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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