Architectural education with special reference to the University of Pretoria

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 In the face of a landslide of technological advance, aesthetic and spiritual values tend to become obscured, outdated and ignored - scientific knowledge becomes increasingly impersonal and overwhelming.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.