Abstract:
This thesis concerns the education of
arci1itects, with one of its chosen objects to bring
into focus a particular aspect of a broad contemporary
problem - the reconciliation of technology and the
spirit. Indeed it must be openly admitted that this
work was prc~,ted in the first instance by the sincere
belief that such a reconciliation is not only possible,
but a matter of profound necessity. It is written in
the teeth of increasing specialization, fully mindfull
of the manifold responsibilities that will befall the
architect if he is to maintain his age-old role of
bringing together in harmony all the technological,
materialistic, and spiritual aspects of human endeavour-;
but in the ready conviction that it is entirely for the
good that such a high aim be accomplished.
It is not intended to labour the wider aspects,
since they are well enough known - but it behoves any
thinking person to be attuned to the overall state of
things aro~nd him, being so enabled to relate the details
of his own particular line of experience to the
situation as a whole. In the face of a landslide of
technological advance, aesthetic and spiritual values
tend to become obscured, outdated and ignored - scientific
knowledge becomes increasingly impersonal and overwhelming.
The pattern of serious thought shifts uneasily in search
of equilibrium in the field of relentless new forces;
while popular philosophy floats inevitably according to
the ebb and flow of circumstances. The educationalist
is ever more in need of a wide and steady understanding.
Never-the-less, this work is concerned primarily
with a limited field-; architectural education,
with special reference to the University of Pretoria. As such it demands a quiet assessment of a fairly intimate
situation, rather than a global compilation of
references and cross-references. In the long run the
findings must be a matter of opinion - and it seems that
the basic ingredients of sound opinion will be found in
quiet and time. The material itself is at hand.
Furthermore the compilation of notes will be
attempted with due respect for the astrigent qualities
of brevity and explicity, albeit at the expense of finer
subtleties of meaning and interpretation. At its best
the work will be a positive probe into the problem.
That it could provide a final and unequivocal answer
has never been expected.
