Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) is one of the most avant-garde architectural schools in the world. Located in the sunny state of Los Angeles, it is one of the best places for education and creativity. What makes SCI-Arc such a great school? Why are the SCI-Arc students able to come up with mind-blowing final year projects?
I guess all great architecture schools share certain similarities despite their geographical distance. Similarity one, those schools are usually small in scale. The linear proximity of the spaces within the quarter-mile-long former warehouse brings relativity to the activities happening in each of the spaces. Everyone is aware of what is happening in SCI-Arc. That might be the reason why collaborations between students, studios or even other institutes are common in SCI-Arc.
Similarity two, those schools’ buildings have unique character that are able to inspire learning. The flexibility and openness of the warehouse space promotes creativity, exploration and experimentation. The soul of the space does give courage to the students in SCI-Arc, the spirit of “Anything can happen”.
I think that is why SCI-Arc is so special. It is not a factory that produces architects with technical skills to construct. SCI-Arc is a place where future architects come to find out how they can materialize their visions and dreams. Unlike most schools where they tell you what they want you to become, in SCI-Arc you hold the power to decide what you want to be.
SCI-Arc is not the place for the faint hearted. Nor is it a place where you find yourself (it would be a very expensive and time-consuming self-exploration journey should you choose do so). You must have a rough direction of what you want and SCI-Arc will help you to achieve your goal. You do not wait for things to happen in SCI-Arc, you make it happen. Like farming, students plant their seeds of dreams and SCI-ARC provides the necessary tools for growth (eg. star architect studio masters, high-tech equipment and support from the industry).
The spirit of ground-up initiatives does not stop within the school. Similar to Confucius saying of “德不孤,必有邻。” (with virtue there is no solitude, only companionship); with dreams, we will attract the companionship of like-minded souls. It is evident around the district of Little Tokyo. As you walk around the area, you will know that this is a fertile land for the cultivation of dreams.
With those ideal conditions and availability of tools, SCI-Arc is indeed the perfect place for the seeds of dreams to grow and blossom.
I guess all great architecture schools share certain similarities despite their geographical distance. Similarity one, those schools are usually small in scale. The linear proximity of the spaces within the quarter-mile-long former warehouse brings relativity to the activities happening in each of the spaces. Everyone is aware of what is happening in SCI-Arc. That might be the reason why collaborations between students, studios or even other institutes are common in SCI-Arc.
Similarity two, those schools’ buildings have unique character that are able to inspire learning. The flexibility and openness of the warehouse space promotes creativity, exploration and experimentation. The soul of the space does give courage to the students in SCI-Arc, the spirit of “Anything can happen”.
I think that is why SCI-Arc is so special. It is not a factory that produces architects with technical skills to construct. SCI-Arc is a place where future architects come to find out how they can materialize their visions and dreams. Unlike most schools where they tell you what they want you to become, in SCI-Arc you hold the power to decide what you want to be.
SCI-Arc is not the place for the faint hearted. Nor is it a place where you find yourself (it would be a very expensive and time-consuming self-exploration journey should you choose do so). You must have a rough direction of what you want and SCI-Arc will help you to achieve your goal. You do not wait for things to happen in SCI-Arc, you make it happen. Like farming, students plant their seeds of dreams and SCI-ARC provides the necessary tools for growth (eg. star architect studio masters, high-tech equipment and support from the industry).
The spirit of ground-up initiatives does not stop within the school. Similar to Confucius saying of “德不孤,必有邻。” (with virtue there is no solitude, only companionship); with dreams, we will attract the companionship of like-minded souls. It is evident around the district of Little Tokyo. As you walk around the area, you will know that this is a fertile land for the cultivation of dreams.
With those ideal conditions and availability of tools, SCI-Arc is indeed the perfect place for the seeds of dreams to grow and blossom.