Growing an architect.

Yet another post on architecture.. well, thats just my life lately. In fact that's what i guess my life's gonna be like for a long time. Ive studied architecture for 6 years now. Its almost as long as medicine... Why should it be that long? What have i learnt through all this?

I went through 6 years of education, and yet, unlike other courses, i didn't have to memorize much. I had to tackle every design task the lecturer gave me without question. (although they did provide briefs as to what the assignments learning outcome is, i didn't bother reading it).

So now close to the end of my education, i suddenly feel like a design architect. When did this metamorphosis happen?

Year 1 - In the first year, I was thought the basics of design. Amongst many other basic design principals, i was thought of how lines, geometry and forms interact with each other, and I learnt also of the way form and colors could evoke certain emotions on everyone who interacts with it.

Then i looked at how these lines, geometry and form, could also have a function.With a function, these elements becomes objects and spaces. I learnt that objects and spaces could have relationships to one another. Which object should be placed next to the other? Which space should be within or next to another?

Year 2 - Entering my second year, I experienced how these spaces and objects, in a built form, could then interact with its surroundings. I tried my hands on a large open space project as well as a tight spaced one. How would a built object affect its surrounding and how too will the surrounding affect the built object? This interaction is part of what makes a building a piece of architecture.

Later on, I had to take that principal of interaction and apply it to a larger scale. How will a piece of architecture interact with the community, town or city? How do i encourage people to visit it? Will it bring any benefit to the community?

Year 3 - The following year, i learnt of another form of architecture. Architecture could be a space not to be in, but merely an intermediate space, a space to come and go. The architecture would then have to interact differently with its occupants.

With that much design knowledge i head out into the working world of architecture. I returned back to school after half a year for more architectural education that i didn't even realize i was getting.

Year 4 - At the start of my fourth year, I was given the opportunity to experience design with repetitive spaces. Then designing for a target group of people. With every new project, ALL of what i have mentioned as well as the ones i forgot to mention comes into play. Every project calls on new challenges.

I now know how to apply what i have learnt onto any architectural challenge. With the knowledge to design a building, i graduate with my BSc.

But architecture education isn't over yet. There are 2 more years of official architecture education to go through. Bullocks. What more can i learn? - So i thought.

Year 5 - In the fifth year of my education, i didn't design a building at all. Fair to say, i already know how to design a building... so why teach me again. The education i got thought me how to appreciate architecture. I spent a whole year learning how to appreciate materials and practiced the craftsmanship of building technology.

Year 6 - Finally on the last stretch of architecture education, I delved into the art creating beautiful spaces. While doing that i learnt to appreciate the history that goes into a piece of architecture.

Ive still got a few more months to go, but hopefully by the time i graduate with my Bachelors, i would be a better architect then i was before. With new and constantly updating appreciation for the world.