Isabella M. – Studying Architecture in a Virtual World

Artist Statement

My name is Isabella Marcellino and I was born and raised in New York City. I attend Elisabeth Irwin High School, often called LREI, which I will be graduating from in June of 2021. Throughout my life, I have been obsessed with the way things look and work. I spent my childhood exploring my apartment, going underneath tables and chairs, attempting to understand their forms and how they were constructed. I designed by drawing, building with blocks, and playing computer games. My interests in art, science, and math have been constants throughout school, and have led me to realize that I want to further my education in college by pursuing a field of study that combines all three: architecture.

I have only recently begun formally studying architecture, having taken an online Architectural Design studio at the Center for Architecture last summer. In order to have added design experience before the fall, I decided to explore taking a college-level course. I discovered an online class called Design Communication I at UCLA Extension.

The course required that we complete a series of assignments involving translating three-dimensional spaces into two-dimensional drafts. This resulted in representing objects and spaces both by drawing sides individually or by drawing from an axonometric view, which measures objects along the axes, without any perspective. In these two-dimensional drawings, a variety of line weights becomes essential when the intention is to represent depth and perspective. Along with my drafts, I independently recreated my two-dimensional drafts into three-dimensional form using a computer-aided design (CAD) program called SketchUp.

Having the opportunity to take this course is exactly what I needed before I enter an architecture program in the fall–the goal has not necessarily been to explore my personal creativity in my work, but rather to familiarize myself with the tools and programs I will often use during the next four years. This progress can be seen as you walk through my gallery, from my portfolio cover, filled with uneven shapes, off-centered titles, and improperly used line weights to my final project, which I could not be more proud of.

Click the “full screen” icon in the bottom right-hand corner to view my gallery!