What skills do you value in current architecture graduates and what do you feel is lacking in them?
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Jan Sedláček | SENAA
We enjoy collaborating and select students during their studies for long-term cooperation. This way, we understand each other's expectations and capabilities. What we appreciate in current graduates are mainly internships and study abroad, which provide them with the necessary perspective and energy to tackle real practice, complementing the knowledge gained from their studies and projects in school studios. What we find lacking is very individual, but one could say that students have very little awareness and theoretical foundation, as well as personal experience regarding contemporary and world architecture, theories, exhibitions, and architectural events of the 21st century, which could serve as a more substantial basis for thoughts. |
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Leigh D'Agostino | 4A architects
We found that all graduates are good at drawing, and some are even exceptional designers. Some believe they know what they are doing, while others are trying to listen and learn. However, they lack understanding of project management and respect for commercial reality. We also found that many have no idea about the permitting process or how things work on a construction site. |
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Stanislav Srnec | ASET studio
Regarding the requirements for graduates – I would say that a certain degree of independence is important to me on one hand, and the ability to communicate within a work team on the other hand. Additionally, since we have switched to Archicad, we appreciate it if they can work in this program, ideally at a higher level. It is important for us to meet in terms of opinions on architecture and work methods.
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Martin Kožnar
I write this subjectively because I choose people based on their portfolio and interview. The first months and initial projects usually reveal abilities. Mainly, I work with students or graduates from the FA ČVUT, previously from Liberec or now someone from UMPRUM. Of course, differences arise from which school studios the individuals come from, whether they are capable of thinking conceptually, openly, and in contexts or have a constrained perception. I perceive diligence, sensitivity, flexibility, interest in architecture, and personal development as essential qualities. Most people can handle multiple programs. What I, on the other hand, miss (both in students and graduates) is practicality. Schools are not very connected with practice, and this is compensated for by studios where people work outside of school. Few are able to perceive what a project for a building permit is and what detail is needed for the execution project. How engineering proceeds in reality, etc. They do not address the economics of construction at all; they do not connect it with any experience. I think they are overloaded with the number of subjects they need to complete and could instead focus more on studio projects, where they could learn more diverse topics from different fields. I miss more crossover into urbanism. They are also not used to perceive the principles of ownership relations surrounding projects, which are absolutely essential in reality and influence the concept. I teach them a greater artistic openness and responsibility for every line they draw, which they often do not understand because in school it doesn’t matter. In general, I would say that they are very capable and layered. |
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Vladimír Thiele | SGL PROJEKT
+ they know the internet, how to market themselves, communicate, create associations and virtual communities– they are under strong pressure from Pinterest, Instagram, generally the designs of others. Authentic statements, ideas, even if they might be mistakes or errors, are still rare. |
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Pavel Horák | prodesi/domesi
I particularly appreciate independence, the ability to communicate and present, a willingness to learn (even after school) new things, and motivation to tackle new challenges.I often miss deeper technical knowledge, awareness of the operation of the studio, administrative skills that (unfortunately) are also part of our work. |
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Jakub Kynčl | knesl kynčl architects
I will start from the opposite side by mentioning what we lack. There is an entirely inadequate practical knowledge of the "craft" of architecture in the necessary contexts. Since this is a considerably extensive knowledge that schools are actually unable to impart, we are ready to "further educate" newcomers. After all, practice is the best school.What we appreciate and are interested in, although this is of course very individual, is creativity and an "open mind". It would also be nice if graduates understood that architecture is a very complex and intricate field where there are no simple, quick, and genius solutions, but that everything needs to be "sat out" and worked through. An architect learns throughout their life, and the school should prepare them for this as well. |
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Vladimír Pacek | K4
In creative graduates, we miss the ability to take a design to a realizable form, and in those who are capable, we lack creativity :-)
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Petr Burian| DAM architekti
I appreciate (to be more precise: I would appreciate): international experience from internships and the resulting perspective, dedication to the field, orientation in the scene, and the ability to design in 3D.What I miss: a general interest in project design work, drive, enthusiasm, and a hunger for experience, courage to dive into bigger and more complex projects, a will to put aside one's comfort, certainty of career choice, and the associated loyalty to the profession. |
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Rudolf Grimm | GRIMM Architects
New colleagues – graduates who joined us in the studio (five people in the last four years). I can say for all that they are very well prepared in software. Some even better than us (the old-timers :-). I also highlight their work commitment and willingness to create together. However, what is missing, but logically cannot be present after school, is orientation in projects, project management, knowledge of legislation, documentation composition, the kind of routine without which no office can do.I appreciate their ability to think conceptually, even though sometimes it is necessary to regulate excessive creativity, set boundaries, and ground everything in "reality". In general, I have to say (and I don't know if we've just been lucky), that all the graduates who joined us have benefited the studio. |
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David Kraus | Architecture s.r.o.
I appreciate these things:- portfolio - talent - humanity, personal charisma, first impression - breadth of interests outside of architecture - involvement in office operations when one is a team member - enjoying life, work, and the people around - when a person does not complain, does not give up, when a person is not bitter about the complexities of the world - engagement, interest in the world - preserving the inner child - empathy towards situations, people - ability to improvise during the assignment We take people with traits I appreciate into the team, so I generally miss nothing, but if I had to say in general, I would miss: - tiredness - doing only one’s own thing - cunningness - aloofness, formalism - rigidity, mental old age |
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Luděk Rýzner | OK PLAN ARCHITECTS
My opinion is that this cannot be generalized completely. Of course, complex architects do not come, but that is logical. Some are less and others more hardworking, less and more willing to learn new skills… They certainly have relatively well mastered the drawing program controls. Occasionally, I see a lack of greater creativity and the ability to cope with problems. There is also a significantly different willingness to work overtime. I won’t even talk about weekends. The key factor when selecting a new graduate is the personal interview and a 1-2 month trial period, which is irreplaceable. It is important that the person fits into the company's structure on a human level, which I also prioritize greatly. |
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Radim Horák | KAMKAB!NET
I don't know if current graduates differ from past ones. Graduates represent visions of how to change the world for the better, they believe in them, and they are untainted by the reality of everyday life, regulations, standards... I consider that worthy of appreciation. At the same time, this is actually the main thing we miss in them: minimal contact with practice, with leading construction proceedings, technical knowledge... Without the latter, the former is poorly implemented.
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Petr Hovořák | DIMENSE
The sought-after skills of graduates I would divide into basic and advanced:Basic skills are
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