Life was extremely structured with timely schedules, 3 times a day meal and 2 times a day coffee. Little did I know that all this could be tossed upon just by stepping onto a 5year journey, that too on the very first day itself. Architecture to me was all about spaces, buildings, design and inspiration.
Before even my college could begin, all I could imagine myself doing was to design who possess the supreme ability to create – to create the space someone wants; to create the space someone needs; to create the space someone loves. Lol Yeah! I am a creator! And lo! I landed in an architecture school so enthusiastic and so positive with so much excitement. With only the idea of design and buildings I eagerly awaited my first exercise with high hopes of performing well.
Points …..lines…..planes….. and volume?
There began my first exercise! So, everyone excited to know??? Drawing straight lines!!! Which I never used to ☹ and the best part is lines should be drawn without a SCALE. I was like what’s the problem with using a scale for straight lines?? No way it must be drawn free hand. I started my first stroke. Oh no! the line went across the whole sheet!
And again, I started my second try slowly and steadily. Yeah girl! go on your about to finish just some more. Some more little by little almost done. Whoof a shake!! my eyes looked up and there my ma’am was standing smiling at my innocent mistake. She patted my shoulder and said, “Go for it again “. And here ends my first glimpse of humor or rather a puzzled mind state with the question, why do I have to draw a straight line to become an architect?
What is basic design?
A paper knows its end when it is crushed. But my first basic design exercise began with crushing a paper. I seriously didn’t know why? But still I enjoyed the crushing sound and the ambience. Ok fine the paper is crushed so now is it to be discarded??? No wait now begins the exercise. The crushed sheet is to be unfolded slowly and the intersecting folds are to be marked as dots. The dots connected formed lines and the lines formed the planes. The next step goes on to color the sheet with 3 shades of any 1 color with gradations. Tadaaa! And it’s done. “Done with what????” I asked in a puzzled manner.” Your first exercise it’s done” replied my ma’am. I leave it here for this encounter, because now I know what’s the real purpose of that exercise.
The huge architectural folder bag and my bus journey ……….
The distance between my college and my home isn’t much but the journey actually is. It begins with me going to a series of stops, hurdles and is a tedious ongoing journey. When I step into the bus (to be mentioned it’s a city bus) everyone looks at me weirdly moving ahead with a huge bag, so disproportionate with my height and a tiny appearance. Most of them wondered if it was a weird weapon, and some asked if it was a black board. I deny it and many in return ask do you really draw on such big sheets?
Some mumbled saying why only these kids don’t carry bags that fit their size. And many ticket conductors have asked me to take an extra ticket specially for my bag, which I have to do in spite of any arguments. Sad me. It even sounds funny when someone asks me why don’t you roll up the sheets, the reply I give back people’s eyes roll from top to bottom on my stupidity. Yeah, I don’t roll it because I want my sheets to be straight. Free from any bruises and folds. Saying so, I give a wide smile with pride. And then off I walk fast before the wind blows pushing me down with the weight of the bag so overpowering.
More coffee and more sleepless nights – a never ending conclusion
One week after me stepping I randomly looked at myself in the mirror on the first weekend morning, my mom commenting there’s no coffee left because you have already had so much just within a week by staying up late nights. Yeah, my eyes did look tired and dark circles below, feeling exhausted and wanting to sleep again; thoughts of quitting and giving up consuming my brain; to step out and put an end to the pain; but still I managed to smile knowing that the journey ahead will be worth all the struggles behind; with rays of hope and huge piles of submissions 😊.
These are just the very few encounters of humor after architecture’s invasion into my life. There are many more which just can’t be penned down; where the emotions are running short of words. I really hope these would have rekindled many humorous instances to many those reading this.
