#414 - KEVIN HUI , Founder & Director of Archimarathon
SUMMARY
This week David and Marina of FAME Architecture & Design are joined by Kevin Hui, Founder and Director of Archimarathon. The three discussed Kevin’s childhood and influences; his architecture education and his early career; teaching architecture; issues with architecture schools; how Archimaration started; Archimarathon studio and tours; social media evolution of Archimarathon; Kevin’s favorite countries and buildings; and more. Enjoy!
ABOUT ARCHIMARATHON
Studio is not a class. Studio is your home away from home. Archimarathon STUDIO is a professional studio environment focused on learning for students in architecture and interior design. Fostering a community where discussions and critique are taught, it is structured and managed, where serendipitous learning and wisdom can be passed on that is not possible in a university studio environment.
Archimarathon STUDIO tries to address some of the fundamental issues regarding architecture, the study of architecture and its connection to the profession of architecture today.
Architecture is confusing. Learning architecture takes time. There are just so many things to take into consideration in trying to understanding what architecture is, and what makes good architecture good.
Architecture Education is confusing. In the increasingly fragmented world we live in, universities are forced to break down large projects into various ‘assignments’ and submissions. It is becoming increasingly hard for students to see the big picture of the particular unit as well as the whole course. Studio balloting, whilst it is great to have the complexity and diversity of choice, students often miss some of the fundamentals and core skills in architecture.
Architecture Practice is largely unknown. Whilst architecture schools should not be about vocational training, the disconnect between students of architecture and the expectations of architectural practices is becoming greater, from core skills such as drawing conventions, understanding scale drawings, understanding plans and sections to soft skills such as people skills, social skills, communication skills, asking questions and being able to be goal focused rather than task focused. Portfolios are basically Tinder profiles
There is too much focus on the development of portfolios which as essentially like a dating profile and a job interview is like a date. It may get you noticed but it does not mean you are necessarily longer-term relationship material suitable as part of a team in an architectural practice. It is therefore important to develop all the other skills that are important for a holistic contribution to the profession.
Archimarathon STUDIO is about building a strong community for students in architecture and interior design that works like an office. Everyone is responsible with helping everyone else’s university work. Learning to think strategically, planning the work, managing time, working smart as well as all the soft skills of working as part of a team.
Physically connected to the office of Austin Maynard Architects, Archimarathon STUDIO allows participants to learn via osmosis in a professional practice environment.
TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Kevin's childhood & influences.
(01:53) Architecture education & early career.
(06:45) Teaching architecture.
“It was such a social environment, the first school I went to at Sydney University, where there was such a camaraderie. It was a much smaller school. We used to run social events, and we'd drag the tutors and lecturers to these events. It was to the point that we even invited some of them to our house parties. So that was normal for me. Then having moved from there to Melbourne University, it was very different. Students do not talk to teachers outside of the studio class time. I saw that as a problem in education straight away, and that pretty much led me into teaching because I believe that's a missing component. Instead of just teaching the syllabus and whatever is being taught, I think the social engineering side of things is important, and that underlies everything I do.” (07:37)
(20:35) Architecture schools lack design focus.
(24:45) A portfolio is like a Tinder profile.
(27:41) Archimarathon Studio.
“Back in the day, there was still physical studio space that you could work in. We don't have that in Australia anymore. It’s been completely killed off. The college culture in the United States is quite interesting because a lot of students end up living on campus and it’s almost like a requirement. That just doesn't happen in Australia. Especially since COVID-19, students don't even understand why they would need to turn up to university. [They just work on assignments at home mostly. There are some desks and co-working space in general], but there's no actual studio where everyone just spent their living hours there.” (28:07)
(37:08) Evolution of Archimarathon Studio.
(41:20) How Archimarathon started.
(52:03) Next Archimarathon tour.
(54:44) Archimarathon social media evolution and message.
“We have a policy of no negativity when talking about the buildings [on Archimarathon]. I think it's so easy to be negative and we, as a profession, are already bad enough as it is in terms of how the public understands and sees us…So, we have a policy of celebrating the good stuff. It gets difficult sometimes to not be negative, but I think the public needs to know what architects do. Why are there merits? Why is it good? So that is a policy we have, to make sure that people understand and to try and communicate about architecture in a simple language. Why is it great? Why is it worthwhile?” (55:08)
(01:01:39) Archimarathon Tour Operation.
(01:03:38) Kevin's favorite countries.
(01:08:30) Buildings that look different from photos.
(01:14:40) Kevin's favorite building.
