It contains a collection of interviews on different people in this architectural field.
It seems that basic morality such as being humble, able to work as a time, hardworking, listens to others well, and able to communicate and express your ideas is important almost in all professions. Thus, having basic moral discipline and maturity is something we cannot have without, if you want to be successful. But I see the younger generations are lacking in it greatly and see no big deal on such morality issues.
I've taken note some of the comments meant for architecture field, by different expertise such as lecturers, principals, architects, managers and designers, which I find it helpful for myself:
To be successful in architecture you must have:
1. Skill in problem solving, with the ability to see the not obvious solution. (Analytical Mind/attention to both macro and micro.)
2. Able to see things in a different way
3. Have passion/courage to create/ability to listen,communication, collaborative spirit and preservarance.
4.Self knowledge/self learning. Observe, travel
What catches my attention was:
5.Want to succeed faster? Accelerate your rate of failure! (Have to courage to take risks.)
6.Capacity to lead, compassion and imagination.
7."You don't need to reinvent the well with every design..."We don't need to create something unique everyday. We can be creative, but we must learn from the past and try to make it better.
Advice to people who want to be an Architect:
1. Have passion and paitence. It cannot be done casually.
2.Draw, read and write about architecture everyday. Create!
3.Have fun with architecture
4.Enlightened clients seek the conscious architect, rather than a trained architect.
5.Be confident in yourself and your ideas. Recognise that your architecture, in most instances, is serving others.
6.Be open, do not limit yourself to traditional definations and boundaries of the practice of architecture. Learn to observe and to be a good listener. Understand the design process and become the master of your own process.
My favourites, and most applicable currently:
7. DO NOT look at buildings; Instead, look at the way people react to them and move through them.
What people are looking for when hiring a new designer:
I look for:
1. passion and problem solving ability
2.Excellent listener who has experience designing and planning
3.Inpsiring portfolio, solid experience and excellent references.
The one which inspires me the most:
4. People who think like an architect - that is, can solve problems architecturally. It mean that they can look for unexpected solution and solve them poetically. Pragmatic concerns must be resolved. In addition, I look for a good work ethic, good people and leadership skills, commitment to excellence in architecture, creative problem solving capabilities and the potential to develop technical skills.
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I still remember, an architect commented when I was in NUS attending the introduction about their Architecture Degree, he said, we should design for others and not ourselves.
I was pretty impressed, because I find many classmates are pretty attached to their ideas and refuse to change. They just want to get what they want implemented, and not according to what was suitable and satisfactory for the client's objective.
Well, I have some difficulties resolving things poetically enough to satisfy the lecturers... And don't know where the problem lies within me. Maybe I have not seen enough, as I am not creative enough.
But the Book gives me great encouragement and set me a direction on how I should learn and deal with my design. Maybe I can apply principles of Buddhism into my design... = )
