Lecture 7: Architectural Education
- OLIVIA TAM SIE WEN 1001540443
- Mar 21, 2016
- 4 min read
What do you wish you can learn in architectural school?
Architecture is a complicated subject that takes years and years of hard work and practices to master. Looking at the real world examples, it does not surprise us if an architect is only recognized for his artwork and design upon reaching his or her fifties. This simply shows us that architecture schools does not provides us with instant success or recognition upon completion of the course. Schools merely give its students’ knowledge and design sensibility that they can carry with them into their careers where they will gain additional knowledge and experience in the field that will help them in their works.
So, what do I wish I can learn in architecture school?
Issue on ‘building’ or ‘architecture’?
I wished that I knew the difference between buildings and architecture at an earlier stages so that I do not have to struggle so much for those who only wanted an ordinary building. This is being said without any offence to ordinary building which is quite wonderful if it is done well and also these buildings accounted for approximately 99% of all buildings combine. I am merely stating the fact that like a simple dinner at home and a dinner at a Michelin Star restaurant, the process, objective and methods create are simply different. This is also the case for buildings and architecture. Too many of us have actually tried to achieve the goal of ‘architecture’ by going through the process of ‘buildings’ which in many cases would not work out the way we wanted it to.
I wished that I gained knowledge about the construction details. To design a building, we must understand how its parts come together at first so that we will have a clear picture on the subject itself and also the basics of how a building actually goes together. For instant, a wall section, an understanding of waterproofing, structural connections and so on. This is where the career will start. Many of us show up touting design work in school. Not that that isn't important, but that is a skill for much later in our career.
Issue on technical skills that schools expect student to master by themselves in their free time.
I wish I was taught simple skills that are essential such as Photoshop, Sketchup, 3ds Max. I felt I was behind in these simple skills when I find it challenging to apply them in my designs. I feel that the schools requires students to present their design in a way that require the assistance of this basic skills but failed to guide students to use them.
Issue on greater understanding of sociology and human psychology that would help architect design spaces to carter for human needs.
I wish I was taught sociology for example, writings of Foucault which would enlighten the possibilities of rethinking the psychology of spaces and pattern of human behavior.
Issue on vague idea on what the course is about when student entered the course.
I feel that architecture school or universities should develop critical thinking skills and to think objectively. It should be a place to discover the inner working of our own mind to present your thinking in a better way or to flourish our ideas, for example, how we think, what we think, why you think the way you do. It should not be teaching us what to think.
In my opinion, school is not able to prepare for everything we are going to face or might face. Every programmed designs in school and universities has its strength and weaknesses. In order to address this short coming, schools should encourage self-guided learning and encourage initiatives to prepare the students with a strong fundamental individual and able to absorb knowledge on a long term basis and not merely during their time in schools or universities. He also mentioned that his best employees are those who bring knowledge and skills with them from what they do after hours. Critical and strategic thinking as well as communication skills have to be enhanced by programs set by university and schools in order to develop these fundamentals and habits.
Issue on problem solving skills.
I wished that I had been prepared upfront for the changing needs of clients, value engineering due to cost, dealing with needs and wishes of the entire team, and working through some the odd things codes and zoning forces him to do. Being prepared for these things means really understanding the core of what I’m trying to do so I can either defend what I’m are doing, or is able to make drastic changes and keep the core concept. Being able to keep a design under control while incorporating constant changes is a constant challenge, and requires true creativity. It also means doing good work without getting too attached to ‘image’. This requires mental discipline and intellectual know how. This is a challenging process that will complicates a students work which is why it would be great to learn in school necessary skills related to problem solving to cope with the ever changing environment.
Issues related with the business of architecture.
I also have an opinion that there was not enough effort put into the teaching of the practice of architecture. I think that students need more understanding of how to write contracts, structure proposals and actually run a firm. As there is not enough coverage on the business side of architecture. I felt that I lack the knowledge of drafting proposals, obtaining client, servicing client, etc.Besides that, I also felt the same when I hoped that I was taught more on dealings with client. For example, what to expect from them, how to communicate with them, how to present ideas and so on.