It is no surprise to see an architect being adept at multiple skills, skills they have gathered over their lifetime. Or so it seems, for architecture school has a smorgasbord of opportunities and skills to learn from in the short duration of 5 years, that has a massive impact on our future. These are just a handful of the most important things architecture school has taught me-
Critical Thinking Resurrected
After being processed and shipped out of school, the curriculum has always been tailored until now to focus on academics, especially learning answers and printing them in our examinations. Though it has been a long time since it has been changed, the tunnel-vision of the school boards often made me lose sight of extra-curricular, art and other passions that I had.
Entering architecture college, the sudden exposure to design, art and reinventing thinking was blinding, and I struggled to use a half of my brain, that showed muted signs otherwise. The judicious use of both halves of my brain reminded me to be incisive and objective in my thinking, yet enjoy the subjectivity through which art can be viewed.
Time as a Teacher
Perhaps the most important skill that any student can take away from architecture school is the ability to organize tasks by time. A dimension that wasn’t something to think about earlier, the sheer volume of work every semester taught me that everything can be accomplished, once you are a slave to time. Through demarcated times for rest, work and play, the output would intrigue enough to organize time well, for the next deadline. Though not an easy skill, consistent effort yields results, in time.
No Work Without Data
Whether it was whiling away hours in front of screens or touring around the city, introspection at the end of the day was an eye-opener, for there was no hard proof of anything done that yielded results. It was important to analyse and reflect on how time was being spent throughout the day, and that proper time management and division led to a productive, constructive person.
The Path of Perseverance
Jim Watkins famous quote reads, “A river cuts through rock not because of its power, but its persistence.” This is an important skill every student knowingly or unknowingly takes away as a value post architecture school. Not only is this important for working towards complex multiple deadlines and lead to the genesis of completely fresh takes on problems, but it also shows the determination a person has towards a task. A skill that is respected everywhere from a worker bee, it sets a student apart from the jaded environment of the workplace, a craft that should never be lost.
Organisation & Priority
Not to be mistaken with time management, organization hand in hand with priority helps a person choose the tasks for the day or given period that has more necessity. A lost art, though architecture students may not keep their surroundings very organized, the tasks at hand are divided in a way that the most crucial ones are completed before reaching tasks that may seem menial in comparison.
With time, one may realise what must be prioritized more because of the constraints of time, and though it cannot be perfected in the short period of 5 years, considering it always allows the mind to delegate the work in portions.
The Leader/Player Character
Often buried between all our work or as a pretext to it lies something that a few students woe and few cherish- working as a group. Whether it be brainstorming to arrive at a common decision, or making presentations with everyone involved, it is important being a team player. Considering everyone’s opinions and yet being able to deliver considerable work is something that is expected from individuals in group dynamics.
On the flip side, comes the ability of leadership. To adhere to deadlines as well as have a productive group, a leader must have the knack of making decisions as well as involving everyone towards the result, something that very few have yet added to an impressive skillset.
A Fresh Perspective- New Worldview
From the different problems that young architects tackle as well as the vast database of information we go through, architects come out as completely different people after college. The critical thinking, creativity, and simulated environment that is stimulating and interesting give the budding architect access to a plethora of information to get acquainted with.
The result is an impressive one, from an observant individual equipped with the art of being able to appreciate art, to the multidisciplinary world that has opened up in front of our eyes, the career choices and passion chisel out a future that aligns with the individuality and personality.
From never being able to watch the movies the same way, appreciating creativity around us as well as the other skills learned, a student out of architecture school is truly well polished and rounded, being able to apply himself/herself to the task at hand, come whatever may. Though it is a long way from what can be learnt, it is commendable what the mother of all arts can nurture a child into in 5 years. As Confucius said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”, architecture opens portals to jobs as skilled individuals everywhere, and it all begins with the four walls you realized surrounded you.
