Architectural Design:

Practice vs. Education

Lecture to
Introduction to Architecture
October 2008
By: Dr. Yasser Mahgoub
/http://ymahgou.fortunecity.com
A good definition was provided by the Roman
architect VITRUVIUS in the 1st century AD in the
first of his famous collection “Ten Books on
Architecture”.

What is Architecture?
 What is Architecture?
Vitruvius said that architecture was a building that
incorporated:
Utilitas ... Firmitas … Venustas
Commodity ... Firmness ... Delight
Utility ... Structure ... Attractive
Use ... Construction … Appearance
Function ... Technology ... Aesthetic
 The Difference Between
Architecture and Building

Any Building ≠ Architecture

Architecture = Design BEFORE Building

Architecture is DESIGNED
Buildings, Spaces and Environments.
According to Human Needs
Using Technology and Science,
With Aesthetic Qualities.
 What is Design?
• DESIGN is a both
– a verb (to design) &
– a noun (a design).

• DESIGN is both
– a process &
– a product

• The process of designing and

product that is designed.

• DESIGN is an activity aiming at the

production of a plan of action which
if executed is expected to lead to a
situation with certain desired
characteristics and without
unforeseen and undesired side and
after effects.
The Context of Architecture

Earth
Climate
Ecology
Resources
Natural
Environment

Individual
Human Built
Environment Environment
Individual Cities
Groups Neighborhoods
Psychological Buildings
Social Interior Spaces
Cultural
The Project Cycle
Impact of Design on Cost Implications
What you see is not always what you think!
What you see is not always what you think!
What you see is not always what you think!
 Who is the Architect?

The word architect is derived from

the Greek word architekton
meaning master builder. One who
designs buildings and supervises
their construction.

Architects are licensed professionals

trained in the art and science of
building design. They transform
needs into concepts and then
develop the concepts into images
and plans of buildings that can be
constructed by others.
 The Architecture Profession
• Architecture, as a profession
is the practice of providing
a service, which includes
many different disciplines
while the overall aim of an
architect is to design
buildings. 

• Architecture can refer to the

actual product, the
architecture of a building
or it can refer to the method
or style used to design the
building.
The Education of the Architect

Sociology
Psychology
Anthropology

Humanities

Architecture
Education
Arts Science & Engineering
Painting Materials
Sculpture Structure
Aesthetics Electrical
Mechanical
Civil
The Education of the Architect
 The Education of the Architect
Sample Curriculum for an Architecture Program:

• Design Communications
• Architectural Design
• History of Architecture
• Theory of Architecture
• Working Drawings
• Structural Design
• Lighting and Illumination
• Introduction to Urban Design
• Interior Architectural Design
• Computer-Aided Design
• Professional Practice
• …
 The Education of the Architect
Project Based Learning
• In architecture education we apply what is known as
“Project Based Learning” (PBL).
• Project Based Learning allows teachers to create
tasks whose complexity and openness mimic
problems in the real world.
• Students can see the interdisciplinary nature of these
tasks, and see that each task may have more than
one solution.
• Students have the freedom to choose different
strategies and approaches may become more
engaged in the learning process, and these
students will be more likely to approach other
problems with an open mind.
Comparison Between Architectural Design
in Practice and in Education
In Education In Practice

Hypothetical Real Client/Owner

Low priority High priority Economics

Low priority High priority Constructability

Process Product Focus

Low priority High priority Building Industry

Not required Required Licensing

Considered Applied Codes and Regulations

Grade (A) Money ($) Compensation

Conclusions
• There commonalities and differences between
architectural design in practice and in education.
• Commonalities include: design process, graphics,
presentation, creativity, etc …
• Differences include: client, budget, constructability,
contractor, specialists, etc …
• While the focus in PRACTICE is on the PRODUCT,
the focus in EDUCATION is on the PROCESS.
• In PROJECT BASED LEARNING (BPL), the project
is only a vehicle for learning by doing.
 Thank you
Dr. Yasser Mahgoub