return
to life in sf
Being from the City myself I saw the program as a good
opportunity to learn and work at home. In those years
I have not seen or appreciated all the wonders this metropolis
has to offer. The San Francisco Urban Design Internship
exposes students to the professional world of architecture,
from working with the Planning Department to the arch
itectural gems that grace the city. Being In the City
also allows students to enjoy the many lectures, museums,
art galleries, restaurants, and cultural activities that
make up the San Francisco experience. Now I know why San
Francisco affords such high accolades from locals, visitors
and tourists.
During the first two weeks of the Urban Design Internship,
Professor Sandy Miller takes the class on sketching field
trips through the city. With Sandy in the lead, the students
have to be prepared to walk, run and jay walk their way
through busy streets and oncoming traffic to catch up
with her. On these excursions, we have seen many public
spaces such as Levi Plaza,Embarcadero Center, and Yerba
Buena Gardens. At the gardens we have an opportunity to
visit and see exhibits at the San Francisco Museum of
Modem Art designed by Mario Botta. We also toured the
downtown financial district and seen buildings and spas"
that ate or disembark from t character and scale of the
city. Sandy discusses various pieces of good architecture
and those that are unsuccessful attemps of public use
and scale. The bank of America building dome by SOM is
always a good example of hybrid outdoor space planning.
Many young architects begin as department stores built
or and visited smaller retail their first projects. Of
course there was so much more to see, but with little
time. Taking personal tours on your own time is highly
recommended. However, these walking trips thigh the city
gives each student a good over view of the major buildings
and issues surrounding the intent of the architects and
Manners that have shaped its urban fabric.
