"Architecture Should Be Taught as a Practical Business," Declares Hudnut, New Harvard Dean

Convinced already that Harvard architectural students are better fitted for their work, as he wishes to teach it, than students of any other college in which he has taught, Joseph F. Hudnut '09, new idea of the Architectural School, is rapidly setting his convictions to work.

The successor of Dean Edgell, former head of the School, was appointed last June. The changes which he is initiating are still in a state of flux, but he revealed their general objective.

His Views

Said Dean Budnut, "Architecture should be taught as a practical subject. Fundamentally, the business of architecture is to render technical service to clients. If he achieves beauty in building, that beauty should be thoroughly consistent with his technique--not something added to it or imposed upon it."

As a consequence of that principle, he maintained that architects should interest themselves in industrial and social sciences, "that the education of architects should include in much greater degree than it has, an acquaintance with industry, business methods, economics, and the study of structural sciences."

It is in those things that Harvard architectural students excel students of other schools. Dean Hudnut appeared convinced that "in our School, we should pay less attention to painting, drawing, and the study of historic forms."

His Practice

In effecting this change of emphasis from conventions, as dean of Columbia's Architectural School, he abolished the competitive method and substituted individual instruction; he brought together more intimately building construction and design; and he introduced economics, business law, and a little experience in city planning.

Dean Hudnut has a thorough background both in teaching and practice.