Clarchitecture : The Mitch Clarke Project

If you spend enough time with Mitch Clarke, you'll start to realize that he speaks another language; a foreign tongue which even the most savvy polyglots may find challenging to decipher...words like  "Rendering" and "Cantilever" are just a few you may hear him spurt out as he meticulously works at his computer which may also be simultaneously blasting the best hits of the 80s. Clarke is a Clarchitect: a 3rd year architecture student at the University of Florida who's dreams are, quite literally, sky high. 

Read on to learn more about Clarke and watch as he gives you a sneak peek at his latest project. Comment, like, and share!

As an already accomplished young designer, Clarke spends a great deal of time diligently working in the design studio and has been recognized as 1 of only 200 students at UF for his outstanding for his work as a University Scholar. This measn that he'll be doing undergraduate research with the College of Design, Construction and Planning.

Clarke displays an observation pavilion he designed.
The model is made of bass wood, chipboard, and moss.
It took Clarke four days to build.  

 "I am one of 5 students from my specific college and also one of about 200 students through the whole university this year that will be recognized. What I will be researching is the effect of architectural design on student housing." Clarke says that this has recently become a passion of his that combines what he spends most of his time on-architecture and housing.

Clarke sings Fergus and Molly at his final chorale performance for the UF Men's Glee club and Women's chorale concert. Photo courtesy of Men's Glee Club.

 Clarke describes himself as "not the most normal person you'll find.
"To say that I’m over the top is an understatement. I feel that keeping things positive and lively make things better and try to brighten up everyone that I come across. Some interests of mine include musical theatre, singing, sketching, photography, event planning, student affairs, digital design, fashion design, interior design, and of course, architectural design. My hobbies are pretty limited, but I usually revolve them around singing with UF Men’s Glee Club and participating in student organizations in the School of Architecture."

As well as being fully involved in his studies and extracurriculars, Clark is also a Teaching Assistant for the Design 4 course in the School of Architecture.  

"This is the semester when students exhibit all their work over the past two years to the gain admission into the upper division in the School of Architecture. So far it has been a little time consuming, but overall a pleasurable experience. Seeing students progress with their designs over the semester, and many over the past year is uplifting. What I have learned is to be patient with people, and that when under the right circumstances, you can see people blossom and grow."

Clarke working on his context model in the design studio at UF. The context model displays the surrounding buildings of the site he plans to design on.

Though he cites the beginnings of his journey in Architecture with his freshman year at the University of Florida, Clarke says that in retrospect, he was always interested in how buildings worked and operated. 
"What interests me the most is how a building can make a statement of its surroundings and the way history can have an impact on a building. Another thing that strikes me as beautiful is the difference in scale that plays such an important role in architecture. How does a detail work into a room? The room on the floor layout? The floor layout in the building, and then the building in the site? These things become measurable and phenomenological in the sense of how one feels in the space."

Clarke is currently embedded in his work on a design of a library/research institute in Charleston, South Carolina. 

"My idea behind is the concept of an alley that shifts through the building much as an alley will do through the city itself, separating two main volumes of space on the city block. The idea stems from a mass/void relationship that builds and focuses on the walkability of the city to be incorporated into the project."

His dream building?
"My dream building would be a student housing development at a university that would incorporate sustainable features while using design techniques to help build community among its residents."

Digital model of Clarke's boathouse project.

Out of all of his projects to date, Clarke says the project he is most proud of is his final project for his 5th semester in the School of Architecture. 
"That was a design for a boathouse/clubhouse for the Florida crew team. I spent a lot of time working on details for the project, renders, drawings, and now my concept. The most striking part for me was the sustainable features that I incorporated which evolved from materials used, design techniques, and future planning for the site. Overall I had about 18 drawings and the project went well with the judges."

Clarke's work doesn't stop with the school end of the academic year. This summer he plans to study abroad in Hong Kong and Indonesia.  "For one week we will study the city of Hong Kong, the urban context, how the city plays a role in the life of an individual as well as the lives of the citizens as a whole. As we move into Indonesia, our studio takes over and we focus on a major design issue in the city of Yogyakarta. Here, we work with students of a major university to start the design process. What’s exciting (and terrifying at the same time) is that we will be working with students who may not speak English fully. This becomes a true test of my diagramming/drawing skills to communicate how I see the city and to examine how they view their home. Another major thing that I will explore is the student housing in Indonesia that will play a major role in my research back at UF. Of course, after all the research, sleepless nights, and presentations, I will be vacationing in Bali for about a week which will allow for the biggest de-stressing after a 4 week studio project."

All in all, Clarke adds that, for him, the design process does not come alone.
"Although I am proud of my achievements in the Department of Housing and the School of Architecture, I did not get here alone. If there is something I’m thankful for, it’s the group of people who helped me to get to where I am today. The professors, people on staff, peers, students, and above all, my friends who have been there with me through the good and bad."

Quote to live by?

"My quote to live by is from Walt Disney. It states “We keep moving forward, opening doors and doing new things…and curiosity leads us down new paths”. This exemplifies how I think my designs should manifest and how I manage my everyday affairs. Being stuck in the moment does you no good. Dwelling on the past hinders you. Another quote I have to remind myself of is again by Walt Disney. It states “All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you”. In the design realm, one can easily tear apart your project, not because they think less of you as a person, but because they want to see you design succeed. Taking things personally has always been an issue for me, and sometimes that “kick in the teeth” is what sets my mind right to further myself as a person and as a designer."

Listen to Labes : A preview

A preview of what's to come! 

Soon, Stories About Them will feature young actor/musician Philip Labes. He'll share with us his work, music, and musings. But for now, check out one of his original songs he released in February-Yosemite- and be sure to stay tuned for the article coming soon!

Marshall : Confessions of a Conservaholic

Marshall works the Sustainability Hut outside of a softball game, teaching spectators about sustainable living.

Hillary Marshall is an Environmental Science junior at the University of Florida. In addition to her studies and her job as a Resident Assistant on campus, Marshall is involved with the UF Office of Sustainability. She works as an intern, bringing awareness to sustainability issues on and off campus.

Click on the link below to hear what Marshall had to say about sustainable living and how she spends her time educating the public. 

Confessions of a Conservaholic

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