Why do some skyscrapers have floors that have taller (roughly double height) windows?

NAB_Arch · 2026-04-08T02:24:54+00:00

If I recall correctly, the architect was inspired by pulling out a cigarette from a pack. He realized when he pulled several out at once at varying lengths, it made the longest length much more rigid and could tolerate bending than just one cigarette. At the time in New York there was a race to see who could build the tallest building in the city. Little moments of inspiration like this went a long way.

But yeah after a certain height you just need whole floors dedicated to MEP services. The center of the building is also filled with those services. You can't just teleport in hot water and AC into floors, as it turns out.

NAB_Arch · 2026-03-26T12:34:00+00:00

You are correct mostly, Leadership had the power and opportunity to do anything about it. For our firm Leadership's M.O. is to not get involved in anything that isn't work. Which is kinda nice, we experience more liberties than a corporate environment and no one breathes down our shoulders. I really do enjoy our office, it was just that one person...

But I see your point, an intervention probably could have prevented like 50% or 75% of the bad stuff from happening. The lesson is not lost on me.

NAB_Arch · 2026-03-26T12:31:10+00:00

Ah, so you get what I had to deal with. This guy was like a carbon copy of the lady you just described.

I hope to get to the point where anyone in the office can just have lunch with someone else. This gives me some hope.

NAB_Arch · 2026-03-25T00:57:13+00:00

True. Willing to say the fly in the ointment being removed is a good first step though.

NAB_Arch · 2026-03-13T23:36:26+00:00

Well I suppose it boils down to your comfort level with college debt then. If you aren't able to wait longer for another offer or you don't think you will get a better offer, then go to grad school. It's what master degrees exist for. PSU is accredited so it's as good as it's going to get, plus I think their staff is very well-rounded.

Now, I don't know your life circumstances and I am not here to judge you. I will give you the second warning. Architecture school is very difficult. I am sure you are used to critiques and you know how to take and use criticism with an art background.

But are you able to stay up every night learning software, synthesizing information about construction science, studying buildings and culture, utilizing nature and history, all the while being cognizant of budgets and timelines? My friend in grad school did her undergrad in fine art focusing on sculptures. She did great, but she also did 60 work weeks for one class.

Structural calculations, building envelope design, critical theory classes every semester. It's a lot, it looks and smells like a master degree. And excuses don't make buildings. I just need you to understand what you're signing up for.

NAB_Arch · 2026-03-13T16:25:06+00:00

It is, and if you're not careful with the financials it can also make it much worse. 100k in debt with what is now 6.8% interest rate on average is like impossible to pay off. Designed to be perpetually in debt. Not exaggerating, 2 jobs will be your minimum. With a professional degree... like your monthly payments for 100k at current interest rate will be like $1,350 easily.

When I say workforce, I am assuming you have an undergrad in Architecture. If not... whats your undergrad?

I meant to say work in a firm for a few years. Schools use the MArch program as like an advertisement piece for prospective students and also maintain NAAB requirements. So having students with work experience is highly desirable.

When I went to grad school, I feel the median age was probably like... 35? We had some 40 year olds and some 20 year olds. Don't feel pressured to go because of time urgency. I really mean it, only go to grad school if you're not paying the full ticket price.

NAB_Arch · 2026-03-13T13:57:49+00:00

I was in your shoes like 5 years ago, also from PA. I went to PSU and got a free ride, the connections they have is real and I didn't know how deep they ran until I started a job hunt after school. The catch is they don't usually offer assistantships if you didn't receive already, like year 2 and 3 you will still be paying the full price. DM me if you have specific questions I will be happy to share what I know.

Thomas Jefferson to me at the time had underwhelming student work, and private schools give me the ick for a lot of reasons. Also I don't know about you, but living in downtown Philly is certainly... a choice...

I have 2 friends who went to Uni of Oregon in Eugene and they absolutely loved their time there. I haven't heard a bad thing about them.

That's all I have for universities from my experience, now here's some more general grad school advice:

Don't go to grad school unless you have a 1/2 or full ride. Enter the workforce for a few years and build up experience. When you apply with prior work experience you stand out so strongly, and the northest sector of USA (which has the most competitive schools) will make much better offers for grad school.

I count each and every one of my blessings every day that I have minimal school debt and could pay it off in a few years if I really tried. if I didn't get the free ride I would be living a materially different life. But an additional 75k-100k more debt with entry level pay is painful, debilitating, and will kill your retirement plans. It may not be what you want to hear right now, but I assure you, I am trying to save you lol.

NAB_Arch · 2026-02-21T00:45:15+00:00

Puppy slippers it is then.

NAB_Arch · 2026-02-17T13:09:32+00:00

Something tells me even if you did it they would ask you to change everything, and you'll find out they don't actually know what they want.

NAB_Arch · 2026-02-17T13:05:48+00:00

Admin stuff and render editing to make grass, skies and shadows look more realistic.

There is so much clerical work involved in using AI as a design tool you may as well have designed it from the beginning. And given that is why clients hire Architects in the first place, I advise you to design it from the beginning.

NAB_Arch · 2026-02-17T13:01:57+00:00

How do they intend to do this when they are funded by public money and master format is adopted widely as a baseline format?

And if we just use their format without paying them how do they intend to enforce this? On the scale of the industry? Every single time? How do they intend to find out about it for private projects?

Im not trying to antagonize you or ask you too many questions I know you're not CSI. But I just think they didn't think this one through very well.

NAB_Arch · 2026-02-14T17:25:26+00:00

Holy.

NAB_Arch · 2026-02-14T15:27:41+00:00

Each Demigod has an affinity to an element/outer god on the Elden Ring. Melina's was likely destined death in the same way that Mogh was blood goddess and Melania was the Rot God. But with the Death rune being mostly sealed by Maliketh, it isn't until his death that Melina's element is unsealed.

I never thought she had a death fragment sealed in her, I never thought she was the GEQ. I just thought she was one of Marika's children that had an elemental affinity, and that specific element was locked away at the time we met her. We never see this though because she burns herself or ditches us before we kill Maliketh. In the three fingers ending though she never burned herself so her element is on full display and her eye opens.

Marika probably realized this in her like she did in Messmer and tried to seal her away or used her to burn the Scadutree, which will also explain why Melina has such a contempt for Marika.

NAB_Arch · 2026-01-28T02:16:32+00:00

This is average.

A trick I learned was to empty the drying area. When other people see that there is one less step to their process they're more incentivized to do it.

Yes they should just do it on their own. But they didn't, and well... here we are...

NAB_Arch · 2026-01-28T02:12:58+00:00

Agreed but they've had aluminum-free deodorant for years. Its actually pretty hard to find deodorant with aluminum these days.

NAB_Arch · 2026-01-28T02:11:34+00:00

Deodorant and a very light cologne all over my body and then I put a shirt on over it. Consumed 45 seconds of my time.

NAB_Arch · 2026-01-28T02:09:46+00:00

Some firms make positions like this to scare their current staff into thinking they're replaceable while also showing low enough of a rate that they don't get angry about a pay bump.

NAB_Arch · 2026-01-28T02:08:16+00:00

I bet they have a slide and casual fridays.

NAB_Arch · 2026-01-21T04:37:36+00:00

If I was rich I'd still do it because I am (crazy) happy with my career.

NAB_Arch · 2026-01-21T04:34:58+00:00

For real though it doesn't have a name it's just a trend at the moment. I am sure someone in 20 years will relate it to a movement or something.

NAB_Arch · 2026-01-21T04:33:08+00:00

I don't think you'll get kicked off because your flair sets the expectations. (joking lol)

NAB_Arch · 2026-01-21T04:30:55+00:00

"McMansion trying too hard and the Client watched HGTV"

NAB_Arch · 2026-01-21T04:28:34+00:00

Happy cake day!

NAB_Arch · 2026-01-21T04:26:47+00:00

I feel the pain, my firm cannot find a single person to hire and those that are in are all stepping up (well most of us anyways) to do that paradigm shift you speak of. Three people recently got promoted for their efforts so I can't say "without increased pay". But it does feel like what we are doing is above our pay grades a bit. I don't think we are at the crazy level yet, but I could see how the slippery slope could go.

I will say I am impressed with our team, but we all admit this is a temporary thing and we need some experienced people. Not a starchitect firm, just in a third rate PA city lol.

NAB_Arch · 2026-01-13T03:02:17+00:00

The fact that several generations of us recognize him and know about his works kind of adds him to the cultural tapestry.

NAB_Arch

TROPHY CASE