A career in architecture

Andrew Barrie teaches and helps students into internships. Photo / Ted Baghurst

When Andrew Barrie was at school in Levin he enjoyed technical drawing. So, when it came to deciding on what to study at university, he mistakenly chose architecture in the belief that one naturally led to the other.

It was a big mistake and, looking back, he says he should have sought advice from his school's career councillor. He didn't think to ask his parents as they were both accountants.

"Technical drawing was my favourite subject and playing with Lego was my favourite pastime, so I made this link between technical drawing and being an architect - which was completely false," says Barrie, who is settling into his role as Professor of Design at the University of Auckland's School of Architecture and Planning.

"I should have thought more about it and consulted with my old school's career adviser who would have told me in more detail what my options were."

Studying at the university he now works for, Barrie says there were elements of studying architecture that he didn't like and so buoyed his spirits by studying for a business degree at the same time.

"It was probably a bit right brain, left brain thing," he says. "But I was much happier doing both."

Barrie stayed on to complete a Bachelor of Architecture and in 1991 took part in the Venice Biennale architecture contest. He was part of the team that won top prize.

"There's the art biennale, but alternating with that is the architecture one," says Barrie. "And it is a really big deal in the architecture world. The year we won, the competition was among the best schools in the world.

"We went along thinking we'd be the real hillbillies, but as it was our first time I think we over-achieved. Winning by exhibiting a range of student work came as quite a shock. I think we treated it all far more seriously than some Northern Hemisphere schools."

On returning to Auckland, Barrie continued with his masters degree and worked as a professional model maker as well as teaching at the university.

Japan beckoned and he spent a semester at Sophia University in Tokyo. He worked on the installation of the Milan Triennale in 1995 and two years later won a Monbusho scholarship at Tokyo University offered by the Japanese government.

"It is Japan's flashest university," says Barrie.

And while completing his doctoral studies there he was picked up by Toyo Ito, a world-renowned architect.

"After I completed my studies I went to work for Toyo - he is a really big deal in Japan," says Barrie. "And so that was very exciting as it carries a lot of weight to have worked with him. So while I have a lot of practical experience in architecture, I also have an academic background which is quite unusual in the industry here. I guess that is my special offering, it's something different I can bring to the job at the University of Auckland."

Barrie was shoulder-tapped for the job, with a request that he apply for the position.

Barrie says, like most things, the profession has been changed by the introduction of computer software. They are not only used in how buildings are designed, but in how parts are manufactured - such as precision laser cut metal.

"What is happening now is the digitising of the construction process as well as the design process," he says. "Those digital tools are penetrating further so that now you can make unusual shapes with ease - it is no more expensive today to make something with an unusual curve than it used to be to make something straight. A lot of the difficulties or cost penalties associated with creating exciting structures and dynamic spaces are disappearing - so that's one of the key things that is happening.

"Using metal and steel in construction has been growing since the Second World War, and while that is present overseas, we are still in the process of catching on. Especially with laser cutters and computer operating milling machines."

At Auckland University Barrie will teach as well as liaise with architectural firms to find work experience for students.

"The School of Architecture and Planning's open desk programme places fourth-year architecture students in unpaid internships," he says. "The goal of the programme is to allow the students to experience life in some of Auckland's most exciting design offices, as well as making valuable contacts in the profession.

"We've modelled the programme on the Japanese approach, where it is very common for students to do short internships, both to learn the specific working style of the office and to make connections that will lead to a job on graduation."

Barrie says reaction from the industry to help upcoming architects has been "very positive".

"Employers are keen to have a stronger connection with the school," he says, "because everyone who is a practising architect was a student once, so they know how hard it is to get a foot in the door.

"When students come out of architecture school they can have big gaps in their knowledge due to a lack of industry experience, so being able to provide this is really worthwhile and fundamental to helping people into jobs."

* Contact Steve Hart via his website at www.stevehart.co.nz