Learned that UIC should invest some money into studio printers!

Rice could learn the same lesson.

Well, not the learning direction I meant, but what that did teach me is that it's better to have a printer of your own handy.

Learnt that there are lots of amateurs

I learned skills (rendering, animation, script writing, parametric modeling) in grad school and how to think and be critical in undergrad. That may seem inverted, but I think it worked out.

Learned 3D, graphic, web and some development things. That led to leaving the profession not too long after grad school.

I learned that vernacular architecture, designed and built by people other than architects, is a valuable and fascinating subject of study.

I learned that grad school professors are:
-unsuccessful architects more concerned about getting their next obscure book out than providing valuable criticisms of projects.
-recent grads who paid attention in theory class but don't know a sill detail from their ass.
-moderately successful local architects that are hired to teach professional practice and building systems because the two catergories above don't know shit about it.

i learned that:
those that can............do
those that can't do......teach
and those that can't teach.......teach gym

I wouldn't want to restrict the discussion, but I was hoping to find out more about what everyone learned about architecture, and maybe not so much about architectural education, though obviously many things there leave a lot to be desired.

Hmm, I learned that the 'stars' were as much about politics as anything else. I learned that I didn't like that.

I also learned what the profession was really like (salaries, etc.), which I also didn't like (and prompted me to learn other things).

I learned, that for architecture, I didn't need to go to grad school (4 yr undergrad at a good school is plenty).

Other than that it was more or less design practice. I learned, for sure, but not like I did in undergrad.

In business school, I learned that many of my classmates own multiple rolexes while I do not.

I also learned that what you know is not nearly as important as who you know.... and who those people know.

In business school, I learned that many of my classmates own multiple rolexes while I do not.

I also learned that what you know is not nearly as important as who you know.... and who those people know.

That's kind of a sad picture - either grad school has very little to teach us, or those who actually had a positive experience are too busy doing their thing to fess up.
Anybody actually learn anything valuable about architecture/doing things in architecture/approaching architecture in school? Notwithstanding the fact that the real world later crushed your ideals and drove you to drink, that is.

Simon,

I checked out your blog. Cool. Regarding your most recent post/project, did you happen to look at the environmental graphics system designed by Jerde and Sussman Prejza used in the LA 1984 Olympics? Very impressive project, and could be right up your alley, at least for this studio... now that it's over, of course.

And, you're right, there's plenty to learn about architecture itself in graduate school. The tenor of most responses above says much more about the state of anonymous internet posting --and its self-selecting, cranky demographic-- than it does about any shortage of ideas and knowledge about architecture (or anything else). Archinect.com a few years back was bursting with this kind of discussion. Now many posts on here are impolite, even hostile political blatherings.

My response above --that vernacular building has real merit that's dismissed by "design"-obsessed architects-- was a life-changer for me. As an architect trained to do good design (whatever that is), I often shudder at the aesthetic of strip malls and self-styled Persian palaces and other overblown mini-mansions. When I'm wearing my scholarly architectural historian's hat, however, I see these kinds of places as fascinating, and full of clues about culture, econcomics, even public policy.

Take heart. There are some smart and thoughtful people on here... they're just currenly outnumbered, that's all.

Hello Chicagoski, I am thinking of attending UIC next year for the M. Arch program. I was wondering how you felt about the entire experience? I understand your blog is not directly related to this question but would you mind giving me your thoughts on the program and the professors. Would you recommend it as a place to go?

Thanks.

chicagoski -

Don't accept what you get here on Archinect as a representation of what people are actually learning in architecture school. Most people that post here are bored. People who learned a great deal in grad school are not looking for things to satisfy their vapid mind-state on the internet, they are out making moves and developing their career.

In short, Archinect frequent poster = Loser (more often than not) I'm including myself in this group as I have been deliriously lost since I left the warm womb of academia and realize that I have turned to this godforsaken place as a support group of sorts (shitty idea).

I am about to attend grad school, and can tell you that you will get out of it what you want out of it. Your comments in the first post pretty much sum up what you are supposed to learn in any design school.

- I hope to learn how buildings actually go together, and how they interact with their site in a physical and social manner.
- I hope to learn traditional construction techniques and to decide for myself whether the evolution of technique in the USA has been driven by quantity (I suspect) or quality (I am doubtful)
- I hope to learn to trust myself!!! (Though, no one can teach me that, but I'm on the right track)

Good luck with the remainder of your studies.

Oh, god... that post is so spot on. I tinkled myself a little from laughter.

@RedMeat - I think the UIC School of Architecture under Bob Somol's directorship has become a vibrant place of learning, though with a seriously theoretical bent and a definite agenda. If you want to find out what it's all about, I suggest you read a couple of his pieces, especially "Green Dots 101" (Hunch 11 (2007): 28-37 - sorry, no online copy that I know of), which deals with his concept of architectural education, and "12 Reasons to Get Back in Shape" (Content, ed. by OMA and Rem Koolhaas. Köln: Taschen, 2004). Also check out our student publication, Fresh Meat: http://www.freshmeatjournal.org/
I don't agree with everything Bob espouses (though a discussion of what and why would be too long to go into here), and I have heard people who studied there previously (when it had a reputation as a down-to-earth tech-oriented school) complain about his heavy emphasis on "fancy" theory. However, I'd say my experience there so far has overall been positive, if not entirely free of frustration.

@loremipsum - I know what you mean. I just thought Archinect might be an exception to that rule. I'm beginning to see I was probably mistaken.

Thanks so much Chicagoski, good luck with your final year.

I am bored, it's 6.30 and I have only had one cup of coffee. But please, lorem, don't be making sweeping statements that those of us that are here often are "losers". That just shows your arrogance and naivete (not that there aren't some punks around here, but most of the long timers, like myself, 10+ years now, are ambitious and professional, knowledgeable and worth listening to...most of the time).

I enjoyed Somol's teaching style, but I'd be on the side of 'too much theory out there'. Fun while in school, (mostly) useless elsewhere. Time spent on numerous theory classes is time that could/should be spent on more applicable pieces of knowledge, like how a building goes together, the financing behind it, the business world that pays an architect's salary, etc., etc.


I learned a tremendous amount in grad school, but mostly because I realized early on (in grad school) that I was not going to be taught what I needed to flourish in the real world. I pursued as many opportunities as I could (from business to real estate to graphic/web/video).


Lastly, as a business owner, I can take breaks whenever I want, no one to answer to. So just be careful about lumping everyone together. I, too, was naively optimistic entering grad school. I learned quickly, though, and adjusted my ambitions accordingly.

You'd be wise to at least keep in mind what people are offering.

i learned about compounding interest.