Crisis? What Crisis? Approaching Information Space: New Dimensions in the Field of Architecture

Abstract

The paper describes the current situation concerning career opportunities in the field of architecture in developed western countries. Several aspects that are almost universal mark this situation. Firstly, there are too many architects chasing traditional work in competition with other engineers. Secondly, the needs of the building industry have changed over the past years so that the skills that architects are able to offer are not necessarily those that are sought. Lastly, the constant specialisation of work has continued unabated. Architects, as generalists, have seen their areas of expertise be usurped from neighbouring fields.The situation is not lost, so long as architects are able to recognise what is desired from the point of view of the client and what is desired from the point of view of the architect. For educators, it must be clear that the real potential architects possess is their encompassing knowledge of the building information. Architectural Information Management is a necessary skill to be taught alongside the more traditional architectural skills. A brief outlook as to how this might come about is detailed in the paper.The authors propose didactic steps to achieve this. Primarily, the education of computer supported planning should not simply end with a series of lectures or seminars, but culminate in integrated Design Studios (which include Design-Build scenarios).