Over the summer, I had the amazing opportunity to be a part of the Chicago Architecture Center’s Teen Fellow Program. I’m a HUGE architecture nerd, so being around like-minded people as a part of the Teen Fellows was a welcome experience. As part of the program, we visited numerous architectural firms, including some of the biggest names in architecture, such as Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM) and Stantec, who have designed some of the most recognizable buildings in the world, such as the Willis Tower, St. Regis Tower, and Chicago Riverwalk.
We spent six weeks learning sketching skills, physical modeling, and the basics of 3D modeling software like Rhino and Grasshopper (weird names, I know). The main goal for us as Teen Fellows was to create a community center for a public garden named Just Roots. When designing my own community center, I strived for a concept of separate buildings connected by hallways that bring people together, including a lounge, library, two-story cafe, and courtyard. My personal experience was amazing, as I made many friends. We had a running joke that we were the poster kids of the program because we looked like a diversity shot out of a college advert.
While my social experience was great, my experience taking my first technical college course for credit hours was not. My first midterm was one of the most stressful things I have ever experienced, spending hours and hours in voice calls with friends trying to perfect everything. In the end, it was worth it—I received an A—but I was not as lucky for finals, only receiving a C. While my bitterness for that C may remain, it’ll only push me to put more effort into perfecting my passion.
While my social experience was great, my experience taking my first technical college course for credit hours was not. My first midterm was one of the most stressful things I have ever experienced, spending hours and hours in voice calls with friends trying to perfect everything. In the end, it was worth it—I received an A—but I was not as lucky for finals, only receiving a C. While my bitterness for that C may remain, it’ll only push me to put more effort into perfecting my passion.
Khemmer Denard
