Emilie Schmitz

University of Minnesota - B.S. Arch '09

What was the most important thing/skill/concept you learned at the School of Architecture?

To be self-critical of my work and to see the beauty in simple design elements.

Who made the most lasting impression (most influenced you) and why?

My first studio professor, Dan Clark. He taught me how to take my ideas and edit them, refine them, and then present them in a clear diagrammatic way.

What is your favorite memory from your studio days?

In my final studio my professor, Dale Mulfinger, made us go to a site visit in Northern Minnesota. We had to rent snow shoes and hike around our sites for two days. I never realized how hard snow shoeing was! Between that, having Dale's wife's home cooking and hanging out with studio mates for two nights, that northern adventure became one of the most memorable trips of my undergrad.

Please identify one (or more) memorable design project that you worked on while a student at the School of Architecture.

My first studio project, a row clubhouse, because I had to hand draw everything and made one of my favorite scale models completely out of basswood and rice paper. When it was picked to be put on display for an AIA convention, it was one of the proudest architecture moments of my undergrad. I still have the model, it is one the few that I've kept.

What major forces (such as individual architects, design philosophies, rendering styles, research methods, etc.) do you remember influencing you significantly as a student?

Architect, Peter Zumthor.

Simon A. Beeson

University of Minnesota - M.Arch '95

What was the most important thing/skill/concept you learned at the School of Architecture?

Exploring the origin of architecture and its ideas.

Who made the most lasting impression (most influenced you) and why?

Professor Lance Lavine, because he is a continuing inspiration for his serious exploration of architecture as a worthwhile activity, with its unique contribution to culture and a humane life.

What is your favorite memory from your studio days?

Professor Lavine ripping student models apart. 

Please identify one (or more) memorable design project that you worked on while a student at the School of Architecture.

The Evanston Library Competition in 1991,

What major forces (such as individual architects, design philosophies, rendering styles, research methods, etc.) do you remember influencing you significantly as a student?

Dale Mulfinger, the influence of American Vernacular; Gunter Dittmar, the philosophy of architecture; and the construction of the Weisman Art Museum.

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. 

Developing a new course at a small university, where model making has a central role to explore the generation of architectural form.

David G. Arkin

University of Minnesota - B.Arch '88

What was the most important thing/skill/concept you learned at the School of Architecture?

Collaboration is key for integrated projects.

Who made the most lasting impression (most influenced you) and why?

Dale Mulfinger, because he taught me that the process and people are as important as the end product.

What is your favorite memory from your studio days?

Listening to the soundtrack to Monty Python and the Holy Grail night after night, and other shenanigans not fit to print.

Please identify one (or more) memorable design project that you worked on while a student at the School of Architecture.

My thesis was a proposal for the light rail in the Twin Cities, laying out several lines and proposing that the first to be installed should be the connection from downtown Minneapolis to the Airport - which ended up getting built first. I designed two stations along that corridor and thanks to a lot of help from dear friends, I pulled off the design in the final weeks, including two models which were the only things I pointed to in my final presentation, apparently a first.

What major forces (such as individual architects, design philosophies, rendering styles, research methods, etc.) do you remember influencing you significantly as a student?

I recall participating in lively debates over the perils of parking lots in front of urban buildings, which culminated in organizing a protest of some developments near campus. This had students engaged with Minneapolis City Planners, who were very generous with their time and supportive of our positions.

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'm starting my ninth year as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner for the City of Albany in California. Our firm has been promoting ecological design from the outset; I helped found and currently serve on the Board as an Outreach Coordinator of the California Straw Building Association (CASBA). I served as national president of Architects Designers Planners for Social Responsibility (ADPSR). In 2010 Joe Lambert, Ken Smith, and myself re-established the SPQR Fellowship at the U of M College of Design.