Where is the best place to study Architecture?

Where is the best place to study architecture in Europe?

• Answer:

  In terms of a coherent academic programme and methodology, I think the ETH in Zurich is by far the best school. It has an experimental program but is based on an understanding of a historical pedagogic trajectory (linking back to the Texas Rangers and Cooper Union of the 1970s). Its program manages to experiment while delivering very concrete skills, both traditional and emergent, and without resorting to self-referential briefs, methods or architectural positions. They have a few books out that document their work: Inchoate, an Experiment in Architecture and Deviations, Designing Architecture are two by Mark Angelil. One of these documents the work of just first year - it is astonishing, it surpasses the work of most advanced level courses. What is unique about this place is that it is a coherent program, each year building on the other, and not just a collection of individual studios.