It is often said that architectural graduates don’t really start learning until they commence professional employment; but that should lead us to question why this is so, and why do we accept it?
I am an architectural practitioner by qualification, registration and experience and an educator through practice. While primarily an architect, I am also an academic teaching at the Master of Architecture program in the School of Design at the University of Western Australia.
I believe five years of full-time university study is barely sufficient to provide students with an introduction to the history and theory of architecture; a grounding in design thinking and approach; an understanding of the science of architecture; and a grasp of professional practice concepts.
My approach to architectural pedagogy mirrors that of my professional practice methodology of teaching by doing.
“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”
John Dewey
Students of architecture across Western Australian universities are not consistently provided the opportunity for arranged work in practice or work experience placements as part of their coursework. Many students do not have the connections, confidence or capacity to arrange their own placements.
Rather than accept that architectural graduates are not prepared to practice, there is an opportunity for architectural practices to assume some of the responsibility through connections to the local universities, offering consistent placement opportunities to students through part-time employment; paid work experience; internships; practice partnerships; or formalised Work Integrated Learning (WIL) agreements.
Exposure to practice is an invaluable opportunity that all students should experience as an integral part of their university education.
Hillam Architects has formal relationships with each of the three universities as part of its commitment to the future of architecture in Western Australia:
University of Western Australia
School of Design, Discipline of Architecture
Course MArch, Unit ARLA4010 Architecture and Landscape Internship (Internship 100 hours, coursework)
Curtin University
School of Design and the Built Environment,
Course MC-ARCH, Unit ARCH6021 Architectural Practical Experience (WIL 100 hours, coursework) and;
Course BH-INARCH, Unit INAR3024 Interior Architecture Practice 2 (WIL 80 hours, coursework)
University of Notre Dame
School of Arts & Sciences, Cours: MArch, Unit ARCH6008 Professional Practice Practicum
The architectural profession, as part of the critical necessity to reestablish its standing and respect within the community, needs to further recognise the value and importance that students and graduates of architecture play in the future of architecture in Australia – there is much that those aspiring to be architects can teach the architects of today.
Mentoring is a fundamental studio focus at Hillam Architects and is an acknowledgment that the ongoing education, training, and Continued Professional Development (CPD) for all staff, including students and graduates, is an investment in the future of the practice.
