The Redesign of Studio Culture
Sep. 23rd, 2008 12:58 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
remulaSo for my studio, we have to read The Redesign of Studio Culture, which you can find HERE, if you're so inclined to read it. I think it's really interesting, which is why I'm writing a post dedicated to it. XP I think it's definitely worth reading if you're in architecture 'cause it's easy to relate to. Also, if you're not an architecture student but you want to know more about what studio is like, it's worth reading as well. Unfortunately, it's a bit long, but I think it's a pretty fast read if you aren't taking notes on it and stuff, like I was. It took me quite a while to get through it, and the whole time, I seriously wanted to start responding to it and all the rhetorical questions they asked. x_x Therefore... I write a response in my LJ! XP I would have written it in my sketchbook, where I was taking notes, but I tend to get messy when I write for long periods -- plus, I was tired of note-taking by the time I got near the end of the paper, so yeah. If you don't want to read the paper, but are willing to read the rest of this entry, then lucky for you, I'm gonna summarize what I thought was interesting or important or whatever first before I respond. XP
The Redesign of Studio Culture is a paper is about "studio culture", which they define as the "experiences, habits, and patterns found within an architecture design studio" (3). The authors state that it is "natural for studio courses and their environments to create their own culture", but that the culture "often becomes an all-consuming aspect in the lives of students" (3). The studio culture and values are just as influential as the actual projects, the authors claim, however, they believe that the habits and patterns developed are a byproduct instead of being intensional. Although there are positive outcomes from these habits and patterns, there are also many harmful results. Thomas Dutton and Kathryn Anthony refer to the consequences as the "hidden curriculum" of studio learning, which refers to the "unstated values, attitudes, and norms that stem from the social relations of the school and classroom as well as the content of the course" (4).
Although the studio culture is hard to define, there are uniform patterns of behavior in all architecture programs. Features such as the "unquestioned authority of the critic, the long hours, the focus on schematic solutions, the rare discussion of users or clients" come from the French tradition from the Ecole de Beaux Arts. Paying attention to star designers, the focus on current style, and the study of architectural history and theory are some of the things that come from the German tradition from the Bauhaus (5).
The studio culture can also be characterized by myths. The authors of the paper list the following:
"Perhaps nothing is more revealing of studio culture than the actions of its students to promote this culture," state the authors. "Why do architecture students so proudly display these aspects of studio culture to friends, families, and others on campus?" they ask (6). The answer according to Fisher is the "fraternity aspect of architecture, where the pressure on students becomes a kind of rite of passage or, less generously, a weeding out of those unfit for membership in the club" (7). Students take pride in their dysfunctional behavior, bragging about the number of consecutive all-nighters and showing off ex-acto knife scars, among other things (7). With this fraternity aspect comes isolation. More than 73% of students surveyed agree that they often feel isolated from others outside of architecture (9). Many admit that the more years spent in design, the fewer non-design students they have as friends (9).
The authors of this paper also discuss the time aspect of studio. Most schools give students 24/7 access to their studios. "With most students, if they are given a day to complete a project, they therefore think they have 24 hours to finish the necessary work" (8).
The paper also discusses the design process, how grades may hinder productive assessment, and critiques, among other things, and concludes with five essential values for redesigning the studio culture: optimism, respect, sharing, engagement, and innovation.
So basically, the studio culture is what studio is all about and what goes on in studio and stuff. There was a list of myths and stuff in the paper, which I copied and pasted up in the summary, if you didn't read, but yeah.. Honestly? I didn't really read the list. I skimmed it. And from the few words I picked up on when I was skimming, it seems mostly accurate for what studio culture is. And then there was the unfortunate quote about how students promote this culture. I say unfortunate because it's unfortunately TRUE. x_x People do brag about the all-nighters and stuff like that. They hang out in studio to be in studio (honestly, I think that they just have no freakin' life, but that's just me). They spend all their time on studio and put it above the rest of their classes because "it's the most important". All that and more. And yes, I admit that I've probably done some of the stuff they mentioned in the paper, but no one in architecture can say they haven't.
Honestly, I can say that for most of the paper, I agreed with what they said. There's a lot about the "studio culture" that I'm not very proud or fond of, but it happens and I just deal. The why of doing all this stuff that they gave, about the "fraternity aspect" or whatever is very true, but I never thought of it that way. I just thought of it as a special club that only other architecture students understand, but same difference. People brag about the stuff they brag about in architecture because it gives them validation, that they ARE working hard, that they LOVE architecture, that there is a definite REASON they're in the major, etc.. They do it because they have the need to prove themselves to show that they DESERVE to be an architect. Sad, but true.
Personally, I've done some of the bragging, but not much. This is because I just don't think the same way. Yes, I want to do architecture because OMG, I'm doing it right now, aren't I? And no matter how much I say I dunno if I want to be in architecture, the fact is that I AM and I'm sticking with it, so that's enough validation for me. Unfortunately, it's not for others.
I spend a lot of my time doing NON-architecture stuff. Shocking, I know, but it's true. Unlike most other people in the major, I actually think that, surprise, surprise, the other classes I'm taking matter JUST AS MUCH! =O I know, unbelievable, if I do say so myself. I mean, why would I care about these other classes that AREN'T ARCHITECTURE?! It can't be that I'm paying to take these classes. Or that the material can be interesting. Dare I even suggest that I wanted to take the classes?! =O
The thing is, I'm a planner. So that means, I have it all figured out of when I'm taking my classes and I have back-up plans of back-up plans. Along with this is the fact that I'm ambitious. I want to learn a lot of things. I have a lot of interests. And because the cost of tuition is the same no matter how many units I take, I WILL go for as many units as I think I can handle. Therefore, it's not really a surprise that I am a bit ahead of schedule. It's also not a surprise that I am taking classes that I choose to add to my schedule to beef up the units. Unfortunately, most people don't understand this basic concept. The conversations usually look like this:
ARCH PEOPLE: What are you taking?
ME: *insert some random class that's not required here*
ARCH PEOPLE: Why are you taking that class?
ME: 'Cause I want to.
ARCH PEOPLE: Why? It's not required!
Obviously my simple explanation has nothing to do with whether the class is required or not, but that I'm taking it BECAUSE I WANT TO. But since people don't buy that, I usually just say something to the effect of, "I want to see if it's interesting" and stick in the phrase, "I might drop it" which they take as a definite, 'yeah, she's dropping it', but really, I'm just trying to not break their brains by making them have to think to hard on it. Or, if I can get away with it, I try to subtly change the topic after giving one class that can be somewhat acceptable. Honestly, I feel kinda bad that I act like I'm ashamed to take these classes I'm interested in, but it's hard to reason with these people! x_x
Anyways.. Next thing I want to discuss is that time thing. In the paper, they were like, oh a day to work on a project = 24 hours in an architecture student's mind. It's true for most. Not for me. Because I believe in the value of sleep. Unfortunately, I seem like a liar because I admit it, I have pulled some all-nighters. ;_; I feel so ashamed to have done it. x_x And I used to say that I would never.. *sigh* But yeah...
So it's really late right now and I don't think I can think of all the things I want to say anymore, so I'm just gonna head off to bed. I kinda slacked on other homework because I wanted to respond to this, but I didn't even end up finishing. Oh wellz..
Also, I want to stay up because there's a woot-off right now, but I'm too tired to stay up and watch,, so whatever. There probably won't be anything good later anyway... Unless there is, then I'll just be sad that I missed it. =/
~Remula
The Redesign of Studio Culture is a paper is about "studio culture", which they define as the "experiences, habits, and patterns found within an architecture design studio" (3). The authors state that it is "natural for studio courses and their environments to create their own culture", but that the culture "often becomes an all-consuming aspect in the lives of students" (3). The studio culture and values are just as influential as the actual projects, the authors claim, however, they believe that the habits and patterns developed are a byproduct instead of being intensional. Although there are positive outcomes from these habits and patterns, there are also many harmful results. Thomas Dutton and Kathryn Anthony refer to the consequences as the "hidden curriculum" of studio learning, which refers to the "unstated values, attitudes, and norms that stem from the social relations of the school and classroom as well as the content of the course" (4).
Although the studio culture is hard to define, there are uniform patterns of behavior in all architecture programs. Features such as the "unquestioned authority of the critic, the long hours, the focus on schematic solutions, the rare discussion of users or clients" come from the French tradition from the Ecole de Beaux Arts. Paying attention to star designers, the focus on current style, and the study of architectural history and theory are some of the things that come from the German tradition from the Bauhaus (5).
The studio culture can also be characterized by myths. The authors of the paper list the following:
• Architectural education should require personal and physical sacrifice
• The creation of architecture should be a solo, artistic struggle
• The best students are those who spend the most hours in studio
• Design studio courses are more important than other architecture or liberal arts courses
• Success in architecture school is only attained by investing all of your energy in studio
• It is impossible to be a successful architect unless you excel in the design studio
• Students should not have a life outside of architecture school
• The best design ideas only come in the middle of the night
• Creative energy only comes from the pressure of deadlines
• The best design ideas only come in the middle of the night
• Creative energy only comes from the pressure of deadlines
• Students must devote themselves to studio in order to belong to the architecture community
• Collaboration with other students means giving up the best ideas
• It is more important to finish a few extra drawings than sleep or mentally prepare for the design review
• It is possible to learn about complex social and cultural issues while spending the majority of time sitting at a studio desk
• Students do not have the power to make changes within architecture programs or the design studio
"Perhaps nothing is more revealing of studio culture than the actions of its students to promote this culture," state the authors. "Why do architecture students so proudly display these aspects of studio culture to friends, families, and others on campus?" they ask (6). The answer according to Fisher is the "fraternity aspect of architecture, where the pressure on students becomes a kind of rite of passage or, less generously, a weeding out of those unfit for membership in the club" (7). Students take pride in their dysfunctional behavior, bragging about the number of consecutive all-nighters and showing off ex-acto knife scars, among other things (7). With this fraternity aspect comes isolation. More than 73% of students surveyed agree that they often feel isolated from others outside of architecture (9). Many admit that the more years spent in design, the fewer non-design students they have as friends (9).
The authors of this paper also discuss the time aspect of studio. Most schools give students 24/7 access to their studios. "With most students, if they are given a day to complete a project, they therefore think they have 24 hours to finish the necessary work" (8).
The paper also discusses the design process, how grades may hinder productive assessment, and critiques, among other things, and concludes with five essential values for redesigning the studio culture: optimism, respect, sharing, engagement, and innovation.
So basically, the studio culture is what studio is all about and what goes on in studio and stuff. There was a list of myths and stuff in the paper, which I copied and pasted up in the summary, if you didn't read, but yeah.. Honestly? I didn't really read the list. I skimmed it. And from the few words I picked up on when I was skimming, it seems mostly accurate for what studio culture is. And then there was the unfortunate quote about how students promote this culture. I say unfortunate because it's unfortunately TRUE. x_x People do brag about the all-nighters and stuff like that. They hang out in studio to be in studio (honestly, I think that they just have no freakin' life, but that's just me). They spend all their time on studio and put it above the rest of their classes because "it's the most important". All that and more. And yes, I admit that I've probably done some of the stuff they mentioned in the paper, but no one in architecture can say they haven't.
Honestly, I can say that for most of the paper, I agreed with what they said. There's a lot about the "studio culture" that I'm not very proud or fond of, but it happens and I just deal. The why of doing all this stuff that they gave, about the "fraternity aspect" or whatever is very true, but I never thought of it that way. I just thought of it as a special club that only other architecture students understand, but same difference. People brag about the stuff they brag about in architecture because it gives them validation, that they ARE working hard, that they LOVE architecture, that there is a definite REASON they're in the major, etc.. They do it because they have the need to prove themselves to show that they DESERVE to be an architect. Sad, but true.
Personally, I've done some of the bragging, but not much. This is because I just don't think the same way. Yes, I want to do architecture because OMG, I'm doing it right now, aren't I? And no matter how much I say I dunno if I want to be in architecture, the fact is that I AM and I'm sticking with it, so that's enough validation for me. Unfortunately, it's not for others.
I spend a lot of my time doing NON-architecture stuff. Shocking, I know, but it's true. Unlike most other people in the major, I actually think that, surprise, surprise, the other classes I'm taking matter JUST AS MUCH! =O I know, unbelievable, if I do say so myself. I mean, why would I care about these other classes that AREN'T ARCHITECTURE?! It can't be that I'm paying to take these classes. Or that the material can be interesting. Dare I even suggest that I wanted to take the classes?! =O
The thing is, I'm a planner. So that means, I have it all figured out of when I'm taking my classes and I have back-up plans of back-up plans. Along with this is the fact that I'm ambitious. I want to learn a lot of things. I have a lot of interests. And because the cost of tuition is the same no matter how many units I take, I WILL go for as many units as I think I can handle. Therefore, it's not really a surprise that I am a bit ahead of schedule. It's also not a surprise that I am taking classes that I choose to add to my schedule to beef up the units. Unfortunately, most people don't understand this basic concept. The conversations usually look like this:
ARCH PEOPLE: What are you taking?
ME: *insert some random class that's not required here*
ARCH PEOPLE: Why are you taking that class?
ME: 'Cause I want to.
ARCH PEOPLE: Why? It's not required!
Obviously my simple explanation has nothing to do with whether the class is required or not, but that I'm taking it BECAUSE I WANT TO. But since people don't buy that, I usually just say something to the effect of, "I want to see if it's interesting" and stick in the phrase, "I might drop it" which they take as a definite, 'yeah, she's dropping it', but really, I'm just trying to not break their brains by making them have to think to hard on it. Or, if I can get away with it, I try to subtly change the topic after giving one class that can be somewhat acceptable. Honestly, I feel kinda bad that I act like I'm ashamed to take these classes I'm interested in, but it's hard to reason with these people! x_x
Anyways.. Next thing I want to discuss is that time thing. In the paper, they were like, oh a day to work on a project = 24 hours in an architecture student's mind. It's true for most. Not for me. Because I believe in the value of sleep. Unfortunately, I seem like a liar because I admit it, I have pulled some all-nighters. ;_; I feel so ashamed to have done it. x_x And I used to say that I would never.. *sigh* But yeah...
So it's really late right now and I don't think I can think of all the things I want to say anymore, so I'm just gonna head off to bed. I kinda slacked on other homework because I wanted to respond to this, but I didn't even end up finishing. Oh wellz..
Also, I want to stay up because there's a woot-off right now, but I'm too tired to stay up and watch,, so whatever. There probably won't be anything good later anyway... Unless there is, then I'll just be sad that I missed it. =/
~Remula
