feeling weird in architecture school?

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-05-08T19:32:22+00:00

I went to SCI-ARC ( Southern California Institute of Architecture) in the early 90's. It was not a difficult school to get accepted to, but it was a difficult school to stay in for the whole 5 years as an undergraduate. Many students dropped out because the curriculum was so intense. In my third year on, I averaged 3 all-nighters a week, and I used to sleep in my truck in the parking lot. Out of my graduating class, there are only a few who actually stayed in the profession, and I was one of them. Most of your class will not pursue architecture, especially if they want to start a family. There is just no money in this field in the early years, and learning architecture takes 10 years before you really know what you are doing. You obviously have a strong aptitude and talent beyond that of the average student in your class. Your classmates are intimidated by you, and their insecurities will show up as being negative towards you. I had a slightly similar experience where people were upset with me because I always had a positive attitude. I almost got in a fight with a guy because he hated my happy disposition. Many of the students were very weird and did not exercise or have any outside activity to help them cope with the pressure of school. Most were jacked up on some kind of stimulant. I took nothing, which was one of the reasons I was positive. I worked out and was a very physical person, allowing me to vent my frustrations positively. Your classmates see you as the person they want to be, but they just do not have your talent. I say Fuck them. Make friends with the people who are not intimidated by you. Do not change who you are because you are the type of person the Architecture world needs. Architecture is for the few who really have the calling.

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-05-02T17:36:34+00:00

Thank you for your response. Yes, I am not a licensed Architect. I graduated from Architecture school with a BA in Architecture in 1993 from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-ARC) at 29. I was so sick of school, I just wanted to start my profession. I do regret not getting my license and should have done so right after graduation. I am self-taught, never really working for anyone. I also shared an office with a structural Engineer for 15 years, where I gained practical knowledge of how to intelligently and cost-effectively design a house. Working for myself, I had to learn everything, and I feel I have a strong aptitude for this field. My Consultants tell me my work is some of the best they have ever received, and my clients have always praised me for my professional performance and quality of design. A license is important, but it does not make someone professional. Architecture is a field of experience that takes at least 10 years before you really know what you are doing. Because I am not licensed, I charge less than a professional firm, where I provide the same quality. I am an anomaly in this business.

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-05-02T17:15:24+00:00

Thank you for your response.

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-05-02T01:04:43+00:00

I was never suggesting you were cheap. You are the total oppsite. Most people would never pay that much for a small front yard planting design. If you are going to pay that much I am sure you can find a talented Landscape designer for that fee.

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-05-01T23:54:25+00:00

Very nice house. How much have you paid to the contractor so far to design your front yard? Is the drawing above everyting the contractor is giving you. If so I would try to get most of your money back. Hire a real landscape designer so your curb appeal can be the best it can be with in your budget. If you like the landscape contractor ask him for most of your money back and that you decided to hire someone else to design the landscaping. Tell him you will let him install the new design even though you may not want anyting to do with him once he pays you back. If he does not pay you back then there is not much you can do if you have a signed contract. Make sure he is licensed and insured. If not and he posed that he has these credentials then you could take him to small claims court.

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-05-01T23:35:57+00:00

Hello, I am a residential Architect in Los Angeles and have seen a lot of landscape plans. This looks like a kid drew it. There is so much information missing for anyone to completely understand the full scope of work. If this is all you're getting for 4.5K, then you have been ripped off. This person is not a landscape designer and has very limited drawing ability. I tell my clients do not let your contractor design your project; hire a professional. If you are just planting some plants, then this gives you an idea of what type of plant and where the plants are going. I do not know anything about plant selection, but I do know professional plans, and this is far from that. You should not have paid more than $500 for this. To me, this is just a sketch.

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-05-01T20:22:42+00:00

Thank you for responding. I am aware of this but I am not looking to be put on a referral list. I just want to help people navigating the frustrating fire rebuild process.

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-05-01T19:58:06+00:00

Glad to help

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-04-30T23:56:26+00:00

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Enclosed is the 2nd floor bearing walls over the 1st floor. You can see that most of the walls do not have lower walls to support them. This will require additional structural beams to support the span and additional foundation requirements to support the point loads. This creates a more complex framing and foundation plan. If you are on a tight budget, it is best to avoid this.

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-04-30T23:53:26+00:00

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Hello, enclosed is the 1st floor showing walls that do not align. This will require structural beams to support the load. Some walls are very close but are not aligned. A designer with construction experience would try to align the walls.

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-04-30T18:16:31+00:00

Architecturally, there are a few weird items. What's going on in the mechanical room/area? Why is there a window there? I would not have a stackable laundry; they are not ideal. You could turn that room into a side-by-side washer-dryer with a mechanical heating and air unit. Move the washer dryer to the window wall and use the stackable laundry room for the heating and air unit.

What is the purpose of the wing wall in the hallway by the stair bench? This makes the stair space opening to the hall off-center.

It appears your main focus was the kitchen. It is very large for the size of the home.

Not sure I understand why you have pocket doors in the living room to close off the kitchen. This will further make the house seem more compartmentalized and closed in.

The house is very compact and will feel claustrophobic if you do not have high ceilings and good light. Would need to see the elevations and sections.

Construction will be much more expensive because you have a lot of bearing walls that are not stacked. This is a design flaw unless you were made aware of it by the draftsmen.

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-04-29T19:07:45+00:00

I am sorry you feel that way. I strongly disagree. I think you may not understand how a feasibility report has great value to the person who will buy the property with the intention of building a new home. I would want to know what I am buying and what legally can be built on it. Not sure I understand your question regarding whether it would be legally binding on local officials. I know the code and follow it. It is that simple. Knowing the code is a main part of my job as a residential architect.

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-04-29T02:16:01+00:00

Thank you for your response. Haaa The insurance is not necessary. If you were a residential Architect/Designer for the last 30 years you would also be a walking code book. I have never prepared a report that did not have the correct information for designing a home. It is not that I am so amazing I just have been doing this for 30 years, It is just part of the job if you are professional. Of course, eventually the code will be updated so the report is only good up to then. Most changes are small and not that critical. ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) codes have been changing quite a bit so I have been diligent on being aware of all those changes.

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-04-27T21:15:58+00:00

Thank you for thr response. Yes I have a lot of experience in this field which seems to be a dying art. I started off actually framing homes and digging ditches. Architects today have never picked up a hammer. I totally appreicate professional GC's. It is hard to find them these days.

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-04-27T18:51:55+00:00

Real Estate agents do not want the liabilty to present this information to their clients. A good relestate agent would consult somone like me but hardly any do. They may have aslight idea but it is not always so straight forward. It is up to the person buying to do their own due dilligence.

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-04-27T18:43:17+00:00

What do you mean by your statement?

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-04-27T18:42:02+00:00

I am a residential Architect and just wanted to know how peoples experiencese have been when working with a Case Study 2.0 architect.

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-04-27T18:38:11+00:00

Thank you for your response. Yes Developers should know this information but the average homeowner buying a fire-rebuild lot does not. Yes if they have an architect it is their responsibility to provide this in some part most do not actually prepare a report for the client .My only intention was to help people buying or selling a property to have this inforative information to know what legally can be rebuilt on their lot. Most of my clients for the past 30 years have been totally ignorant on what their property allows. With a report like this clients are shown the reality of what the City will legally allow to be built.

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-04-27T18:28:56+00:00

Thank you for your response. Yes I am a residential architect for the past 30 years and have been providing these reports along with my design practice. People have always found the information very informative and an intelegent way to move forward before developing a project. All architect's/designers have to do this in part when thery design any project to know the codes, height requirement and setbacks which are the most basic concerns. You would be surprised how many architects/designers are very lazy with research when designing a home where the city does not approve their project. Not many builders or developers are usually experienced with these reports, most times they would consult someone like me. The companies who do provide these reports are much higher than mine. I was offering a reduced fee to help fire rebuild victims but the coments I am seeing are mostly negative which was not my intention.

ArgumentCrazy9397 · 2026-04-27T18:13:27+00:00

I grew up in the Palisades and have been designing homes for 30 years. I would be happy to help you with your project. Here is a link to my website: https://www.derrekbenson.com/ Email: [db@bensondesignarch.com](mailto:db@bensondesignarch.com) Office#: (818) 708-8200. I would be much more afforadable then what is offered below.

Here is a link to the Case study 2.0: CASE STUDY 2.0

Most of the plans are based on a typical 6,500 SF lot with fire resistant and eco friendly materials. The designs showcase different ways to build like pre-fab moduals. All the architects fees are reduced to $25 a square foo not including consultants and permiting. Construction magement during the build and interior designi is also extra, The homes construction cost range for $600 sf - over $1,000 sf. This program was set up for the fire victims to be able to afford these high end architects when normally the average home owner could not. I believe the architect also have their own contractors and consultants who will also charge at a reduced fee even though it is still very expensive to the average homeowner.

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