Lisa Spears Portfolio

5 SWEET YEARS

2010-06-25T13:15:00.000-07:00

YAHHHOOOOO!!!! 6/25/05 to 6/25/10. It's only the start! Thanks Jeremy!!!

My Great Find

2009-07-21T12:01:00.001-07:00

I am really a minimalist, I don’t like junk or things lying around taking up space that I only use once in a blue moon. However, I often see items people put out on the curb for someone to take instead of throwing it away (at least in our neighborhood). I am constantly seeing old book shelves or drawers that I can see “hidden” potential in them. Jeremy usually just sees the stains or mold or the space that it will fill up and quickly thwarts my dream visions.
My break finally came when I found these beauties above in front of a nice house down the street. I actually couldn’t believe they were free and had to check with the owner. Sure enough they were and Jeremy even let me keep them which makes me smile every time I look into the backyard!

Europe or BUST

2009-06-04T12:07:00.000-07:00

Jeremy and I just returned from a two week vacation from Europe. It was perfect! Who would have thought there would be a heatwave in the Alps mid-May? Although, I did have to carry around a horribley big jacket that took up 50% of the space in my backpack. We went to Germany, Austria, and Italy. Jeremy is documenting it on his new blog: www.jeremyspears.blogspot.com
Check it out for pictures and more!

The Reason for the Season is the Reason for LIFE

2008-12-24T12:22:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 53
1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression [a] and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken. [b]
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes [c] his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life [d] and be satisfied [e] ;
by his knowledge [f] my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, [g]
and he will divide the spoils with the strong, [h]
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.

...and this was written over 700 years before Christ was even born. On this Christmas, 2008 years after Christ birth we remember this amazing act that God did by sending his own self in the form of a man to earth to ultimately suffer and die on a cross, then defeating death by resurrecting three days later. Don’t let this Christmas pass with out contemplating your eternal state.
Just as a crimanal must be punished in the court of law, so must we be punished for our sins. The Bible says the conseqence of sin is death. The Good News is that our sins have been paid for, Christ came and faced death on the cross as a human sacrafice for our sin. For more on your salvation, go to http://www.ccmv.us/good-news/

Merry Christmas!- Lisa

Christmas Card Answers

2008-12-24T12:06:00.000-08:00

Thank you for doing our Christmas card puzzle, we hope it did not cause too much aggravation. Here are the 16 items we changed:

1. The door lock has gone goofy.
2. Someone painted the building yellow.
3. Cactuses grow out of the sidewalks in Bisbee, AZ.
4. Jeremy got another sandal strap.
5. Jeremy is not going to ride very far without spokes.
6. Jeremy's logo did a 180°.
7. Lisa's shirt is now pink.
8. Safety first, always wear a helmet.
9. Hey is that Eric and Aaron Strem (Lisa's Dad and Brother)?
10. The canopy has pulled a fast one and gone horizontal.
11. The American Flag has been raised.
12. The building had a facelift.
13. Where did the forth window go?
14. An extra power line.
15. The Jeep is now red.
16. Hey Jeremy, did you "INE Fart"?

Merry Christmas till next Year!

(click on picture to enlarge)

Santa Monica- Venice Christmas Run

2008-12-15T12:15:00.000-08:00

My cousin, Lauren and I ran in the 31st Annual Santa Monica- Venice Christmas Run on 12/13. We ran a jolly 10K amist other runners in red and green. There were a few Santa sighting and of course a few raindeer. There even was a misty rain at the end as we ran along the Venice Beach boardwalk- I tried to pretend it was snow.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Tuscon Summer!

2008-08-14T18:02:00.000-07:00

Jeremy and I escaped the city for a little road trip to Arizona, one of our favorite places. We traveled through the Salton Sea, Yuma, Tuscon, Tombstone, Katchner Caverns, and Bisbee. I want to go back!!! Here are some watercolors of Sagaro Nat'l Park and Bisbee.

Domingo Triplets

2008-06-29T20:37:00.000-07:00

My Cousin Kim and her husband Allen, had triplets, 3 girls Hope, Faith, and Charity, Sunday June 22. We went for a visit on Saturday to see the 6 day old little ones. It was the sweetest thing I have ever experienced. Praise the Lord, they were born with out any complications and all full-term.

Pt. Magu

2008-05-05T21:14:00.000-07:00

I turned 26 on Friday. For my birthday, Jeremy and I camped at Pt. Magu (between Oxnard and Malibu). It was paradise. On saturday we didn't go more than a 50' radius, between our tent, the water, food, the car, and the port-a-john.

P.S. April Fools

2008-05-05T20:58:00.000-07:00

If anyone didn't get it. My last post from 3/31/08 was an April Fools joke I pulled (Jeremy did not know-hee hee). April fools is one of my favorite holidays.

Jeremy's Getting Rhinoplasy

2008-03-31T19:56:00.000-07:00

Jeremy has had a deep insecurity about his nose as long as I have known him. One nostril is larger than the other, it messes up is preferal-vision . After alot of contiplation and our move to LA, he has decided to undergo Rhinoplasy. Instead of all of a sudden showing up with a completely different nose and acting like nothing has happened, we decided to document the process. Below show's Jeremy's current nose and then a digital image of the nose he has picked out.

Mixed Up Party

2008-02-13T19:25:00.000-08:00

I flew home to surprise my mom and celebrate with her, her 54th Birthday!!! It was a crazy time, she had a "mixed-up party" (notice the mixed up wardrobe) which she celebrated her Birthday, Valentines, and New Years. We played old-fashioned party games and all felt like kids. Cheers to a non-grown up party!

Giving In...

2008-01-15T17:53:00.000-08:00

So I know Christmas was 3 weeks ago, but by popular demand we have decided to post the answers. Are old neighbor from San Luis claimed in put him in the mental hospital. So if anyone else lost sleep over it, here are the answers. (click on pic to enlarge)

Tropical Dreamin'

2008-01-04T20:31:00.000-08:00

I watercolored a card for my Dad for his 57th Birthday. He loves to sail. Happy Birthday Dad!!!!

The CHRIST in Christmas

2007-12-20T12:50:00.000-08:00

The CHRIST in Christmas
It seems in years past that the concern with Christmas is that is becoming to secular; all about shopping and materialism. Now it seems that the concern is that Christmas is becoming too religious. You can hardly even say “Merry Christmas” to a retail cashier with out the fear that you might be offending them and their religious beliefs. And since when was the Christmas tree considered a religious symbol, its not and therefore should not be considered offensive.

Aside from all the confusion, the Christian Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Unlike any other baby, he was not created by a human father and mother. He had a heavenly pre-existence (John 1:1-3, 14). He is God, the Son—Creator of the universe (Philippians 2:5-11). In the birth of Jesus, the eternal, all-powerful and all-knowing Creator came to earth in the flesh. He humbled himself to walk this earth as a man and died sinner’s death to clear us of our sins.
Why did we need Jesus Christ our savior?
By our human nature we are not good. Do you think you are a good person by God standards? And is that good enough to get you into heaven? God’s law by which he judges is the 10 Commandments. Let’s look at a few:
#2. "You shall not make for yourself any idol."
Who is God to you? Is he only a god of love and mercy who would never judge anyone and never cast anyone into Hell? If that's your god, then you're right. Your god couldn't cast anyone into Hell because he doesn't exist. He's a figment of your imagination. You've created a god in your own mind that you're more comfortable with. You may call it your "personal belief," but God calls it idolatry. It's the oldest sin in the Book, and the Bible warns that idolaters will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.
#3. "You shall not take the name of God in vain."
Have you ever used God's name as a curse word? If you have used God's holy name in that manner, you are a blasphemer and the Bible says "God will not hold him guiltless who takes the name of the Lord in vain."
#6. "You shall not murder."
Jesus warned "Whoever is angry with his brother without cause, is in danger of judgment," (Matthew 5:22) and the Bible says, "He who hates his brother is a murderer," (1 John 3:15). God sees hatred in the heart to be as wicked as murder.
#7. "You shall not commit adultery."
Jesus warned,” You have heard...'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Have you ever looked at another person with lust? The Bible says that adulterers and fornicators (those who have had sex before marriage) will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

These are just a few; it easily becomes clear that we all have sinned.

The Bible says, "All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God."
Can you see your predicament? You are guilty of sinning against God Himself, and, because you have a conscience, ("con"=with, "science"=knowledge) you have sinned "with knowledge." The Bible says His wrath abides on you, that you are an "enemy of God in your mind through wicked works."
God does not want you to perish. He is rich in mercy and compassion, and has provided a way for you to be forgiven. He has invited you to come to Him for a full pardon and receive the free gift of Eternal Life. You cannot earn it, and you do not deserve it, but God is offering it to you as proof of His love for you. No works done on this earth of trying to be a “good” person will get you anywhere. It was by his work alone.

The Bible says that the God of the Universe became a man (Jesus Christ), and suffered and died on the cross for your sins and mine so that we could be set free. Then he rose again from the dead and defeated death! It's as simple as this—we broke the Law, and Jesus paid our fine.
"God demonstrated His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
Do you see God’s great love for you? Do you see your need for His forgiveness? Do what He commands and “Repent…that your sins may be wiped out and times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” (Acts 3:19) You must turn away from sin and turn to God. Desire to have NOTHING to do with sin, and surrender your life to the One who can save you. Jesus died to set you free, and then he rose from death to be your Lord. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” If you will confess and forsake your sins (repent) and trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, God will forgive you and you’ll pass from death to life.

If you think this does not apply to you because you don’t believe in the bible, please do not be fooled. There are truths in this world. Your personal beliefs and views of what happens after death, does not mean that that will happen. If a gallon on milk is marked $4 and I believe it is $2, the cashier, will obviously not believe my “truth.” God is the one true truth, just look at his creation and your conscience.

Today, with all your heart—turn away from sin, and surrender your life to Jesus Christ. Please don’t put it off till later. You may die today and then it will be too late. You may not yet have all the answers to your questions, but better to put on the parachute first and then ask questions, then to pass through the door unprepared, grasping for the parachute when it’s too late. You can pray something like this—"Dear God, today I turn from all my sins (name them), and I put my trust in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Please forgive me, and grant me your gift of everlasting life. Amen."
Thank you for taking time to read this.
Merry Christmas -Lisa

December

2007-12-16T20:20:00.000-08:00

December brought a chance to visit old and very dear friends. We stayed in LA for Thanksgiving and had a chance to see friends, Phil and Krista from Colorado who were visiting framily in LA. Phil and Jerermy have been best friends since elementary. All of us used to all hang out before we were ever dating eachother, those were good years. Last week we went to a wedding in San Francisco and went home to Sacramento since we were up north. I had a chance to see Malissa, we met in 7th grade PE and have been friends ever since. She is still the same girl she was back then, cept now she's Married and has two cute kids.
Phil and Krista

Malissa

We also went to the Hollywood Christmas Parade, which was a big event because we rode our bikes to the metro and rode in to Hollywood. I was really feeling city-ish.

A Big Blog

2007-11-02T18:17:00.000-07:00

I have not Blogged in awhile. So a big blog is nessessary to display some of the happenings.
Work
I am happy to say that I am working at an architecture firm here in Burbank that I really like. I find going to work really pleasurable, I work with such nice people and am really excited about the work I am doing.
Jeremy drew pigs at work the other day. I asked him where they go the pigs? Apparently, they are movie pigs... did you get that?! MOVIE PIGS, ha ha I just can't get used to this movie stuff, nor can I figure out how Jeremy got so lucky as to draw pigs at work while I am picking out the color of toilet stalls at work (actually, I enjoy it, too- its just not as exciting sounding).

Hike
Mailbu hike pre-fires. It was one of those blessed moments of getting away from it all and admiring God's beautiful creation.

Friends
Our good quality friends Dan and Amanda from SLO came and visited for a weekend. It was non-stop fun; hiking, biking, going to La Brea tar pits, and intense card games.

Halloween
Halloween is hands-down my favorite holiday. What is better than dressing up as anything you want and eating candy. At work, I was sitting across from Zorro, next to a giesha, and behind a Chinese tourist (he actually was Chinese). I was a shark, but my fins kept getting in the way. It is the best- every one was seriously working, looking completely riduclous. My dad was randomly on a business trip and we were lucky enought to have him join us on Halloween. We dressed up and went trick or treating, minus getting candy and knocking on doors. Our neighborhood was decked out, the streets were filled with people, you couldn't even walk on the sidewalk it was so crowded. It was good to see good old fashioned trick or treating, an event that is in decline.

Urban Adjustments

2007-10-04T18:53:00.001-07:00

Urban Adjustments
I have lived in LA for a month now, it feels like forever. I really am a girl of routine, but I must say I like change because always seems as if time slows when things are new. As I have been "urbanizing" myself to my new surroundings I have noticed some adjustments I've made.
1. In San Luis Obispo I always oriented myself around town and to our old house by locating Madonna Mountain. Here is LA, I orient my location by these two skyscrapers we live by (we do still live by mountains).
2. The right-of-way for Bikes and pedestrians has no meaning in LA. I learned fast on that one after almost getting killed several times. There usually is not a bike lane so I ride on sidewalks.
3. In San Luis Obispo no matter where you went, it seemed like you ran into someone you knew of recognized. Now, living by the studios I keep thinking I am going to someone that I recognized from being famous.
4. 10 pm on a Saturday nite, there is still heavy to standstill traffic on the freeways.
5. Gas pumps and grocery store check-outs have these annoying flat screen TV's that blare stupid commercials at you while you are trying to do your business. It is so unnecessary annoying.
6. Even though the air is often smoggy, I love the warmer climate, and smog does make for great sunsets.
7. No matter where I am, being with Jeremy I will always be home.

Thanks SLO friends

2007-09-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

We had a bittersweet goodbye from San Luis Obispo as we moved to LA for a job for Jeremy. Our great friends wished us away well with a picnic dinner at Mitchell Park. We are blessed to have such good friends. it probably would have been harder to leave, but we had been cleaning and packing for a week and there was no turning back at that point, it only we could just pack them too. Thanks again friends!

SLO Criterium

2007-08-14T22:49:00.000-07:00

Big happenings in downtown SLO, a bike Criterium, AND even better a community bike parade. So me and Jeremy (I am so glad i have a husband who does likes to do ridiculous things) tricked out our rides and had a hoot of a time.

Summertime

2007-08-10T20:21:00.000-07:00

Since I finished school I realized that I blogging was really a distraction from school projects I was working on the computer. Now, when I am not at work, I usually try to avoid computers if at all possible. However, I was feeling in the mood to write a post.
Last week I was lucky enough to have my brother come for a visit. It is always pretty radical when he comes. Over his visit we were either on bikes, surf boards, eating, or sleeping. We also made a new record for ourselves while he was here: we ordered pizza TWO nites in a row. I know that is a first for me, and hopefully for diatary benefits, it will be my last. I recently found this old picture of me and Aaron at Death Valley, we were in that akward kid stage and pardon all the purple it was early 90's.

This is a watercolor of Kyle Roofing in San Luis Obispo. I love this old building. When I painted this, there was graffiti on the building, what a bummer. Why don't they go tag their own house.

Woman VS. the Wild

2007-07-09T21:26:00.000-07:00

Since my handsome hubby and also resident possum hunter has been temporarly gone because of work, me the WOMAN of the house has had to take on some pretty nasty visitors: 9 POSSOMS!!! Thats right, a mama possom found its way into our 96 year old house's attic and give birth to I think the largest litter of not-so little possums in history. I read on wikipedia today that litters can be anywhere from 6 to 25- that is so sick! At night, as I am trying to enjoy the peace and quiet I can hear them running around up there. Our landlord has been catching them in a trap over the last few weeks.
To top it off, I was welcomed home after a weeks vacation by a warm horrid stench invading the inside of our house. Turns out a possum died under our bedroom. We also had one died under there last year, see Jeremy's blog about it: http://animite.blogspot.com/2006_08_01_archive.html This is distgusting!!!

I GRADUATED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-06-17T19:16:00.001-07:00

Final Shows and Book Pages

2007-06-11T23:32:00.000-07:00

I am recuperating from my final project. I didnt really think I was stressed out, untill I finished and I realized how much lighter I felt. Here are some pages out of my thesis book that show my final model. Also see flickr for additional arch photos.

An Arch Students Friday Nite

2007-05-18T22:13:00.000-07:00

Four Day countdown till show. Friday nites have lost their meaning. I mean, really... where else would you want to be other than school? Ok, Ok I think the super glue fumes have got to me.
[click on image to enlarge]

sneak peak>>>

10 Days till Final Show

2007-05-12T18:49:00.000-07:00

I have only 10 days till my final architecture show... AHHHHH!!! My studio has been up 24/7 for the last several weeks working on all our projects. It has been alot of fun to be in that zany working environment. My class has a show in the Berg Gallery Wednesday May 23, and Thursday the 24. Then the whole entire 5th year class has a show in the Chumash auditorium May 25-27. Pictures to come.

Spring Break

2007-04-01T15:30:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to have a chance to spend some time with my mom for my last "offical" spring break, which was wonderful. My mom is just about the coolest, funniest, joyfulous person I know. I am so blessed to have her for my mom.
We also went to a BBQ at some friends house who actually live on a vineyard! It is so cool, they even have a cabose and railcar for a future winery that is being built there. Then to top it off, we went on a Full Moon Bike ride up Madonna Mountian with Jen, Kyle, and Kristie- the fog blew in on the top, so we couldn't even see the city lites, but it was still really cool. Luckily we didn't come across any mountian lions, only a skunk...Ton's O' Fun. If only every day could be a weekend.

Design blahs...

2007-03-16T15:53:00.000-07:00

My 5th year thesis architecture project [Rest Area Reformation on I-40/Route 66 in Yucca, Arizona] is supposedly formulated into 3 quarters: fall-research and develop thesis statement. Winter-design, and Spring-build model and final presentation. So today was my last day of winter quarter, so ideally I should be nearing completion of the design phase (at least have something concrete). I am rather frustrated because after weeks of work I feel like I am right when I began. I have my basic concepts down, but my design is still fuzzy. I think I am finally getting somewhere and then I either have a critique or see the design in 3D and then idea just bombs! So to any frustrated artist or fellow architecture student out there experiencing at brain drain road block you are not alone.

Pics of a few failed ideas, actually I should say design in progress.

SLO Film Fest... UNREAL GOODNESS

2007-03-08T22:46:00.000-08:00

Tonite, in the somewhat sleepy town of San Luis Obispo, Surf Film legend Dana Brown's film "Step Into Liquid" headlined the SLO Film Fest. Bruce Brown (Endless Summer I and II, On Any Sunday), Wes Brown (Chasing Dora), Wingnut (longboard star of Endless Summer 2 and Chasing Dora) were also present. We were lucky enough to have my brother Aaron visiting (who is an avid surfer and dirt biker) which made the event complete.

Lisa, Jeremy and Aaron downtown with Woodies before show

The Fremont, a deco classic

The directors and some surfers in the movie

Jeremy, Lisa, Aaron, Dana Brown, Robert "Wingnut" Weaver

Bruce Brown, Aaron, Lisa (props to Jeremy for taking the pic)

Design Crit 02 March 2007

2007-03-01T19:06:00.000-08:00

Tomarrow my studio is having a final crit for the design stage of our projects. I have been working all quarter and feel like I am only about 25% done. I have so much many ideas and details in my head it is hard to get them all on paper. This is what I have so far, (finished presentation product) with alot more to come. More pics of the show to come...

Pictures from the show (Including my presentation space with a site model and material studies on the floor):

Spring In Febuary?

2007-02-25T13:32:00.000-08:00

Aside from sparse rains, the central coast has had some amazingly warm and beautiful weekends. My husband, Jeremy and I set out for adventure yesturday heading south. We went to Los Olivos in the Santa Ynez Valley and to a small village called Ballard where we had a picnic in the school yard of this old red school house built in 1880 and still used today. It was great we found a rope swing which was the most fun I'd had at school in a long time. We played tetherball (OK Jeremy played while I ducked from the ball) and played on the playgound.
Then we drove south through Solvang and then to Refugio State Beach which is a hidden piece of paradise. Palms, white sands, and surfers. From there you can hike down to El Captian State Beach. Since we were so close to Santa Barbara we went to Chipolte, our burrito Mecca of destined goodness.
Spring Flowers in our Yard

Ballard School, see me on rope swing at right

I Love My Husband

2007-02-10T20:32:00.000-08:00

With Valentine's approaching, I can't help but think of how much I love Jeremy (actually I do that every day, but I thought it would be an excuse to broadcast it):
He's Strong, not to mention good looking

You should see him hold a beat on the dance floor

He always keeps me laughing

He's my one and only love of my life!!!

Architecture Book Show

2007-02-05T21:58:00.000-08:00

My Studio, Emergent[2] (the "cool" name we like to call ourselves) had a book show in the Berg Gallery Feb. 5th. The show consist of displaying our thesis in-progress books that we worked on all last quarter, we actually laid real grass in the gallery with a big tumor like bump in the middle and "walls" constructed of fishing line. I think architecture students like meanial long repititious work- we worked all Saturday, Sunday, and Monday was the show. I just got back from clean-up, all the hours of work by the class was deconstructed in -3hrs... figures.

Grandma's 80th

2007-01-05T14:27:00.000-08:00

My Grandma Joanne turns 80 on January 12th, I am working on a watercolor for my Grandma of her 4 kids long ago. We had a birthday party for her on New Years weekend and had a slide show of old slides. They were really awesome. This is one of them, a family vacation to Canada. My dad, Eric is the one with the cool sunglasses on.

FALL QUARTER BOOK

2006-12-18T10:57:00.001-08:00

After what seemed like millions of hours of research, writing, and design, I finished my book, titled "Rest Area Reformation." This book is actually a work in progress as it is a documentation of my 5th year design project. I will add the design work (Winter Quarter) and images of the final model (Spring Quarter) as I finish them. Here are some pages from Rest Area Reformation. Enjoy!

Architecture Experiments

2006-11-01T15:06:00.000-08:00

Experiments
For Fall Quarter, we conduct experiments each week to explore issues pertaining to our project. I have choosen to explore vastness and intimate and desurfacing/weathering. The experiments are rather abstract, some also ended up being more like material experiments.

Fall Abstract Show

2006-10-30T21:03:00.000-08:00

The Abstact Show
On October 16, 2006, Cal Poly Architecture Department had a 5th year Abstract Thesis show.
The Berg Gallery

My abstract is the one with the toilet paper roll. - Alittle demeaning, but caught some attention.
There was alot of very random and creative stuff.

MANIFESTO !!!!

2006-10-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

Thesis Project
After hours of contemplation and agony I have finally choosen the subject of my thesis project. It is titled: REST STOP REVOLUTION. The project is a rest stop on Interstate 40/Route 66 in Arizona. The site is 3 miles from the town of Yucca (population 238- perfect) and about 40 miles from Needles, CA and 30 miles from Kingman, AZ. I was searcing for a desolate area with arid conditions.
Please read for more details:
MANIFESTO!
Rest Stop Revolution.

Rest stops. For some they are meccas on long traveled roads, a chance to relieve the
bladder and stretch cramped limbs. For others, bladder infections would be more pleasurable than
using a rest stop restroom. Rest stop are commonly known for questionable sanitary conditions
and safety concerns, especially at night when they are less utilized. Many travelers choose to
bypass rest stops and continue on to the next off ramp with their preferred restrooms, gas, and
food.
Rest stop are generally the responsibility of state transportation departments. In some
states such as California, the rising demands and cost of maintenance and security has caused the
state to discontinued the building any new rest stops and only maintain the existing ones. Some
rest stops on the east coast and in other countries are going private, meaning commercial space is
rented to fast food chains, gas stations, convenience stores, and private maintenance
organizations. However, most state and local governments prohibit privatization of rest stops in
order to protect small towns whose survival depends on roadside service.
Whether private or public, the standard rest stop focuses on function and necessity. Rest
stops have the potential to be much more their current states. They are often in unique locations
and already accessible to travelers. Instead of a quick stop they could be an anticipated
destination. Architects design to create potential- potential environments, potential behaviors,
potential experiences. However, what a person perceives, values, and uses from that potential is
what becomes their “effective environment”. In the case of existing rest stops the potential
environment has little to offer. The function should not limit the potential to be more.
Rest stops have the opportunity to create many potential conditions, while still meeting the
minimum necessities. Rest stops are necessary to the world:

Time Our society is too fast paced. So focused on getting from point A to point B, we miss the
in-between points, spontaneity, and freedom of exploration.

Fusion Rest stops are a conjugation of the vast and the intimate.

Architectural Regionalism “...Creating a harmony and energy between a natural and a man-made
environment.” Integrating climate, landscape, scale, and culture in a unique place.

Transformation Rest stops need to be adaptable to changing conditions in future technologies and
transportation.

Rest stops can no longer be victim to mediocre government offerings or targeted by
solicitous commercial chains. They must arise to their potential for the betterment of mankind.

A rest stop that seeks higher potential will transform the way we travel by offering users new
possibilities.
Change the world or else !?! > F a l l 2 0 0 6 > Rest Stops please revolt

Road Trippin' Watercolors

2006-08-07T09:53:00.000-07:00

My Husband, Jeremy and I, just road tripped to Arizona and Utah, taking along with us our travel watercolor sets. It was absolutely magnificent!!! The following watercolors are weak in comparison to the true beauty of the actual places, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Monument Valley and everywhere inbetween. "Get your kicks on Route 66". Check out Jeremy's watercolors at www.animite.blogspot.com (They are rad).

Thesis Topic

2006-05-31T15:44:00.000-07:00

So, lately I have been thinking alot about my fifth year architecture thesis project. I have been flirting with the idea of basing it on retro googie style architecture, of which I am a very big fan. Check it out.

Avila Pier Design

2006-05-31T14:22:00.000-07:00

These are schematic elevations of my final 4th year project. The project is a Center for Coastal Marine Sciences on a Cal Poly owned pier in Avila Beach, CA. Being the beach bum that I am, this project has been a joy.

Sketchbook Watercolors

2006-05-06T11:42:00.001-07:00

These are some watercolors from my sketchbook. There are great night street scenes from Belmont shores in Long Beach, beach scences from a Malibu camp out, and cannery row images from a recent weekend getaway.

Art Deco Design

2006-04-04T13:13:00.000-07:00

Mixed Used Art Deco Building
The site was downtown San Luis Obispo. Art Deco style connects to the Fremont Theater and nearby government center.

Design Build

2006-04-04T09:49:00.000-07:00

These images are from a Design-Build competition that was part of a Construction Management course I took during winter quarter 2006. My group included several construction management majors, a city regional planning major, and myself, an architecture major. The project was a Hotel/Conference Center, Alumni and Faculty club, and a Continuing Education Center on the Cal Poly Campus.