http://architecturelife.com/2008/09/26/what-can-i-expect-going-for-an-architecture-degree-in-college/ Fri, 18 May 2012 01:33:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 http://architecturelife.com/2008/09/26/what-can-i-expect-going-for-an-architecture-degree-in-college/#comment-6 spam juice Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:23:44 +0000 http://architecturelife.com/2008/09/26/what-can-i-expect-going-for-an-architecture-degree-in-college/#comment-6 The question that you must first answer is why you are interested in architecture. You also need to be honest with yourself in order to set your goal should you decide to pursue this career. Do you want to have your own firm or are you content with working for a company for example. Keep in mind that goals are not dreams, I'm not saying you shouldn't aim for the stars, but understand that it takes a tremendous amount of sacrifice in this profession. As for what to expect in architecture school, I can summarize it in one word, "PAIN", that pertains to both physical and mental pain. One thing that architecture school have taught me is my body and mind is able to withstand a lot more punishment than I ever imagined. I personally believe that design is a progression developed over the years and not something that can be "taught". Architecture school forced me to learn some fundamentals such as history, structural and mechanical concepts. But overall, it was more like a marathon to test how long you can stay up working without any sleep. Then have all that hard work "ripped apart" by visiting professors in front of your peers. I had one visiting professor from UCLA tell me that I was not going to make it through architecture school, but it was a good thing, since it would give me time to look for something else to do. Now that I've won 2 national design awards in my own firm, I look back at that experience and laugh. But at that moment, I was devastated. Architecture School is exhausting and it is not for everyone. Merely being interested in architecture may not get you through it. And even when you manage to finish architecture school, you may not like the profession. Having a background in ACAD only means you know how to operate the software. ACAD is equivalent to a pencil, do not let that fool you into believing it will make you an architect. I truly hope I did not discourage you, I was merely being honest. If this field was easy, than everyone would be doing it. If you are able to endure and willing to sacrifice, it can be very rewarding. The question that you must first answer is why you are interested in architecture. You also need to be honest with yourself in order to set your goal should you decide to pursue this career. Do you want to have your own firm or are you content with working for a company for example. Keep in mind that goals are not dreams, I’m not saying you shouldn’t aim for the stars, but understand that it takes a tremendous amount of sacrifice in this profession.
As for what to expect in architecture school, I can summarize it in one word, “PAIN”, that pertains to both physical and mental pain. One thing that architecture school have taught me is my body and mind is able to withstand a lot more punishment than I ever imagined. I personally believe that design is a progression developed over the years and not something that can be “taught”. Architecture school forced me to learn some fundamentals such as history, structural and mechanical concepts. But overall, it was more like a marathon to test how long you can stay up working without any sleep. Then have all that hard work “ripped apart” by visiting professors in front of your peers. I had one visiting professor from UCLA tell me that I was not going to make it through architecture school, but it was a good thing, since it would give me time to look for something else to do. Now that I’ve won 2 national design awards in my own firm, I look back at that experience and laugh. But at that moment, I was devastated. Architecture School is exhausting and it is not for everyone. Merely being interested in architecture may not get you through it. And even when you manage to finish architecture school, you may not like the profession. Having a background in ACAD only means you know how to operate the software. ACAD is equivalent to a pencil, do not let that fool you into believing it will make you an architect.
I truly hope I did not discourage you, I was merely being honest. If this field was easy, than everyone would be doing it. If you are able to endure and willing to sacrifice, it can be very rewarding.

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