Studio Culture

Studio Culture at Northeastern is a recently evolved phenomenon. It has only been since 2001 that the student body has been afforded dedicated studio space that encourages the mixing of students and faculty of different levels, and with different interests. The School often employs studios that have students working in pairs or groups to encourage the salutary aspect of teamwork that is so much a part of architectural practice and the construction industry. However, these experiences are balanced by plenty of individual work as well, as it is crucial to the development of necessary skills in each student (indeed these skills are required by NAAB).

With regard to respect and values, Northeastern instructors are discouraged from employing the kind of gratuitous personal criticism for which architecture schools, unfortunately, have become known. Instead, students are encouraged to make clear arguments for their work, and to present them coherently. As for work habits, the School does its best to encourage rational use of time. The tradition of all night work is frowned upon as an indication of poor planning. This is not to say it does not happen (Studios are open 24 hours), but rather that the School discourages the romanticization of late night work.

Students feel quite safe, and there is very little theft in the studio, perhaps because there is a Campus Police Sub-Station located at the entrance to the Ruggles Studio, but also surely because students seem to respect one another's belongings reasonably well.

Students are provided with good quality maple work desks, with lockable storage cabinets, and access to electricity, ethernet, and wireless internet hook-ups at their desk. There are facilities for digital output to color plotters, and a laser cutter. Students can fund an output account against which they can draw for plotting throughout the year.

There are currently two critique spaces available for use at all times, and additional critique space can be created with the flexible uni-strut system affixed to the ceiling that allows for panels to be moved anywhere in the studio to create new spaces.

Since the completion of the expanded Ruggles studio, it now accommodates approximately 310 desks. It is fully occupied.