The new group of 3rd-years have arrived and hit the ground running (with maybe a stumble or two) as they begin the process of taking over Ophelia’s Home project and start to get acclimated in their new spot for the semester. Before discussing the details of their project, the students took a tour of several past Rural Studio projects to familiarize themselves with the town and other 20K Homes around Newbern. Once touring and neckdowns were completed, the initial goal for the newbies was to look through all the hard work last semester’s 3rd year group put in to creating the best version of Joanne’s home for Ophelia. One of the first steps was to understand the foundation and the reasoning behind some major decisions made in the design.
New kids on the block… Meet the 3rd-years!
Adam “Slow-Movin” Boutwell
From: Bay Minette, Alabama
Joke: Today my brother asked me, “Can I have a book mark?” We’ve been brothers for 21 years and he still does not know my name is Adam.
Hobby/Talent: Professional snapper
Yearbook Quote: “Mountains never meet, but people do.”
Alex “Old Soul” Harvill
From: Tampa, Florida
Joke: Some people think prison is one word… but to robbers it’s a sentence.
Hobby/Talent: Riff on the air guitar.
Yearbook Quote: “Surely you can’t be serious”
Daniel “Go-To Goatee” Burton:
From: Prattville, Alabama
Joke: My friend keeps saying, “Cheer up man, it could be worse, you could be stuck underground in a hole full of water.” I know he means well.
Hobby/Talent: Amateur chopstick craftsman
Yearbook Quote: “There’s a stack of freshly made waffles in the middle of the forest! Don’t you find that a wee bit suspicious?”
Elizabeth “Parking Services” Brandebourg
From: Auburn, Alabama
Joke: Two guys walk into a bar, but the third one ducks.
Hobby/Talent: Wildlife photography
Yearbook Quote: “We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.”
Elle “MNOP” Whitehurst
From: Peachtree City, Georgia
Joke: Ask for more info.
Hobby/Talent: Can talk with mouth closed
Yearbook Quote: “I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley”
Hannah “Trevor” Moates
From: Ozark, Alabama
Joke: Did you hear about the new corduroy pillow? They are making headlines everywhere!
Hobby/Talent: The Auburn Eventing Team
Yearbook Quote: “Better is the enemy of good.”
Jackie “The Marine” Rosborough
From: Deerfield, Illinois
Joke: I’m addicted to brake fluid, but I can stop whenever I want.
Hobby/Talent: Making coffee. Try a pourover from me to decide if it’s a hobby or a talent.
Yearbook Quote: “My vibe is like, hey you could probably pour soup in my lap and I’ll apologize to you.”
Jasvandhan “Jay” Coimbatore Upendranath
From: Coimbatore Tamil Nadu, India
Joke: ur mom
Hobby/Talent: Binge watching
Yearbook Quote: “I wish there was a way to know you were in the good old days, before you’ve actually left them.”
Jooyoung “Tree” Lim
From: South Korea
Joke: Why was 6 afraid of 7? Because 7 ate 9.
Hobby/Talent: Soccer
Yearbook Quote: “Your secrets are safe with me… I wasn’t even listening”
Lauren “Patio” Deck
From: Aurora, Illinois
Joke: Your workout routine
Hobby/Talent: Black belt taekwondo
Quote: “No pain, no gain.”
Luke “Shamus” Killough
From: Huntsville, Alabama
Joke: I’m in architecture for the money.
Hobby/Talent: Can shred on a kazoo
Yearbook Quote: “I have no idea what I’m doing, but I know I’m doing it really, really well.”
Shijin “Surgeon” Ding
From: Qingdao, China
Joke: At Disney I heard a mother talking to her son say, “We’re in the happiest place on earth. Don’t let me slap you.”
Hobby/Talent: Photoshop, InDesign, CAD, Sketchup
Yearbook Quote: “Your hair is winter fire, January embers. My heart burns there too.”
For the first week of studio a good ‘ol fashioned pull-planning session was held to create a rough to-do list in order to get the project done in time for Pig Roast. The studio was split into four teams that consisted of framing, enclosures, MEP, and interiors. Although there’s a lot to be done for the semester, this framework will allow the project to be completed smoothly with a competent team of 3rd years (good luck finding one!).
(Kidding, they’ve got this.)
The first few days on site were spent digging drainage trenches and preparing for floor framing which will occur next week. The first steps to the floor framing was to place the girder in order to secure the joists. Gravel was poured into the trenches which will surround the drainage tile that is to be put in place.
Working to get the girder in place 
Adam on the rocks!