Yesterday was the day... the first day of our apprenticeship. Unfortunately, our host, Clint, was sick and "the day" got pushed back. So, today was the day! We got all dressed up and made our way to Cromwell Architects and Engineers, just a few blocks from the school.
Clint took us back to where we would be going through folders of old drafts, blueprints, and floor plans. He calls it "Document Mountain," and that it is. Hundreds of folders and thousands of drawings to go through... what better way to learn?
Erin, the other Cromwell apprentice (who also happens to be one of my best friends), sat across from me as we began our experience at Cromwell. Our job is to go through each of the folders and drawings, sort them by city and year, and set aside the ones that have unusual importance or value. Opening up drawings from over 70 years ago and getting to see each step of the planning process in hospitals, banks, and even our own school... you can only imagine the looks on our faces. We were constantly telling each other to come look at a sketch or a tiny detail that mesmerized us. Clint told us to keep an eye out for any drawings from some of the famous historical architects from Cromwell, such as Ginocchio. The next folder I opened had "Ginocchio" written across the bottom right corner of plans for a bank remodeling; they were easily the most amazing drawings I have ever seen.
By the time we had to go, I had already fallen in love with our apprenticeship. I would've stayed for hours to continue searching through "Document Mountain." I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the year at Cromwell and the projects that we will be involved in. A huge thanks to Clint Whitley, our amazing host, and his advice from today-"Make sure and start taking some allergy medicine...y'all will need it with all of this dust!"
By the time we had to go, I had already fallen in love with our apprenticeship. I would've stayed for hours to continue searching through "Document Mountain." I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the year at Cromwell and the projects that we will be involved in. A huge thanks to Clint Whitley, our amazing host, and his advice from today-"Make sure and start taking some allergy medicine...y'all will need it with all of this dust!"