A Word on Tech Transfer

The phrase "tech transfer" has been in the air lately and I learned recently that it means something much more specific then I had assumed. Taken at face value it would seem to indicated building upon a technology in a new way, ie transferring use from one purpose to another and building on research across fields. It turns out that in fact the term describes the relationship of research, funding, and business development between sectors. A university's Office of Technology Transfer "manages the commercialization of federally-funded university research," and is akin to a "high-tech dating service"* between university research and industry. Applying for and managing

Extra Curricular: City of Dreams Pavilion Competition

Figment is one of my favorite events in New York City. It is a non-commodified, completely volunteer run, participatory arts festival on Governors Island in June. Hundreds of artists and over 10,000 visitors come together to celebrate the gift of interactive creativity. Participation begins now as a committed group of friendly artsters lays the groundwork for making it all happen.

For my part in 2010, I am working on running a new design/build competition for a summer-long pavilion. Entries are already starting to come in. The winning piece of architecture will provide a shaded location for planned or impromptu performance and gathering, located in the City of Dreams. In considering the context of time and place it will have an ecological outlook on its material stream and historic moment, looking forward to a beautiful future. It is destined as a reminder of the accomplishments born of collaboration and material re-use, while existing as a temporary place that will be reborn with ever greater potential each year.

The City of Dreams Pavilion competition is a collaboration of Figment, Emerging New York Architect Committee (ENYA) of the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter (AIANY) and the Structural Engineers Association of New York (SEAoNY). The deadline for registration is February 8, 2010.

http://figmentproject.org/pavilion

Welcome

Welcome to a new blog chronicling my work and experience at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Center for Architecture, Science, and Ecology (CASE). This is an interdisciplinary architectural sciences program focused on research and develpment of next generation building technologies for sustainable architecture and urbanism. We are located in the Skidmore, Owings & Merrill offices in New York City.

At this point I am nearly halfway through with a one-year master degree. By August 2010 I will have a Master of Science in Architectural Sciences with a concentration in Built Ecologies. The work is speeding along quickly. The mission of this blog is to track and organize my thoughts vis a vis my research and professional development and to offer a simple collaborative platform for sharing ideas about design, technology, research, and sustainability.