Student bio: Kristyn McKenzie

Kristyn with her poetic models

Hi my name is Kristyn McKenzie. I am a graduate student studying architecture at Catholic University. Participating in the Spirit of Place class is an experience I have been waiting for throughout my academic architecture career. Finally being able to do so is truly an opportunity of a lifetime especially since it is taking place in Nepal. I feel that seeing the project from the metaphor inspiration stage all the way through to the final reveal and celebration will make me even more proud to be in the field of architecture. I am most looking forward to working with the people from the village and being immersed into their culture. I am very excited to have this opportunity to meet new friends.

Student bio: Miguel Castro

Miguel with his poetic model

A bit of good fortune landed Miguel in the right place at the right time to participate in this year's Spirit of Place--Nepal.


I became involved with Spirit of Place randomly. I had to choose an architectural elective to take to finish off my final semester here at CUA as a graduating senior, and this was one that seemed the most interesting, I wasn't aware that it was going to be a mini studio I would be taking on the side, but once I learned that the project we would take part in designing will actually be built and in Nepal, I could not help but be more interested in the course. 

I was never aware at a young age that I had a deep connection with architecture. I remember being interested in architectural drawings (primarily section and plan drawings) and actually understanding space through these drawings alone. In high school I took a drafting class that eventually made me want to pursue it once I graduated.

I am taking a year off of studies for now. I plan to travel to Peru for a few months and explore the places I haven't seen or visited. If that doesn't go through, I will be looking for a job. Then, I plan to go to grad school after this year.

How many times in my life will I be able to go to Nepal? How often am I going to be able to say that I took part in a design and construction of a building in another part of the world? Nepal is going to quite an experience not only architecturally but culturally.

I have no clue about construction. I do know how to get rid of that blinking 12:00 light on old school vcr's and cable boxes...if that helps in anyway. 

Introducing...Maria Angelico

Maria Angelico was intrigued by the concept of this year's Spirit of Place and its location when she decided to become a part of the Kalevala project. She has immersed herself into this design-build by experiencing a new culture of "coffee, Kalevala, sauna," as stated by the curator of Seurasaari island, Aila. This recent graduate from Catholic University in architecture works within the event planning and design sector of PEJ, Inc. while applying for graduate programs in architecture and business school. Of the Kalevala, Maria says, "I actually only was aware that it has some tie to the Tolkien trilogy. I have learned that the Kalevala is so much more than a story, it is actually a part of who the Finnish people are."

catching some z's

Introducing...Dan Chiville

Dan Chiville has added some much needed spice to this Spirit of Place trip. Recently christened "Bieber" by his fellow classmates for his accurate impersonations, this recent Catholic University architecture student came on this expedition to see "what Finland is all about." He's been most looking forward to witnessing the fruition of a project he's been a part of for a half year.

Rainy beginning

Much like the birth of Väinämöinen, the central character of the Kalevala, our first day on the job was ushered in by massive rainfalls. What do 25 architecture students do in such times? Well, let's just say they put tarps to good use. Can you spot hiding feet? According to Finnish mythology, rain is a shower of love from the gods, so we'd like to think they were overflowing with generosity that day. See more pics on the Facebook site.

Introducing...Teresa Taylor

Teresa Taylor can be spotted on the Kalevalakehto site with construction documents in hand. She just finished up a 10 day trip in the El Salto region of Panama building a cabin with the Global Architecture Brigades and has put to use her many skills here in Helsinki. There's no shortage of travel and construction experience with this one. Of Spirit of Place Helsinki she says, "The appeal of the Spirit of Place trip, besides the obvious travel bonus, is that it is very rare to find such a unique and rewarding design/build opportunity. Travis Price's program has been extremely successful since day one and I knew I would learn so much from the process. It's also a mind-blowing realization knowing that something you helped imagine will be a tangible addition to this world." Teresa recently graduated from Catholic University and plans to continue her traveling spree with a 6 month internship with architecture firm, Sacro, in Peru this fall. 

Day One: Sightseeing

Greetings from Finland! We've arrived from various destinations: Greece, Panama, Scotland, Washington, DC, and CA and we've already begun construction in pouring rain. These guys are dedicated, that's apparent. To overcome any signs of jet lag on our first, Kathleen whipped us into sight-seeing tourists by taking us on a lovely jaunt through downtown Helsinki. 

Christina Franz working her photographic skills

Lean Green Fighting Machine.

A little pit stop after the open-air market

Alvar Aalto's controversial 1960s building by the water

Eliel Saarinen's Helsinki Central Train Station

Not ashamed to play the role of Tourist.

Helsinki Cathedral by Carl Ludvig Engel

Yes, we do!

Travis explaining the Cathedral's history

Nina Africa in front of the Thumb of Beauracracy 

Uspenski Cathedral

We arrived back at our hostel, built into the former Olympic stadium, which is also hosting an impressive showing of middle aged men running a marathon this week.

Introducing...Deirdre McMullen

Deirdre McMullen graduated in architecture from Catholic University in May and looks forward to Spirit of Place, Helsinki, as a way to be immersed in the Finnish culture and witness how the collective concept of the Kalevala will turn into a reality. She views the Kalevala as an "illustration of its past heroes. It is an epic full of magic and energy." She comes to Helsinki straight from traveling from Greece, another land full of mythical heroes.

Introducing...Allen Custer

Allen is a seasoned veteran on the Spirit of Place trip. He participated in the last journey to Ireland with the James Hoban memorial. This graduate student at Catholic University is looking for a new experience this time and believes that the Kalevalakehto will help him view Finland in a new light.

Introducing...Andrew Metzler

Andrew's poetic model from the design charette in January

Though currently spotted traveling around Europe, Andrew Metzler claims that he is most looking forward to coming on the Spirit Of Place experience for Helsinki to get some hands on experience. This first year graduate student at Catholic University sees the Kalevala as a multifaceted story told through more than just words. And he'll prove that this week!

Check out his portfolio here.

Introducing...Joshua Humphries

Joshua Humphries' response to why he decided to come on this trip was spelled out in all caps and exclamation marks. "FINLAND!!!! The culture is amazing and this is such a unique experience to discover it." The guy has got enthusiasm! No doubt a perfect recipe for a thoroughly exciting build in less than FIVE days!!!!(he's not the only one who can do caps and exclamation marks!) This Catholic Univeristy graduate student did not have a knowledge of the Kalevala prior to his involvement, but thanks to working with his fellow Finnish classmates, his insight into Finnish culture has grown dramatically. Joshua is looking forward to seeing the design he helped create actualize in each layer.

Introducing...Lys Hunter Schwartz

I originally met Lys last summer while we studied in Copenhagen, Denmark with DIS. She studied furniture design while I studied textiles and we bonded over a love of all things Scandinavian. Lys says


"I just finished my thesis "tools for the good life" at Pratt, completing my masters in industrial design. I examined how products can help us connect to our selves, each other and our environment. For inspiration I looked to ritual, anthropology and psychology. 


Through my research, I met Travis; his process and design philosophy closely reselmbles my own. Through our talks and his mentorship, I became aquanted with Spirit of Place and was thrilled to be invited to be a part of it. I am looking forward to returning to Helsinki for this project. Bringing historic identities and legacys into the present with projects like this reinforces the unique cultural charecter, creating what Joseph Campbell would term an updated mythology. 

I am looking forward to getting to know all the individuals involved with the project, seeing the concept come to life and generally getting to be a part of this gift to the finnish people and culture."


Upcoming projects for Lys include a bar and restaurant in NYC and eventually making her way into teaming up with celebrity chefs and farmers markets to promote systems that will facilitate healthier eating habits. Certainly a woman with a plan! Check out her website here.

Introducing...John Pierce

John Pierce with this poetic model from the design charette at the Finnish embassy in January

John Pierce just graduated from Catholic University in architecture in May and is presently preparing for next week's (!) adventure. He decided to take part in the Spirit of Place project because of former classmates who took part and wanted to do the same. He's most looking forward to seeing a completed project that he helped design and I, for one, am quite anxious to see the final completion!

Introducing...Daniel Lucenti

Like many of his classmates at Catholic, grad student, Daniel Lucenti, wrote to me from abroad. He's currently in Portugal after a European summer tour before heading back to the states and then back to Europe for the build--11 days and counting! Daniel is thrilled to be participating on the build and most looking forward to experiencing culture combined with the building and business of architecture.