Archinect: Making architecture more connected

It is no surprise that the trend of 'blogging' would provoke architecture students to rant online about their consistent all nighters and stress of being an architecture student. Archinect School Blog offers just the safe and understanding atmosphere for that; but more importantly, the blog is written by more than 150 participating architecture students from around the world. Think of it as a recruitment of enthusiasts to document their experiences in their studio work and/or travels (Quite useful for prospective architecture students). Though the discussions are for registered users, one can persue the site and the blog without being registered. The blog is sponsered by Archinect, an architecture site for news, discussion, job listings, and much more.

The bloggers range from students of all years (first years undergrad to graduate students), and I believe there is an application process provided by Archinect to showcase your work and ideas. Though it is written by students, it holds a scholarly and academic vibe. The posts are incredibly detailed.The students relation to architecture is those of passion, of course, and because the site links to multiple blogger, the page is updated almost daily with two or three posts a day. Very smart because what architecture student (with a life) has the time to blog everyday?

However, I do have some things I'm not incredibly fond it. First off, the structural layout is just straight up messy. The pictures are scattered throughout the page, and all the showcase of work can be overwhelming to those not familiar with certain projects (or even to architecture students who see those similar images..daily...for hours...)

Second, the collaboration with the 150+ schools is beneficial, but it is also information overdose. For me, it just holds less of an attachment to the site...hrmm, I'm just saying I rather be attached to one specific reader. I know, lame, but I have attachment issues with certain bloggers okay? I can't deal with too many personal stories of travel and bad reviews bombarded in one page. Though we are living in world where we want instant everything summed up in one "image", there's something about that one personal voice.

Nonetheless, this is by far one of the most relavant blog I have come across so far because of its diversity in the students from around the world. I'm assuming the audience are architecture students, potential students, art enthusiasts, professors, and more? This blog feeds what I would like to write about because I can relate personally with the students. The lack of sleep, the abroad travels, the bleeding of fingers, and knowing the exact time the vending machines are refilled at school.