Architecture Addiction, The Official Blog of

Dear Katy Purviance,

I just listened your discussion at Heritage Radio Network and it was very enthralling!! I am really enthusiastic that there is someone like you out there in this world!

I really support your ideas and criticisms about architecture, system of education, society…. life. I totally agree that there is not any philosophical approach in architecture, especially in the working-world.

I graduated in architecture 3 years ago from the University of Florence and I was kind of happy about my education. I had a lot of theory, philosophy and whatever the task was, the analysis part was always very important. But on the other hand, I didn´t have a lot of practical or technical education and this is why I went to study in Finland for 1 year where I found a lot of good designing and “doing”.

But after my graduation, I faced with reality: the job-market is mainly looking for Cad-monkeys or 3D-genius… no Architects. Thus, after some experiences, I decided to work independently as an freelancer-illustrator (mainly for architecture studios). In this way I have more time to dedicate on my visuals projects: using art as media instead of architecture, the intent of my work is to criticize our build-environment, make people wonder, ask questions, inspire people to search for meanings, show alternative points of view of our “reality”. Architecture that is responsible for so much of the built environment around us doesn’t do enough. This is why I am more interested in designing images rather than buildings.

You can also see some projects here: www.serraglia.com

I am sorry for this long email, but I really felt to share these things with you!

I hope we can meet or collaborate in the future… maybe one of your University class in Finland?!

All the luck for your project!

Best Regards,
Lorenzo Servi
Visual Artist, Architect

Lorenzo

Your email makes me very happy; thank you for writing!

With your permission, may I post your email on the blog? I have discovered that there are a LOT of people out there who feel the same way that you and I do, and I want to publish your email to encourage other students, to let them know that their feelings of disappointment with their education are normal, and that they are not alone.

I would also love to hear more about your story. What university did you go to before you went to Finland? I looked at your site – I like it very much! I also really like your manifesto!

You can help me. I’m conducting a survey to find out what architecture students really want out of their education. I need as many people as possible to take the survey. Would you mind taking it and having your friends take it as well?
http://blog.architectureaddiction.com/index.php/a/2010/08/07/take_the_perfect_architecture_school_sur?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook

Another thing you can do is join the Architecture Addiction page on Facebook to get the latest news:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Architecture-Addiction/105104166195161

Keep in touch!
All the best,
Katy