What’s So Complicated About Architecture Studies?
Why so much pain?
As an architecture student, I’m always faced with questions from people who are curious to know more about my field of study. Some people think that it’s all about drawing buildings; others realize that it’s more than that, but still can’t comprehend why every architecture student seems to be complaining about how hard their studies are.
A complex discipline
Architecture is a complex field because it is the intersection between art and physics.
Artists like to express themselves freely. Engineers like to solve problems and think rationally. Architects are asked to do both.
The work of an architect is not just about self-expression. It’s about serving people and meeting their needs. It’s about solving problems and thinking rationally while also maintaining an artistic and creative approach.
When we’re at school, a lot of us fall into the trap of being too rational and forgetting about the artistic and aesthetic part; or the opposite, we dwell in our imagination and creativity and forget that our buildings should meet certain norms and criteria.
Even when we’re aware of this duality, being able to work on a project with all its complexity in a limited amount of time is not always simple. It can cost us many sleepless nights.
You’re never sure where you’re heading
Another challenge that faces architecture students is the subjectivity of their field. What is considered good architecture by some people, may not be seen the same way by others.
When you’re solving math problems, you can check at the end if the results are correct. When you’re creating art, no one cares about the results because it’s all about self-expression.
However, when you’re designing architecture, people do care about the result, but you have no way of knowing if it’s good or bad when you’re a student with no experience.
That is how you end up with feelings of doubt and lack of confidence.
But don’t worry. It all goes away with time. I suppose.
Your project can always get better, and better, and better…
There is no finishing line. You can always make something better, improve your design, add details, etc.
This is why having a deadline is useful. It’s the only thing that can stop us from entering into an infinite loop of sorrow.
This is just the start
Architecture studies are challenging because the work of an architect is also challenging.
Once we graduate, we’re faced with a whole new set of challenges that we didn’t experience as students. We should pay attention to the client’s needs, the budget of the project, and the different constraints.
But the most critical challenge is that our mistakes will have a real impact on people’s daily lives. When you’re a student, you have the right to make mistakes, once you graduate, you no longer have that right.
“A doctor can bury his mistakes but an architect can only advise his clients to plant vines.” -Frank Lloyd Wright
Is there anything good about architecture?
Yes, there are plenty of interesting things about architecture as a job.
Is there anything cooler than creating your own buildings, seeing your ideas transform into large-scale 3D objects, and watching people interact with the spaces you created?
Being an architect is challenging for sure, but it’s a lot of fun.
“What is architecture anyway? Is it the vast collection of the various buildings which have been built to please the varying tastes of the various lords of mankind? I think not. No, I know that architecture is life; or at least it is life itself taking form and therefore it is the truest record of life as it was lived in the world yesterday, as it is lived today or ever will be lived…So, architecture I know to be a Great Spirit. — Frank Lloyd Wright
