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RISD design(yes)construction(?)
Here's a question for all you RISD Grad students.
Here's a question for all you RISD Grad students. Do you feel the opportunity you are getting to explore theory and design is balanced by a solid understanding of how buildings are put together ( structure, materials, environmental controls, engineering, planning etc. ) I'm considering enrolling this fall in the Masters program. I'm inspired by the culture of the school, the intellect of the students and teachers, and of course the opportunity to draw on other programs such as industrial design and interior architecture. I understand that the students that graduate are "thinkers", but I wonder how prepared they are to take a structure from the conceptual/design phase to the planning and construction phase. Do you graduates feel comfortable putting together a complete set of construction documents and cost estimates (at least for small structures). What about understanding materials and energy use?
Besides producing good designers and smart thinkers, would you say the program has any other areas of strength or opportunities for focus? I've found other schools offer focus tracks in sustainability, materials, small scale fabrication, urban planning, historic preservation, technology etc.
Any opinions on this would be greatly appreciated... anyone...?I've read the curriculum. It sounds pretty standard, but I'd still like to hear from students or alum who have been there. I'm interested in focusing on design/build upon graduation and I'm just wondering if I would get some of the more logistical components of that practice at a "design" program. Please...any thoughts
So from what I hear...RISD doesn't really prepare students for the logistical parts of construction (construction know how, construction documents, technology, BIM management, etc)...Any of you students found a way to get this type of training while in school? ...or do you just wait to learn these things on the job?
Alright, I'll bite. RISD is an incubator for thoughtful design, and it equips you with what is necessary to be a good designer. It's really sink or swim, a miniature version of our profession at large - and I'll explain this: The bias at RISD is towards process based design evolution though it is absolutely undeniable that if you don't know how to do something, you just figure it out. This includes how to make details, using any piece of software, making a model (yes, using things other than foam core and chip), constructing a perspective, etc. If you're a good designer you can learn this stuff... revit, cd's, whatever on the fly and be alright. And yes, RISD students can deal with BIM, ecotect... it's not like the school ignores that these realities exist, they just focus on design. Students here learn rhino, formz, autocad, photoshop, illustrator, and a handful of other software in a semester... they pick up what they need to, sharpen skills on what is relevant and abandon what is not. It's kind of like actually being an architect. We don't know how to do everything... you don't know how to flash a certain model skylight... you look it up. This is the real world. What you can't just look up is how to design.
tim's observation holds true for a lot of schools, that's how my time @ v.t. was spent (teaching myself over being taught)
Thank you! I was starving for another perspective.
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