May 22nd, 2016
The stark contrast of her burnt red jacket against the massive brushed metal wall first caught my eye. As I watched, her gaze wandered from the curved ceiling to the 40-foot glass doors, and the city that seemed to open just beyond them. I recognized on her face the sense of awe and appreciation that had struck me in my gut the second I walked into the space, and with this oddly joyful weight in my stomach, I walked up to her.
I asked if I could take her picture, and with a muted smile, she agreed. I framed the shot on the screen of my iPhone took the picture. She told me she had been standing in the same spot for 3 hours in awe, and I couldn't help but smile and laugh. I laughed because that was the same response I was having to the pure and intentional design that surrounded us.
We wandered the space for an hour, talking about the incredible power of design to convey a message, an emotion, a viewpoint. As we neared the end of our conversation, she said this:
“It only takes a moment to discover a soulmate connection, and I feel like we shared something like that just now”.
Even as I write this I am still realizing how accurate this word choice was. We connected through our love of architecture and creative expression, an instinctual connection.
Although I may never see her again, that experience gave me a new way of thinking about friendships and relationships. By no means do I completely understand how I see this new approach and I’m still giving it thought, but I like the way this mindset makes me feel.
You can find the image mentioned among other moments I appreciate on my Instagram, @eli_rudy
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I am going into my final year at the George Washington University in Washington DC, currently living in Berkeley, California.
If you are in the area, lets meet up! I love showing people some of my favorite hidden spots thought the Bay, and am more than up for discovering some new ones as well!
Here are a couple of thoughts to leave you with:
Upon reaching a new city, or if you just want to explore a familiar one, try following green lights.
I’ve recently been thinking about the future of transport, both individual vehicles and large-scale systems. I have some ideas, but I would love to hear from you!
Anxiety. Complex, hidden, paralyzing.
I recently rediscovered my love for hiking. If you live in the Bay Area, try the Marin Headlands. Out-of-this-world views, and I always feel like I find a new path.
I believe that beauty lives in everything, all that it takes to see it is a clear perspective.
I would love to hear from you! I am always open to a good conversation, or to brainstorm creative and disrupting projects.
Thank you so much for your time!
Eli Rudy
[email protected]
Berkeley, California