Gotta feed the academic machine so it produces more PhDs to teach more PhDs and make more PhDs.

Opposition to PhD's is based on an assumption that the limit to the scope of architecture is sitting down at a desk and drawing buildings all day. Yawn!

But it's a big fucking part of it. .

some people remain cuddled in academia because a hammer and a circular saw are too scary. It may be a personality issue.

I remember talking about the phd route when I was finishing my M.arch... I briefly considered it but then I figured I'd rather own a house and have an adult professional life instead of remaining a perpetual student.

@Non Sequitar, I'm not sure what university you went to, but there's a distinction between being a student and a researcher, particularly in non-US universities where PhD's aren't taught.

Ando, my academic credentials are solid.

I'd recommend taking a look at the PhD work in Research Architecture at Goldsmiths, University of London. They are demonstrating the strengths that architectural intelligence can bring to the world outside of buildings.

No thank you, never heard of the place. Plenty of time to do this level of work within a March. No need to alienate kids even further with a PhD carrot.

Enjoy your bubble.

I only know a few people with relevant PhDs and all of them are idiots. Straight up. They wouldn't have lasted a week in an office, but couldn't go back home to tell mommy and daddy that they spent tens of thousands of dollars on an education they couldn't use, so instead they go back to school to be perpetual students (they may teach some courses, but nobody needs a PhD for that). And if still go ahead with it and can't find a job in academia after defending your thesis, you're fucked. If there's a place for that achievement, I haven't heard of it.

bubble? not here, not even close.

my own anecdote: i work with a woman who has a phd from her home country - she published a book on shopping center design in east asia which is apparently the textbook to reference on the subject. she's a quiet pleasant colleague and particularly talented designer. i don't know if it was a particularly useful career move for her as her talent is enough to get a good job, but she seems to get some benefit of reputation to speak at conferences. which if you like doing i guess go for it

i do think there is a cultural aspect to this that makes phds in architecture much more respectable in continental europe and east asia, where spending extra time to explore an idea is considered valuable experience in itself.

the other architecture phd i know was my classmate - one who wasn't cut out for working in an office environment and went right back to school, and never left. she's a professor in the humanities department of an ivy league school now, so that worked out for her. humble and down to earth in personality, but very aggressive at arguing ideas.