The Architecture lecture series featured famous architect Florencia Pita, who presented her three core methods in architectural design and the production of a personal signature in Geren Auditorium on Nov. 6 at at 5:45 p.m.
Pita teaches at the SCI-Arc in Los Angeles’ design studios for undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate students. Additionally, she is the visual studies instructor of advanced software and editor of OnRamp, a data protection program.
This lecture was aimed to provide students with a new perspective on architectural creation. Pita outlined three key points of her creative process: color, form and curves. Color would be seen through the point of view of print, form through the point of view of 2.5D, and curves through the point-of-view of trace.
By using ideas such as tracing, Pita showed the audience a process of building. She began by revealing pictures of balloons taken during the Macy’s Day parade. From these balloon pictures, the Pikachu balloon, for example, was traced. The Pikachu outline was then used as a mock-up of a building.
Emily Majors, environmental design junior, said she is drawn to Pita’s work and has worked with similar architecture firms, such as Pita & Bloom, a Los Angeles-based architectural design collaborative.
“I have always been obsessed with Florencia Pita and her work,” Majors said. “I wanted to come to this lecture because I want to know more about the process of her work. Her three core values were really fresh and very helpful when you are trying to integrate interesting forms that are practical.”
Bob Warden, interim department head of architecture, said that he hopes the students are able to leave with a basic understanding of the multiple successes that Pita emulates and the attainability of such talents.
“I hope the students see someone who is successful, young and a female–something that is really important these days,” Warden said. “I want the students to see how they can think about their designs and how they can move from certain ideas or interests that they have. Pita was able to show people how they can deal with the complexities of form and provide a way of moving forward in your project that removes many variables.”
Pita’s lecture provided the attendees a new look at architecture by explaining her constructive process. She said she felt that she could inspire the audience, because of their growing aspirations to become architects.
“Students can really find their own path in such an old and established career,” Pita said. “I want to inspire ideas and give a new perspective. I wish I could have opened some small windows because there were a lot of really good spirits in the crowd.”
In college, classrooms seem to take control of the students, according to Pita. To let creativity flow, adventure is needed, and the monotonous student schedules should be reduced.
“If I had to choose one piece of advice, I would ask that the students not to become isolated in their classes,” Pita said. “Students should not miss out on cultural things that are happening, like really look at culture in general. Sometimes students are so busy that they miss out on small things, like a movie at a cinema. They need to manage their time so that they can have moments that allow a spark of creativity.”