Evidence of an architectual education mess

Just a matter of days ago one of my posts was on education and opportunity and how a series of happy accidents, dogged determination and luck managed to combine to give me a good career in architecture. I mentioned in it that the initial course I was on was what was called a sandwich course which meant doing alternatively six months in college and 6 months working in and architects office. It gave me a very grounded education in the profession and the skills I needed to develop. Half way through the RIBA refused to recognise that type of course, essentially saying a full time course was the only appropriate way of doing it.

Now because of that sort of entrenched mind set, and the frankly ludicrous concept that design should not be hampered by the realities of construction techniques, they are finding the profession has gone up a conceptual dead end. Give me strength. I grew up at a time when the mantra was still "form follows function," where the appropriateness and efficiency of the building to its purpose should be the main generator of its design. I have, in recent years, been known to complain bitterly when architects, who should know better, suggested that practical considerations should not be allowed to hamper the design flair of the architect. To my mind design flair is only truly demonstrated when the architect can design a building that meets all the often conflicting needs of use, location, materials, cost, and still produce an end product that delights. 

Now the business world has moved on substantially since those days, and the opportunities for the architect to be fully engaged in the depth and complexities of the design and construction process have been seriously eroded. The architectural education format needs to not only reflect those business changes but ensure that the the students, the cost and structure of their education, fits them for the profession they will be stepping into on qualification.

I recommend you to the article that appeared in today' Guardian newspaper on the subject.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2013/jun/27/pressure-builds-change-schools-architecture