Why architecture graduates don’t know how to sketch and solve problems on the spot?

Send us Fan MailThis commentary is a reaction to Ar. Firadaus Khazis’s post where he stated that architecture graduates has problems with “not just plans, sections, elevations, but the ability to sketch out ideas, details, and solve problems on the spot”.The root of the problem is in the lack of teaching and learning of the students in architecture school to acquire the right skills to work out design problems from the very beginning and how the architecture curriculum failed to uphold the basic foundation of learning to be an architect. Many factors contribute to this but this commentary focus on how FAUP (Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto) had managed to sustain the employability of their graduates even though they speak little English but mostly got employed in the UK due to their top notch architecture skills. Follow the blog here for more on FAUP (LINK)© 2025 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob. Image of the sketches done by students at FAUP in 2015.Support the showDo subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!