Education Revolution, a study from architecture firm RMJM Hillier, Princeton, N.J., finds that students at top U.S. design schools rated job prospects as the top benefit of integrating sustainable design into the school curriculum, but only 6 percent of design leaders believe recent graduates are very well prepared to address sustainable design. In contrast, 23 percent of students and 32 percent of faculty think recent graduates are very well prepared. About 88 percent of firm leaders believe knowledge of sustainable design significantly will affect a young person’s advancement.
The study compared opinions of three groups: students currently enrolled in graduate/ undergraduate architecture programs in the U.S., faculty in the architecture programs of those same schools and sustainable-design leaders of large design firms that hire graduates of those schools. Students gave the highest negative rating to other students’ preparation of green building, indicating they have higher standards for sustainable design or the schools are not providing them with an adequate level of knowledge. “Future advancements in green-building practice, policy and advocacy will hinge largely on the next generation of building professionals,” says Phil Dordai, principal at RMJM Hillier. “The next generation of architects is truly critical to spurring real innovation on a global scale and moving the sustainability movement forward.” For more information, visit www.rmjm.com.
