Architektų rengimas pokyčių laikotarpiu

Abstract

After the restoration of the independence of Lithuania new political and economic relations brougth about changes in the conditions of architectural activities. This has caused a demand for a new type of an architect that is capable of working under conditions of a free market and competition, of doing creative work and running private design firms as well as co-operating with foreign partners. A short review of the basic stages of architectural education in Lithuania is presented in the article. Up to the second World war Kaunas Vytauto Didžiojo University trained civil engineers, part of which usually received architectural education too thus obtaining the qualification of a civil engineer and architect. In the soviet period architectural education was accomplished in Lithuania according to the so-called union plans applied all over the Soviet Union. The Lithuanian school of architecture managed to preserve quite a lot of its peculiar features. Greater attention was given to heritage, regional characteristics, regional planning and interior design, while in academic education priority was given to actual projects prepared in greater detail. Nowadays the system of architectural education has been changed in Lithuania by applying a three-stage university model of providing a professional qualification (bachelor, master, doctor). In developing new study programmes an attempt has been made to evaluate the experience of European schools of architecture, as an integration into the European system of culture and economy is one of the strategic targets of our country. Our study programmes are to be of a peculiar and integral character. The peculiarity is to help to preserve our traditions and achievements, and to make them interesting and attractive to others, while the integrity is i ensure connection among subjects and schools. Interdisciplinary integration is to be realized by adapting the programmes of separate subjects to the needs of architectural education. The ideas of complexity and integrity education are to stimulate the preparation of interdisciplinary programmes and courses aimed to facilitate an i crease of education efficiency. In order to raise the bachelor professional level architectural education, a design practice of at least half a year should be introduced. Therefore the ratio b tween the bachelor and master study time should be changed, namely, the formula of 4,5+ 1,5 years should accepted instead of that of 4+2 years. For architectural master studies, intended for professional specialization and the development of creative individuality, particularly versatile study programmes shot be used, providing for possibilities to apply a variety organizational and educational schemes as well as to individualize master studies and increase an individual responsibility.