Saying Something.......

I’m studying a field that should have been the most respected, most appreciated (after considering the medical field that saves life); we provide aesthetical shelter for the living, however society seems to have another ranking for architecture.

          It was extremely difficult to counter the placement of Architecture within the building industry when the Industry today seems to be a farce, a movement for personal recognition instead of good productions. Architecture is around, but “Real Architecture,” “True Architecture” is not for the industry today. Observe how T.V. programs and other commercials offer people the choice to design their dream home themselves, we can’t help but wonder, "where does architecture fit in the world that grows so rapidly in the market?"

          Engineers, contractors, even sculptors and artists are building and designing structures from scratch. Architecture seems to be fading away and becoming insignificant, cold and exiled because people have embraced the notion “Architecture without Architects.” Do not expect a contractor or an engineer to add that sense of Oomph in a design, the sense of belonging, the relationship you desire within your newly built house, because, unlike the architect, the engineer is more about getting the structure up as opposed to the architect who inquires about you in order to incorporate "you" into the project.

          The real question would have to be, if people think architecture is being erased amongst a world of professional fields, then why study it? Why care about it’s ranking amongst other fields? Studying something as abstract and dead as Art, when recognition for your work is slim to none has never stopped anyone from pursuing their passion; and there’s the fact that no one is in a hurry to close any art schools down, either. The case is very unfortunate how we are almost climbing the same a rope as an Artist or writer just for the simple fact that Architectural students as well as many architects believe in the beauty of architecture. We believe so much it’s almost as if we were like battered wives that refuse to leave their husbands because we think they will change.

          The schooling system should tell us the harsh reality, since most of them aren’t teaching architecture in the first place. What is it that they want us to learn about architecture aside from the pressure in designs, the building codes and what not? Can’t they teach us that we are studying a field that’s on the brim of death while everyday more of us are aiming towards this field? Why should they, when it’s all about the business.

          Someone made the comment that “Architecture isn’t much, it’s easy. Engineer! Now there goes a tough major, all you architecture students do is draw!” Have they made research to realize that without Architecture there wouldn’t have been any contractors, engineers, Interior Designers? Architecture is the mother to all these majors, and now we're the least respected. If kids these days don’t respect their parents, can’t expect those fields to do the same. So where does architecture fit within the “Building Industry”?

          If you want to learn the taste of humiliation and success, which is part of every field, be aware that architecture leads you through that path without mercy. Architects are the black sticky crap at the bottom of the barrel when we ought to be the barrel itself.