-19, the experience of students entering the architecture program will be different. My main advice to incoming and transfer students is to be kind to yourself and know that no matter what happens or how stressful this experience will be, there are students around you who are here to support you. So lean into your community when you need to! The professors at UVA truly want to see you succeed and will help you adjust through this period. I know that I speak for many at UVA when I say my ‘inbox’ is always open and please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions regarding A School or the arts at UVA in general!

Blog by Veronica Merril, a fourth-year student at the University of Virginia. Contact her at vrm4bs@virginia.edu with any questions or curiosities about studio art at UVA!