Essential Architecture Student Equipment List
The only essential equipment list you should need for your Architecture Degree!
I have found that university equipment lists can have far too many items listed that do not get used and basically just turn out to be a waste of money so I have created this list by basically going through my own order history, going through my own equipment that I still have and use and comparing that to equipment lists provided by universities. You will notice that a lot of what I buy tends to be cheap, efficient, well reviewed and in bulk as that is what I like to buy.
Everything linked I have personally bought at some point over the last 8 years for my degree and I would recommend, anything not linked is most likely because I have not found the link or what I bought in the past has now been discontinued.
If you would like to join Amazon Prime for a 6 month trial (Would 100% recommend, I have been a prime member since first year) then click below.
The Basics
Backpack
The majority of the items on this list I used to have with me everyday as a staple so you need a big bag to carry it all! I would recommend a backpack with a dedicated laptop sleeve and loads of pockets so you can find everything easily and keep it all organised.
Notebook
This is my favourite notebook hands down. I have bought a new one for the last 3 years to use for general notes or when I was feeling super organised and creative as a bullet journal. It comes in over 30 different colours with a choice of plain, ruled, dotted (my favourite), squared paper. Can not recommend this enough.
Sketchbook
You should be using sketchbooks everyday either to sketch ideas on the go or to explore different design options at home or uni. I would recommend an A5 for day to day, easy to pop in your bag and take out when necessary and then an A4/A3 to keep at home or at uni.
Portfolio bag
For first year I would recommend grabbing an A3 or A2 portfolio as a first purchase and then buy a bigger one if necessary later on. Have at least one to store drawings at home and one to transport drawings (Trust me, it is very annoying to have to empty one to carry something to uni). Try to get one that is waterproof, has internal pockets for sketchbooks, extra paper etc, has a carrying handle or least hooks to attach one and if possible has binder clips just in case.
Drawing
Photo by Daniel McCullough on Unsplash
Pencil case
You need something to carry everything in and just like your bag I would recommend getting a pencil case with multiple compartments to keep things separate and easy to find. During uni i kept the basics in my pencil case, usually clear so that I could see everything and then kept larger tools such as my scale ruler and set square out in my bag as they were easy to find.
Clear ruler
I would recommend a clear ruler on top of the other rulers on this list as you can see what is going on under the ruler which is a lot handier than you would think.
Drawing/sketching pencils
I have so many packs of sketching pencils it is ridiculous. That being said, I would recommend getting a fairly standard set if you don't yet have any preferences. This set below is good example, has a good range and comes in the handy tin.
Eraser/Rubber
Self explanatory really, you will make mistakes that you would prefer disappear. I also used mine as a scalpel blade cover..I'm sure they sell them but it worked for me!
Sharpener
Again, self explanatory.
Mechanical pencil
In addition to your normal pencils, it is nice to have a pencil to jot things down quickly that doesn't need to be sharpened.
Click image to buy!
Scale Ruler
The standard scale ruler is 30cm long and has three sides with 2 scales on each. This is such a staple for hand drawing sketches that you want to be to scale, to draw final designs or to check your printed drawing or is to scale (It is so annoying when this happens -_-). You can get one in various colours but I would recommend getting the white base with colour coded sides as you get used to the colours and it saves that little bit of time trying to find the scale you want.
Fine liner pens
A lot of people, Architects & Architecture students will have their own preferences on fine liner pens depending on what they do with them and their budget. These pens are on the cheaper end of the scale and I have had absolutely no issues with them throughout uni. I have used them to ink drawings on tracing paper, I use them to write in my notebooks, very versatile.
Tracing Paper
Now for first year people usually recommend buying a tracing paper pad. I however recommend you buy a tracing paper roll, I started buying these late first year/early second year and it saved me SO much money. I started off with the 297mmx20m roll for smaller work up to A3 and then upgraded to the 1016mmx20m roll when I started using A1 & A0 paper.
Adjustable Set square
This is an absolute must have for easily drawing straight lines at an required angle. During first year I used this a lot with the drawing board mostly for right angles but I used it throughout my degree to draw different angles on and off the drawing board. I would recommend this one in particular because 1, I have had mine for over 8 years and have had no issues and 2, because you can lock the angle in with the green screw which is incredibly helpful and not always included.
Circle Template
Basic bit of kit that comes in very handy. When you use this with your scale ruler you can draw circles to scale at pretty much any size.
Pro Marker Set
These are great for quick renders or to show a highlight of colour on a drawing. They are all two sided so you can use the narrow nib for more detailed work and the wider nib to add colour to bigger sections. I have had mine for the last 7-8 years and they are still work well.
For a free printable PDF version of this list, click the button below!
Model Making
Self Healing Mat
If you don't want to cut your desk or don't want to get caught cutting into a desk then a cutting mat is for you, just lay it down on a stable surface. Mine is absolutely covered in UHU (see below) which whilst fun to peel off can be a pain so I would recommend trying to keep them separate.
Scalpel + blades
Easy to use and cheap to buy! You will use scalpels for basically any handmade model for university to cut through cardboard, card, foam, etc. Changing the scalpel blade can be tricky, I have the scar to prove it so be careful and if you need to get a scalpel blade remover as they are very, very sharp.
Steel ruler with ridge
You will need a steel ruler to use with the scalpel blade to cut straight lines for your model. I recommend this one below which I have had since first year as it is a safety steel ruler. The ridges mean that you have something to press down on with one hand, whilst you cut with the other hand. A must have for model making.
UHU Glue
This little tube of joy is such a staple for your architecture education, I must have gone through 100s of these throughout uni. Great for most materials that you would use for your models such as card and foam and whilst it can work on some woods like Balsa, wood glue would work better for those.
Pin Up/Presentation
Binder Clips
These can be used to gather your development work to accompany your presentation or be used to create a makeshift flip chart on your board. These are the most basic which will be a staple throughout your degree but you can also buy clips that go with the style or colour scheme of your project when the time comes as well.
Dressmaker Pins
whether its your hand drawings or printed panels to the board which to will present off. They are basic and used to disappear into the background so that your work is the main focus. I would not recommend getting coloured head pins unless you have a theme or a style that works... and even then use them sparingly.
Tech
Laptop and/or Desktop
I have used my Macbook Pro Retina 15" since first year and I absolutely love it. I also invested in a HP Tower and two screens during my Masters so that I could work more at home on a more powerful PC. They work for me for different reasons, my Macbook is great to carry around with me (as most laptops are) and a big plus for me is that I could easily sync with my phone and tablet. My PC as mentioned is more powerful, has been graphics and was cheaper.
Phone/camera
My assumption is that everyone reading this has a phone or access to a phone or camera so not much to recommend but just in case you don't I would recommend having some kind of device to take photos with. You will need to take site photos and model photos has a minimum so very helpful.
USB Stick
Throughout university I used multiple USB sticks and my favourite and most reliable was this one below. You can attach it to your keyring, attach it to an internal part of your bag or keep it at home as it's incredibly useful to keep back ups of your work.
Solar Power Bank
This has only recently become a staple for me but there were so many times during uni that this would have been incredibly helpful mostly on site visits or anytime away from home where my phone had very low battery. This power bank is great because it can solar energy in an emergency.
Earphones/Headphones
During my degree I had days where I would embrace the studio culture, share ideas and be social and other days where I kept my head down, didn't want to talk to anyone and just focused on work. Earphones or headphones are great if you already listen to music to concentrate and can also be used as a deterrent if you're in the zone and don't want to be disturbed.
Optional but recommended
Tape measure
Good to have in life in general to be honest. You could use it for site visits to check a measurement but not an essential!
Disto meter
Basically the digital version of the tape measure that is really good for overall measurements for site visits. I used this all the time in during my placement year but didn't use it during uni as we got overall measurements online.
Drawing board
A drawing board is great for drawing, I however only used it a few times during first year so this whilst technically an 'essential' you could get away with not buying it. (It can also be quite expensive, so maybe consider second hand!)
Presentation clothes
For me this is an absolute essential but I understand that they might not be everyones so I have put it in this section. For me having comfy but smart that i can just throw on and feel good in that also never need ironing is very helpful is one less thing for me to think about on presentation day.
Clipboard
Something I use in practice on site visits for surveys which could also be helpful and used in site visits for your uni project.
French curve
I avoided curvy designs throughout my degree after a very annoying circular balsa wood observation tower design so this isn't something I would recommend as I think I used this once. If however you are really into curvy and organic architecture then this would be essential for hand drawing the same curve on repeat.
If anyone has any more suggestions, questions or comments on what I recommend please do let me know! Also if you would like to join Amazon Prime for a 6 month trial (Would 100% recommend, I have been a prime member since first year) click here.
The Basics
Drawing
Model Making
Pin Up/Presentation
Tech
Optional
