Architecture University, Incorporated

In the mid-1990s, urban sociologist Robert Gutman argued that the field of architecture was comprised of two discourses. In universities, one discourse centered on the history, theory, and culture of architecture, and at firms, another centered on pragmatic issues of construction and business. The s...

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Main Author: Aaron Cayer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Rosenberg & Sellier 2022-12-01
Series:Ardeth
Subjects:
Online Access:http://journals.openedition.org/ardeth/3181
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author Aaron Cayer
author_facet Aaron Cayer
author_sort Aaron Cayer
collection DOAJ
description In the mid-1990s, urban sociologist Robert Gutman argued that the field of architecture was comprised of two discourses. In universities, one discourse centered on the history, theory, and culture of architecture, and at firms, another centered on pragmatic issues of construction and business. The strength of architecture as a field, he suggested, was predicated on bridges between the two. This article considers the rise of three different “university” initiatives within architecture firms that complicate Gutman’s observed divisions, including “Gensler University,” “Albert Kahn University,” and “SHoP U” at SHoP Architects. By considering the history and scope of these initiatives in tandem with changes to accreditation criteria of architecture schools in the United States, the article makes visible some of the misalignments between academia and practice, and it raises new questions about what it might take to educate architects who can transform a profession otherwise gripped by the hands of corporate capitalism.
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spelling doaj.art-5e9c9f5b45004c71a60bde449b78f8032023-12-06T15:44:56ZengRosenberg & SellierArdeth2532-64572611-934X2022-12-0110251270Architecture University, IncorporatedAaron CayerIn the mid-1990s, urban sociologist Robert Gutman argued that the field of architecture was comprised of two discourses. In universities, one discourse centered on the history, theory, and culture of architecture, and at firms, another centered on pragmatic issues of construction and business. The strength of architecture as a field, he suggested, was predicated on bridges between the two. This article considers the rise of three different “university” initiatives within architecture firms that complicate Gutman’s observed divisions, including “Gensler University,” “Albert Kahn University,” and “SHoP U” at SHoP Architects. By considering the history and scope of these initiatives in tandem with changes to accreditation criteria of architecture schools in the United States, the article makes visible some of the misalignments between academia and practice, and it raises new questions about what it might take to educate architects who can transform a profession otherwise gripped by the hands of corporate capitalism.http://journals.openedition.org/ardeth/3181ArchitectureUniversityCorporationFirmsPractice
spellingShingle Aaron Cayer
Architecture University, Incorporated
Ardeth
Architecture
University
Corporation
Firms
Practice
title Architecture University, Incorporated
title_full Architecture University, Incorporated
title_fullStr Architecture University, Incorporated
title_full_unstemmed Architecture University, Incorporated
title_short Architecture University, Incorporated
title_sort architecture university incorporated
topic Architecture
University
Corporation
Firms
Practice
url http://journals.openedition.org/ardeth/3181
work_keys_str_mv AT aaroncayer architectureuniversityincorporated