California Baptist University 2022

Architecture strives

with team wor k

A As college students, there are times when the pressure to turn in work becomes the main focus of the school, instead of relishing in the reason why students chose the major. Karissa Mortiz, sophomore architecture major, recalls why she was first inspired to choose architecture as her career path. “Architecture has always been a part of me. I started building cities at a young age with whatever material I could find, and I always enjoyed the idea of creating somewhere that others can enjoy. Choosing architecture was the perfect avenue for me to integrate everything I love into one composition: History, art, creation, and the chance to serve others.” Classmate Erik Ruiz, sophomore architecture major, states, “I believe some classes do ignite my passion for architecture, although the workload can, and does, diffuse it from time to time. It can be a battle, but having a goal helps in keeping me motivated. Although, I primarily continue pursuing architecture because I believe God has plans for me in this

career path.” Ruiz’s goals were temporarily paused when classes went online during the 2020-2021 school year. Ruiz recalls what it was like: “I would say the biggest difference from then to now, is the environment. While online, you would be assigned work and you had to go off and do it by yourself. This year, we all get to work together, surrounded by friends in the studio, being able to bounce ideas off each other.” Architecture is not lonesome work. The community that has been built within this program is what reconnected Ruiz and Mortiz to their passion. “There’s a social network and community within architecture that is uniquely powerful and motivating,” Mortiz says. “We help each other, work together and build together. Architecture can never be purely the work of one person: It’s the designing team, engineers and the context of an environment built by the people, all creating one project. I believe it’s the beautiful interconnection of all these fields that I love.”

STARTING FROM SCRATCH (right) Students create mock-up structures built from paper for architecture projects.

WORDS Anyssa Gonzalez

PHOTO Marharyta Smirnova

DESIGN Madison Kirkland Kia Harlan

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Architecture