I would firstly like to conclude by saying that I have enjoyed the array of books and essays we have had to read. They have strengthened some of my own thoughts and views as well as stirred up a few new ones.
How is the modern day architect suppose to act? Is he to be of complete ignorance to existing methods trail blazing his own ideas with complete disregard of even making any money. Or do you copy what everyone else is doing and just exist in the current world. I will compare this to the studio tutor. They are more times than not just a product of current architectural methods. They might be fashionable or just safe methods of completing your course, but none of them original. They expect you to tow the line and do what they say so they can feel high and mighty that they have controlled you and essential earnt them selves another part 1 or part 2. Do you have to hang to their every word? Fuck no. I would say this is complete bullshit and they are nothing but the architectural equivalent of the Wizard of Oz. You follow the yellow brick road all the way to the end of your course doing what they say and then you might pass, if they like it. So you do what they say and it still comes down to an opinion. They can't even guarantee a pass because in the end they are Dorithy walking the yellow brick road to the wizard of the course leader.
So I would say do what you want to do, but don't be a complete ignorant bastard as you will not get anywhere without compromise. Listening is very important, communication is key, not just in architecture in life. I find that as long as you have fulfilled the goals that you wanted to achieve then you can be successful. Listening to the tutors is important, being controlled by them is not. All that matters is that you fulfill the criteria of the course to get you certificate, not massage egos. So yes trail blaze, but think carefully about impact on the way. Engineer your future rather than throwing line and hoping something catches.
As a matter of the working world how are you to implement this though? This is where you have to be the most intelligent. As the studio tutor has turned into the entire world. The world is now criting you and couldn't give two shits about you because they are managing without you. This is where a bit of respective towing the line is important as you need to establish yourself. Communication, is important. You can get know where without contacts and if people don't know what you're capable of then they will never think of you. How do you get your work shown to the masses. Well as the Zaha article has taught us, the media. The media is your good friend, showing your work to the masses. And what with internet, these days this has never been easier. Zaha's exaggeration of only ever reading magazines seems excessive but highlights the importance of the media to being successful in the architecture game. And game is all it is. Know the rules and you can play. Be intelligent and strategic and you'll do well.
One thing I have taken from Eagleton and that I have always agreed with is change is good. I think its something I can really relate to as I worked in the same practice after my degree for 3 years before coming back to university. In this world I found architects that had become cad monkeys and people with no qualifications doing better jobs than those who are still paying back their student loans. The first year I was some what oblivious, just a bright eyed student new to the game, though as I got deeper the realities arose. Problems with management, with contractors, with lawyers. A practice that seemed respectably established was really in shatters and nobody wanted to admit it. Change was needed but first you have to admit the problems to then deal with them. This was something they were not willing to do, I could make a fuss but that only ends up making you look bad. So what do you do? Well I took the view to learn what I could. It was mostly what not to do but learning from others mistakes is probably better than fucking things up yourself. I think Eagleton was admitting that today is important but learn for the past as well as the present. Neither is to be ignored. If you ignore the past you are doomed to repeat it and if you aren't watching the present you are doomed not to see your own mistakes until the shit has hit the fan.
Change, I think we do have to change to survive. I am a different person than I was before started back on this course. Definitely for the better. I think the working world tries to force you into things you didn't think you would do but if you don't agree and they aren't willing to change then you have to make the big step and find another place of work. You have worth to another practice, you just have to be brave enough to make the change. Change and adaptation, production even of a new you. Let society aid in this production but never let it force production you know is not what you want to do. This goes back to being yourself.
This small dose of theory has reignited a fire that practice work started to diminish. I am an animal for learning, and when this stopped I think I started to lose myself slightly. I hope there is more theory like this in the future, but also have now found a new drive to search it out for myself. I am now to pave my own yellow brick road, and I decide what is at the end of it.
