Do Architects Learn What They Need to Know?

a proposed workshop for the 2004 SBSE retreat

submitted by

Associate Professor Christine Theodoropoulos,

tel: 541-346-3656, email ctheodor@uoregon.edu

Visiting Assistant Professor Ryan Smith

tel: 541-346-3656, email ryans@softfirmstudios.net

Deparment of Architecture, University of Oregon

Eugene, OR 97403

Theme Category: Current Research

Workshop Presentation Description:

We will present the lessons learned from “Designing for Earthquakes” a research project funded by the National Science Foundation that charts the current status of seismic design education in schools of architecture and identifies the knowledge base architects need to implement high-performing building structures in earthquake prone regions. Although our particular focus is seismic design, we will present findings in relation to the broader context of structures and building science education. Our presentation will address the following questions:

How do adjacent parties in practice, clients and structural engineers, view the preparation of the architect? What do they identify as important? What deficiencies do they observe?

How do architects view their preparation for practice? What additional knowledge do they recommend for future graduates of architecture programs?

What are architecture students currently learning? To what degree does program type, instructor qualifications, instructor attitude, and regional location influence the content of the curriculum?

What are the gaps between what students learn and what practitioners need to know? How do we address them?

It is our intent to engage session participants in a lively discussion about approaches to curricular development in building technology. We will compile their suggestions, reactions, objections, concerns and inspired statements into a white paper for the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute that will contribute a SBSE perspective to their curricular materials for architects projects.

Materials for Distribution and Audiovisual requirements:

Workshop participants will receive copies of the survey instruments used in this study and a summary of survey results.

We will need a digital projector.