THE COST OF ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION

By Azimi Joachim

How much does architecture education really cost?

Hmm…This is a question that takes a dive into the deep sea of architecture, diving beyond the financial levels into deeper levels of cost; physically, socially, mentally, emotionally and all other “allies” of architecture education.

There is a saying that goes, “Architects are great copiers”. As an architecture student, I’m trained to always find case studies, so I did and I stumbled across an article online that gave insights to the struggles of an architecture student. The writer shared some eye-opening thoughts on Architecture and mental health.

“University life might be one of the hardest phases in one’s life as many don’t realize that the ages 18 – 24, the average university years, are when issues of mental health as well as learning disabilities begin to show up more so than any other stage in one’s life. Architecture school has another layer of stress and rigor placed upon its students – we are in the studio, perhaps for a day or three, our limited time makes it more difficult to uphold a healthy lifestyle and maintain our personal relationships with those outside of architecture. We pull a heck of a lot of all-nighters, might not eat right, and not get enough sleep – all which can trigger or worsen symptoms associated with mental health; coupled With the highly competitive environment that being in architecture school leaves some students feeling isolated and lonely.”

I’m privileged to study at one of the foremost universities in the country, The University of Lagos; and in my time, I have come to experience my share of the highs and lows of studying architecture. Before I share my view, I took the liberty of going round asking a couple of my colleagues for their own personal experience on what it cost to be an architecture student and here’s what some had to say:

ETIOBI KAMSIYONNA

Architecture Student, 400L

University of Lagos – Nigeria

“Most of us came into the university with high prospects of being in the university, being away from home, the freedom, all of that coupled with the prospects of being an architecture student. At first, There is that initial buzz but as time passes we realize that we are deprived, deprived of sleep, going out with friends because of the ridiculous deadlines to submit your studio projects. Studying architecture has cost me, physically, my sleep pattern, my sight (due to excessive exposure to gamma rays emanating from my laptop screen), and junk feeding habits, personal hygiene and more.

Socially, while others are out partying I’m thinking of what to do for my studio project, even when I get the chance to go out, I find myself absent minded because I’m thinking of the next deadline. It is safe to say, most of us aren’t living the life we dreamed of before university.

Mentally, Design is complex; unlike Engineering or Mathematics, 2 + 2 is not always equal to 4. Being creative is exhaustive. You work on a project for months, putting in your heart and soul, only for one lecturer to tell you during your jury, it won’t work! This can be traumatizing and sometimes lead one to depression.”

ONIBUDO TOFUNMI

Architecture Student, 400L

University of Lagos – Nigeria

”Architecture costs a lot mentally, you have to constantly push yourself to the limit just to think of a concept then think of how to bring it to life. Doing a lot mentally is definitely going to affect you physically. The stress shows on your body, you go home and your mom is complaining how skinny or how dark you have become, God help you if you fall sick in the middle of a project…

Yet again, you are faced with crazy deadlines set by lecturers which are very annoying because you sacrifice going out with your guys, sometimes missing church/mosque or even the babe that keeps calling, you know. But then we have to find the balance through proper time management and prayers to God to deliver us from the spirit of procrastination.”

ADEBIYI ANJOLAJESU

Architecture Student, 400L

University of Lagos – Nigeria

“A wise woman once said, “When you sign in architecture, you sign away your sleep for life.” What a joke I thought to myself.  I’m not going to lie, architecture is a whole package, the physical stress, emotional, not to talk of the mental stress all demeaning, but you can’t stop the urge to prove you are a conqueror.  There are days you wake up looking like a homeless freak after nights of no sleep; there are other days you come to class looking like an angel. The good part is that there are people there to spend the sleepless nights with, families you never asked for. It’s not always rosy but you have to find a way to ride along.”

Having heard from these guys, I can testify to the fact that, Architecture has cost me my sleep and every other thing that comes with lack of sleep. I have become prone to mental blocks in my head which unfortunately I can’t complain of since everyone around me goes through the same. There is a subconscious urge in me to be creative in everything I do, even writing this article.

After all that’s been said, my love for architecture has grown so much that at the sound of the word itself, my ears perk up like a dog at the sound of a whistle. I don’t think I would have survived in any other department, if I had a choice, I’d pick architecture twice.

It may have cost me so much, including financially, but I’ve gained much more intellectually, creatively, emotionally, socially and so much more. I guess the basic principle of life still holds if you look at it deeply, “No pain, no gain”

I would end on this quote from an architecture giant, the late Zaha Hadid,

“If you want an easy life, don’t be an architect”