Ļć½¶Ö±²„architecture student video features innovative design as part of NYC Short Films Walk this week
Contact: Christie McNeal
STARKVILLE, Miss.āAn internship has proven to be a lifechanging experience for one Mississippi State architecture student, and the result of his summer work is on display this week in New York City during the Architecture and Design Film Festivalās Short Films Walk in the Soho Design District.
Senior Baron O. Necaise of Gulfport is sharing a film he created as a summer intern to be shown in one of eight showrooms at the festival on Wednesday [Oct. 2] from 5-9 p.m. For more, visit .
In addition to architecture, Necaise has interests and talents in photography, videography and social media. When he was struggling to choose a focus area for his future career, Ļć½¶Ö±²„Associate Professor Jacob Gines stepped in to help.
āHe told me I donāt necessarily have to choose one of these passions and that I could use my variety of skills at many firms, such as at Method Studio, which values this kind of skill set,ā Necaise said.
Necaise interned with architectural design firm Method Studio in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he quickly put his video skills to use when he learned about a competition through the American Institute of Architectsā Blueprint for Better campaign to tackle key issues with clients and community leaders.
āMethod is really interested in community activism and thought their Bud Bailey multi-family affordable housing project would be a great fit for the competition,ā Necaise said.
He created a video about the firmās housing project for low-income families, refugees, children aging out of foster care and previously homeless individuals.
Coincidentally, Necaiseās annual fourth-year architecture studio field trip, which has been scheduled for months, also is taking place this week in New York City. He and classmates are excited to see his work as part of the Short Films Walk experience.
āBaronās design interests and videography skillset perfectly aligned with the vision Method Studio had for documenting Bud Bailey,ā said Gines, who in addition to his faculty role in MSUās School of Architecture also is vice president of research and design at Method Studio. Each semester, Gines serves as a mentor to a student research fellow for the firm.
āArchitecture is so much more than building,ā Gines said. āIt is concerned with the issues of our time. Having this opportunity to document the Bud Bailey Apartments brings to light the challenges and incredible opportunity architects have to create meaningful and humane housing for formerly homeless and other displaced individuals,ā he said, adding that the ācompassion and professionalism that Baron demonstrated throughout the project is to be applauded.ā
āThe School of Architecture is very fortunate in the synergy between the talents of our student body and our faculty,ā said Interim Director of the School of Architecture Jassen Callender. āOn the one hand, our students are committed to exploring the boundaries of architecture and working for greater recognition of the profession outside the academy. On the other, many among our faculty are closely involved in the profession and therefore remain aware of the leading edge of practice.Ā Baron Necaise and Professor Jacob Gines are exemplary leaders in this regard.ā
Necaise said he didnāt know much about affordable or refugee housing before he started the project.
āI learned so much about the people these types of projects serve and how their voices and opinions arenāt heard on a daily basis; they are often put to the side. Itās an important issue thatās not talked about enough,ā Necaise said.
āOne of the reasons I chose Ļć½¶Ö±²„was because they found value in expanding studentsā knowledge past the four walls of the classroom,ā Necaise said. āFaculty push us to travel and take opportunities outside of the school. Thanks to them, this whole experienceāthe internship, the competition and now the film festivalāhas solidified my passion for this profession. Itās shown me that I donāt have to pick. I can do it all in the future, and Iām thankful to Professor Gines for helping me to realize that. Starting this summer, I had no idea it was going to mean so much to me, but itās an experience I wouldnāt change for the world.ā
Learn more about MSUās College of Architecture, Art and Design and its School of Architecture at caad.msstate.edu and onĀ Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @CAADatMSU.
Ļć½¶Ö±²„is Mississippiās leading university, available online at .