ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION
In the architecture world, there are a handful of persistent debates that arise time and time again: the challenges of being a woman in the field of architecture is one of them, for example; the problems of a culture of long hours and hard work is another. But one of the most enduring arguments in architecture - especially in the academic sphere - is the battle between hand drawing and computer aided design.
So, what do I wish I can learn in architecture school?
In university, we learnt design thinking by using sketches, thinking will not create the idea, but sketches will. As an architecture student, I would like to learn more software that can help us to create and construct our idea from imagination to reality. I wish to learn some simple skills such as Photoshop, Sketchup, 3ds Max. I felt that I was behind in these software as we are doing manual drawing since semester 1 and I found that it was now quite challenging for me to apply them in my designs. I feel that ucsi requires us to present our design with the assistance of this basic skills but failed to guide us in using these software from the early stage.
Besides, what I wish to learn in architecture school is to create my own identity in designing. To create own identity of thinking to architecture can make me aware of my own existence, to both live and to reflect on my own lives. This is a kind of designing a building in my own way and my own style. To create own identity is important because everyone has different thinking mind, especially when compare architecture students with the normal person as we have to look everything in different way. If I can create my own identity, I think it will make me different in architecture field.
I wished that I can gain more knowledge about the construction details. During the studies I hope I’m able to specialize in design consultancy, facilities management and construction management. Architects create the overall look of buildings and other structures, but the design of a building involves far more than its appearance. Buildings also must be functional, safe, and economical and must suit the needs of the people who use them. Architects consider all these factors when they design buildings and other structures. However, most of the time I fell asleep during building tech class. The class is just too boring. I hope that lecturer can change his way of teaching =).
I also have an opinion that there was not enough effort put into the teaching of the practice of architecture. We don’t have a proper study which consists of the provision of professional services in connection with building planning as well as the design, construction, enlargement, conservation, restoration, or alteration of a building or group of buildings. Most of the time we have to figure out everything ourselves online. I think that we need more
understanding of how to propose structure, dimension for every single spaces required or even write a contract and etc. Sometimes I just design based on the research online which I think it is correct but it was actually wrong as we have not enough practice on this. Besides that, I hope that I can learn more on dealings with client. For example, what to expect from them, how to communicate with them and how to present our ideas to them and so on.