Author: Jalo

The original Walz was linked with strict rules. In this postmodern new interpretation of it, I reformulate these to my very personal guidelines:

3 years and 1 day

The minimum duration of the Walz was often two, but most often three years and one day. I don’t prescribe myself a minimum duration, but also strive for a time of two to three years. The exact duration will depend on the experiences, that I will gain, and the motivations, that will be driving me.

 

Distance to the Hometown

No travel destinations were prescribed at the Walz, but over the whole time it was forbidden to get closer to the hometown than 50km. I do not set myself this prohibition, but plan to gain the distance by traveling further. My goal is to visit at least one location on every continent.

 

5 Mark

At the Walz, every journeyman started with 5 Mark and had to return with the exact same amount of money. Today, under the changed circumstances, this extrema seems impossible. Nevertheless, I want to make the experience to live of my own professional work based on my studies, and therefore hope for a fair salary.

For centuries, craft has been connected with travelling: In the middle ages, seeking for work made craftsmen move from town to town. Guilds took up the heritage and prescribed apprentices a perennial journey – in Germany called “Walz” – after the completion of the formation. In this way, foreign places and cultures could be studied, experiences could be gained and new working techniques could be interchanged. The builder stood in this tradition as well. Until today, it is possible to read out of the magnificent gothic cathedrals on which ways styles and engineering achievements were carried around the world by travelling builders.

With the industrialization, craft was pushed aside by mass production in large parts. But craft is valuable! Through experience and expert knowledge, it accomplishes the unique connection of the technology with aesthetics. Its precision and perfection are guaranteeing continuous innovation.

These qualities apply in the same way to architecture and show without any doubts, where architects are rooted.

Simultaneously also the tradition of the journeyman years almost got lost. Today, sound and vision can be transmitted to world’s end in real-time while the collected knowledge of humanity is available anytime from any place. Therefore, a journey doesn’t seem to be necessary anymore. But right now, in this highly globalized world, it is as necessary as never before. If architects want to work worldwide, they have to understand the differences between the cultures! Moreover, innovation doesn’t take place in single strongholds nowadays, but everywhere.

Reflecting on all of this, in the end of my undergraduate studies in architecture, I took the decision to continue the tradition and go on a “Walz” as an architect!

 

Continue reading the GUIDELINES that I set myself.