談到建築的產業面，謝明燁老師不諱言地說：「我記得前幾年某國立大學建築系在個人申請入學面試時，系館被在校學生披上了『塊陶（快逃之諧音）』的布條，在學術界掀起一番話題，其實也再次看見了建築業的悲歌。」謝明燁老師進一步說明，建築系學生在校拚搏的這五年，幾乎每天都在跟時間賽跑，要創新想設計，要手繪畫平面，還要能完整呈現立體模型。並且在評圖當天，以穩健的台風向評審委員清晰講述自己的設計理念。因此，除了在授受專業上要將學生基礎打穩，很多時候更要注意學生的心理狀態。
Professor Hsieh talks with us about the architecture, “I remember that during the application process for an enrollment interview in a national university a few years back, students had hung a huge banner on the department building that just said ‘run away!’, which raised quite a stir in the field, as well as once again witnessing the tragedy of the architecture industry.” Professor Hsieh explains that in the five years of students’ time in the Department of Architecture, they are always competing with time: they are required to think of innovative designs, sketch drawings, and present complete 3D models. On top of this, they must also clearly describe their design principles to judges, and maintain great posture on the stage during drawing review day. Therefore, in addition to helping the students build a solid foundation of professional skills, professors must be attuned to their mental status, as well.
與學生保持動態平衡的距離 做學生校園裡的支柱
Keep a dynamically balanced distance with the students Be a support for the students in the school
謝老師認為，與2000年後出生的孩子們相處，要保持著「若即若離」的模式，讓學生可以自行調整師生關係上的距離。當他們主動告知自己當前的狀態時，老師積極從旁協助尋找相應對策，一起想辦法。當學生對學習狀況和生活層面還無法坦率地表露，老師就以作業、出缺席、上課態度，還有觀察他的交友圈來了解，如何在無壓力的狀況下幫助學生，釋出善意提醒。
Professor Hsieh believes that it is necessary to keep a relationship that is neither too close nor too distant with students born after the year 2000 in order to allow them to moderate the distance between themselves and their teacher. The teacher will assist in helping students find a solution when they come to the instructor of their own volition. Furthermore, the teacher observes student classwork, attendance and absence, class attitude, and their circle of friends to understand how to help them; they will provide reminders without pressuring when students are unable to open up about their learning and lives.
在大學考試制度下，有些學生或多或少是因為分數的關係，而進到一個自己完全不熟悉的領域就讀。建築系的高壓環境中，可以激發同學們的天馬行空，卻也有少數學生因而困在迷霧裡。謝明燁老師時常根據學生的狀態給予合適的建議，無論是想轉系、轉學，或是未來人生規劃等。讓明燁老師印象深刻的莫過於一位武陵高中畢業的學生。
Some students end up studying in a completely unfamiliar domain as a result of their scores on the university examination. The high-stress environment in the Department of Architecture can stimulate students’ imaginations, but a minority of students are rather lost in the mist. Professor Hsieh makes suggestions based on students’ statuses, whether that is about transferring faculties or schools, or about their future plans.
這位學生大一的表現都還不錯，但是大二卻從許多課堂上人間蒸發。在了解學生背景後與系教官充分合作，終於在租屋處找到該名學生。深談後，謝明燁老師發現學生其實是對自己的能力與嚮往有所落差，而差距隨著專業深度越拉越大時，卻選擇逃避面對。在積極且長期的一對一輔導下，終於讓學生重拾學習的熱情、找到適合自己發展的道路。爾後明燁老師還陪伴學生準備轉系，學生也不負老師所望，在更換跑道到化工系之後，於該學期考試拿到全班第三名的佳績。大學時光說長不長，但終究是大部分學生待的最後一個培養皿，謝老師覺得若能及時幫助學生撥開干擾他的網紗，看清未來方向，他非常樂意！
Professor Hsieh was very impressed by a particular student who graduated from Wu-Ling Senior High School. This student performed quite well as a freshman, but vanished from most of their classes sophomore year. After learning about the student’s background and with the help of the department instructor, Professor Hsieh finally found in the house they were renting. After a deep conversation, he discovered that this student was afraid that there was a large gap between his skills and what was expected of him, and he chose to run away when this gap grew large enough, alongside a deepening of professionality in the discipline. With long-term one-on-one counseling, the student finally regained his passion for learning and found a path suitable for his development. Professor Hsieh even accompanied him in preparing for his transfer. The student did not let Professor Hsieh down—he attained an excellent grade, achieving the third highest score in his class on the examinations after transferring to the Department of Chemical Engineering. A student’s time in a university is not long, but it is the final nurturing place for a majority of students; Professor Hsieh is glad to be able to help these students in overcoming obstacles so that they can envision their future directions!
發掘多元產業面 找出屬於自己的一方景
Develop diversified industrial aspects Find a corner that belongs to yourself
除了建立臉書社團平台，讓學生隨時隨地都可以聯繫老師、平日聚餐聊天，和學生維持友誼，謝明燁老師也常邀請學長姐回來分享業界經驗。雖說熬出頭的煎熬使人痛苦，但老師仍鼓勵學生多觀察每一個面向的建築設計，在喜歡的領域中找到突破口，不一定只有成為建築師這條路，與其爭個魚死網破，不如試試看較少人走的鄉間小路，走久了，路就越來越寬廣了。
In addition to establishing a Facebook group so that students can contact him any time, Professor Hsieh organizes gatherings and chats with students to maintain good relationships with them, and invites seniors to share experiences in their career fields. Although there are myriad challenges, Professor Hsieh encourages students to observe all aspects of architectural design, and to consider adjacent fields related to their interests—there are more possibilities than becoming an architect, so why not try a detour on country roads on which fewer people walk? Eventually, if you walk on it long enough, the road will become wider.
謝明燁老師隨後以「綠建築」舉例，環保世道正夯，政府有相對應規範推動社會往綠建築發展，提供不同層級的補助款項。由於申請文件繁雜且須符合法規中提及的許多細節處，因此綠建築代辦的公司開始大量出現並嶄露頭角。明燁老師分享道，如果想當建築師，許多建築師都會以承接企業案為理想，政府案因預算有限，規定較多且利潤低，常常令人卻步。但是，有些年輕建築師剛進業界時，反而會以小政府標案（例如消防局）為出發，以不凡的設計風格累積了口碑，陸續獲得了一個又一個的工作機會，最後成為小有聲望的建築新秀。
Professor Hsieh uses “green building” as an example. The government provides different levels of subsidies to promote advancement toward green buildings with the current popular trend of environmental protection. Complicated application forms and detail-heavy regulations led to the development of green building agent companies. Professor Hsieh notes that many architects dream about taking on projects from business enterprises, because government projects feature lower budgets, more rules, and lower profits. However, young architects new to the industry might start with smaller projects for the government (such as a fire department) to accumulate experience and reputation with an extraordinary design style, which may then lead to receiving job opportunities one after the other to eventually become a new architect with fame.
「我常聽到現在年輕人都說佛系經營呀！或是佛系面對等等的。但是我希望不論是我的導生還是建築系的學子們，甚至是其他系的同學，都可以在學校找到自己有興趣、能發揮熱情的領域，將狼性的一面成為引領你們向上的動力！」謝明燁老師殷切期盼著說道。
Professor Hsieh concludes, “I often hear young people nowadays saying that this is Buddha-like management! I hope everyone can find a domain in which they are interested and can develop their passion while they are in university, whether they are my students, students from the Department of Architecture, or students from other departments. Let the wild side of you become the power to guide you in moving upward!”