Project Delivery

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Project Delivery and Practice Management Member Conversations .
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Dear Practice Management Members:

I wanted to draw your attention to this post by Tiffany Melancon Assoc. AIA, an American architect practicing abroad in Switzerland.  She has some poignant observations and keen insights about how to bridge the gap between graduating and becoming licensed.  Please read her post that has been copy/pasted here from the current discussion on "the status of being called an intern," in which associates are asked to discuss how does this title makes them feel.  Tiffany's thoughts:

///"I am American architect working in Switzerland, a country where the term "architect" is not a protected title and the vast majority of buildings are actually designed by architects. If you have studied architecture at a university (there are other routes to learning the trade), you are fully expected to know how to design and build buildings upon graduating, and young architects out of school are commonly given the opportunity to do so. One difference in their educational system is that they take their grueling exam sets (equivelent to the ARE) during their studies and do a years worth of office interning while still a student.

"From this perspective, the ongoing debate about professional terminology is merely a symptom of (and a mask of) the more fundamental problems that exist within our profession in the US - and the schism that exists between the profession and acedemia does nothing help. Compartmentalizing the architects education, (first you learn to design and think critically but in a theoretical vacuum, and then you face the reality of your internship which for many young graduates is a mentorship on paper only) does not lead to more skillful pactitioners and, equally important, removes our greatest thinktanks - the universities - from the charge of strengthening the value of the profession in society. The AIA, and all of its titles, can only do so much.

"I'm not sure if it is still the same today, but when I was an undergrad in a design oriented school it was definitely considered 'uncool' to be AIA, and nearly as uncool to actually want to become a liscensed architect. That a graduate of a 5 year program in a reputable program can come away thinking this about his/her own field is not only a problem for the student but also for the profession in general."

written by:
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Tiffany Melancon Assoc. AIA
Flubacher - Nyfeler + Partner
Basel
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I'm not sure when Tiffany graduated, but I am concerned to hear her say that "when she was an undergrad in design school, it was considered 'uncool' to be AIA, and nearly as uncool to actually want to become a licensed architect."

It leaves me wondering why and when.  But, more importantly, I think her points about the schism between the profession and academia really point to the problem.

Your thoughts?


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Tara Imani AIA
Principal
Tara Imani Designs, LLC
Houston TX
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Ms. Imani:

I'm wondering if Ms. Melancon studied architecture in Switzerland or in the US.  If the US, does she feel that her architectural education was deficient compared to the Swiss system?

My experience with recent arch grads is that they think they know a lot about the profession, but in truth they know far too little.  Most have had no exposure to building codes, or to project economics beyond sustainability.  How many elevators should you provide for 200 hotel rooms?  500 rooms?  Perhaps that is too specific to gain from classroom instruction, but an owner will want the correct number.

I believe most arch students would benefit from working in an architects office while in school.  Some programs, such as the University of Cincinnati, encourage this - others, like UNLV, actively discourage it. 

My own alma mater has a motto of "Theory and Practice", which I have come to appreciate more over the years.  We need a grounding in the theory of architecture, yet understand the contraints that we must practice under to create buildings that meet the needs of our clients.

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Klaus Steinke AIA
Las Vegas NV
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