I gave a presentation at a symposium on Friday 20 May at the University of Westminster. The symposium was for the launch of a new research centre called ProBE: the Centre for the Study of the Production of the Built Environment. It's a joint initiative between the School of Architecture and the Built Environment and Westminster Business School.
The symposium included a range of presentations by guests from around the world, including Australia, the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy and Sri Lanka, as well as the UK.
To me, the most striking thing about the international presentations was how much more integrated and coherent the education frameworks for the built environment professions seemed to be in other countries. My presentation focussed on the fragmentation which exists amongst the built environment professions in the UK, and the impact this has on education. Here's the presentation:
More information about ProBE
This chimes with my experience as a part time architect struggling to upskill so that I will still be working in 15 years time.
ReplyDeleteThe internet is a fantastic source of detailed technical information available to anyone (even clients!).
Architectural education needs to be focussed on 'high level' skills, more modular (with modules shared between professions eg surveyors, engineers and Q.Ss)
and much of it available as distance learning so practicing professionals like myself can access it for CPD.
It needs to be leaner, cheaper and more flexible.
As I see it the unsustainable costs of tuition fees alone will force a major structural change sooner or later.