Alia Nearpass
Staff Writer
This fall, Florida Southern College welcomes the new School of Architecture. Dr. Andrew Phillip Payne. was appointed as the program’s founding Dean and Professor.
The decision to have an architecture program at FSC was one that is welcomed by students, staff, and the Lakeland community.
“It was long overdue. This is a fantastic location and campus that has a very rich architectural history, so it makes sense that we not only honor that history, but we build upon it by producing students that are well-rounded designers and architects,” Payne said. “I think it was good timing for it to happen.”
Payne highlights that FSC is a great place to have an architecture program that stands out due to the proximity to highly regarded architecture and award winning buildings.
“I know everyday when I show up on campus and get to walk amongst these buildings, it’s pretty inspiring,” he said.
There is a collection of fine architecture, both historical and contemporary, right here in Lakeland that makes FSC an ideal place for a school of architecture. Despite being the world’s largest site of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright won’t be the only architect taught in the classroom. He says that along with FLW buildings, “we’ve got the Robert Stern buildings, we’ve got the local and U.S. architects that have been a part of the campus for a while designing new buildings.”
Currently, the program is undergoing the five year accreditation process, but Payne is optimistic about the outcome. “I anticipate a very good accreditation process…the accrediting body really wants to be of assistance,” he said.
“We are being held to a high standard, and that is important for architecture,” Payne said.
In the meantime, the five year program has been meticulously curated. With such a specialized curriculum, current FSC students do not have the option to switch into the major, and there is little flexibility for incoming students outside of the planned curriculum.
While the program is new, there is no denying that the students will be well equipped for a professional career in architecture and design. The program aims to produce students who can use their design skills to problem-solve and think critically.
Students can expect to get their first taste of hands-on experience during their first year in the program. They will experiment by building objects out of different materials and making them into shapes and sizes. From here, they will draw the object and learn how to graphically represent their designs.
“It’s so they understand how to draw what they see,” Payne said.
Along with this, students will have the opportunity to gain skills in the field. “We’ll take them out of the studio quite often so they can get some out of classroom experience.”
Each semester will bring something new and complex for students to take on. With the incorporation of experiential technology and software, students are exposed to a variety of learning objectives.
“The program will vary. We’re not teaching them a particular building type, we’re not teaching them a particular architectural style, but we’re teaching them how to be good designers in all those areas,” Payne said.
FSC’s School of Architecture has already seen substantial recognition. There are a total of 42 students enrolled in cohort 1 of the program. Freshman and prospective students have shown a lot of interest in architecture. “They are excited and fully energized,” Payne said.
When reflecting on where the program will be in future years, Payne said,“in five years we will be celebrating our first cohort and what should be a very exciting accreditation review. In 10 years, I think that we are going to have a very strong process that people want to seek out that will be aligned well with the industry.”
Payne expects the School of Architecture to be an exciting addition to FSC, and commends the support from the community.
