Views of architecture students and architects who have contacted me

Since creating this blog in 2013 and publishing my book BRICK WALL many students of architecture past and present have contacted me with their own, mostly depressing stories. I am publishing snippets here without names or details of where they studied to avoid any repercussions.

"The architectural education system (and RIBA) are completely unregulated, it makes me so sad to see so many people, like myself, strive to achieve in this degree. The system made me mentally and physically ill to tell you the truth, and I doubt that I will ever recover from it."

"What can we do to campaign for change? Appealing to RIBA is obviously not an option. I would love to help you in your pursuit."

"I studied architecture starting at _______ in 2002, failed 3rd year, repeated somewhere closer to home to save money, did a year post part 1 and then pg dip. then I was unemployed for 4 months, I work as a university administrator now."...

"I agree with much of what is posted on your site and some of resonates deeply. Your article 'what I learned in architecture school' could have been written in my own hand. My experience of architecture school cut very deep. I won academic prizes at school and it counted for nothing at architecture school."...

"Architectural education in the UK is a trainwreck, and I think everybody that can count themself an insider knows that. I don't think 'outsiders' have any idea, and there could be a real need for a piece of substantial campaign work in this area- you will have no difficulty in collecting depositions from former students, I am sure."  

"I found your blog on the internet and I REALLY love your articles, which are very true. I couldn’t help write to you. I’m an international student studying Bachelor of architecture in America. My degree is a five-year program, and now I’m a 5th year student. So far I had three summer internships, and after I did my third internship this year, I’m 100% sure what we learn in school has nothing (or has little) to do with the real practice of architecture."...

"Our school gives us no clues about the real world, and employers are not willing to train new grads, so it’s not easy to get a job as entry-level architects (actually it shouldn’t be employers’ responsibilities to train new grads…)"... "I know two people working for BIG (in New York); they both think working there is a great accomplishment even though BIG pays them the minimum wage (about $8 per hour in NY)."

"Anyway, I enjoy reading your articles, and I feel happier that I’m not the only one who experiences and struggles with the huge gap between architecture education and architecture workplace."

"I very much enjoyed reading your book over the bank holiday and as a qualified architect who did part 1 and 2 at _________ I would like you to know how much of it rung true with me."...

"It wasn't just being made to study a subject I love in such a backward, warped and irrelevant way - which at times was almost torture - but what I particularly dislike is how it turned me from someone who is generally kind, tolerant, easy going and level-headed into being resentful, suspicious and at worst an emotional wreck."...

"At the lowest point I remember stumbling into the university doctor's office in floods of tears after having barely eaten or slept in several days through stress."...

"It is all so upsetting, as it's a course now dependent on the the tutor's theory, the tutor's likings, and our personality. With all the regular crits, and work progress, and expectations from tutors and also group members, anxiety is one of my biggest problems right now. I believe the education is a mess as of many other students. With ongoing petitions and student reps trying to sort out what architecture school should actually be, nothing is changing, or changing way too slow. I don't believe that the architecture course needs to be 6-7 years long, because at the end of the day, we students teach ourselves, find information and resources ourselves, do everything ourselves, even organise site visits ourselves. All tutors do is give their own opinions. All our tuition fee for the university, when at the end of the day we aren't really being taught anything, we teach ourselves."

Just ask yourself, if there is nothing wrong with the architectural educational system, why do fully qualified architects read my books and write essays to me? But don't just take my word for it, search the student rooms and see what current students are saying about the course. Are they enjoying it? Are they learning anthing? Bare in mind it takes a logical mind to make sense of it all.