True … true.
I’ve been, always, drawn towards the trill to design an educational facility. I think that is the highest honor for an architect - to shape the space, young minds would be trained.
That’s why I have the most respect for Herman Hertzberger. He reshaped the modern-day education, with his Montessori school and Apollo Schools and is considered one of the leading designer of schools in the Netherlands and beyond.
Every architecture student should study him and check out his books that will change your perspective of the designing educational buildings and the philosophy behind it.
1. Lessons for Students in Architecture
2. Space and the Architect: Lessons for Students in Architecture 2
3. Space and Learning: Lessons in Architecture 3
I just like to educate you a bit. Check this great contemporary architect. You won’t regret it.
The World-Famous Architect
Trying to explain this to people since Architecture school.
(via intwine)
Nice Read
When you are feeling down and gray, about your connection with architecture and have doubts about your professional future, just read this re-run blog post on Life Of An Architect by Bob Borson, orginaly written by Randy Deutsch, Architect2Zebras.
I’ve rebloged this man a few times and this is another post worth reading.
The blog post is too long to recopy, so here, I’ll just redirect you to his blog.
The modern societal obsession with fame and fortune has helped to drive the rise of the ‘star’ architect. From Frank Gehry to Zaha Hadid, popular architects are increasingly becoming household names as architecture itself becomes more accessible and more translatable than ever before.
However, as quickly as these architecture icons were built up, it appears they are set to come falling down as, having apparently burnt too brightly, the notion of the ‘starchitect’ is quickly burning out.
According to Paul Goldberger, architecture critic for the New Yorker, the celebrity phenomenon has glorified certain architects in a manner that focuses more on the designers than on their designs. This is especially true, he says, in the US.
“The American culture of celebrity was inevitably going to hit architecture and have its way with it and so we, I think, have taken at least some architects and made them into celebrities about whom we ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ rather than really analyze their work and think about it thoughtfully,” he says. “But that’s a risk in art and music and literature, it happens everywhere to some extent.”
This separation between the celebrity designer and the average industry professional has not only begun to create discord within an industry that can tend towards egocentricity, it has been dampened due to the fact that modern architecture prides itself on collaboration.
This year’s Venice Biennale is a key representation of this growing industry mentality. While there has been increasing conversation surrounding the architectural disparity that is being seen around the various global industries, the overall atmosphere and goal of the biennale – the world’s most prolific architectural exhibition – could not be more explicit in stating the collaborative climate of modern architecture.
The theme for this year’s biennale was, after all, Common Ground, as chosen by British director David Chipperfield. It exemplifies collaboration and the ability of architects to cross over barriers of culture, ideology and economy.
In a world that is increasingly becoming driven by holistic sustainability, the concept of a ‘star architect’ is fast becoming a stark juxtaposition to the modern ideals of holistic design and collaborative works.
The notion of starchitecture is not all bad, however. While this kind of celebrity-driven realm can offer a channel for egocentric architecture and, worse, ‘zombie’ buildings that are developed to stand alone and stand out, Goldberger points out that the star architect has played a large part in the increased profile given to architecture as a whole.
“The good side of this all is there is this far greater interest in architecture today than there has been at any time, I think in our lifetimes, really,” he says. “You know, architecture is now part of the general cultural dialogue.”
While famous architects have brought architecture to the masses and have shaped the way in which industries worldwide design and create, however, the disparity between their acclaim and that of the countless others in the industry is simply too great for the current industry.
The star architect is quickly fading out, heralding in a new era of emphasising architectural principles over architects.
source: Design Build Source
Sorry everybody, for not being around in some time, but I have good news for the future of our profession. Looks like things are looking up. Here is what US News/Money are saying:
As one of the Best Jobs of 2012 is Architect, this profession should see significant growth over the next decade.
The Rundown:
Think of all the places you go in a single day: coffee shops, train stations, office buildings, restaurants, grocery stores, city parks, and so on. What may not dawn on you in the rush of the day is that all these places are the creation of architects. To ensure their creations are practical, safe, and aesthetically pleasing, architects are involved in each stage of the construction process, from the initial planning session to the ribbon-cutting ceremony. This level of involvement requires a diverse skill set, which includes designing, engineering, managing, supervising, and interacting with clients and builders. Communication skills are especially important.Architects must effectively convey their unique vision for a project and interact with professionals from many fields.
The Outlook:
With steady migration to Sun Belt states and many baby boomers retiring in the next few years, there should be an uptick in demand for new homes, healthcare facilities, and office buildings. This means the job market for architects should remain solid. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects architect employment growth of 23.1 percent between 2010 and 2020, adding 31,300 more professionals to the 135,400 already-existing jobs in this field.
Money:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual wage for architects was $72,550 in 2010. The best-paid 10 percent in the profession made approximately $119,500, while the bottom 10 percent made approximately $42,860. The highest-paid in the profession work in the metropolitan areas of Sarasota, Fla., Allentown, Penn, and Sacramento.
Architect Salary Range:
75th Percentile Wage: $93,020
Median Wage: $72,550
25th Percentile Wage: $54,650
Education and Preparation:
Most states require architects to possess a professional degree in architecture from one of the nearly 120 schools of architecture accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. However, state architectural registration boards specify their own standards, so a degree from non-accredited program may suffice in select states. Therefore, check the requirements for any state where you wish to work. There are a few routes to obtaining a degree in architecture. Most architects choose the five-year degree intended for students with no previous training. Others opt to enroll in a graduate program, which can take one to five years to complete, after obtaining an undergraduate degree in a field outside of architecture. Graduates must complete a training period, typically of three years or more, before they may sit for the licensing exam. Requirements for this training period vary by state.
On Landing an Architect Job:
Architects interact with a wide-ranging group of people on each project, so working well with others is a must. “You need to show that you work well in teams—especially with people different than you are,” Richard L. Hayes, director of knowledge resources for The American Institute of Architects, wrote in an email. According to Hayes, demonstrating that you “can think about the best path through a complex problem” is another important element to getting a job in the field. Healthcare architecture, such as designing healthy communities and buildings, is a growing area of specialization that Hayes recommends for aspiring architects.
What is an Architect Job Like?
Architects spend most of their time drafting plans or corresponding with clients from comfortable office spaces, but they also frequently visit construction sites to check on the progress of projects. Successful architects are able to juggle a number of professional relationships for each project while still completing other job responsibilities. Most architects work less than 50 hours per week, but as deadlines approach, many are forced to work long nights or weekends to finish in time.
I find it fascinating that the other 9 out of 10 best jobs in 2012 are in the field of Medicine or Computers and the most interesting thing is that “they” are suggesting the architects to take studies in design for healthcare facilities … simply fascinating. Makes you wonder,a?!
Keep calm and CAD
Why people still think that they don’t need architects??
In case of creative drought … break glass
Behind the STARCHITECT
