A LETTER TO STUDENTS OF ARCHITECTURE ------------------------------------------------------------------- Note images (1) professor Walter Gropius with students at Harvard in the late 1940s; (2) A student design project in one point perspective done by Christopher Benninger as Professor Merritts Student in 1965; and, (3) model by Benninger of a cathedral design in Merritts Studio in 1965. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Back in 1947, when I was a freshman student in architecture I had no idea what architecture was really all about. All I knew was that I loved buildings and would spend much of my spare time watching buildings under construction and talking to the builders, plumbers, electricians, and other craftsmen about what they were doing, and how they were doing it. I know I must have been a nuisance to the workers but most took my questions in good humor and answered my questions as best as they could, As I progressed in my studies at college I began to realize that most (if not all) of the buildings that I watched under construction were really quite bad and poorly designed. I began to seek out better-designed buildings. They were hard to find, and as rare as good buildings are to find today. I then took an oath never to design a superficial building! However, that was easy to say, but hard to do, as I had never made a set of construction drawings for a real building. The real test is in making good buildings from good drawings! As Mies van der Rohe once said, “God is in the details.” But my undergraduate studies in an isolated college gifted me with this discerning capability, and I worked hard to make my own designs as perfect as I could! Now, years later, I realize there are two reasons to excel in your design studies in college. One reason is obvious, and that is to become a better designer! Another reason is to produce a design portfolio that will land you a job in the office of a significant architect. Where you begin your professional life is of the greatest importance. If you work in the office of a hack architect you will be paid well because you are valuable to him to design false forms and cosmetic facades, and to copy the standard construction details that he has used over and over for years. Also, these hacks probably never had a “design concept” in their life that met the real needs of their clients, or explored new ideas and possibilities. If one is willing to work for a hack architect, then one is willing to be a hack architect. On the other hand, if you work for a significant architect, an architect who is a gifted designer, you are worth very little in salary, as he must spend countless hours with you to bring you up to the standards of excellence of his office. His time is very valuable and he will be giving his time to you! You will be allowed to sit in on all of the discussions as the design team generates the design concept! You will learn that the construction drawings and details are a continuation of the design process, and unique to each project! You may be invited to be present when the project is presented to the client. You will also be able to participate in the construction supervision of great buildings, and see real craftsmen at work. After several years working with this significant architect you can make a decision to continue to work in his office, open your own office, or teach in a university. In other words you will have several good options for your future. Good architects have good options! All of the above options will be denied to the person who has chosen to work for the hack architect. He may open his own office later, but he will be far beneath the skills of the young men and women who have chosen to work with the superior architect. The people that have worked for the hack will have to seek clients the rest of their lives; the person that has worked with a good architect will never have to seek a client as clients will seek him or her, for the rest of their life. The person that worked for the hack will only attract the clients that have no appreciation for good architecture. These clients will only think of the fees of the architect as a burden, and will be counting time, at the expense of quality. If you worked with a good architect you will attract sensitive clients that will appreciate your work and will allow you to be creative in your designs. There are not many good architects in this world, and there are fewer good clients! But these good and sensitive clients will be your clients. Remember, it takes a good client and a good architect to make a good building. I have had good options in my life as an architect. I completed my undergraduate studies at Clemson College, where I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture. My portfolio was good enough the gain me admission into the Graduate School of Design (GSD) at Harvard University. It was my studies at the GSD that changed my life. At Clemson most of my classmates were from South Carolina, but at Harvard my classmates were the best students from around the world, often from the best universities. My new classmates were graduates from Yale and Princeton and the best universities in Europe and Japan. They had all traveled abroad and had seen the great architecture of the world. However, it was not just the talented classmates that I had, or the wonderful education I received at Harvard that changed the direction of my life, but it was the great architect and teacher, Walter Gropius whose values and aura infected the entire academic community with an urge to be the best architects, and to create the best architecture. When I entered Harvard, Walter Gropius had just retired and Jose Lluis Sert had taken over as Dean of the GSD. Gropius visited the GSD from time to time and gave casual advice to a few students. Unfortunately, I never received a review of my work from Gropius. However, I received something from him that was far more valuable. One day when Gropius was visiting the GSD, I asked him if he would allow me to take photographs of his house in Lincoln, Massachusetts? I explained that I would only take photos from the outside of his home so as not to disturb him and Mrs. Gropius. Gropius said, “Nonsense, you are welcome to photograph the interior of my house and my wife will be delighted to meet you. Why don’t you and your wife come over around two O’clock this Sunday?” Joyce and I arrived at exactly two O’clock in the afternoon, and Gropius showed us around his grounds, pointing out the best places to photograph the house. Then he took us inside and let us take photographs of the interior. After the photography was complete Mrs. Gropius served us tea and cookies. Mrs. Gropius then entertained Joyce while Gropius and I retired to his study where I had the honor of spending two hours talking with Walter Gropius. To my surprise, Gropius did not want to talk about his life and his great buildings; he wanted to talk about me! He wanted to know what I had planned for my future and where I was going to go after graduation and what kind of architectural firm I was going to work for. I told him that I had been offered a job with one of the most prestigious firms in South Carolina at a very generous salary. Gropius said that he had never heard of the firm, and asked if their buildings were well designed? I said that their buildings were fair, but I hoped that I could improve upon them when I got there. Gropius remained quiet for a moment and then said, “Mr. Merritt, before you improve this firm you must improve yourself. Do you mind if I give you a little advice?” I said I would welcome any advice he could give me. He said, “You must work for one of the best architects that will hire you, and you should learn how to make a real building. You will not be paid the salary that this firm in South Carolina will pay you, but your life will be richer.” I followed his advice and turned down the job in South Carolina. Joyce and I struggled for several years after graduation from Harvard, but we did become richer, both spiritually and financially. Some would say that architecture is not a spiritual thing; I would disagree. Thank you Professor Gropius! Harry Merritt – Architect FB 21 01 15
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 11:40:00 +0000