Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc)
Pratt Institute
Tulane University
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Temple University
University of Oregon
Cranbrook Academy of Art
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
University of Cambridge Dept. of Architecture
What's the general outlook/reception of the University of Cambridge's Department of Architecture in the architectural community?
From what I can gather, it has a more "academic" focus than most other architecture schools. It also appears highly ranked in the UK, though perhaps slipping from past years. Then again, perhaps this assessment is misguided.
How does it compare, in terms of actual academic setting and also perceived quality, to US institutions? What schools would be "most similar" to Cambridge?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Surely someone has something to say--however minimal--about Cam? It can't be the case that the only input on this forum is about GSD, now, is it? I say that in jest, of course, but c'mon.
I'm bumping this once more.
Traditionally Cambridge was always very academic..literary in fact. It was either almost or actually closed down at one point not that long ago! Check!
It never closed, as far as I can tell. It consistently ranks well, but I cannot find too much information on the department beyond that.
By adjusting my search criteria somewhat, and delving deeper, I've read more about the RAE rankings that caused problems almost a decade ago.
This article explains the situation:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2004/oct/29/highereducation.cutsandclosures
These two articles indicate the reaction to the potential closure:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2004/nov/29/highereducation.regeneration
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2004/nov/29/highereducation.cutsandclosures1?INTCMP=SRCH
And here is the resolution:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2005/jan/12/highereducation.cutsandclosures1?INTCMP=SRCH
In the most recent RAE, 2008, Cambridge tops the list, with the performance in architecture and the built environment comparable to the performance in other fields.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2008/dec/18/rae-2008-architecture
I guess generally I'm just confused why, at least on this forum, whenever architecture schools in the UK are discussed, all you ever see is the Bartlett (UCL) and AA mentioned.
Per the UCL website:
"Medicine, Architecture and the Built Environment, Laws, Economics and Philosophy are among the academic disciplines at UCL to have achieved outstanding results in the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008, with UCL’s total number of full-time equivalent staff rated of world-leading quality third overall after Oxford and Cambridge."
If Cambridge's research output is considered to be on par--at least according to the newest RAE--as UCL, why does nobody ever discuss it?
I'm bumping this one last time to see if there is any input whatsoever on this forum about the department itself or perhaps the reason why it is not discussed on this forum, whereas the bartlett, AA, and some others are.
my gf was on the clare hall rowing team. that's about all i can tell you since she didn't study architecture.
lol. i do at least appreciate the reply!
Please post if you find more information about this, or Oxford, or another forum for that matter because I get the feeling that this is more of an US oriented community
re bugaluu: Oxford doesn't offer an architecture programme
jncyjc:
I thought that too, but a coworker of mine said he attended Oxford for architecture. He was emphatic that it wasn't Oxford-Brookes either. Weird. I can't seem to find anything online either.
I'm sure it's Oxford Brookes that your coworker went. My teacher told me that he went to Oxford Brooke's for his master in urban planning there. He also said that many times people thought that he went to Oxford.
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.