After a few weeks reflection on my latest exam, I’ve come to some conclusions on the state of architects in California. On September 15th I took the California Supplemental Exam, the 10th test in my quest to become a licensed architect. Naturally I’m still waiting for the results, but that’s given me time to think about what I was supposed to study, and what actually will become of all that knowledge.
First a quick discussion on the rigors that licensed architects must go through: Minimum 4 years of school, preferably in architecture. Graduate school is a plus, but not required. While accumulating an additional 4.5 years of work experience, you must document your hours in through the Intern Development Program, as well as the California IDP. Midway through this, you may begin to take the 9 Architecture Registration Exams required nationwide. Yet, after all this, California still insists on an extra test. And not any quiz, this CSE will be a 1.5 hour oral exam on the legal and technical side of architecture.
The reason I mention all of this is that design is never questioned. It is never tested. Nowhere in the process is a candidate actually required to *make* anything. And then the public wonders why many of the buildings we see everyday look so cookie-cutter. Granted, much of this has been taken up by Planning Departments, and Design Commissions, but the architect’s historical role is constantly being diminished.
At one point, the Architect was the go-to person for a building’s location and design, relations to the client and city, and coordinating the construction process. Now because of legal liability, the architect is relegated to merely getting the building approved by government agencies, and then stepping back into the shadows. Very few Howard Roark type projects will ever get approved by committees, and design intent frequently gets altered in construction anyways. The architect is forced to hide behind legal contracts, and keep silent.
This is what has created the need for so many consultants in today’s construction climate. Siting, Design, Planning, Permit Approval, Construction Administration, Construction Management, and many more – all created by lawyers. I would like to bring the profession back to the days when we could take pride in designing and creating buildings, and being able to shuffle them through the full process. Maybe it’s time for California to realize that the process is stopping good design in its tracks.
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Test Not Design: The writer behind San Francisco Transit… on 10.02.2009
[...] The writer behind San Francisco Transit Oriented Design blog recently took a crucial test in his … In the process of becoming an architect here, “design is never questioned. It is never tested. Nowhere in the process is a candidate actually required to *make* anything. And then the public wonders why many of the buildings we see everyday look so cookie-cutter. Granted, much of this has been taken up by Planning Departments, and Design Commissions, but the architect’s historical role is constantly being diminished.” [SFTOD] [...]
tzelig on 10.02.2009
I don’t know how it was in your architecture college, but in mine we made things every day, in every way and material possible, and at every hour of the day or night – without sleep – for five years straight.
The last thing on anyone’s mind at the time was public safety and welfare.
It still takes a highly gifted person to persuade that ideal client to make a leap of faith and build something that exceeds the merely functional and legal requirements – that gifted person is still the Architect.
I just completed my first round of the 4.0 A.R.E. and can’t believe that the test isn’t required to get your B.Arch or M. Arch. We should graduate with the ability to practice like Architects in other countries.
San Francisco Real Estate: “The Scoop” » Blog Archive » Test Not Design: The writer behind San Francisco Transit… on 10.02.2009
[...] The writer behind San Francisco Transit Oriented Design blog recently took a crucial test in his … In the process of becoming an architect here, “design is never questioned. It is never tested. Nowhere in the process is a candidate actually required to *make* anything. And then the public wonders why many of the buildings we see everyday look so cookie-cutter. Granted, much of this has been taken up by Planning Departments, and Design Commissions, but the architect’s historical role is constantly being diminished.” [SFTOD] [...]
Anthony Sanchez on 10.28.2009
I’m writing on behalf of Arthouse Films to inform you of a new award-winning documentary we are releasing on November 16th at the Landmark Shattuck (Berkeley) and the Landmark San Fransisco entitled VISUAL ACOUSTICS, about the late architectural photographer Julius Shulman. We came across your blog and thought your readers might be interested.
We would love to be able to have information put on your blog with information on the film. We can also provide you with a short synopsis and links to the trailer and photographs.
You can also find out more about the film at http://www.juliusshulmanfilm.com.
Thank you for your consideration and I hope to hear back from you.
Sincerely,
Anthony Sanchez