09/03
The education of architecture is known to have a unique sense of community in which the members of a studio bond over the amount of time they spend together within their studio space. This concept is called “Studio Culture” and it is always glamorized by professors and professionals as they believe it further educates and contributes to the growth of the student. To some extent, I can understand why studio culture seems important, as you end up living in your chipped table and almost certainly broken chair, surrounded by all your peers, much more than you do in your actual residence. This way you get to know people better, notice your weaknesses, how efficient you are, and what your limits are. However, this is not to say it is healthy in any way.
After experiencing 3 full years of the bachelor of architecture program I can confidently say it is the most toxic and mentally challenging environment to be in. The studio culture does not encourage personal growth or contribute to one's efficiency in school. I believe that enough awareness about the negative effects of studio culture is not spread. My freshmen year, I spent a minimum of 30 all nighters in the studio, without seeing sunlight, eating healthy food, and staying properly hydrated. This all sounds inhumane right? I lost my appetite for the simple pleasures of life, or to phrase it correctly, I was always too stressed to stay calm. Everyone I have talked to has a different studio experience, but the conclusion I have reached is that everyone has collectively suffered.
It is one thing to challenge yourself, but the way the bachelor of architecture curriculum is arranged is so that if you wish to get good grades you cannot have hobbies, a social life, and down time if you “wish to be successful”...which believe it or not was actually told to me by my professor. The article linked below implies the opposite of all my points, stating that studio culture embraces architecture and understanding of one's surroundings thoroughly. While the points made are worded very well, they feel very deceiving to me as they contradict my peers and I’s experience strongly.
It's crazy how similar "high-stress" environment seem to exist in many field. The computer science research lab I have been working have the same over working "culture" like the “Studio Culture” you described where we have to choose between our study and living our lives. A lot of these "hard work" are completely excessive but we all must go through this because everyone else is do the same thing which turn into a vicious cycle. I think to stop this the whole culture of encouraging over working must end on a societal level.
Such an interesting read! My friend is studying architecture right now and has similar thoughts as you. I wonder if there are any solutions to this issue of not being able to balance other aspects of life at the same time. I am sure other students studying different majors feel the same way.