Core Subjects
Architecture school teaches students about the fundamentals of the profession such as design, drawing and materials. This can include manual drawing classes such as freehand sketching and representation, digital drawing and 3D modeling, physics and structures, materials and construction method and the principles of sustainability.
It also teaches students history, theory and criticism. These subjects provide contextual and theoretical knowledge which students apply in their project work throughout the course. Thus, students gain an understanding of the history of the profession and develop critical thinking skills.
Furthermore, students are taught professional management skills such as project management, management of personnel and economic analysis. Students also develop interior and landscape design capabilities as well as knowledge in architectural information systems.
In particular, universities also offer studios where students immerse and engage in a particular topic or theme, reflective of current and relevant trends in architecture. Here, students investigate given topics through a range of design experiments, field studies and analysis.
Elective Subjects
In addition to general knowledge, universities also offer different electives. These depend on the university and can include subjects such as critical thinking, art, engineering and environmental design. Electives are also offered to students for increasing their knowledge in particular areas of study.
For example, some universities offer courses in structures, information systems, urban design and urban planning, which can enable students to explore and investigate urban conditions, their mitigation, and urban regeneration.
Other universities offer courses in architainment and specialisations in game design, virtual reality and augmented reality. These courses help students to gain knowledge on how the digital world can be used for creating interactive, immersive, and responsive environments.
Certain universities also offer courses in visual storytelling, which involve researching, designing, making, and presenting work. This can help in developing skills to turn ideas into stories and translate them into projects using illustration, animation, and filmmaking.
Technical Skills
Architecture school is also the place where technical skills are developed. For example, students learn how the construction process works, including site organization, materials, and building systems.
They also develop their ability to interpret and present plans and drawings, refine designs in model form, understand construction techniques, as well as use building software such as Revit, Rhino, 3ds Max, Adobe Suite, and SketchUp.
Additionally, universities offer unique fabrication facilities such as CNC routing, 3D printing and laser cutting for building models. These facilities can help to expand students’ understanding on digital knowledge and technology related to architecture.
Communication Skills
Communication is an essential part of life and architecture school teaches students the importance of building a bridge between ideas and reality through communication.
For instance, they learn to communicate their ideas effectively through different means such as writing, drawing, synthesizing, and oral and presentation skills. These skills can help students to interact and make meaningful connections with clients, colleagues, team members, and professionals.
Architecture school also provides students with real-world experiences by engaging them in competitions, external collaborations, field visits and workshops. This helps students to develop creativity and dexterity through learning from other professionals in the industry.
Learning Environment
The learning environment in architecture school provides team-based activities and collaboration with other students. This helps to foster knowledge sharing, teamwork and the ability to think critically to a certain problem.
The hands-on learning opportunities in architecture school encourages focus on experiments that create uniquely designed projects. This encourages different thinking and creative exploration, allowing students to solve intricate design problems.
Also, the environment helps to develop an understanding of real-world situations and a sense of responsibility in architectural practice. This helps to equip students to face the challenges of the field.
Professional Education
Architecture school also offers professional education modules which are helpful for students to gain valuable knowledge in professional areas in the industry such as project management, construction business, client interaction, local regulations, and building technology.
It also provides students with the opportunity to gain professional certifications such as LEED, Green Building Professional, and Project Management Professional, which are required in the industry. These certifications enable students to receive quality job offers when they enter the marketplace.
The professional modules also help to build a strong network with industry professionals. This includes visiting workshops and studios, meeting professionals and attending conferences and events. This helps in gaining experience and knowledge in the field and to develop future career opportunities.
Interdisciplinary Education
Architecture schools also offer interdisciplinary classes, which helps in integrating knowledge from different disciplines such as communication studies, computer science, anthropology, art, public health and economics.
This helps students to recognize the complexity of the various contexts where architecture is practiced, as well as, how to apply the knowledge of other disciplines within their projects and research.
Moreover, several universities offer courses in design computing, which can help to explore interdisciplinary knowledge between Architecture and Computing, such as computer-aided design and motion capture.
Lastly, interdisciplinary education provides the opportunity for students to gain a broader knowledge, develop different perspectives, and to become equipped to practice the profession in the ever-changing world.
