No_3_January_and_February__1949 — Page 29

THE HONG KONG AND FAR EAST BUILDER

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ARCHITECTURE AND THE UNIVERSITY

Not a few months have elapsed since the University Com- mission conducted its elaborate survey of Student potential in Malaya and investigated the possibilities of introducing higher education within the Country. It is very gratifying to note the project is being pursued with vigour and resource, and without indulging in any undue optimism, the time may not be so remote when the achievement of an illustrious object has become an accomplished fact. The task of establishing a University, even lacking a full departmental complement, contains an amplitude of problems and the efforts made by the Authors of the scheme bear patent testimony to their en- thusiasm and enterprise.

The professions are naturally an integral part of a University; nevertheless an individual department cannot be established and maintained if it is not justified by public demand and support. Perhaps it is not an understatement to say that one of the most, if not the most, pressing need of to-day, is the supply of qualified Architects and Planners; furthermore this indigence is likely to continue for many years if courses of instruction in Architecture are not made readily available. Rarely, if ever, is a Chair of Architecture men- tioned in any press reports upon the progress of the Univer- sity organization, yet the Architect at all times has occupied an important position in society.

THE NEED FOR ARCHITECTS.

Malaya, in common with many other countries, is still recovering from the impact of war and in no small degree is frequently made painfully aware of the great shortage of technical assistance. The course of time may slightly alleviate the scarcity, meanwhile, Malaya still remains a very fertile ground for the growth of Architecture and its kindred arts and sciences.

Indeed, the supply of Architects is tragically poor and it may well be that society will be compelled to accept lower Architectural standards than hitherto unless a definite scheme is promoted in building technique with the utmost despatch. It is an unfortunate fact that many members of the lay public are entirely ignorant of the specific functions of the Architect and it is only when the urgent necessity for his employment arises that his significance becomes evident. Yet significant is the Architect, for the public is subject to his influence in a hundred and one different ways: the safety and stability of any place dwelling or assembly, is dependent upon his skill and ingenuity; public health, social amenity to working com- fort are his primary responsibilities. Commerce is knowledge- able of the value of the Architect and is fully cognisant of the fact that good Architecture, good building and well planned Industrial Architecture can be a profitable investment to an individual firm as well as a source of revenue to a town.

It will be readily seen that the success or otherwise of any of these enterprises is in the hands of the building specialist; a half trained or badly instructed Architect may be more of a liability than an asset to society and it is at this point that a University applies its purpose. A good directed training at a School or University supplants years of ex- perience under the old system of articled pupilage; the fruits of years of trial and error are brought the immediate ken of the Student and may obviate many of the pitfalls and snares which are to be discovered by the Architect himself trained the hard way.

THE STUDENT.

At this juncture it would be well to examine the type of Student required by a University Department of Architec- ture. The first essential ingredient of the new Student is a good general education in order to obtain the maximum pro- fit from the instruction available. Architecture is not merely a study in building aesthetics, as many people are prone to believe, but a highly complex profession embracing a detailed knowledge of certain aspects of other professions. If the basic education of the Student is found wanting, this will be a serious handicap in the pursuit of his calling.

The second intrinsic quality is an unquenchable thirst for self expression and creative occupation. Upon this point it is important that the profession of Architecture should be the self choice of the would be Student, that is his decision should not be coerced or influenced by ardent parents who were im- pressed by his aptitude with a pencil or chalk in early infancy.

The third ingredient is honesty of purpose.

At the pre- sent time the profession of Architecture is probably showing a much greater monetary profit than at any period of its career and a prosperous Architect may attract many emula- tive desires and envious glances, Should the prospective student choose the profession in order to cash in on an ex- traordinary situation, failure is not out of the question, for the Mother of the arts rarely permits a second mistress; furthermore, the absence of complete identity with a pro- fession show its own dividends.

Lastly, as a warning, should be noted that Architec- ture is a profession which cannot be acquired cheaply and it is becoming of the parents of the Student to consider their financial resources before embarking upon a long period of Architectural study.

The next im-

THE LECTURER.

So much for the quality of the Student. portant factor is the quality of the Lecturer and in this respect it is fitting that in a relative degree the mutual qualities

of the Lecturer and Student be at least equal. It is obvious that no matter how alert or talented a Student may be, he cannot take in more than the Lecturer is capable of giving; on the other hand, a first class Instructor is entirely wasted if the Student is dull or slow witted.

A principal virtue of a University Lecturer in Malaya is a ready understanding of the Asian Student. An Instrue- tor experienced in the Asian outlook will know immediately if his points are being effectively assimilated and whether or not the proverbial pennies are descending satisfactorily. An Instructor should not only possess the gift of rapidly gain- ing the Student's confidence but also the ability to impart a self confidence to the nervous Beginner. Doubtless, there are many other ideal attributes of an Instructor and most likely, the right man will be selected when the time is ripe.

THE COURSE.

To those who are contemplating the profession of Architecture, it may be of interest to know something about the course of study and the subjects in which the finished Architect is expected to have achieved proficiency. A com- plete directed course of architectural study is spread over a period of five years and includes the following subjects:- Advanced geometrical drawing, History of Architecture, Theory of Architectural, Mechanics, Building construction, Building Science, Art Studies, Structural steel and reinforced concrete, Surveying, Sanitation, Measured Drawings, Elemen- tary Electrical Engineering, Acoustics, Studio work in design and planning, Specifications, Professional Practice, Elementary Town Planning, a written or drawn thesis.

The object of the course is Associate Membership of The Royal Institute of British Architects which is gained in one of two ways, (1) by entering and passing the R.I.B.A. Inter- mediate and Final examination, or (2) obtaining exemption therefrom. At the successful termination of his studies, the Student is either awarded a degree or diploma and if his particular School or University has been granted examinational exemption by the R.I.B.A. the Student is admitted as a mem- ber of this body when he has served a certain length of time in the office of an Architect or engaged in the practical application of his studies. If the School has not been per- mitted exemption then the student must take the R.I.B.A. examinations externally; his course of Architecture having equipped his mind for this purpose.

Perhaps it may be necessary to eludicate this point of exemption and explain briefly how it applies. If a new School of Architecture is able to maintain a continuance of success in all R.I.B.A. examinations and also a high standard in studio work, exemption may be granted first from the Intermediate examination and lastly from the Final examina- tion. The R.I.B.A. do not bestow their favours lightly and it may take some years to acquire the convenience of exemp- tion. A School must earn its spurs and be consistent in the standard set inasmuch as the question of exemption is con- tinually under review by the Board of Architectural Educa- tion of the R.I.B.A. The R.I.B.A, may be very exacting in its demands from a School, but it will be clearly seen that both the Student and the profession are richer for this vigilance.

In the past the R.I.B.A. has done a tremendous amount of work in the promotion of good Architecture and the en- couragement of the Student. Scholarships, prizes, travelling Studentships are generously available and rarely is the poor student of talent turned away from his chosen profession for want of assistance for the furtherance of his studies.

THE ADVANTAGES OF A UNIVERSITY.

It now only remains to examine the advantages of a University environment to the Architectural Student. Archi- tecture is a liberal art and involves the particular knowledge of several professions. A Student may proceed to any Department and receive lectures delivered by the Specialist in the subject. For example, Steel and Reinforced are best dealt with in the Engineering Department; Acoustics are taught effectively in the Physics Laboratory and first rate Surveying experience is gained in the Mining Section of the College.

Apart from the practical value of the University or- ganisation, the cultural aspects are worthy of consideration and as the Student will eventually discover, there is hardly any branch of learning which cannot be employed usefully in some measure to Architecture. The Social contacts with Students of other professions together with the discussions, debates and the membership of the various University Societies and Clubs, assist a great deal in stimulation of thought and intellectual activity. The universality of the corporate life can endow the Student with balanced social values, lend generosity of outlook and develop the rare faculty of discrimination.

To sum up, a University School of Architecture could offer endless contributions to the progress of Malaya and a wholehearted public support to such a project would assure its early inclusion with the New University,

Philip M. Barnes,

Hon. Secretary,

Institute of Architects of Malaya.