ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION
What I wish I can learn in architecture school?
To be honest, I didn’t think of taking up architecture in the first place. Medic was my first priority but then unfortunate things happened. I was offered civil engineering course which then I chose Architecture instead. So, just like that, “Suddenly you’re in architecture” …quoted from Ms. Sue.
Yeap, I just stepped right into a field that’s full of uncertainties and enormous stress. (Seriously I couldn’t think of any other courses that’s as stressful as architecture, although all my other friends majoring in other courses are complaining about how much stress they’re in, and I doubt that.) Along this four semesters, I’ve learnt to manage my temper and handling stress is definitely a crucial one although there’s countless times that I wanted to commit suicide, literally. And the question is, where does these stress come from? Workload is undeniably the first reason, but in my opinion, we’re dealing with this much stress because we don’t know the technique of doing some of the assignments which lecturers expect us to know beforehand.
There’s a lot of things that I wish I had learnt from architecture school, which obviously we have to learn by ourselves. Apart from those general soft skills like how to deal with group mates, coping with stress, communicating with lecturers…Architecture have more to that. We have to learn a lot more skills not limiting from digital design works to hands on construction skills. Of course, the things that I wish I can learn in architecture school is those which can help reduce these unnecessary stress.
First off, one of the things that I wish I can learn from architecture school is using digital media and software. Yes, our syllabus does cover a few basic software but apart from that, it’s never enough. We have to self-learn a lot more other software that will increase our efficiency either through senior or online as my knowledge on architectural software especially rendering software is very limited. It’s not that I want to complain, but sometimes lecturer couldn’t even answer our question on these software’s operation but still expect us to produce quality work. I don’t understand how this system work with us paying to self-learn. Pardon for the rants. What I want to say is that, I wish I could learn more software to really aid in my design work and increase the efficiency of work, not adding more workload for us. Looking at those professional design presentation boards, I always have the feeling of I’d never reach that kind of level because I know nothing in rendering such amazing boards. And I’m not blaming entirely on architecture school as I understand that there’s limited lecturers and stuff like that. It’s just that we need time in order to self-learn and in the meantime rushing for assignments. The amount of stress is gruesome. (But yes we manage to survive.)
Next, building construction and technology. What I feel is that I’ve been taking this subject for 4 semesters now and I found out that we’re only been exposed to all the theories behind buildings’ construction. However, when it comes to real life, we don’t even know how and where to start. It’s almost all about theories. When it comes to designing a proper building to be constructed, I’m always stuck with limited knowledge about how these building construction really works. So, I wish I could learn hands on construction skills, either through projects or event. I’m always envious of our seniors who’ve done the Kuala Sepetang project. They’ve been exposed to such interesting hands on project and I bet they’ve learned a lot from that particular project. Luckily I’ve joined EpicHome’s project of designing and restoring toilets for orang asli in Batang Kali. Joining such project really does boost my knowledge on building construction, even services. Moreover, I love the way how they actually crit our design. It’s like real discussion, pouring out ideas and sharing of knowledge. Although it’s only the designing stage, I think it’s a good way to start, leading to real hands-on construction. In my opinion, I think architecture school should’ve integrate more of these hands on projects to really shot the knowledge right into our veins. Community architecture should be one of the project that we can actually go on site and engage with the people.
Studio life...totally can relate
Amazing rendered presentation boards that I've always wanted to produce.
Getting to know the people that we're designing for.
Discussion and idea pouring sesion.
Analysing material on the spot.
Imagine if school included community projects like this, it would be so much meaningful and we can learn more than what we're learning right now.
These are the things I wish I can learn from architectural school.
:D