Looking Back Pt. I

Here's part continued from Monday's list. I can't stress enough how important it is for architecture students to become knowledgeable about a wide range of things; from people to buildings to software programs, it matters WHO you know just as much as WHAT you know. And the list goes like this:

1. Architects: we should know who is out there changing the world of design

Norman Foster
Frank Gehry
Glen Mercutt
Daniel Liebskind
Peter Zumthor
Zaha Hadid
I. M. Pei
Renzo Piano
Santiago Calatrava
Thom Mayne

2. Terms: to expand vocabulary and be able to "talk the talk" (just make sure to learn how to "walk the walk" too!)

Sustainability
Modular
Prefabrication
Ecological
Interstitial
Figure/ground
Design (know how it's different from "art" and "decoration")
Integrative
LEED
Gentrification

3. Buildings: a short list of buildings that are at the forefront of contemporary design

Burj Kalifa (SOM)
Fallingwater (FLW)
Shanghai Expo 2010 buildings (various)
Aquatic Center for London 2012 Olympics (ZHA)
The Orbit (AK)
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao (FG)
Freedom Tower (SOM)
McCormick Tribune Campus Center (OMA)
Baths of Vals (PZ)
London Shard (RP)

4. Architecture Firms: Same as Architects, but this time for firms.

SANAA
HOK
KPF
SOM
OMA/AMO
BIG
UNstudio
MAD Architects
DLR Group

There's so much more worth knowing but most of it is specific to each person's interest. Hopefully this short list of general topics will give some perspective and preparation for students wanting to know more about the profession.