Choosing a School for our Future Builders

6/2/2010

To help ensure a bright future for architecture in our country, it is important to care for the education and exposure of our architecture students. Like any parent of a college freshman, I too had to analyze and compare the various learning institutions available and guide my daughter’s decision on where we would be entrusting the next four or five years of her growth.

One of the critical factors that shaped our decision was the learning environment present in each school. Surroundings influence the occupants of any place. Many psychological studies have shown that a person’s feelings, temperament, learning, and ideals can be heavily colored by wherever they reside, work, or spend substantial time. To illustrate, the beautiful statues and structures in Greece are not unique occurrences in that country. There are so many masterpieces existing all over the isles that we know this love and appreciation for the perfect form and grace is actually a reflection of the general populace. Many Greeks created these masterpieces; their people accepted and revered them. Therefore, we know that beauty is a commonality for this people. It is something that they live and breathe, and so quite naturally, create. Even centuries later, present day artists still get inspired by the Greek concept of beauty. So definitely, environment plays a big factor in creativity.

Studying in beautiful surroundings exposes the young minds to better aesthetic standards than they may be used to. They are able to break out of the design limitations that they previously had. They may be able to refine or correct their old design misconceptions. I have heard of new students who are assigned to draw their ideal home. Those who live in smaller houses tend to design structures with lower ceiling heights, while those who have been around expansive rooms are more inclined to input such into their creations.

In addition, freedom of space and movement can be conducive to learning. Cramped spaces may be constricting and limiting. Although seasoned designers can argue that it is possible to create beauty even in the worst conditions, such a gift is not common to neophytes and is only possible after a complete basic formation and sufficient experience.

It would be nice if most parts of the school are accessible to the students. Only a fraction of the school’s area must be off limits. They must be able to use and appreciate most of the places in the school, just like in their own homes, not covered up in dust cloth for visitors alone. I have seen institutions with huge empty halls reserved only for the occasional special guests, while students are squeezed into small classrooms and study areas.

Aside from the building itself, the faculty must likewise be scrutinized. Even if they are all accomplished professionals, do they still have the time and passion to teach? Hopefully they are not too busy with their private practice that they cannot be reasonably present and available for their students.

For the very impressionable youth, a school’s appearance plays a vital role in their decision. But who can blame them? After all, they are about to pick their second home, the place where they will be spending most of their time, the place they will be known by hereafter.

My daughter has now made her choice of school. At this point, we can only hope we have made the right decision.