The biggest problem I am experiencing (and many firms in my area agree) is that CADD classes are not teaching and preparing students to be drafters. These classes are producing computer operators, not drafters. The cost to my business to teach a computer operator to become a CADD drafter is excessive. These students must have a background in hand drafting, through which they learn the basics of the profession. CADD classes take too much time just to learn how to draw a simple line. The best CADD drafters are still those who knew how to draw first!!!
—Jeanne Byrne, FAIA

My undergraduate degree was in women's studies. I returned to school six years later for a MArch. The greatest deficiency I saw among architecture students was the lack of diversity in their education. If students are taught how to tap into their creative spirit, how to problem-solve, and are exposed to an array of experiences—work, travel, broad range of liberal arts courses—they can learn the rest in the workplace. If the fire for learning and the confidence to seek out knowledge is not imparted in school, the risk for a life of narrow-minded, socially irresponsible practice is great.
—Martha Norbeck, Assoc. AIA

[Regarding Question 1] I can’t imagine any architect not strongly supporting such an obvious statement. However, there is one key problem . . . there is no definition of “practical experience.” Does it mean architectural practice experience? Practical life experiences? Construction experience? Business experience? Perhaps, all of the above or more? Each definition can produce different results in your survey. One last comment regarding this: the profession should encourage and seek to generate opportunities for architecture students to become engaged actively with practical experience in construction. In my opinion, designers and “drafters” are a dime a dozen. What we lack in this profession are designers and drafters who comprehensively understand how to construct buildings and environments in a practical, economical manner while maintaining high standards of design and performance quality.

I would strongly encourage the AIA to move toward seeking specific input from the practicing members on a regular basis. Now that virtually all members are “on-line,” AIArchitect would provide a perfect mode for the AIA to seek, obtain, and report member’s opinions on virtually all topics of interest to the profession on a weekly basis
—James E. Lynch, AIA

After 15 years of practice, I have seen many interns from various educational backgrounds. For the most part, their talents seem to be independent of the school from which they graduated.

More and more I have realized that architecture is often best achieved when generated in collaboration with other architects. Each brings his or her own viewpoints and strengths to resolving the problem in the most creative way. As mentioned by others, and it’s worth repeating, the problem with most architectural educations is the focus on the individual rather than the team. Rather than reducing time in architectural studios, increase them . . . allowing enough time to work with others. Studio projects should be those requiring a team to resolve, including a multiplicity of challenges requiring the students to apply lessons from their other course background.
—David Moehring, AIA

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