Guide for Kickstarting Your Architecture Studies

Ready to Conquer the Architecture Game?

Let's cut to the chase, architecture school ain't like other college gigs. It's a beast preparing future architects for the professional world, and there are some lessons you needs to prep for before diving in. We've put together this guide to help you get a head start. So, here's wishing you luck and a bundle of resilience for your upcoming architecture journey!

Studio Sessions: Your Home Away From Home

Survive studio classes, or as we call 'em, the heart of architecture school. Most of your classes will take place here, and you'll be spending every waking hour sketching, designing, and sticking away at technical drawing workshops. Get ready for night-long grinds, exams till the wee hours, and lots of studio time. Plus, the coolest part? Hangin' with your buddies while workin' on projects and drawings. You can crank tunes and gab while you sketch 'n' create, makin' the studio a second home.

Model-Makin’ Madness

Listen up, folks! Your first couple of years in architecture school will be all about model-makin'. Homework assignments and workshops will help you improve your skills, and let's be real, it ain't all about the tiny, Lego-like constructions we made when we were kiddos. You gotta learn to think in 3D, understand spatial relationships, and grasp the properties of materials. Lucky for you, studios and workshops are your playgrounds, giving you all the tools and room to cut, paste, break, and redo 'til your heart's content.

Embrace the Criticism

It's showtime! Time to present your projects to the professors and friends. These critiques sessions, part of the development process, are opportunities to receive feedback that'll help you improve. Listen up, take notes, and be open to suggestions. Remember, don't take the criticism like an attack, but consider it a stepping stone towards design greatness. Embrace the critique as much as you can, even ask friends for their feedback. The more criticism you get in architecture school, the more you'll improve your designs.

Artsy Supplies Galore

Grab a sketchbook to jot down ideas, take notes, analyze your project sites, or just let your imagination run wild. Sketch what you read or see in your everyday life, never forgettin' the artist in architecture. Get sketch materials, markers, and paints, and let creativity guide you.

Jury Day: The Grand Finale

Get ready for the big day! Jury days are the fantastic moments when you present your hard work to professors and guests. Make sure your presentation is clear and engaging, avoid boring them with long-winded explanations, and always be confident in your design choices. Take criticism in stride, learn from it and savor the submission.

Enrichment Data:

Architecture school is a challenging and hands-on environment geared towards preparing students for the world of design and construction. Common expectations for students include studio classes, model-making, receiving critiques, using materials, and jury day presentations:

Studio Classes: Studio classes typically follow a sequence, develop student skills in design, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Students are assigned to specific studios based on various factors.
Model Making: Model-making is crucial for visualizing and testing designs in three dimensions, helping students understand spatial relationships and material properties. Students learn to work with various materials such as foam board, cardboard, and wood, and develop skills in crafting and presenting models effectively.
Critiques and Feedback: Studio classes involve critiques where students receive feedback from peers and instructors. This feedback is essential for refining designs and learning from others' perspectives.
Materials and Resources: Students are expected to be proficient in using digital design software such as CAD and BIM, as well as traditional media like drawing and painting.
Jury Day Presentations: Jury day presentations showcase a semester's worth of work, requiring strong presentation skills to communicate design decisions and defend one's work. Developing presentation skills is crucial for effectively engaging the jury.

To excel in your architecture journey, consider enrolling in online education courses focused on learning about design software like CAD and BIM, as they are crucial skills for working with materials and creating models.
Amplify your architectural education-and-self-development by exploring online resources that offer insights into various architecture styles, self-assessment tools, and forums for connecting with fellow architects, fostering continuous learning in the field of architecture.