What is the role of the architect and how is it different from the role of the builder?

 

Is it possible that these two experiences share more in common than we might think? Is a builder a designer with a hammer or is a designer a builder who draws? Could one learn from the other and how can the act of building directly influence our ability to design the world around us? In this course, we strive to empower students with the basic skills needed to build their designs. It’s our goal to unravel the academic rigor necessary to study architectural design and return it back to the roots of the builder. That by better understanding the direct relationship between materials, people and the environments they each exist in, we might become better designers. The range of the designer is constantly expanding. As practice structure and economies of scale evolve and develop, there’s always room for building in the practice of designing. Whether it’s the construction of a physical model or a building component that requires further study, it’s important for the designer to keep building close. A designer is not just a drafting service, a manager or a means to a building permit. Today, the growing definition of an architect begins with a methodical and thoughtful design strategist who can collect, analyze, conceptualize and articulate data in ways that will improve the physical quality of your life.

 

Students:

Nouran Abdelhamid, Tala Alatassi, Evangelia Babalis, Mingzhu Cao, Avijit Chakrabarty, Vi Chen, Michelle Gao, Kath Hunks, karl Lam, Jerry Lin, Nayab Malik, Rachel Mckenna Marshall, Samantha Miotto, Meghna Mudaliar, Farwa Mumtaz, Hajga Nisar, Junior Osei Wireko, Sydney Otis, Dipra Shetty, Tina Siassi, Jiashu Song, Nirvika Tugnait, Andrew Wei, Jo Lynn Yen, Kez Zhang, Yubo Zhao