This week Sophia and I are hosting a local Sixth Form student considering studying architecture. Thinking back to our own experiences, it has brought back a lot of memories.
We thought we would write the sort of advice we would give to a young person considering undertaking an Undergraduate Degree in Architecture, whether it is with the ultimate intention of becoming an Architect or not.
We undertook our undergraduate degrees at the Mackintosh School of Architecture, albeit not exactly in parallel, and with neither of us having any family or friends with the industry, we both went into it slightly blindfolded. We visited a number of universities before applying, and in honesty, some of them nearly put us off studying architecture altogether. However, on our first visit to this school, we both knew instantly this cultural melting-pot together with other creatives and designers presented an exciting learning environment we wanted to be part of.
At the time, this school in particular drove students to explore, discover their own version of architectural style, and pretty much explode our understanding of the world around us. Anyone will tell you, no matter where you study, it is an intensive course.
While the studio, or design, work dominated our time, there were also other critical modules: Building Technology (encompassing structures, materials, sustainable construction, building services etc), Built Environment (social, political and economic studies), Architectural History, and Professional (Business Management, ‘Running a Job’, and a foundation in relevant regulatory processes that Architects engage with). These modules were sometimes integrated into elements of design work by workshops, but more often were assessed separately with exams at the end of the academic year.
Every week we might have a review on our studio work with our tutors. Roughly every fortnight, we would have to prepare a presentation of our work in development; pinning up our work on the wall and presenting it to our tutors and peers. This was called the ‘crit’ and could be a pretty brutal exercise, however it has taught us both how to undertake robust design processes and communicate effectively.
As a multidisciplinary course, the undergraduate degree can lead to so many potential career paths. Having said that, the courses are generally geared to training up Architects: Approach it with an open mind, and if you do come across some element of the course that specifically interests you, do what you can to pursue that angle further. Only about 40% of first year students (maybe less) eventually go on to become Architects.
This is why it is so critical to visit and interrogate the universities where you are considering studying. Each school takes its own approach, has different multidisciplinary connections and opportunities, and different ways of structuring their modules and assessment.
If you are considering the course in order to become and Architect, be aware that the ARB (the Architect’s Registration Board that prescribes the required competencies for registration in the UK) are currently making some changes to the former Part 1/ Part2 /Part3 ‘traditional’ route, as they seek to reduce bureaucratic, social and financial barriers to the profession. Follow what’s happening directly here or on the ARB’s website.