Welcome (Back) to Urban Studio!

Every year, fall semester at Urban Studio begins with a Welcome Back breakfast. Students are settling into their first week of classes, as well as living away from Auburn. It can be an overwhelming week for both third- and fifth-year students. Hosting the breakfast event is a great way for them to connect more with each other and with local alumni while they become temporary Birmingham residents.

“We always look forward to bringing everyone together for the Welcome Back breakfast,” Urban Studio Administrative Director Jennifer Cloe explained. “The excitement of getting the new students settled in can be overwhelming, but our alumni—especially our Birmingham-based alumni—stay connected with Urban Studio and are always excited to welcome them. They still remember what it was like to get to the Studio for the first time and enjoy coming back. Plus, we don’t always get a chance to see our former students so it’s nice to check in with everyone.”

Although many local alumni visited the new Auburn in Birmingham building during the open house in July, guests had access to the entire building that evening.

Alumna Jessica Hughes Bennett ’08  reflected on the breakfast, “I hope that it entices younger students to seek doing a year- or semester-long program here, because it truly is a great environment for collaboration and learning.” Attending the breakfast gave everyone more time to really experience the space Urban Studio now calls home.

“The building is BEAUTIFUL and the environment it creates will hopefully allow creativity to flow,” shared Alexxys Montalvo ’19. “The way each space is designed and how it incorporates collaboration spaces allows students to have mental breaks if needed while staying in the same building.”

The goal of the breakfast isn’t just to give the new students a bit of a break from their coursework or bring alums back for a mini reunion. Events like the breakfast are designed to begin introducing students to local professionals who will eventually become colleagues and employers.

Fifth-year Laura Chavez appreciated the opportunity to meet alumni, “It was nice seeing where everyone came from and how they moved forward with architecture. That is something I haven’t thought about or seen—how one goes from school mode to real adult. It’s a little scary for a senior, but it’s a nice reminder where we’re headed to.” The breakfast setting provides a more relaxed environment for students to get some practice networking.

Urban Studio is designed to be more like a real-world experience. This living classroom style of learning provides opportunities not always found in a campus setting.

“Meeting alumni and hearing about how they have accumulated valuable practical experience in their work helps us better understand the realities of the industry. What’s more, interacting with alumni allows us to build valuable connections that will greatly benefit our future career development,” current fifth-year student Han Li explained.

“It was good to talk to alumni about the experiences they had at Urban and how it was different than now, such as their projects and the [previous] buildings they worked in,” added Tyler Layton.

Parting Thoughts for the Fall Students…

“Immerse yourself in your environment. Attend big events and eat at great restaurants as your budget allows. Take advantage of the free activities and see some culture… Partaking in what Birmingham has to offer will help you gain knowledge in how to impact urban environments positively all while rubbing elbows with changemakers in a city that has worn many hats and where it seems like everyone knows everyone.  Enjoy it and have a fun time while doing it.”
— Jessica Hughes Bennett ‘08

“Just dream big. Have a great idea and go with it. Allow professors and other professionals to push you even when it may feel uncomfortable. Be open to critique and try to incorporate it into your design. Everyone wants you to be the best designer you can be. Challenge yourself.”
— Alexxys Montalvo ‘19