His understanding of the Building and Planning Codes and their interaction is often one of the keys to being a good design provider. The same is true of the interaction of various fire and life safety codes, building budgets and construction schedules. It is a complex world and the modern practice of architecture reflects that complexity. This aspect of design does not get a great deal of attention in undergraduate education. Very often it doesn't.
Architectural education needs a new direction.
Or, at the very least a new focus. As a start, there needs to be a recognition that not everyone designs, and that there is nothing wrong or distasteful about that fact. Almost one half the total time in college today in architectural schools coast to coast, border to border, and beyond, is spent in design studio. This is the way it has been for many years, and this is the way it is in many schools of architecture today. This weighting is way beyond the relative importance of this aspect of practice in the future lives of most graduates.