thought this needed to stop hiding in the comments.

dylan said...

p.s. http://www.chenarchitect.com/
looks like we've come a looooong way. kind of boring.

January 27, 2010 4:47 PM

kaitlyn said...

...reeeeeally?
those renders look like they were made in google sketch up.

January 27, 2010 6:20 PM

aktemples said...

omg, what happened to him?! What a blip on the proverbial radar.

January 27, 2010 6:43 PM

Also, all those projects are flat and lifeless. Has he heard of um...a person!!? let's not even talk about the lack of depth, texture, or any kind of spirit that makes you give enough of a damn to build it. Dead-eyed-renders.

January 27, 2010 6:49 PM

laws said...

And just think: in a few years, most of you will have surpassed him in education, too. (All of you already surpass him in class and uh...interest. Hence the "too".)

January 27, 2010 8:39 PM

JustJoshing said...

egh... it makes you wonder about education. I mean I never had him, so I can't comment on it too much and I do believe you can learn something from anyone. Maybe we are meant to surpass our educators. I would hope that is the ultimate intent...

January 27, 2010 9:47 PM

laws said...

What does it make you wonder about education? Like...how can someone ever really be qualified to be a teacher? Or...that the level of education that someone obtains doesn't necessarily make him more or less capable as an instructor? This is something that comes up a lot in my field, since usually only people with about ten years of post-graduate work are permitted to hold academic positions. I'm not really sure how I feel about it.
Some academic fields tend to produce more people to fill the same position (English professors are good at generating more English professors, but statistically fail at producing things like literary critics, which you would think would be a given), while others are very open to different professions (I'm thinking about biochemistry, since, you know, that's what I did: it produces academics, professionals, high school teachers, etc., with academics making up a pretty small percentage of students).
I'm not really sure where architecture fits into this spectrum because you guys are my only touch point. Is academia a safe place for architects? Do most use it as a stepping stone to something else? Is it common for professors to have architecture firms, or to actively participate in architecture while teaching (whatever that means)?
One of the central difficulties to higher level science instruction is that what makes someone a good scientist (i.e., he can secure funding and conduct research) does not necessarily make him a good teacher, and vice versa. Is this something that comes up in architecture, too?

January 27, 2010 10:33 Pm

Sorry. I've been drinking a lot of coffee.

January 27, 2010 10:48 PM

Madison said...

Laws, that mini-speech is amazing. I feel like I've just been given a writing prompt; let me get back to you after I brainstorm.

January 27, 2010 10:57 PM

kaitlyn said...

you just blew my mind. i feel like architecture school produces a pretty diverse range of paths. take us for example: architecture, film, theatre, writing, poetry, fine art etc. etc.
i truly believe architecture school is one of the few places which produces such an incredibly wide range of opportunities post-graduation.
although, i do feel that academia is a safe place for architects, and most places do want you to be currently active in your own practice.
on a side note at ucla, the professors are *required* to be active in their field.

January 29, 2010 3:56 PM

JustJoshing said...

I think that Kaitlyn hit it pretty much on the head. Architecture's reach into academia is pretty broad. Think Thomas Jefferson, Eisenman (philosopher and architect), Tom Ford (fashion), etc.
Professional/ external practice is often required for architecture and design professors. It allows them to develop with the times that way they can add prestige to their name, the school, and deliver a better product... education. So, you would assume that the better teachers are the better architects/ designers; however, I would like to think that the better educator is the one that leaves a greater impression, not just the one with a greater prestige.
Also, architecture is based on both creative thought and production, so it is necessary to do both. I did hear how one professor confronted another to show his disapproval of how she was not an architect, had not practiced as much professionally, and has primarily been an academic. She is though pursuing her license and PhD... So, it is not safe to stay within the boundaries of education. There can be a prejudice if you are not contributing to the field in a more direct way. A balance needs to be had if you are going to participate in academia.
And don't apologize for curiosity. It's my favorite trait even if accelerated by warm legal stimulants.