Su Blumentals-Memories from College and Career
What was the most important thing/skill/concept you learned at the School of Architecture?
The ability to boil down unrelated information into a logical solution, and to think on my feet.
Who made the most lasting impression (most influenced you) and why?
Ralph Rapson, because without him I would not have been in architecture at the U of M. He believed that women could succeed in architecture and stuck with me when other faculty members expressed their dissatisfaction with letting women into the school. As I have aged, I have also tried to follow his attitude that age is a state of mind, and he was forever young and vital!
What is your favorite memory from your studio days?
It was a tightly knit little community. I remember the friends I gained more than the projects I worked on.
Please identify one (or more) memorable design project that you worked on while a student at the School of Architecture.
Winning a one night charette sponsored by the American Tile Council for a bathroom design, including a new tile design. Won $25, and we used it to throw a cocktail party for some of the class and faculty. It was wonderful seeing a schoolmate's family's maid throwing cocktail meatballs into the mouth of Vivrett's Great Dane, Andy.
What major forces (such as individual architects, design philosophies, rendering styles, research methods, etc.) do you remember influencing you significantly as a student?
We were all irritated that Ralph would not teach rendering and forced all of us to develop our own style. I am glad I was there when watercolor was the material of choice for presentation and that color was an important part of our training. I think Ben Gingold's flamboyant attitude toward architecture taught me that one should not be taken in by the "flavor of the month" in architectural design, but to go where one's imagination leads you.
Cite an example (be specific) that illustrates how you used the education you received at the School of Architecture to positively impact (or better) your community, city, nation or the world.
I was on a citizen's committee of the Minneapolis Park Board that was to study the best master plan for the re-do of Lake Harriet. After considering the existing conditions, I suggested re-routing the parkway to get facilities and people adjacent to the lakeshore and parking on the perimeter, before considering locations of paths, docks, and such. When the committee presented this solution, it precipitated much argument from newspaper editorials and such. Luckily, it was adopted, creating a wonderful site for Milo Thompson's Band Shell and a vibrant park full of diverse activity!
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