Let’s kick off this series with where it all begins. School. Starting architecture school felt like diving into a whole new world of challenges and excitement. Looking back, high school barely scratched the surface when it came to architecture. We had a few basic classes like drafting and woodshop, but nothing that really got my gears turning about designing buildings. I will say, you are considered lucky if you even know what you want to major in or rather what you want to be when you grow up, but for someone who knew, I didn’t have many options at how to progress in that. Then the game time decision, where do I go?
For those that don’t know, I went to Ohio State University’s Knowlton School of Architecture. I ended up going for 5 years because my first year I was undecided. I don’t think I knew what I was getting into when I decided to go to architecture school. So, “back then” (only 2015) first year of architecture school was all hand drawing. Something that is clearly a lost trade now. And as someone who is only 26 I have never hand drawn a drawing professionally since my first year studio. First year studio would be the precedent for the rest of studio during your time in undergraduate and graduate school. We had two projects that semester, and the nerve-wracking experience of presenting your work, only to face criticism, is a crucible for developing resilience and confidence—a skill set as crucial as design expertise.
My first midreview approaches and I have my drawings done on fresh velum, previously erased pencil smudges all over the sheet and I’m looking at them pinned up on the board. I don’t know what to say about this, how am I going to stand up in front of my entire class and talk about this? No one likes public speaking, that’s a fact and if you do you’re lying. Try being 18 years old, brand new to college, in front of professors that know what a good drawing is supposed to look like and present something for the first time. Pretty intimidating. There is nothing more defeating than being absolutely roasted in front of your peers after you spent hours upon hours creating this “thing”. I would love to say it got better but it didn't. However, it’s a very important skill that you will learn to get better at throughout school. That’s pretty much all architecture school is, presenting a piece of work that you’ve normally dedicated an entire semester to, just to have someone tell you their opinion about it.
However, school was fun. If you were lucky to have a nice studio space you and your peers became like a little family, you spent a lot of time together and I mean A LOT. Around important deadlines the studio became your bedroom and it was like a giant sleepover, with everyone chugging cups of coffee at midnight and throwing on your favorite Netflix show while you build your model or finish your drawings. To those that are currently in school or thinking about going to architecture school, thinking what you have done to yourself, don’t worry because there have been many times that I have looked back on those moments in school and got to express my creativity and design buildings that could never possibly stand alone or have budgets that are so high no client in real life could ever afford.
Once I graduated and stepped into the real world of architecture, it was a bit of a wake-up call. Suddenly, it wasn't just about being creative—it was about meeting client demands and staying within budget. But even though it was tough, I wouldn't trade those school days for anything. They were where I honed my skills, found my passion, and made lifelong friends.
So, to anyone thinking about diving into architecture school, just know that it's going to be a wild ride. There'll be ups and downs, late nights and early mornings, but I’m not here to tell you whether or not it’s worth it, that’s only for you to decide.
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