10 things you should do before you start your Architecture Degree
If you’re reading this my assumption is that you’ve just got your place confirmed for your Architecture Degree (well done and congratulations!) or you’ve just finished first, second or even third year of your Architecture Degree. Either way this post can be helpful! 👍 I have tried to order these in order of importance but I’d recommend reading through and reordering as you please!
1. Relax and Socialise
Catch up with family and friends. This is the number one for a reason and I can not stress how important this is enough. Architecture school for better or worse is one of those courses that can consume you, you live and breathe Architecture especially when you have deadlines coming up. Unfortunately this can have a negative impact on your social life, connection to who you were before architecture and with that your mental health. It’s always good to connect with everyone before so you go and really get into it so you can keep that connection and support system throughout your university education.
2. Explore where you can
Travel to and explore as many places as you can, whether you can get out to your local city or a completely different country - get out of your normal setting and absorb a new space. It does not matter how far you go. Get to know what you like in architecture whether it’s modern or traditional, residential or commercial. It’s good to go into your first year or next year of architecture with some interests and opinions.
3. Sketch
Practice sketching where you have travelled to and explored. Hand drawing is an absolutely invaluable skill to get your initial ideas across during your tutorials or once you get into practice. You could sketch from your own photography or sketch on-site, both build very helpful skills that will do you well during your Architecture degree and beyond!
Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash
4. Prepare for your course
Read through the course structure online to not only mentally prepare for what you have got yourself into but to also see if there are any tasks, a reading list etc that you need to sort before you arrive. I will do a post about reading lists and equipment lists and what to about them soon but for now, its good to be aware of what is there and see if anything peaks your interest!
5. Get to know the Architecture community in your City
This is something I wish I had done more of before I arrived in my university city that I now live in full time. I would highly recommend researching the Architecture firms in the city. If any seem like a firm you would be interested in, give them a call, send an email - they might offer work experience for a week or two during the summer or be a good contact when you’re looking for a placement! I am in no way recommending spending your entire summer working (enjoy your summer) but you can if you want to or need to.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
6. Know your precedent sources
Precedents for anyone reading who doesn’t know are basically examples of built or unbuilt designs that you can research and analyse with the intention of getting inspiration for your design projects. These can be very specific to the project you’re doing e.g researching library architecture for a library project or it can have more of an abstract connection to your project. In the both situations it’s best to look at photos, visit if you can, research the project, sketch and redraw elements to really understand the design. Easy websites that I use are Archdaily, Dezeen & Architects Journal. You can also just google keywords and see what pops up!
7. Collect Inspiration
Start a Pinterest account and keep it organised. During my undergraduate degree I was on Pinterest in any spare moment I had pinning random designs that I liked and designs from a presentation layout to a colour scheme. I had different ‘boards’ for each project, different architectural styles etc. It’s really whatever you are interested in so that you have a constant source of inspiration on the go.
8. Familiarise yourself with Architecture Computer programs
Get familiar with Architecture computer programs that would be helpful such as Photoshop, AutoCAD and SketchUp. Some Architecture schools don’t allow first years to use computer programs for their work so I would check with your school first or you might not have the money, either way that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a look at the program itself through online blog post tutorials or YouTube tutorials. This means if you need or want to use the programs during your degree on a university computer or on your own, you are familiar with the interface.
Note: Some Architecture schools will have free access to some Computer programs with the course so check this a well before you buy anything!
9. Read books
Read books about Architecture and books written by and about particular Architects. In the same way precedent studies (see above) work for design projects, having book sources help for essays or project book work. Make notes on what you find interesting and absorb what writer is trying to say or what the Architect has done with a particular design to make it successful. Have your own opinions on their work and words, you don't have to agree.
Photo by Bernd Klutsch on Unsplash
10. Start an online portfolio
Now this might seem a bit too soon but it will be a lot easier to drop your work into a readymade portfolio as you go through your first year of architecture and beyond. Also a good space to show any previous work you may have done such as art pieces, sketches, etc from A Levels or personal projects. I would recommend Wordpress or Wix if you want a dedicated website to showcase your work through the years or you can use platforms specifically for portfolios such as Behance and Abobe Portfolio.
I hope this helps and have a good summer! ☀️
