What should you know before studying architecture

From final year Interior Architecture BS Hons student Rachel

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I am a few months away from finishing my university studies, and coming to the end of this journey got me thinking about what I wish I had known or changed if I were heading into my first year. If you're considering studying an architectural design course or entering your first year this post is definitely for you!

I'll start off by saying you don't NEED to know anything, seriously! Whichever course you choose is there to guide and teach you what you need to know. What I have found over the last 3 years, however, is that lectures are there to give you the base - at least 60% of your learning is outside of university lecture/ seminar time. I've learnt a lot through hunting around the internet for 'how to' tutorials and youtube videos.

Different lecturers will prefer using different software, but the CAD programs they find easiest or provides the best result might be different for you. I spent a good amount of time in my first and second years trying different rendering software, and only going into my third year I started learning Revit; before Revit I had been using Sketchup, I find this a great software for concepts and early developments but I definitely don't regret spending my holiday break learning Revit.

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1/ Research Research Research your course

If you are choosing which course to take hunt around! There are loads of architectural courses and there are so many factors to consider. I knew when I started looking at courses that I wanted to study architecture, but it was only once I had started looking at universities that I found Interior Architecture, this is the course I went on to study and have really enjoyed it, however, this course does not gain a RIBA qualification; some Interior Architecture courses do increase your eligibility to apply to sit the exam post qualification to gain an ARB qualification.

Some things to consider when looking at university courses;

- Is university right for you or would you prefer an apprenticeship?

- Location - how far away from home, friends, and family, do you like the city/town? I enjoy walking and being outside so one thing that I like about my universities location is the green space.

- What type of bachelor is it? Architecture courses can be Bachelor of arts or bachelors of sciences - when you attend open days you will start to realise that the modules at each university vary, and arts universities can have more creative modules, I found the Interior Architecture BA courses are more orientated for set design, museum layouts, etc. Bachelor of Science course may have more engineering and structurally focused modules

- Do you think you would get on with the lecturers? Open days give you a chance to meet some of the lecturers that would be teaching you on the course - it can be important to get on with the lecturers - university can be a challenging experience for everyone, liking your teachers might help you to stay on track with workloads

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2/ Software

Ok so you definitely do not need to know any software and most are crazy expensive if you're not yet enrolled on your course, but basic knowledge can really help you when getting started. Have a play around with software before your first project; you don't want to be learning a new software from scratch with a deadline you've left to the last minute!

If you're not enrolled/ don't have access to the software I would recommend trying Sketchup Free - Free 3D Modeling Software | 3D Design Online | SketchUp Free Subscription - Sketchup offers access to a basic version of their software, this is a great free way to get yourself familiarised with CAD software.

Some software I would recommend learning;

- Sketchup

- Revit

- AutoCAD - there are quite a few free versions of similar software about

Some rendering software to try; Often these are a plug-in with Sketchup/ Revit which makes them super easy to use and render in sync

- Enscape - I use this in all of my projects, gives a fantastic realistic rendering

- Lumion

- Adobe Photoshop - I used Photoshop a lot in my first year of university to try and give a super realistic look by adding in real furniture, ultimately I would just use Enscape for this now but I do always use Photoshop for colour correction (post rendering)

Last but not least, Adobe Indesign, this software is used for presentation boards and portfolios. It's fairly simple to start using but worth getting to know where each button is and what they do! Anything you're stuck with, there's probably been a thousand people before you with the same question so the adobe support page is great to find your answers!

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3/ Connect

- Issu - Post digital portfolios

- LinkedIn - Connect with people in the companies you'd like to work for in the future, aspiring architects and designers and don't be afraid to reach out to your connections to find work experience. Having existing connections might help you in the future. It is also great to start an online presence in your field, connecting to people in the industry might open up some fantastic opportunities for you.

- Social media sites such as Instagram, Youtube and TikTok - Posting your design projects and digital works helps to create your digital presence, you've got nothing to lose starting today

- Contact practices for work experience. You don't have to be graduated to gain work experience, email, post a letter or talk to them in person.

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Comment any other questions you have below,

Rach