We caught up with BDS Architecture senior Lydia Randall to learn more about a recent project, Tree Pavilion.

Speaking of large-scale project that BDS architecture students collaborated on during the spring of 2017, Lydia explains the project. “The pavilion was the idea of Youth Arts Council (which Lydia serves on at BOPA) for their project ‘Lor Campground at Artscape. They requested an open space that provided shade, leading us [BDS students] to explore trees. We were also inspired by beach umbrellas because they can be put up and taken down easily. As the idea developed, we made foam prototypes to visualize how the tree would look. About five of us worked together on this project every day, each of us solving problems and dividing the work based on our strengths.”

The Tree Pavilion installation was featured in Artscape 2017. Artscape is America’s largest free arts festival, located on Mount Royal and Cathedral Street, Charles Street, Bolton Hill, and Station North Arts and Entertainment District, which also happens to only be a hop, skip and a jump away from BDS. Lydia mentions that the Tree Pavilion was one of her favorite projects from last school year. She says, “I felt an unparalleled collaborative energy with my classmates and, again we were able to see our ideas realized.”

Lydia’s Architecture teacher, Mr. Gordon, says, “Lydia embodies everything that’s great about a design-based curriculum like the Architecture program offers. Because she cares so much and is so thoroughly engaged in the world around her, she leaps into any project with enthusiasm and stunning insight. She never shies away from a challenge and when her eyes light up when she gets that spark of inspiration, you are reminded of everything that is great about teaching in this type of environment.”