CONTENT
The Origins of
Architecture
The origins of the
profession of Architect
Professionalism has been embedded in this
How profession? Keep the
business professional
The disappearance of industry Our
architects power over the construction
education system needs a serious reformation
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The Origins of Architecture “Architecture is an art and a science” - Harry Kohn (a founding partner of Kohn Partneshhip Architects Inc. in Toronto) Historically, architecture was seen as one of the arts, but not as a profession. We often see the relationship between science and art in architecture but does this really define the architecture of earlier civilizations. In the mid 16th century, the term ‘architect’ was first used, derived from Ancient Greece where ‘arkhi’ means ‘head chief’ and ‘tekton’ means ‘builder’ (Berman, 2003). This proved that the word architecture came immediately after the architecture profession began. Was this profession really defined through the essential element of art? Architecture is always closely related to the evolution of art and demand for architectural work. The growing of demand leading to a new intervention which is ‘science’, whereas art has evolved and inspired the foundations of our present-day structures. Fundamentally, this profession has evolved as a reflection of society’s need and has flourished with art acting as a crucial medium. Before the European dark ages or the Golden Islamic ages, the concept of architectural beauty was based on balance and proportion.
“Architecture to Vitruvius was a science” – (Kostof B. S., 1977:98) As Roman architecture continued the legacy left by the Greeks it is considered to be the earliest main reference and introduction to the profession. It is virtually impossible to overlook the ‘De Architecture’ book written by the greatest writer, engineer and builder Vitruvius Pollio who shows the origins of architecture principle dating back to their civilization. His book covers all facets of architecture, types of building, advice for would-be architects which work as a guideline for building projects. Unfortunately his writings are full of gaps and many of passages are ambiguously formulated, leading to much misunderstanding of the extent of his influence. However, their concern during this time was to respond to the practical changing needs of Roman society. Art was not a defining factor in their methods of construction. Roman architects were famed for their skill - such Apollodorus of Damascus with his skills in bridge building and ever since then the proportions and theories of Greek and Roman architecture have formed the basis of architectural tradition. It was claimed that the term architect faded during the Middle Ages so it is difficult to determine Vitruvuis’s influence on that period. However, according to Berkeley, Vitruvuis has never been entirely forgotten - his book was copied many times during the Middle Ages.
Even though the greatest influence of his book De architecture was during the Renaissance period, this does not indicate the disappearance of master builder roles during the Middle Ages. Indeed there was a lot of stunning architecture constructed during that time and it appeared to define the architecture origins through the political and religious movement. Art was known as the essential element of religious expression during that time. The religious building during this period were gradually superseded by an aesthetic element of art. Art was defined through forms used to make religious images for worship. Wall-paintings and sculptures played an important part in the details of the religious building for Christianity and others, except Islam. Through the evolution of art in the Islamic lands new ways of looking at art were introduced. Aniconism concept of Islamic art had considered sculpture as relatively minor, where instead the major forms of artistic expression are based on the geometric and vegetative motifs.
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Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain 1238
Even though Islamic art was described as “minor” by the Western, undoubtedly the significant features of Islamic art has become fundamental components of architectural evolution. Since then art has been embedded in architectural theory. Nevertheless many artists from the Renaissance period expressed and derived the value of art in architecture from Vitruvius’s De architectura from a different perspective.
“When theory and practice are united in one person, the ideal condition of art is attained, because art is enriched and perfected by knowledge, the opinions and writings of learned artists having more weight and more credit than the words or works of those who have nothing more to recommend them beyond what they have made, whether it be done well or badly” – L.B.Alberti “Architecture is the first of the arts or sciences to emerge and hence has a prima facie claim to primacy among the art.” - Leonardo da Vinci
Throughout time, the significant element of art in architecture has persisted to be the most profoundly important reflections of culture? How do we address the value of art in the present world of architecture?
The Origins of Architecture
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The origins of the profession of Architect The profession of Architect has evolved and been re-invented through the changing needs of society. Practically, the architect holds a title as a builder who is responsible for the entire built environment. Undeniably the role of a builder has been claimed since human existence. It started from a demand to fulfil the necessity for a proper settlement and it developed towards building major structures – such as palaces etc. Ironically, in the early days this role was considered a necessity to be carried by everyone, especially the head of the family, so as to provide shelter and protection. Then this evolved and developed into a more specific role which was carried out by artisans/ craftsman- such as masons and carpenters. However it was claimed the architecture practice was not yet recognised as a profession at this time. There was no clearly defined place within trades for a building designer.
With constant changes in demand for churches and palaces, the role of builder was slowly established into that of master builder. According to Davis (2006), this role is an extension of the craftsman which their responsibility lay in the production of drawings and building site work. It combined the functions of design and construction which now have been separated into different professions; the designer and the builder. However, the title of master builder began to exist at this time in the building trades as a specialist or professional man. However, the title of master builder only lasted until the early 18th century, the separation of roles of design and build changed the title to ‘architect’ hitherto. The evolution of social and political conditions during the Ottoman period had separated the profession between architect and Master Builder (Cerasi and Maurice, 1988). Nevertheless, the quality of role held by master builder slowly disappeared in the face of the architecture profession. Critically viewed, the plight of the modern architect is one of being reduced level of merely producing “pretty pictures” that are vain, unrealistic, and completely unresponsive to the real needs of people’s lives (Robert, 2008).
Throughout time, professions have evolved and changes from Mason to Craftsman to Master Builder and finally Architects who hold different roles and responsibility. According RIBA Benchmarking Survey, over 60% of practices were offering non-architectural services alongside their core architectural work. It was claimed that this profession could look radically different in the future, does this consider as an early indication of another waves to the profession of Architect?
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How Professionalism has been embedded in this profession?
How do we actually define “professionalism”? According to Bowen N. V. (2011), professionalism for each occupation is defined in terms of what it means to embody the profession.
“By defining the term professionalism, individuals within a certain occupation are able to establish boundaries for themselves and others working in the same profession” (Bowen N. V., 2011: online) This argument supports the current system that we have, there will be a responsible organisation under each profession to control and certify their services within a certain guideline.
“Profession is a vocation requiring some significant body of knowledge that is applied with a high degree of consistency in the service of some relevant segment of society” – Hodge and Johnson
Master Builder
However, what would be the main root to label professionalism? A formal definition from Random House Dictionary (2001) includes the element of character, spirit, and methods of profession. Further definitions breaks down the word professionalism into the word “profess” that align closely with the definition of profession, is signified “to declare oneself skilled or expert in; claim to have good knowledge as well as declaring that the profession exists, “ion” denotes action on the part of the individual and “ism” denotes principles and/or doctrine that are adhered to”. This exemplifies the hierarchy which exists between the professional and the amateur. This hierarchy does relate to the origins of its existence. In the Middle Ages, craft-guild system was introduced so as to be mastered by the craftsmen due to the trade pressure. It has also been said that this traditional workshop practice was developed through the evolution of art.
“Muslim artisans preserved, developed and spread abroad the traditional workshop practice of arts in the orient, which had either never penetrated Europe, or, if known there in former times had decayed during the period of stress that ushered in the Middle Ages.” A.H. Christie (1931)
Journeymen
Apprentice
Craft Guild System, Middle Ages
Historically, the craft-guild system applied concepts of hierarchy by requiring long periods of learning under the guidance of a more experienced craftsman – from apprentice to journeyman and ending with becoming a Master Craftsman. Only this title of master craftsman/ builder allowed them the freedom and prestige of opening their own shops and applying the craft-guild system to the next generation. This system first applied technically the professionalism concept. Master builder was considered the highest level of that hierarchy giving them a professional level. Its member acquired their knowledge through a long period of apprenticeship which no one outside the system was allowed to practice. Is this system of hierarchy still relevant and practical to implement a professionalism in our current education structure? How do we actually address professionalism in our current profession?
Keep the
business professional “Architects create value but not a profit” – Professor Peter Folkmen, financier Trading strategy in architecture world depends on creating a value to the project proposal. Undeniably architects are very poor in trade and business practice. Without a profitable business as these past few years have shown us, it is really hard for architects to cope within a ‘design’ and ‘create’ industry.
“Some architects believe an architecture firm has to be losing money to be ultimately successful but I do not agree.” - Ray Kappe, architect and educator in Southern California
If we look at how the evolution of trading has introduce a professionalism value towards the profession, everyone pretty much having a standard quota of delivering services as well as a profit margin. During the Middle Ages, they gained prestige, power and wealth through the practice of their trades organized by the craft-guilds. The ‘guilds’ had a monopolistic nature and sought complete control over their members’ local market. Quality standards and prices were strictly set and monitored to be followed by their members.
“The guild ensured fair representation and trade practices among all its members, and those who did not belong to the guild or worked against its regulations found themselves out of business and unable to practice their craft” –Newman S. (2012) A complete control over the local market did not ruin their trading flow. But they had to retain a position in a town council in order to protect their monopoly and acquire a political voice – during this time a majority vote of their membership was considered vital for any important civic decision. This maintained their position as an organisation controlling the professional title. This is profoundly important to understand the value of professionalism that should be applied in architectural business. Naively, the growing market of the construction world led the trading function grew more important than providing a service to the society.
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The profession, therefore, fell into a condition of dependence upon the traders even since 14th century. If we make a comparison between the professions of a doctor and architect, we can say that architects have a long-term effect on how our society views architects. Obviously, the ethic of not selling their profession as a business keeps the doctor pursuing their best services to society. As a result, their client/ patient accept the service as they need it and there are not demands for a lower charge. This is because the value of respect given from society has accepted the level of expertise of the professional- even though not everyone can afford to pay for the expert’s charge. Having the respect of the society for the profession is a vital to pattern the trading flow of the market. As the profession of a doctor takes a very important impact to the society, in regards to any income-background, government has plays their role on supporting this demand. Consequently, government works as a middle party who is expected to pay for the service need of society. Thus, there is no compromise of low rate or low quality service upon the professional label.
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Ideologically a trading circle works between consumer, demand, supply and supplier – suppliers respond to the demand by customer and get paid. However there will be two different components that manipulate the ideological cycle of a demand – ‘needs’ vs ‘want’. Need would serve basic requirements while ‘want’ is a supportive element that might satisfy a demand. So back to the business concept applied by a doctor profession when dealing with a demand for need, they are required to give the best service to meet the demand -with a standard rate required by their professional body. If we look at the business trading of the architect, does it involve ‘needs’ or ‘desire’? We might need to measure and indicate the utmost value and quality offered by the architect to society. The term “starchitect” was claimed to serve our current trending market. Harry Van argued that “starchitects” sell their expertise for the money of dodgy governments and blood-stained dictators. Ironically this pattern has left the profession serving a desire demand which encourages tight competition among architects. In fact this is the reality of losing our professionalism in the business industry, even though there has been a long debate blaming the journalists who invented that word. The question is, what value does architect offer to gain the respect of society? Do we actually serve people of all backgrounds and incomes? Should this profession be re-channelled in improving everyones lifestyle, rather than merely satisfying the indulgences of the rich.
Undeniably, lots of factors have led this profession to slip from being central to human necessity. Even since the 14th century the growing number of builders had stimulated competitive forces among craftsmen - to gain a place in the market. “This era of intense specialization was marked by a countermovement toward amalgamation of different crafts – a tendency that reflected the growth of the market and the desire of enterprising masters to expand their trading abilities” – Michael T. Hannan. Due to the same technique learned by each craft, they had wound up producing almost the same design outcome and finishing. Since then conflicts inevitably arose as the master builder was tempted to employ members of other crafts. Consequently it broke the apprentices’ structure of learning from each craft. The master employed the craftsman as wage worker instead of as apprentice and eventually excluded journeymen from the organization structure. This marked the end of practical professionalism in the architecture profession.
As we know, “it would be absurd to disregard the social-economic, political and environmental context within which they are shaped, produced and managed, and conclude that intellect or practice alone could shape our building world today” – Awad M. (2002)
All these factors are inter-linked – the widening market demand in the 14th Century changed our market focus into a “desire” demand force and indirectly changed our education into a challenging and competitive system. Since then it has narrowed the opportunity of this profession to gain a place in trading industry, as everyone is fighting to design new things for new markets and have abandoned the main role of serving society. This has a hugely significant impact on this profession, to the extent that architects are perceived as serving only the wealthy and as detached from the needs and aspirations of the poor. An art of luxury and personal interpretation separated from the lives of most. Thus this profession is losing the respect of society and obviously, there is no reason could stop others profession like developer and contractor to take over our building market demand as they respond to the markets’ need. However, it is not impossible to change this prediction of a doomed future. Perhaps we should re-structure our education system and seek support from governments. There are a number of projects in European countries such as the Netherlands, where architects gain a regular commission to cover their design fees from the government when society cannot afford it. Such transformations require extensively rethinking architectural education, hence we need to change our perception of our target market from root of education.
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The disappearance of
architects power over the construction industry
With more and ever larger cities, increasing growth in construction the actual demand for architects services has reduced by 40% since 2008. As a result, it has pushed large practices overseas for work opportunities, and closure for some small and mid-sized practices. Undeniably this is a really challenging and competitive market for architects. The RIBA has raised their concerns over the traditional roles of architect – is it still relevant to fit in the market demand for the next 15 years. According to a new study by the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) think tank Building Future, this profession could look radically different in the future perhaps with a number of prominent activities outside the traditional role. It has been argued that the title ‘architect’ has not given them a significant role or a promise to open the door for market possibility, but rather restricted their opportunity to grab a project. This is because the competitive market has pushed to the lowest rate charge possible which makes the standard fee of the registered architect irrelevant. A graduate architect also finds it as barriers that disjointed them from other professions such as planning and urban design. The fee guideline from the organization body seems irrelevant to be aligned with the challenging market.
As a result, small practices and some of the more vulnerable people in this industry have been hit hardest by the current economic climate. Most practices allocate small sums to their marketing efforts to survive and tend to work late hours developing scheme after scheme. Not surprisingly, many architects charge ultralow fees or almost nothing to stay in business, which force them to deal with the desperate position of selling their professionalism.
“Our main threat is not being paid for the work we do –particularly the brief making part. But we never turn down unpaid work because it might lead to paid work in the future” Architect, Small metropolitan boutique practice (Jamieson C., 2010) The continuing turmoil in global economies and the political and economic uncertainty is likely to lead to an even greater loss of the architects power and privilege in the built environment. It might be tempting for the profession to move its professionalism slightly away from its origins – as we struggle to claim a professional label that is not recognised by society. Inevitably there are long-term effects on how our society views the architect’s profession, for a long time now we have been losing the respect of the society. When the architects started to develop a competitive market with each other, indirectly they had left behind their ethic of being professional in the business industry.
Thus, architects are fighting and struggling as individuals to gain a place in the trading market, rather than placing the professional title itself as a branding in market industry. Competitive forces appeared to be a culture of practice or specialism that enabled distinctiveness and diversity in a climate of homogeneity. But then construction and developer industry has its grip on the trading market. There is a clear and growing shift of those trained in architecture moving into the construction industry, as they are hungry for power. Undeniably the traditional architect’s role beyond stage D has declined due to the expanded power of contractor or developer over the trading market. This shrinks the architect’s role in the ‘pre-project’ work to that considered unnoticed or unpaid. If this is the current trend of what has shown us, shifting the architects’ role towards consultation might not be the right answer. Obviously consultative work is a part of the professional role that should be valued and paid even in a current practice. The argument made for the future of architects being in more consultative and networked roles would just narrow the emergence of new and diverse forms of architectural practice. This is not about maintaining the architecture profession but protecting the built environment that architect should be responsible for.
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“The profession is heading towards consultancy. I think that architects will have the greatest influence if they concentrate on high-end consultancy and strategic thinking.”Project manager, Global consultancy (Jamieson C., 2010) In the construction industry, the ability to carry the risk on behalf of the client would give a power in leading the design outcome. Thus, there is a very small probability of having the greatest influence through consultancy, since this is just considered as a supplement role. In fact, architects have lost their grip over the construction industry ever since shifting the title from master builder.
“During the nineteenth century, construction projects began to grow in complexity and scale. Growth led to new technology and techniques. New technology and techniques then led to specialization. As a result, the apprentice-trained master builder began to lose his expertise in all the building disciplines. This was when the master builder separated into two distinct professionals: the designer and the builder” (Thomsen, 2002).
Eventually, there are more complex, and countless projects’ demanding diverse technology and technique. This leads the architects to competing to get their brand in trading market. Somehow, it appears to be a new culture of practice that have a set of founding principles. This might have consistently tied the idea of survival beyond the founding partners, but ultimately bring the profession as a lone ranger fighting in a turbulent economy. Traditionally architect’s employment prospects are expected to grow faster than the average occupation. Architects are claimed to have so many skills with advanced technology knowledge which seems impossible to be held by one particular company or individual. Hence this is what BIM has introduced, encouraging integrated working with outsourcing and highly skilled workforces. They are able to keep up with advances in technology, programming, and skills by assembling all the expertise under their programme.
“Architects will need to adopt a more flexible approach to their work in order to remain viable businesses and be prepared to change their business models if necessary. They also need to develop their specialisms in order to compete effectively–you could say ‘be a Jack of all trades and master of one’.” Nigel Ostime, Director, 3DReid (Jamieson C., 2010)
There are very interesting currents to split the architectural notion which defines present architectural practice. According to a RIBA report, young professionals and students frequently describe practices in terms of culture – describing their ideas, ethical stance, etc. Small and big practices seem to prepare themselves by mastering their specialisms. Nevertheless, it could be a vital reformation structure that answered all the expectations needed in the industry. But then the architectural practise might not be able to survive if they are fighting alone over the industry’s demand. This is because the growing markets also open the opportunity for contractor and engineer to exploit their expertise. If the contractor and developer could gain control over the construction industry, what stops us from having the same power? If BIM can slowly gain a control through accumulating all the expertise, why not us? Should we have all the practice with diverse expertise and skills under one large architectural practice? We might need a diverse form of expertise under one multidisciplinary practice. Therefore there is no reason for the architectural profession to lose their power in all the building disciplines. Should we implement hierarchical structures of small, medium, and large practice that work and support each other? Perhaps we should look at the hierarchy of craft-guild system during the Middle Ages, which had integrated the learning and practice of developing an individual to become a professional.
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Our
Chartered Architect Registed Architect
education system
Employer Master Builder
needs a serious reformation
Ironically mode of future practice is inseparable linked to education system. If the current education system is not being able to accommodate the architects’ traditional roles, obviously architectural education needs an overhaul.
Besides, those who become a qualified architect also find it hard on getting a job. It seems like having such a long journey on getting an architecture branding that struggling over the growing market.
“The profession is calling for change in the Parts system, and the institutes need to listen” – (Murray C., 2013)
“To grasp the meaning of the world of today we use a language created to express the world of yesterday. The life of the past seems to us nearer our true natures, but only for the reason that it is nearer our language” -Antoine de SaintExupery
The increasing number of unemployable architects has proved that something went wrong over the system. It is a nightmare to the student who undergoes the whole education system. The reality of being trapped with a “pathway” route to become a qualified architect has taken more than eight years. Ideologically it seems like trapping yourself inside a long pipe, it is either you need to find an exit at the end of the road or to turn back without getting anything. This should explain the value of a degree certificate for Part I and Part II - it does not bring any gateway to another job sector. Education route should give a wider opportunity and encourage people leading to an optional choice. A director of OMI architects said “We kept an architectural basis background in our company, because only then, they know how architectural firm works.” Perhaps education system should introduce another career that align within the architecture basis.
Journeymen
Struggle path
Employee
Understanding the turning point of the education structure during late-ottoman period was profoundly vital. Initially the distinction of roles into a designer and builder had left the craft guild suffered from a breakdown in structure. As the masters (the highest level in hierarchy system) sought to retain the profit of the growing market, they preferring to employ wage workers instead of sticking with the apprentices system. Since then “journeyman” has disappear from the relationship of master-journeyman-apprentice to an employer-employee arrangement. This cause a little hope of rising to a professional level and losing the significance of informal learning. Hence, those who remain in this profession fell into a condition of dependence upon the trades. This has also marks the beginning ride of a struggling apprentice, and journeyman.
Apprentice
Registed Architect Graduate Architect Internship
Craft Guild System VS Current system
Eventually graduates students as well as registered architects also fell into a struggling environment on getting place in trading market. The small practice seems disappear from the construction industry due to the unexpected economic landscape, but this does not really affect the big practice. Informal learning structure should be applied from a student, a graduate architect to an experienced architect. Back to the same question, should we restructure the whole system with a concept of hierarchy? This should give a support and open the opportunity for a new comer. Achieving this goal is a major challenge, and it involves a complete transformation of the profession. However, it is either we are brave enough to make a huge step or to let our profession disappeared by the turmoil economic.
10 l WILL ARCHITECTS EXIST IN 2025 Builder
Present-day
Designer Master Builder
14th Century
Middle Ages
Developer
Architect
The evolution of title and Architects' roles Handle big project................... BIG PRACTICE
Handle medium project...................
MEDIUM PRACTICE
Should we implement hierarchical structures of small, medium, and large practice that work and support each other? SMALL PRACTICE
Handle small project...................
STUDENTS
Reference Arnold S. T. (1931) The Legacy of Islam: Oxford Univ. Press Awad M. (2002) ‘Reviving the Role of the Master Builder Moalem in Architecture Education’ Architectural Education Today, 1-8 Berman, G. (2003) ‘Are Foxes Watching the Owner’s Hen House? An Examination of the Architect’s and Construction Manager’s Roles in Managing & Administering the Design & Construction Process’ CM eJournal, 1-27. Bowen N. V. (2011) History of Professionalism [Online] [Accessed on 27th January 2015] https://nikolvbowen.wordpress. com/history-of-professionalism/ Cerasi and Maurice (1988) ‘Late Ottoman Architects and Master Builders’ In Muqarnas V: An Annual on Islamic Art and Architecture, 87-102. Davis H. (2006) The Culture of Building: Oxford Univ. Press Kostof B. K. (1997) The Architect: Chapters in the History of the Profession: Oxford University Press H. Robert Dinsmore, Jr. (2008) The Ancient Masterbuilder. [Online] [Accessed on 26th January 2015] http://www. masterbuilderfellowship.com/page5.html Murray C. (2013) Too many architecture students are simply unemployable. [Online] [24th January 2015] http://www. architectsjournal.co.uk/news/daily-news/too-many-architecture-students-are-simply-unemployable/8651278.article Newman S. (2012) Craft in the Middle Ages [Online] [Accessed on 30th January 2015] http://www.thefinertimes.com/ Middle-Ages/crafts-in-the-middle-ages.html Random house Webster’s college dictionary (2001). New York, NY: Random House Inc. Jamieson C. (2010) The Future of Architects. London: RIBA Thomsen, C. (2002). Integrating Architecture, Engineering and Construction Services. [Online] [Retrieved 23th August, 2005] from http://www.3di.com.