Building a better future

Studio room for architecture majors helps prepare them for their future careers

Mayella Vasquez and Catherine Silvey / Contributor and Feature Editor / The USD Vista

Behind Camino Hall exists a room hidden from campus and unknown to most students at the University of San Diego. It is known as the Pavilion and is a hub for architecture majors who spend countless nights crafting ideas, models, and floor plans, as well as collaborating with one another in a space that is meant to foster creativity and prepare them for their careers.

Junior Nicola Estona expressed that besides being a classroom, the Pavilion is also a community.  

“The Pavilion is a space where architecture majors can interact and collaborate with one another and gives us a sense of community,” Estona said.  “It’s very helpful to get advice from more experienced students and work together.”

Some of the work that goes on in the Pavilion includes building models, creating floor plans, using software to make 3D designs, technical drawings, analytical diagrams, and coming up with conceptual ideas for projects.  

“We hope this will give us the skills we need post-graduation because we will be using similar software and doing similar tasks in our careers,”  Estona said. 

Although much time is spent working, the community built in the Pavilion makes the time enjoyable. Estona shared his positive views of the Pavilion.  

“Having our own room gives us a sense of security with our work and serves as a home base,” Estona said. “We usually have a certain computer and workspace that we go to do our work. I think it’s a positive thing to have our Pavilion. A lot goes on in there and the collaboration aspect is crucial.” 

Sophomore Jackie Crane explained the purpose of the room, highlighting how important it is for architecture majors to have access to such as space.

“We mostly just call it the studio since most studio courses are held in there,” Crane said. “It has a lot of tools we use for making models, and the computers in there have all of the software we need to do our work. This allows us to work with the proper software but not have to pay for it out of pocket.” 

These tasks often include different artistic mediums, so having their own space is vital for architecture majors. Crane expressed this sentiment about the studio.

“I think it is important for us to have our own room since our major is so special,” Crane said. “We have to use computers to design, we use laser printers, large printers, the wood shop, the metal shop, the sculpture/art shack, etc. Having all of these resources readily available and all within close proximity makes our work possible. We also have final reviews instead of finals for studio classes, which is where the entire faculty gathers in the Pavilion to review and critique student work.  A lot goes on in there.”   

When finishing assignments and preparing for final reviews, architecture majors spend a lot of time in the Pavilion with each other. Crane emphasized the community that such an interactive space often builds among architecture majors.  

“We have to spend long hours in there getting our work done, and there are usually a decent amount of people there even late on weeknights,” Crane said. “I think having a community area is more of a constructive thing. You’re surrounded by people who have a similar passion to you, and getting to collaborate and chat about your work or architecture in general makes it such a productive space. Some of my favorite memories of college have been in that studio.”

Architecture is a field that not only focuses on creative ideas, but also on forming logical thought and constructing a community. A lot of work goes into being an architect, but Crane expressed confidence in her decision to pursue a career in this field.  

“I chose to be an architecture major because I’m very analytical but also very artistic and creative.” Crane said. “I love getting to build things but also learning about history and theory. I feel like it challenges my brain in such a different way than anything else, and I can’t see myself doing anything but architecture.” 

The Pavilion breeds a community of people who are driven by passion and desire to constantly innovate the spaces around them. Such a community not only allows for personal growth through collaboration with others and getting a glimpse of what the career of an architect has in store, but it also creates a friendly dynamic and closely bonds the individuals within the architecture department at this university.