Before leaving school, I wanted to become an Architect.
I applied to an Architectural School that was connected to The Art College in Brighton; it came highly recommended, and had an excellent reputation.
I was accepted onto the 3 year course, and some time later I received a letter from The Principal asking me to go down to meet him. I organised the three trains required.
After my interview my mother was to pick me up, I'd stay the weekend at my parent's nearby south-coast home, then take the train back to school on the Sunday afternoon. There were still about three weeks of term-time left.
At my interview The Principal suddenly showed a nasty 'chip-on-shoulder' attitude, and began to attack the type of schooling I'd received.
"Don't think you're going to come here, and design bloody great multi-million pound mansions for your old Public School chums in Windsor or Henley-on-Thames" he shouted. "Architecture is all about SEWERS; that's what we'll teach you.... SEWERS, SEWERS".
I don't think I'd ever encountered such overt class-hatred before, and I instantly realised that 3 years spent studying under such an evil inverted-snob would be impossible.
"Well, you can stuff your fucking SEWER course" I told him. "And I shall now consider other non-fucking-SEWER related options". I think I even slammed the door behind me.
My mother was not happy with my having rejected his course (I didn't tell her the exact words I'd employed); she'd been going around telling all her friends that I was going to be a famous Architect (as all mothers would).
So, that's why I became a 'Blue Button' Stockbroker instead. I'm sure he was much happier without me on his fucking SEWER course; although I can't say I was particularly happy in The City. But that's another story.
Am I a frustrated Architect? No, I don't think so, but I'm still fuming about his horrible attitude; hence THIS, all those years later!
It is good to get things off your chest even for a second time. Often it takes me many more than that!
ReplyDeleteIt is no secret prejudices come in all flavors but it still hurts you're the target.
Very true!
DeleteGood for you - I can't imagine you as an architect or for that matter a stockbroker - I always imagined you had more of a 'bohemian' career - the image of you in shirt and tie doesn't sit well.
ReplyDeleteFunny how things bubble to the surface years after the fact. No doubt it felt good to just let it all out.
ReplyDeleteOh well, it sounded like a shit course anyway. (Handy hint: if you type the actual words 'anders amp' into your title instead of the symbol, it comes out as the symbol in the title - one of the last bits of manual HTML left on the system, I think)
ReplyDeleteI meant 'ampers and', of course.
DeleteMy grandfather was na architect and his father before him. Opa was on the team that designed the Mercedes factory in Sindelfingen and his father designed many famous buildings in Berlin. My mother wanted me to follow in their footsteps and Opa even had my university career planned out with Teutonic efficiency including a stint at the Sorbonne. There was only one problem.
ReplyDeleteI was thick as two short planks.
Both you and I had happy escapes. The freedom that eventually came my way has been perfect.
DeleteSo many architects falling by the way as I read through. My father-in-law worked on the retirement city, Sun City, Arizona. His parents wanted my husband in the same career and bundled him off to the same university, Case, in Cleveland. He was a dismal failure there, and sent home at the end of the year. Expectations are good, such specificity not so good.
ReplyDeleteI seem to know quite a few architects; very few make any money.
DeleteI'm afraid I know very little about the art of architecture but I have always had a great admiration for architects. First, their ability to create in the minds' eye but then the ability to place their vision on paper is fascinating. And not just for their own satisfaction or pleasure. No, they fully expect someone to take those drawings and build it! Granted I've only seen house plans but I saw that they included a materials list so not only does the architect show you how to build it but they also tell you what you'll need to do it! Amazing.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure what I have written is so elementary, it's laughable but I think you would have made a wonderful architect and The Principal was a very stupid, short-sighted man.
I once asked an architect friend how often his finished buildings looked how he'd first imagined them (these were huge things in Dubia). 'Always', he replied; I'm sure he was lying.
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