a yellow jackets’ journey home: jeff sheppard lecture review

patricia andré | September 21st, 2011

Last Wednesday, September 14^th, the College of Architecture hosted its very own COA alum, Jeffrey Sheppard, current principal architect of Roth Sheppard Architects in Denver, Colorado. A part of the ‘future PRACTICE Lecture Series,” Sheppard’s lecture titled ‘Ideation; From Parti’ to Reality,’ discussed a range of design projects as they related to an architectural language that he developed that provided for the function of the design through experimenting with new methodologies to approaching architecture.

First, I would say that content of the lecture was great overall. Sheppard remained consistent with quality of work and aims of his designs throughout the lecture. ‘Ideation’ focused on the notion of creating prototypes for municipal and entertainment genres of architecture. What I found most interesting was how Sheppard explained his responses to the questions at hand. In the District 4 PD police department project, he not only provided for the function of the building, but created a protective environment for the police, as well as, responded to the past by addressing and incorporating the agrarian culture of the existing context. Similarly, the Colorado State Patrol project [seen below] considered the practical concepts of building. Expounding on this, he strengthens the project by engaging the aspects of program to the design.  Fire fighting and firefighter education, for instance, is included through the use of architectural gestures that relate the ascension of architecture directly to the ascension of higher learning. Thus, the architecture not only looks onto real elements of fire-fighting, but these ideas direct the design of the building, allowing it to be informed by the program. I believe these projects were most successful in creating that constant relationship with design and function.

Another premise taken from this lecture is the idea architecture as an extension of an experience. Good architecture not only responds to the program and functionality of the space, but creates a connection with the space that it occupies. More importantly, however, it also establishes a whole environment that becomes stimulating to the senses –“a theater” for its inhabitants. From providing a “chaotic energy,” adjusting lighting experiences,” or even, “oozing dripping sex,” the notion of creating a sense of place remained prominent. Not that talking about clubs, sperm, and sex have any on affect on my views of the project, I believe that I was more moved that the ideas behind the projects remained  evolved around creating sensory stimulation and interaction between the occupant, community, and the architecture. This helps to institute and keep a dialogue between content and context. One should continue to rethink the BIG box, recognize the problem, establish solutions, and create an environment that creates an experience unique to the place.

Sheppard’s lecture was very well developed. In critique, however, it became redundant and overwhelming to the audience.After an hour, interest turned to weary and the audience slowly peeled away. Although very involved in the concepts of developing plans and making them into highly responsive architecture, the number of projects discussed became encumbering, and thus, created a dramatic shift from “I can’t wait to see what’s next” to “I can’t wait until this ends.”The lecture could benefit from a weeding out of projects, and a continual assertiveness that only highlights of the most provocative and spatially dynamic designs.

Of all of this, however,Sheppard ended his lecture and left a good word upon the ears and hearts the students of architecture in the COA. A response to a question among the crowd by Kelly Darby [Thesis Year M. Arch student], one will always remember: “If you were to leave one piece of advice for the students here in the College of Architecture, what would it be?”

“ Whatever you go through… as things change, maintain a real passion for what you are doing.” He expressed that the students of architecture should continuing “looking, searching, reading, working, visualizing,” but above all, “continue to think.” We should always use our minds to analyze problems we are given and find innovative and relevant solutions. And finally, “if the passion ever leaves you, question what you are doing. Because if you have that, the feeling of discovery should happen, that feeling never leaves… that passion” [will remain]. Cliché in some ways, but more influential than anything, I believed these were the most powerful words he relayed to the students [especially, being that they came from a fellow Tech Architecture student]. Not only can we make it out, we can make it out and live lives that we love.

[ 2011 fall lecture series, COA, jeff sheppard, review ]

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