The Viewbook
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
City & Regional Planning
Vicente del Rio Field: City and Regional Planning Reason for entering teaching: I was a teaching assistant during the last year of my undergrad, and was invited to stay as an instructor after I graduated. reason for entering the field: I got my undergrad degree in "architecture and urbanism" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is a five-year professional degree, in the sense that you automatically get a professional license. In Brazil, all architecture degrees are also in urbanism because there is a lot of planning and urban design in the curriculum. I got more in love with the planning and urban design aspects than with mere architecture because they deal more with the human, social and psychological aspects of cities and community life. I was interested in how to plan and design better cities for people. I just thought I could make more of a difference in society by going into planning and urban design. favorite quote: "Don't look for the right answer, but for the right question" (Confucius) continued inspiration: I guess that I get my inspiration into different ways. The first is just by having learned how to observe the environment around me, and to learn from that: how does it function, how people use it, how does it look like, etc. My second source of inspiration is teaching and doing research; it's like having a continuous "carrot" in front of you: you want to help the students add to their knowledge, get the necessary problem-solving skills and critical thinking… and this keep you going. last reason to explode in laughter: biggest challenge: My biggest challenge will always how to be a good teacher… it is not easy…you have to "tune in" to every class, present the curriculum in an interesting and appealing way, and get students interesting in learning as a continuous process that does not with the class but should always go on, with life itself. description by students: Good teacher, funny, very attentive and dedicated, brings in lots of experience. favorite part of the day: For me the best part of the day ts the end of the afternoon, because of that feeling of "mission accomplished" but you still have time to go and do something before you body starts to fail and you gotta sleep…. perfect day: When I manage to do all I planned for that day, or if I finished a project or a report at the deadline, and I am able to go play tennis while there is still sunlight! reason for coming to Cal Poly: I taught at the School of Architecture and Urbanism of the Federal University in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 1979 to 2001, when I moved to Cal Poly's City and Regional Planning Department. I needed some change in my work environment and more challenges in an inspiring university environment. I am also a strong believer in Cal Poly's approach of learn-by-doing and in community outreach. The other reason is that I had spent time in the US before, as a visiting scholar at the University of Cincinnati and as a visiting planner with the City of Baltimore, and me and my family felt it was time to leave Rio, a large stressful city of 6 million people. favorite weekend activity: To tell you the truth, it is not unusual to find me doing some Cal Poly related work during the weekend, normally on Sundays: grading, writing an article, preparing a class… and I like to do that in my office; its quieter. But I try not to do that too often or too much… Saturdays as more for relaxing, playing tennis, choruses at home, a movie. We don't travel that much for the weekends. favorite part of the central coast: We love it here. We also love the Big Sur… the whole California cost is very pretty. The mix of beaches and mountains is what make the landscape so unique. San Luis Obispo is a great town, about the right size, and still within easy driving distance from Los Angeles and San Francisco, two of the most interesting cities in the US, with a lot of cultural, social, and professional activities.
Construction Management
Scott Keting Field: Construction Management Reason for entering teaching: Educating future construction managers is a rewarding career. Reason for entering the field: Both of my parents worked in the construction field when I was growing up. Favorite quote: "Work hard, play hard" Continued inspiration: Collaborative project teams and sustainable building practices Last reason to explode in laughter: My wife and two kids make me laugh everyday. Biggest challenge: balancing work, family and personal time. Description by students: Enthusiastic about Construction Management. Favorite part of the day: Mornings Reason for coming to Cal Poly: The "Learn by Doing" philosophy and the location. Favorite weekend activity: Spending time with my family at the beach. Favorite part of the central coast: I love it all!
Landscape Architecture
Christy O'Hara Field: Landscape Architecture Reason for entering teaching: I wanted to help people and have a job where I would always continue to learn Reason for entering the field: The dynamic challenge of designing an ever-changing landscape Favorite quote: "Enjoy the little things, for one day you might look back and realize they were the big things." Robert Brault Continued inspiration: Andrea Cochran, Dan Kiley Last reason to explode in laughter: my children make me laugh every day Biggest challenge: going back to grad school with 4 small children Description by students: kind and available Favorite part of the day: morning perfect day: coffee, the newspaper, a walk with the dog, day spent reading, dinner with family and friends Reason for coming to Cal Poly: national prominence of the program and beautiful place to live Favorite weekend activity: anything outside Favorite part of the central coast: love the variety of beautiful landscapes, from sea to mountains