Alumni descriptions of the architectural education experience can often range from frustration to admiration. The article Creative Education? An Analysis of Existing Architecture Education in Singapore, written by a fourth year student attending the National University of Singapore, is a collection of thoughts and observations based on this individual’s experience. The article primarily focused on particular frustrations. However, these same frustrations are comparable to those commonly voiced throughout many institutions across the United States.
The author starts by critiquing NUS’s lack of attention on the creative process and the hindering effects of tight deadlines. Comparably within the US, students are often surprised at the lack of time available for the creative design process. Often, more time is given to preparing presentations than the actual design. However, architectural education is not entirely focused on creative exploration. Different semesters often have a different focus, which typically depends on the designed plan of study and focus of the professor. Lessons learned attempt to cover the basics of effective verbal and visual communication, time-management, self-motivation, collaboration, and design.
