As I rode alongside my boss this afternoon on our way back from a meeting with an owner, we were talking about the fine line between what you learn in architecture school and the real world of practicing architecture. We talked about learning to think differently and having meaning behind each decision made in a design. I'm not sure how the subject came up, but none-the-less it did and it gave me something to think about when I should have been thinking about my next deadline.
I pointed out that there are many that leave school not knowing anything about actually working in architecture (even summer internships are not always reflective of what actually happens after graduation). I, myself, was not entirely sure what to expect when I got into the real world. I luckily had a great professor that, at the time, had his own practice and gave it to me straight on occasion, so it wasn't complete culture shock when I started at Shive-Hattery. Many architecture students think that the moment they receive their diploma they will be designing the next great skyscraper that is going to win numerous awards and be the icon of the city. In reality the first thing you do is red lines in AutoCAD and you will continue to do that for quite some time in many cases.
(I, myself, have been fortunate to have a more enriching experience than treading in sea of red lines 24/7.)
I told Alan, boss and project architect, that I was "afraid of forgetting how to design because I don't do it everyday". The conversation turned to other things shortly after, but when I got back to the office I thought more about it and realized that I actually do design every single day! I draw details (never perfect, but, hey, I'm learning), I organize plans and other components on sheets so that they read and are understandable, I also organize people; I like to call it conducting a symphony of sorts. All of that, among other things, is design even though it's not the skin, mass or plan of a building.
One must find the design opportunities in every situation. Nothing should ever leave your fingers without thought and care. I have always told myself I wanted to design meaningful things with thought and care and I realized that I do it all the time. No detail makes it out the door without intense design. It may look like a simple window frame detail, but then I think of how many people look at that frame as they look out the window.
What I should have said was: "I'm afraid of forgetting how to design extravagant, luxurious, out-of-this-world, nearly impossible and far too expensive buildings" :)
The message really goes to all students, interns and veteran architects out there...just like how your mom tells you to find the good in everyone, we need to find the design in everything. It could be an extraordinary skyscraper, or it could be the clip that holds up the cladding; it's all designed and done with purpose.
