The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-11

to give satisfaction. But these men
are not architects; they are simply ex-
pert builders 1t is also true that
these builders and so-called architects
at times give as good service as does
the true architect, and they certainly
enjoy better. incomes than the medic
ere architects, who confne themselves
to the practice Of the professional and
artistic side Of architecture. AS a
rule, architects are not developed from
builders, altho some of the best of
this profession were at one time build
ers and even carpenters. Generally
the tendencies which show that the
boy is fitted to become carpenter or
builder are not in the same class with
those which foretell~ the architect. The
carpenter or builder is a mechanic,
and occasionally business man also;
but he is not PROFESSIONALISM; while
the work of the architect is in every
sense professional, requiring diff
ferent capacity from that which makes
a success of business, mechanics or
trade. .-.--
/. !. f.
Because the great architect often re-
ceives, both fame and fortune, and be-
cause the profession is honorable and
recognized as one of the highest Of
human attainment, an Over-ambitious
parent may attempt to force his boy
into architecture, without the slightest
excuse for so doing. If the boy at
an early age shows constructive abil-
ity, and is able to plan something on
paper or in his mind, and afterward
make it with his hands, the parent
imagines that his son possesses the
abilities necessary for the practice of
architecture. It is true that the boy
who cannot construct s''in ADVANCE
plans, either in his mind or upon paper,
has not the foundation qualities neces-
sary to the architect; but unless these
creations in their earliest or crudest
state give evidence of more than ordi.
nary ability, the chances are the boy
is better fitted to the building trade
than to architecture.
Mere mechanical ingenuity and abil
| ity to construct properly in themselves
do not furnish more than an indication
of architectural quality. Certainly the
parent should not urge. the boy to
study architecture unless the boy gives
reasonable evidence of much more than
mechanical capacity.
Not only the ability to construct, but
also that quality of ability which
creates in advance the plans Of con
struction, Is essential to the proper
practice of architecture. The sue
cessful architect is both a nature
made and a self-made man. Nature
made in that he possesses the natura
ability necessary to success; and self
made because he has thoroly trained
his natural ability. The most pro
nounced~ natural canaeity with out 4spe
ciaf training is likely TO fall short
| OF the goal; while all the education
that all the world can give will MOI
make more than mechanical archi
tect out of the man who does not pos
sess natural aptitude for this work A
classical college course can hardly b.
considered essential, altho it is to b,
recommended to those who can AFFORD
the time and money for it's accom-
| plishment. D.. -~~*..-
would not advise any boy, eve1
tho he gives many evidences of archi
tectural powers, to consider architec
ture as profession, unless he is abb
to obtain the proper special education
necessary to his ripest development, O
unless he can study directly unde
some thoroly competent architect. T,