Meet the Intern: Jennifer

My name is Jennifer Perez and I recently completed my junior year at the Williamsburg High School for Architecture & Design (WHSAD). This school has developed my passion for architecture and interior design even more than I thought possible. I've learned how to design buildings, playgrounds, neighborhoods, etc in AutoCAD, what damages buildings and what you can do to restore it without ruining the character of the building. Since I was a kid, the thought of having an idea and bringing it to life by designing it on paper and having it built over time fascinated me. The way buildings look both the exterior and the interior have always caught my attention.When I hear about buildings that have significant histories being demolished or changed; it gets me thinking," Why would they want to get rid of something so meaningful that makes New York City so special?" We should appreciate all the buildings, rather than just the flashy ones. 
      

When I came upon the opportunity to intern with an organization that preserves historic buildings and fights to protect them as Landmarks, I right away took the chance. I am excited to be able to experience the process to fight for the landmarks and what occurs during the process. What I hope to experience on this internship with Landmark West! is to be able to learn from the people I'll be working with and learn more about significant buildings on the Upper West Side, what has been happening to them over time, and what LW! does to keep these buildings landmarked and protected from being destroyed. I intend to help save buildings that should be landmarks during this internship and hope to pass down my ideas or views of certain things to my fellow co-workers that may help them in the future.
        
Just like Ezra Pound said," A real building is one on which the eye can light and stay lit," meaning real architecture is buildings or structures that catch one's attention and still catch it no matter how old it is. The building or structure should last a long period of time and eventually become significant to its neighborhood. This is what LW! is well known for: protecting buildings that catch one's attention and fighting for their right to become landmarks.Architecture is something people should value more, they're not just buildings we live in or work in, they have history and meaning.One may only notice this if they actually sit down and read and realize what architecture does for us and what it has to offer but yet many are too busy to even do that. That's why people like us who are interested should help others who are not aware to join the fight to help preserve buildings and make them into landmarks rather than an empty space or dust of history.

Back to School Means Farewell to Interns

LW! bids farewell to our two great high school interns, Jahmauny Monds and Jonathan Ortiz. Here, they offer us some departing words. We wish them all the best on this first day of school!

Jahmauny writes ...
I loved my time here at LANDMARK WEST!. I enjoyed being introduced to people, organizations, and history. I learned about a building's primary purpose, and discovered how influential a building can be to a neighborhood. I sat in and got involved with discussions on something new I learned through LW!: transferable development rights. I jumped into conversations about potential undesired expansions of original buildings on the Upper West Side. As promised, I joined the fight for appropriate preservation and I am glad that I was able to not only have but enjoy and benefit from this experience. My LW! staff is simply divine. I thank you all for having me and making me feel welcome. You are all great. Although this is the end of my internship with LW!, I will not say goodbye. With similar interests at heart, I thank Debi, Kate G., Cristiana, and Mrs. Arlene, till next time.

We're blushing ... thanks, Jahmauny!

Jonathan writes ...
During my time here at LANDMARK WEST! I have had so many new experiences, from observing a public hearing at the Landmarks Preservation Commission, to writing about buildings, to office work. My time here at LW! just flew by, and yet I got so much out of it. I enjoyed when I would get the task of taking pictures of certain buildings, because it made me appreciate buildings that I passed by hundreds of times but never really looked at. LW! really opened by eyes and taught me to appreciate my surroundings because that's what makes up a part of you. I will remember the people I met here and the moments I had with each of them for a long time. I am also going to miss the office itself because it is the most unique space I have ever seen! You can't look anywhere without something catching your eye, whether it be a decoration, a knick-knack, or one of the several paintings or photographs just hanging around the office. Sometimes I would have to remind myself I have a job to do when I would start to look at all the cool stuff in the office. This has been a great experience and I would not have changed anything about it.

We were incredibly lucky to have two inquisitive and industrious students with us this summer.  As much as we taught them the ropes of neighborhood preservation, we learned so much from them as well!  Look back at posts from both Jahmauny and Jonathan -- and all of this summer's interns! -- by clicking here.

West End Presbyterian: An intricate marvel

A guest blog by WHSAD intern Jahmauny Monds 

When I walked up to the West End Presbyterian Church, it was clear to me that this building is definitely a proud work of art.

It is detailed terrifically and precisely. I took great notice of its bold symmetrical design. I was stunned by the arch engraving. The building is absolutely impressive, with its unique brick patterns (bonds). The dazzling circle window above the arches has details that are simply exceptional. I think the aesthetics on this building are amazing; a fine church indeed.

First Baptist Church: A West Side Romanesque stunner

A guest blog by WHSAD Intern Jahmauny Monds

I went out on a journey to find a landmark on the Upper West Side that sparked my interest. I came upon the First Baptist Church. I was captivated by the architecture of this building. Its central window especially captured my eye. I couldn't get over the complexity of the arches, with Corinthian-like capitals and the geometrical innovation of having both cylindrical and prismatic towers (which surprisingly worked well together). 

I really enjoyed the mathematical aspects of this church. There was a variety of unique circular window designs. This is one of the best examples of Romanesque-style architecture that I've ever seen. In the heart of the Upper West Side, at the corner of West 79th Street and Broadway, this gem is just another one of the neighborhood's simple pleasures.

Fun Fact: You'll notice that the building was built on a 45-degree axis; its intention was to expand, as much as possible, the church's auditorium space. 

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First Baptist Church is a landmark protected!  The church is included in the Riverside-West End Historic District Extension I, which was designated a New York City Historic District by unanimous vote of the Landmarks Preservation Commission on June 26, 2012.  Read our email recap here; then, celebrate!

GUEST BLOG :: Meet Jonathan, LW! Summer Intern

This is the second intern introduction for the summer, following our earlier post welcoming Williamsburg High School for Architect & Design student Jahmauny.  Below, get to know Jonathan.  Then, stay tuned for posts authored by our interns!

Hi, my name is Jonathan Ortiz and I am 16 years old, going into my junior year of high school. I got involved with LW! through the “I Have A Dream” Foundation (IHDF) DeHostos-Wise Program. IHDF works to ensure that every student in the program has the opportunity to pursue a higher education. They do this by providing tutors for us, bringing us on college visits, and always preparing us for anything college-related. 

IHDF also provides mentors, internships, and opportunities to participate in programs such as LW!. I have been staying busy with IHDF and LW!, so I have been having a pretty good July, if I may say so myself! 

My favorite part of the summer so far was when I visited New York University with the IHDF. My favorite subjects in school are math and science because I like how everything is tied to those two subjects and how there is not an end to how they can be applied. 

I am planning on studying architecture in college because I find it interesting how building styles change over time. I enjoy helping people, and I feel like architecture can do that. Nice buildings can help the people in the community enjoy their surroundings and maybe even brighten up their day. If I don’t go into architecture, I want be in another profession that helps communities.

GUEST BLOG :: Meet Jahmauny, LW! Summer Intern

This is the first intern introduction for the summer, following our earlier post welcoming our new team members.  Below, get to know Jahmauny.  Then, stay tuned for intros from the rest of our interns!

What is WHSAD?

I am Jahmauny Monds, and I just completed my sophomore year at the Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design (WHSAD). With many unique aspiring architects and engineers, WHSAD has an amazing environment. Not only does this school allow me to integrate my skills such as designing and creating a 3-D model of the three main Greek columns for my English project on Greek architecture, but my school also teaches me how vital beautiful early and modern – day architecture has become.

What are some of the preservation-related courses you took this past year?

During my second year at WHSAD, I took an intricate, in-depth course in historic preservation. This class took me step-by-step through the different types of brick, brick bonds and methods to creating bricks. Then we researched the history of the infamous brick and how this invention was industrialized by the pug mill. With all of this newly developed knowledge, we then began to use Autodesk’s AutoCAD to create and plot our very own brick bonds.

What do you like best about studying architecture?

What I find the most intriguing about architecture is the amount of history that goes along with it. Architecture has power and meaning. It can show queens and kings, it can pay respect to deities of that time period, and it also shows the level of intelligence and creativity or the architects of that time. From Lady Liberty to the pyramids in Egypt, architecture is and forever will be, in my eyes, the most fascinating aspect of civilization.

What are you looking forward to doing in LW! this summer?

With my love for architecture, I have joined the LW! team this summer with the intention to preserve the history and ingenuity of New York City’s early building designs and techniques that were applied to the primary buildings of this great city. I plan to post more blogs with updates on the ongoing battle to keep these sacred buildings in their original state. I will also be a part of a specific project which is the Central Park West Skyline.

The LW! Crew, Summer 2012 Edition

The number of full-time staffers at LW! can be counted on one hand (seriously, there are three of us, plus our full-time President, Arlene Simon!).  And so every year, this quartet looks forward to the summer months, when we welcome an energetic team of student interns.  Their ages range (from high school juniors to 2nd-year graduate students), but their desire to learn about the ins and outs of preservation advocacy via the LW! model is shared among them!

Throughout the summer, LW! will introduce each of our student interns.  Then, track our blog for regular guest posts by each intern.  Meet the folks behind the organization, and get to know LW! through fresh eyes!  The Summer 2012 intern roster is:

• Jason Crowley, 2nd year graduate student in the Historic Preservation Master's Program at Columbia University;
• Jonathan Ortiz, our first summer intern from the "I Have a Dream" Foundation (though we met Jonathan last year when his summer program group, the De Hostos-Wise Dreamers, worked with LW's Dir. of Education, Debi Germann);
• Jahmauny Monds, from the innovative Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design (that's the same alma mater as Ingrid, our energetic intern from 2011)

And of course you remember:

• Kate Gilmore, 3rd year graduate student in the dual degree Urban Planning and Historic Preservation programs at Columbia University;
• Zack Bunin, a junior at the University of Rochester, joining us for his third consecutive summer (time flies!)

Enjoy their posts, all summer long!

Spotlight on Education: As masons, tour guides, and advocates, interns experience architecture and preservation

At LW!, education is key.  Be it through walking tours, slide lectures, building research "how-to"s, design assistance, or our award-winning youth education program Keeping the Past for the Future -- sharing and celebrating the history and richness of the Upper West Side with our friends and neighbors is central to our mission.

Throughout the year, we welcome to our team a small handful of interns.  Many are current graduate students (like guest blogger Kate Gilmore), learning the preservation, planning and advocacy ropes "on the ground".  More recently, we've added to our ranks high school-aged interns from the Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design.

Working with these students has been a tremendous experience for interns and LW! staff alike!  In addition to helping with "behind the scenes" projects, like updating our Online Buildings Database or taking photos, we've encouraged our WHSAD interns to engage with our membership right here on our blog.  2011 intern Ingrid partnered with Kate G. and wrote some of her own, original content -- check it out!

We're looking forward to meeting and working with more WHSAD interns in 2012 and can't say enough great things about the program.  In addition to LW!, organizations like the World Monuments Fund, A. Ottavino Corp. Stoneworks, Historic House Trust, Park Avenue Armory, and Green-Wood Cemetery have opened their doors to these impressive students.  

But, as the expression goes, don't take our word for it.  Check out the video below, featuring WHSAD interns (including our very own Ingrid!) in the field and in action.

Williamsburg High School for Art and Design Preservation Internship Program 

from World Monuments Fund on Vimeo.

Interested in partnering with WHSAD and hosting and intern?  We're happy to put you in touch; just email us!

GUEST BLOG :: Meet Ingrid, our summer high school intern

Introducing the newest addition to the LW! intern team
A Guest Blog, by Ingrid

I'm a new student at Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design (WHSAD), but I have a lot of great things to say about it. WHSAD is like a new door full with experiences that can take you far beyond your imagination.  Not only are the experiences good but also the opportunities the school offers.  To me, many schools try to teach you only one way; at WHSAD, you have the option to decide your own future.  WHSAD is a small united high school where students who are interested in architecture come together to expand their knowledge and show the world what they have to offer.  To learn more about WHSAD, click here.

This year (which was my junior year at WHSAD), I took a class in science called Preservation Arts.  It was my first time ever and it was very different from any other science class I have ever taken.  I learned things like knowing the reason a building looks the way it does after a few years.  This was something very new to me but a great experience all at once.

After my classes indoors, learning about building vocabulary and what we were going to see on a building, we finally had the chance to go outdoors.  Once we were outside, during the spring and summer time, we would take pictures of a building and answer a sheet our teacher would give us.  It asked questions about the way the building had been damaged and what would happen if nothing was done to stop the damages. And the way we can repair the problem without having to replace the whole building. More like a restoration, not a whole new change.

What I like most about studying architecture is the way there’s so many different levels to it.  From the style it can be created in, to the end design, even the cement or bricks architects can use to give those final touches.  Not only that but also the way a historical building can be preserved and kept the same way it was.  Not every architect does the same thing.  After all, everybody does have a different point of view.

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For the past year, LANDMARK WEST! has partnered with the Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design, hosting interns during the spring and summer.  Ingrid is the third intern we have welcomed to our team from this innovative public high school.  We look forward to sharing with her the history of the Upper West Side, and to learning from her fresh perspective on architecture and preservation!