[Architecture] What do you do in architecture?

[Orson]

Hey everyone (again). I was wondering what you actually do in architecture. Is it all drawing and making models? Do you need to write essays and stuff? I really want to know what I potentially might go into. It's really hard to find information on Architecture, unlike Commerce and Science...

Thanks heaps!

[auds]

Hey there, so my boyfriend is a first year doing a double degree in architecture and engineering in Monash. Here is what he has to say about it

For me, you will find yourself acquainted with 3 or 4 units each semester, which are basically subjects with a specific focus. At Monash the curriculum is project and folio based. This means that there will be a significant focus on a project with a theme every two weeks.

If this is a bit vague to you, the projects I encountered in the first semester (one is issued every 1-3 weeks for the core "architecture" unit, almost always as soon as you finish one project) were designed to introduce me to the concept of manipulating space without beating me over the head with theory. For example, we received three consecutive projects to create three models which dealt with horizontal, vertical, and oblique spatial conditions using timbers, plastics, and metals respectively. For each of these you are expected to produce technical drawings (orthogonal/axonometric/perspective) and soon graphical analysis (how one circulates through the building, concept, classification of spaces, etc.)

The second semester is geared towards application of first semester knowledge, with a lot of time spent designing a small library and house respectively.

The attitude towards learning is that you explore a lot, and try and curate many ideas before reaching a final product. You will be subject a lot of the time, to your tutor, who you meet twice a week, basically is your creative consultant on whether your ideas are as bad as you think. Most of the projects have a level of ambiguity, and as a result your tutor has the power to request things as they see fit. In comparison to engineering (the other side of my degree) there is almost no focus on marks, and you are often fixating yourself on the quality of your work. This is reinforced by a permeating "ask your tutor" attitude towards requirements you need to achieve. You will be dropped into the deep end in many regards, for example you will be buying all your own materials and will be expected to produce decent drawings in just a few weeks.

With regard to essays, there was this (in my opinion) awful unit in first sem which was basically "meta art history" about visual culture. Essays haven't come into it much otherwise, but I think that might change a little as next year there is a study on 19th/20th century architecture.

Overall it's been quite an individual experience thus far with group work cropping up every now and then. If you love creating things, it's great fun if you can handle the pressure and stay afloat. Some days it feels like my life is falling apart and some days I have an absolute blast seeing my ideas come together. That's architecture for you.

Feel free to PM me or comment on the thread if you have any further questions you'd like me to ask him! All the best for the rest of the year

[Orson]

Hey there, so my boyfriend is a first year doing a double degree in architecture and engineering. Here is what he has to say about it

Wow! Thanks to you and your boyfriend!

I'm not sure whether I should do Commerce or Architecture. I know Commerce is known for its wide application, and great job opportunities and whatnot. I haven't heard much, or anything about Architecture.

The reason I (might) want to do Architecture is because I love to draw (Cars, Buildings, anything that isn't alive...I'm terrible at that stuff). I'm thinking of doing Architecture with Engineering (Civil Special) so I have knowledge on both ends. I have a few specific questions:

- So other than one or two theory (essay) subjects, everything else is drawing/planning and coming up with ideas? I really don't want to get stuck writing essays. I want to draw haha!

- Do you use computers/tablets much? I'm more of a hands on artist, and I don't want to get restricted to the use of a tablet.

- How big are lectures? Small knit groups? Or the size of Chemistry I?

- Do you have an artistic licence, or is that stripped away from you if you want to get good marks?

- Is it possible to achieve high marks if you work hard? I've heard many complaints that art subjects get marked unfairly because art is subjective...

- What kind of Engineering special are you doing? What do you plan on doing job wise?

- Completely unrelated, but I couldn't help but notice that you're a methods tutor. I've been stuck on 60/80 for while now on Exam 2, and I always seem to mess up one (big) question that cost me heaps of marks (I've done around 15 papers)...Any tips?

Thanks heaps! I appreciate this so much! And thank you auds for showing this to your boyfriend!

- Orson

[auds]

About the jobs thing, I'll be forthcoming, and just say that I don't think the job prospects for architecture are fantastic in Australia. I do have a mutual friend who is working in a firm as a second year (which I wouldn't
recommend unless you are a time managing superstar), so it will definitely be up to the quality of your portfolio
and networking skills in order to find work. I did however hear that architecture is one of the least paying jobs
in Australia though... not to deter you or anything.

Essays: Fear not, the architecture units are completely modelmaking and drawing sometimes they bleed into other areas
like collage making and photography (you learn to take good photos very quickly haha). It's not very creative drawing,
mind you. With that said, you should be using your creativity to enhance the quality of your drawings, they'll love you
if you do (well, it depends on what your tutor likes I guess). There is a completely fine art orientated drawing in first
sem, so there's that.

In first semester you will be mainly hand drawing. You can do computer drawings from the get go (if you know how),
although some tutors want you to have that fundamental hand draughting skill. You absolutely don't need a tablet. It's a
lot of straight line work (at least for me it has been). I reckon if your hand drawings are amazing, you should stick to
that, but also familiarise yourself with the likes of AutoCAD, Rhino, ArchiCAD and Illustrator; use it for some projects
so you have expertise in all areas.

We don't have many lectures. I have an architecture communications lecture, which is kinda like vis/com geared for arch.
There's around 50 people that attend. I know there are materials lectures, but I don't do those due to my double degree.

You absolutely maintain artistic licence, but your tutors will give you advice on your ideas, which you can agree with or
not (although I have heard of tutors being instructive as opposed to nurturing, so that's not uncommon). Again, the focus
is not on marks but how much thought you've put into it, your design process, and the quality of your drawings, photos and
graphical presentation. You are encouraged to be bold with your ideas. Your tutor will mark your folio.

High marks are absolutely possible. Even with a standard of work I'm not completely happy with, I achieved a distinction
last semester. Hard work has meant working late into the night since I haven't managed my time. In my case, my tutor is a
currently practicing architect, and has been very fair with his evaluation of my work. It hasn't been as subjective as
it once seemed. With that said, there are tutors who are a little more volatile (I have heard of a friend who had to
redesign a library in three days because his tutor didn't like it) so just hope for the best! Take on board all the
advice you are given, and don't take the easy way out with your ideas. You'll be fine.

I am taking the civil double. I initially entered the degree with a clear vision of finding work in engineering, but that
may change; architecture is pretty cool. I've heard people with these degrees become project managers, which are high
paying jobs, so that might be something I'll look out for.

I can also attest to the fact that it seems like although architecture doesn't have many hours on-campus, in terms of tutes, lectures etc, it requires many hours of your own to work on designs etc. Boyfriend, and a couple of other people I know, often have to pull really late nights just because otherwise there simply wouldn't be enough time to finish the model/folio. On a side note, will PM you about the methods as I don't want to clog up the main purpose of your thread with a tangent hehe.