| Architectural Badge Resources |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Interview with Lauren Stara, Architect (Fulfills #2 for Junior Architecture Badge and Career Exploration #4 for the Architecture and Environmental Design IP.) Juniors: After reading this check out Main Street at Disneyland. Go to Disneyland, take a picture of your favorite Architectural Building, and share with your troop. |
- Troop 698: How old were you when you decided to become an architect?
Ms. Stara: I was between my junior and senior years of high school, so that
would be 16.
- Troop 698: What type of education does it require?
Ms. Stara: To become a registered architect, you must earn a Bachelor of
Architecture degree, which takes 5 or 6 years. Then you must pass the
Architecture Review Board's examination, which takes 4 days.
Troop 698: Did you find it harder for you, as a woman, to be an architect? If
so, what was your biggest obstacle?
Ms. Stara As you know, I got out of the architecture profession in the early
1990s, though I still maintain my license, so my experience may not
be as true today. I definitely felt the effects of the "Old Boys
Network" in the profession, not so much at the entry level, but as I
gained responsibility over the years. Especially in management and
building officials, I was talked down to. I had to grow a very thick
skin and have my facts down solid.
Troop 698: What did you like best about being an architect?
Ms. Stara: I love design work. I chose architecture as a career because I wanted
to do something that used both my "left brain" math skills and my
"right brain" artistic side.
Troop 698: What year did you work for Disneyland?
Ms. Stara: actually worked for WED Enterprises (WED stood for Walter Elias
Disney), which became Walt Disney Imagineering in the mid-80s.
Imagineering is the design arm of the corporation, and does most of
the design work for all the theme parks. I worked there from January
of 1982 to the end of 1987.
Troop 698: What were some of your projects at Disneyland?
I worked on a lot of miscellaneous things (details under a senior
designer) on EPCOT before it opened, and I did quite a bit of the
architectural work for Pleasure Island, also in Florida. At
Disneyland itself, I worked on an upgrade and remodel of most of Main
Street USA.
Troop 698: Why did you change your career to be come a librarian?
Ms. Stara: I found that as I rose in the corporation, my job became much more
about building codes and administration, and less about design work.
I was never what you might call a traditional architect, having spent
most of my career working for places like the Bronx Zoo,
Imagineering, and the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. I found myself
becoming more interested in research and computers as the Internet
developed, and I got a job at a public library. In 1996 I decided to
get my Master's degree in Library Science.
I am now thinking about a third permutation of my career, melding
-both skills. There is a small, little-known specialty called
"Library Consultant," -- a person who knows how libraries work and
who helps translate between the librarians and architects when a new
library building is being designed.
Troop 698: What advice would you give to another girl that wants to become an
architect?
Ms. Stara: I would say: architecture school is hard. It is designed to winnow
out people who aren't tough. That experience is a training ground for
the profession. It's important to learn not to take criticism
personally and use it as a way to learn.
As far as practice goes, be aware that you will not be sketching or
designing on the computer all the time. You have to know about codes
and laws, and how to solicit work and deal with clients. One thing is
for sure: it's never boring!
Ms. Stara: Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity! It helped me to
reflect and remember why I've done some of the things I've done. I
loved being an architect, and I love being a librarian. Follow your
heart and find something you are passionate about! After all, you
spent at least 40 hours a week at your job, and it's worthwhile to
find something you love. Best wishes to all of you.
Lauren Stara
California Registration #C19142
| Cadette Career Exploration #3 Lauren Stara worked on Main Street, Disneyland. Look to see if you notice the perspective design created to give the illusion of the buildings being taller. (the buildings are actually constructed smaller and/or narrower as you move towards the top of the structure). The actual street narrows as well. Do you know why Walt Disney created it that way? |
| Cadette Service Project #1 Log on to www.bidclerk.com/news/index.jsp. Try and find a construction site in your area. Record your observations on how the construction has affected 3 of the following: *Pedestrian or Car Traffic *Noise or Pollution Levels *Public Transportation Usage *Available Affordable Housing *Number of Diversity of Plants *Frequency of Flooding *Energy Demands Share your finding with a group, troop, friends, or family. |
| Cadette Skill Builders #2 Create 3 drawings of architectural spaces...... (examples) |
| Cadette Technology #4 While visiting Disneyland, take a picture of a cool building. Then Design & Build a Small Structure, such as a Birdhouse, that is similar...... (examples & Links) |
| Cadette Skill Builders #4 Cruise around Disneyland and determine and compare the different architectural styles throughout the different lands. How similar are these designs to others outside the park and in different countries |
| Cadette Skill Builders #1 Find out about the types of drawings the architects make. Find the exhibit on Main Street and the museum on top of "Pirates of the Caribbean". Did Disney use similar drawings? Links and examples: There are 3 basic types of drawings architects make. |
| Cadette Service Project #4 Using Chapter 2 of the Girl Scout Publication "Focus on Ability: Serving Girls with Special Needs" as a guideline, perform an accessibility study at Disneyland. Share your results and recommendations with Disneyland's City Hall for better accessibility. |