Rachel Stopka

Critic - Interior Architecture

Rachel Stopka is a design-builder and educator whose work focuses on collaboration between the fields of design and construction. She earned her MArch from RISD in 2010 and her BS in Mathematics in 2007 from the UMass Dartmouth, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Stopka is a licensed construction supervisor in Massachusetts and a Certified Passive House Consultant. She teaches at RISD and Roger Williams University, and she works with Jack Ryan Architect, LLC in Providence.

Courses

Fall 2023 Courses

INTAR 2377-01 - ADVANCED DRAWING & COMPUTING TECTONICS
Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
Format Workshop
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

INTAR 2377-01

ADVANCED DRAWING & COMPUTING TECTONICS

Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
Format Workshop
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2023-09-06 to 2023-12-13
Times: F | 1:10 PM - 4:10 PM Instructor(s): Bob Pavlik, Rachel Stopka, Sunkyu Koh Location(s): Center for Integrative Technologies, Room 103 Enrolled / Capacity: 12 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

This course focuses on the drawing as it serves to convey different design intentions. As a continuation of the basic drawing coursework in the MDes Summer Program, this course will explore advanced techniques in digital representation. Students successfully completing this course will be able to understand the construction of 3D drawings, develop sophisticated digital layouts with image processing software, create CAD based 2D architectural drawings and 3D models, and develop a 3D visualization of a design. The integration of 2D and 3D data, digital materials, as well as the basics of digital lighting and camera work will also be discussed.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

INTAR 2377-02 - ADVANCED DRAWING & COMPUTING TECTONICS
Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
Format Workshop
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

INTAR 2377-02

ADVANCED DRAWING & COMPUTING TECTONICS

Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
Format Workshop
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2023-09-06 to 2023-12-13
Times: F | 1:10 PM - 4:10 PM Instructor(s): Bob Pavlik, Rachel Stopka, Sunkyu Koh Location(s): Center for Integrative Technologies, Room 304 Enrolled / Capacity: 12 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

This course focuses on the drawing as it serves to convey different design intentions. As a continuation of the basic drawing coursework in the MDes Summer Program, this course will explore advanced techniques in digital representation. Students successfully completing this course will be able to understand the construction of 3D drawings, develop sophisticated digital layouts with image processing software, create CAD based 2D architectural drawings and 3D models, and develop a 3D visualization of a design. The integration of 2D and 3D data, digital materials, as well as the basics of digital lighting and camera work will also be discussed.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

INTAR 2377-03 - ADVANCED DRAWING & COMPUTING TECTONICS
Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
Format Workshop
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

INTAR 2377-03

ADVANCED DRAWING & COMPUTING TECTONICS

Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
Format Workshop
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2023-09-06 to 2023-12-13
Times: F | 1:10 PM - 4:10 PM Instructor(s): Bob Pavlik, Rachel Stopka, Sunkyu Koh Location(s): Center for Integrative Technologies, Room 305 Enrolled / Capacity: 12 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

This course focuses on the drawing as it serves to convey different design intentions. As a continuation of the basic drawing coursework in the MDes Summer Program, this course will explore advanced techniques in digital representation. Students successfully completing this course will be able to understand the construction of 3D drawings, develop sophisticated digital layouts with image processing software, create CAD based 2D architectural drawings and 3D models, and develop a 3D visualization of a design. The integration of 2D and 3D data, digital materials, as well as the basics of digital lighting and camera work will also be discussed.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

ARCH 2178-04 - INTEGRATED BUILDING SYSTEMS
Level Undergraduate
Unit Architecture
Subject Architecture
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
Format Lecture
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

ARCH 2178-04

INTEGRATED BUILDING SYSTEMS

Level Undergraduate
Unit Architecture
Subject Architecture
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
Format Lecture
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2023-09-06 to 2023-12-13
Times: F | 9:40 AM - 12:40 PM Instructor(s): Rachel Stopka Location(s): Bayard Ewing Building, Room 317 Enrolled / Capacity: 16 Status: Closed

SECTION DESCRIPTION

Conceived as the culmination of the technologies sequence of courses, this course allows students to choose amongst the three instructor's differing approaches to the problem of conceiving technology holistically, in relation to a set of architectural criteria. The conceptual and technical aspects of building systems are considered and emergent environmentally-conscious technologies are emphasized for research and application.

Prerequisite: All required technologies courses.

Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | BArch, MArch (3yr), MArch (2yr): Architecture

Summer 2024 Courses

INTAR 2322-01 - Introduction to Design Studio I: SPATIAL INVESTIGATION/DRAWING & MAKING
Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Summer 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

INTAR 2322-01

Introduction to Design Studio I: SPATIAL INVESTIGATION/DRAWING & MAKING

Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Summer 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-07-08 to 2024-08-16
Instructor(s): Julia Bernert, Rachel Stopka, Sara Ossana, Skender Luarasi Enrolled / Capacity: 14 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

This class will introduce the fundamentals of orthographic drawing through the investigation of an existing object. Working with the object, the student will study and implement the use of plan, section, axonometric and perspective to expose the spatial qualities of the structure. Basic drawing conventions and model making techniques will be introduced. The concept of architectural scale will be explored.

Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

INTAR 2322-02 - Introduction to Design Studio I: SPATIAL INVESTIGATION/DRAWING & MAKING
Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Summer 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

INTAR 2322-02

Introduction to Design Studio I: SPATIAL INVESTIGATION/DRAWING & MAKING

Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Summer 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-07-08 to 2024-08-16
Instructor(s): Julia Bernert, Rachel Stopka, Sara Ossana, Skender Luarasi Enrolled / Capacity: 14 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

This class will introduce the fundamentals of orthographic drawing through the investigation of an existing object. Working with the object, the student will study and implement the use of plan, section, axonometric and perspective to expose the spatial qualities of the structure. Basic drawing conventions and model making techniques will be introduced. The concept of architectural scale will be explored.

Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

INTAR 2322-03 - Introduction to Design Studio I: SPATIAL INVESTIGATION/DRAWING & MAKING
Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Summer 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

INTAR 2322-03

Introduction to Design Studio I: SPATIAL INVESTIGATION/DRAWING & MAKING

Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Summer 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-07-08 to 2024-08-16
Instructor(s): Julia Bernert, Rachel Stopka, Sara Ossana, Skender Luarasi Enrolled / Capacity: 14 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

This class will introduce the fundamentals of orthographic drawing through the investigation of an existing object. Working with the object, the student will study and implement the use of plan, section, axonometric and perspective to expose the spatial qualities of the structure. Basic drawing conventions and model making techniques will be introduced. The concept of architectural scale will be explored.

Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

INTAR 2324-01 - Introduction to Design Studio I: EXISTING CONSTRUCT
Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Summer 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

INTAR 2324-01

Introduction to Design Studio I: EXISTING CONSTRUCT

Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Summer 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-07-08 to 2024-08-16
Instructor(s): David De Celis, Julia Bernert, Rachel Stopka, Sara Ossana Enrolled / Capacity: 14 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

Using a local site in Providence, this studio will focus on the fundamentals of documenting an existing structure. These techniques will include, at a minimum, measuring, surveying, photographing, analyzing of materials and construction details, researching databases for relevant, related information and understanding the existing structural and mechanical systems. This information will be organized to create a full architectural documentation set. Documentation will also be explored in model form, building on the skills acquired in Studio Ia. Upon completion of documentation, the students will learn to analyze the existing structure both as an entity and within the adjacent urban context. The studio will also focus on the presentation of such analysis and the possible uses of it in design transformation.

Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

INTAR 2324-02 - Introduction to Design Studio I: EXISTING CONSTRUCT
Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Summer 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

INTAR 2324-02

Introduction to Design Studio I: EXISTING CONSTRUCT

Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Summer 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-07-08 to 2024-08-16
Instructor(s): David De Celis, Julia Bernert, Rachel Stopka, Sara Ossana Enrolled / Capacity: 14 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

Using a local site in Providence, this studio will focus on the fundamentals of documenting an existing structure. These techniques will include, at a minimum, measuring, surveying, photographing, analyzing of materials and construction details, researching databases for relevant, related information and understanding the existing structural and mechanical systems. This information will be organized to create a full architectural documentation set. Documentation will also be explored in model form, building on the skills acquired in Studio Ia. Upon completion of documentation, the students will learn to analyze the existing structure both as an entity and within the adjacent urban context. The studio will also focus on the presentation of such analysis and the possible uses of it in design transformation.

Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

INTAR 2324-03 - Introduction to Design Studio I: EXISTING CONSTRUCT
Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Summer 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

INTAR 2324-03

Introduction to Design Studio I: EXISTING CONSTRUCT

Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Summer 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-07-08 to 2024-08-16
Instructor(s): David De Celis, Julia Bernert, Rachel Stopka, Sara Ossana Enrolled / Capacity: 14 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

Using a local site in Providence, this studio will focus on the fundamentals of documenting an existing structure. These techniques will include, at a minimum, measuring, surveying, photographing, analyzing of materials and construction details, researching databases for relevant, related information and understanding the existing structural and mechanical systems. This information will be organized to create a full architectural documentation set. Documentation will also be explored in model form, building on the skills acquired in Studio Ia. Upon completion of documentation, the students will learn to analyze the existing structure both as an entity and within the adjacent urban context. The studio will also focus on the presentation of such analysis and the possible uses of it in design transformation.

Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

INTAR 2326-01 - Introduction to Design Studio I: TRANSFORMATION & INTERVENTION
Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Summer 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

INTAR 2326-01

Introduction to Design Studio I: TRANSFORMATION & INTERVENTION

Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Summer 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-07-08 to 2024-08-16
Instructor(s): Francesca Liuni, Julia Bernert, Rachel Stopka, Sara Ossana Enrolled / Capacity: 14 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

Using an existing site, this studio will introduce the concept of transformation and intervention through a program of new use. The students will propose a design intervention to transform the site for a new program. These interventions will be based on the accommodation of the design program but will also be a response to the analysis completed in Studio Existing Construct. It will require an understanding of the structural system and the issues of egress. The culmination of this studio will result in a design that is conceptually sound and complete in its description as a full architectural proposal in drawings and models. The student will prepare a design proposition including analysis of the existing structure and its inherent existence within the new work.

Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

INTAR 2326-02 - Introduction to Design Studio I: TRANSFORMATION & INTERVENTION
Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Summer 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

INTAR 2326-02

Introduction to Design Studio I: TRANSFORMATION & INTERVENTION

Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Summer 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-07-08 to 2024-08-16
Instructor(s): Francesca Liuni, Julia Bernert, Rachel Stopka, Sara Ossana Enrolled / Capacity: 14 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

Using an existing site, this studio will introduce the concept of transformation and intervention through a program of new use. The students will propose a design intervention to transform the site for a new program. These interventions will be based on the accommodation of the design program but will also be a response to the analysis completed in Studio Existing Construct. It will require an understanding of the structural system and the issues of egress. The culmination of this studio will result in a design that is conceptually sound and complete in its description as a full architectural proposal in drawings and models. The student will prepare a design proposition including analysis of the existing structure and its inherent existence within the new work.

Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies

INTAR 2326-03 - Introduction to Design Studio I: TRANSFORMATION & INTERVENTION
Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Summer 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

INTAR 2326-03

Introduction to Design Studio I: TRANSFORMATION & INTERVENTION

Level Graduate
Unit Interior Architecture
Subject Interior Architecture
Period Summer 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-07-08 to 2024-08-16
Instructor(s): Francesca Liuni, Julia Bernert, Rachel Stopka, Sara Ossana Enrolled / Capacity: 14 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

Using an existing site, this studio will introduce the concept of transformation and intervention through a program of new use. The students will propose a design intervention to transform the site for a new program. These interventions will be based on the accommodation of the design program but will also be a response to the analysis completed in Studio Existing Construct. It will require an understanding of the structural system and the issues of egress. The culmination of this studio will result in a design that is conceptually sound and complete in its description as a full architectural proposal in drawings and models. The student will prepare a design proposition including analysis of the existing structure and its inherent existence within the new work.

Students are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Interior Architecture Students.

Major Requirement | MDes Interior Studies