life in san francisco
newsletters
other information
housing resouces

NEWSLETTERS: Life in San Francisco is filled with endless opportunities and experiences. The best way to get a feeling for what is happening for students check out the newsletters from previous classes. They have articles that range from what they did on weekends to how the firm internships worked out. This is your best resource for understanding the program's social life.

• Fall 1997
  • "The City" by Barbara Queen
  • "Arcanum: Firm Description" by Sam Tang
  • "Kotas/Pantaleoni: Firm Description" by Jill Henry
  • "Urban Design Project Review" by Karen Crocker
• Winter 199X
  • "Sideshows, Lebbeus, and a whole lot of rustication" by Fred Besancon
  • "Winter Quarter Experience at the Planning Dept." by Susana Morgan
  • "Where I'm Going, Where I've Been" by Jennifer Custodio
  • "A View of the City" by William Chung
  • "N.B.B.J." by Chi-Wing Wong
• Spring 2001
  • "Octavia and Market Redevelopment" by John Joranco
  • "Meuron, Mayne, Legorreta" by Kelly Overstreet
  • “Spending a Day at the B.A.R.” by Carrie Baughn
  • “The Land of Design” by Bridget Koller
  • "Arcanum" by Adam Goldstone
  • "The Greek Festival" by Simon Pollard
  • "Torn Identity" by Jason Hull
  • "The City Rules" by Melissa Velarde
    
    

ARCHITECTURE TOURS: Please be on time!! Wear comfortable shoes & bring a jacket, sketchbook, & camera. Avoid driving; there is no cheap parking. Be aware of your surroundings; I have a tendancy to walk out into the street without warning. Be particularly aware of traffic turning because they are never looking for pedestrians.

HOUSING: You can organize housing with other students. You must allow at least three weeks to find housing, and be persistent. A list of housing resources is attached.

TRANSPORTATION & MAPS: Most students find they use public transit rather than their cars. Parking is a real hassle and expensive. A Fastpass (unlimited Muni rides) is currently $37 month. The bus "MUNI" is $1 per trip which includes a 2 stop transfer.

Transit maps & street maps are available at newsstands, AAA, etc. A plasticized, folding " Fastmap" is available at $4 at most bookstores. A 3D downtown building map is available for $6.75 @ 275 Battery (Sacramento and California). For $2 you can purchase an official MUNI map that has every single street in the city as well as every single public transportation route with schedules.

Previous students reccommend getting a MUNI map for at home reference before a trip and a small sized Fastmap for your pocket during the trip.

BOOKS: Please arrange to purchase them directly from El Corral.

• Wurman, Saul. San Francisco Access, the best orientation guide to SF.
• Woodbridge. San Francisco Architecture.
• Lloyd, Peter. San Francisco: A Guide to Recent Architecture. Palm-sized guide to moder architecture in the city. Available at SFMOMA.

HEALTH CARD: MUST be up to date for reciprocal use at SF State's student clinic.

PORTFOLIO & RESUME: Your resume and portfolio must be finished by the first day of class.

COMPUTER, DRAFTING & ART SUPPLIES: Definitely bring your computer. You will need all your normal drafting supplies, architectural materials, architectural reference books, and camera.