I am a 15 year old student in North London. I’m doing my GCSE’s this year in English, Maths, Graphics, Science, Spanish, Geogrpahy, Art and Photography.
I aspire to be a architect since I’m like 12 years old and I’ve been trying to pick related subjects in school so it can get me closer to my goal. For my A-Levels I’ve picked Graphics, Mathematics, and Art. However I want to know what I can do at home or anywhere to get me closer to becoming a architect. Is there anything I should start practicing or learning to help me progress fast in the future.
Thank you, I really appreciate any answer
placebeyondthesplines
Feb 7, 19 6:17 pm
it sounds like you've chosen your a-levels extremely well, and it's great that you're trying to prepare for architecture school so early. getting into the habit of sketching often (buildings, people, mechanical objects, nature) will be super helpful, especially if you pay as much attention as possible to the play of light in your sketches.
on the other end of things, it wouldn't hurt to start learning some programming too. computation is becoming more and more important in architectural practice, and you have time to establish a real foundation of knowledge that you'll definitely be able to apply later.
krystianturlej
Feb 8, 19 2:52 pm
Tanks so much for replying. It helps me so so much, I will start to try sketching and I’ll look into programming too thank you very much
thatsthat
Feb 7, 19 7:55 pm
Definitely practice sketching. Creating formally composed drawings is a great skill, but it is also important to know how to take a sketchbook, some pens/pencils, and draw what you see. It's often the hardest skill for people to pick up so the more you practice, the better.
If you find an opportunity to shadow an architect in your area, that would also be awesome. It would give you a chance to see what the typical day-to-day is like, ask questions about the profession, and potentially get a contact for future advice. If you could intern, that would be better, but even if you can't yet, that's ok too. Never intern for free!
krystianturlej
Feb 8, 19 2:50 pm
Thank you so much for replying as it really helps me. I will definitely practice sketching and watch some YouTube videos on it.
geezertect
Feb 7, 19 9:11 pm
Read "Architect?" by Roger Lewis.
krystianturlej
Feb 8, 19 2:52 pm
Definitely will, thanks
Thayer-D
Feb 7, 19 9:24 pm
Look at all the buildings you like and ask yourself why? Ask others the same question, and take them seriously. When you get to school, remember who you're working for and draw with your hands, not with a computer. Good luck.
krystianturlej
Feb 8, 19 2:53 pm
Thank you very much for the advice. I will start doing that and again thanks for replying
Make sure you read and understand most of the posts of the industry on the forum. Gain as much insights into the daily grind, lost hopes, angst and marginal accomplishments by many in the industry. Make sure you understand your role in this industry and decide if it should your profession or hobby. If money and status are what you're looking for you've got to be incredibly talented as a designer, or become a builder or developer. Just trying to give you some reality and long term insight.
krystianturlej
Feb 8, 19 3:10 pm
thank you for the reply. I will definitely try to read a lot of the posts from this forum and I will do some more research into architecture to see if I like it as a job or hobby like you said. Again thanks for the great advice, I appreciate it.
atelier nobody
Mar 25, 19 5:36 pm
While it is true that architecture is under-compensated when compared to other professions with similar education requirements, don't let that discourage you if you really have a passion for it. Do be aware that most of us spend a lot more of our careers doing working drawings of our bosses' designs than seeing our own designs realized - it helps if you love the design challenge of working out the fussy details just as much as (or more than) overall conceptual design.
S W
Feb 8, 19 8:52 pm
I'm sure you have some good teachers that recognise the fact you are on your path and will help you. Good luck and respect. (ignore the trolls because they've never built a bridge)
curtkram
Feb 9, 19 11:24 am
architects don't build bridges/buildings. we design them. you're thinking of a contractor.
krystianturlej
Feb 10, 19 8:29 am
Thanks so much bro
randomised
Feb 9, 19 7:26 am
And try paying close attention to your surroundings, look up once in a while when walking in the city, go around corners, take detours and don't use the same routes all the time, get to know your environment without using apps to get from a to b. Touch buildings, run your hand along the walls, knock on stuff, feel their textures. When you enter a building try visualising your route through the building, wander around and explore, pay attention and don't take anything for granted, there were people involved designing almost everything you see and use, try understanding why things are done the way they are and if you would do things different what would you change. Also, besides the sketching and the programming, make things with your hands, maybe wood working or furniture or learning how to cook and learn how to put different materials or ingredients together into something that gives you pleasure, the pleasure of how it looks, feels, can be used or tastes. Something like that. And read and travel, experience other perspectives than your own.
krystianturlej
Feb 10, 19 8:32 am
Thank you so so much for the advice and that you took time to reply and help me out I really appreciate it. I will definitely do the things you suggeseted thank you
yomthorke
Feb 10, 19 1:09 pm
When you see a building out in the real world, slowly and carefully approach it from a distance, take small steps at first, then pick up speed as you walk along and you'll be going towards architecture.
krystianturlej
Feb 10, 19 2:22 pm
Lolll
sarahdonna
Mar 24, 19 6:01 pm
Fully Monitored Home Security – CCTV, Intruder & Perimeter
Our home security systems are truly bespoke and designed for High Net Worth and Ultra High Net Worth clients. Each Security System is designed from the ground up for each client. We operate a leafed approach to security – different elements protect your home with an overall aim of ensuing your home is never at risk. Full integration with a Crestron home automation system allows easy monitoring of subsystems (such as intruder alarm, CCTV and Perimeter Protection) and automated events to occur such as bring lights on in certain areas. Our monitoring station can even have audio feedback in to external areas, allowing operators to warn a potential intruder before they get close to property. Integrating security in to a Crestron Home Automation system makes perfect sense – high definition CCTV cameras can be viewed on touch panels as well as televisions in addition to preset actions such as lights being brought on when movement is detected. Easy remote viewing from a client supplied iPhone or iPad allows complete peace of mind. The monitoring station can also remotely monitor any required sub systems such as fire alarms, water sensors or pumps – alerting the home owner to any issues as soon as they occur.
atelier nobody
Mar 25, 19 5:39 pm
It sounds like you're on the right track. The only thing I would add is to learn technical drawing, by hand, with a straightedge and triangles. We do most of our work on computers, but the people who know how to draw a set of working drawings by hand are almost universally better at CAD/BIM than those that don't.
I am a 15 year old student in North London. I’m doing my GCSE’s this year in English, Maths, Graphics, Science, Spanish, Geogrpahy, Art and Photography.
I aspire to be a architect since I’m like 12 years old and I’ve been trying to pick related subjects in school so it can get me closer to my goal. For my A-Levels I’ve picked Graphics, Mathematics, and Art. However I want to know what I can do at home or anywhere to get me closer to becoming a architect. Is there anything I should start practicing or learning to help me progress fast in the future.
Thank you, I really appreciate any answer
it sounds like you've chosen your a-levels extremely well, and it's great that you're trying to prepare for architecture school so early. getting into the habit of sketching often (buildings, people, mechanical objects, nature) will be super helpful, especially if you pay as much attention as possible to the play of light in your sketches.
on the other end of things, it wouldn't hurt to start learning some programming too. computation is becoming more and more important in architectural practice, and you have time to establish a real foundation of knowledge that you'll definitely be able to apply later.
Tanks so much for replying. It helps me so so much, I will start to try sketching and I’ll look into programming too thank you very much
Definitely practice sketching. Creating formally composed drawings is a great skill, but it is also important to know how to take a sketchbook, some pens/pencils, and draw what you see. It's often the hardest skill for people to pick up so the more you practice, the better.
If you find an opportunity to shadow an architect in your area, that would also be awesome. It would give you a chance to see what the typical day-to-day is like, ask questions about the profession, and potentially get a contact for future advice. If you could intern, that would be better, but even if you can't yet, that's ok too. Never intern for free!
Thank you so much for replying as it really helps me. I will definitely practice sketching and watch some YouTube videos on it.
Read "Architect?" by Roger Lewis.
Definitely will, thanks
Look at all the buildings you like and ask yourself why? Ask others the same question, and take them seriously. When you get to school, remember who you're working for and draw with your hands, not with a computer. Good luck.
Thank you very much for the advice. I will start doing that and again thanks for replying
Check out our EMBAC program at UC Berkeley~ https://ced.berkeley.edu/acade...
Make sure you read and understand most of the posts of the industry on the forum. Gain as much insights into the daily grind, lost hopes, angst and marginal accomplishments by many in the industry. Make sure you understand your role in this industry and decide if it should your profession or hobby. If money and status are what you're looking for you've got to be incredibly talented as a designer, or become a builder or developer. Just trying to give you some reality and long term insight.
thank you for the reply. I will definitely try to read a lot of the posts from this forum and I will do some more research into architecture to see if I like it as a job or hobby like you said. Again thanks for the great advice, I appreciate it.
While it is true that architecture is under-compensated when compared to other professions with similar education requirements, don't let that discourage you if you really have a passion for it. Do be aware that most of us spend a lot more of our careers doing working drawings of our bosses' designs than seeing our own designs realized - it helps if you love the design challenge of working out the fussy details just as much as (or more than) overall conceptual design.
I'm sure you have some good teachers that recognise the fact you are on your path and will help you. Good luck and respect. (ignore the trolls because they've never built a bridge)
architects don't build bridges/buildings. we design them. you're thinking of a contractor.
Thanks so much bro
And try paying close attention to your surroundings, look up once in a while when walking in the city, go around corners, take detours and don't use the same routes all the time, get to know your environment without using apps to get from a to b. Touch buildings, run your hand along the walls, knock on stuff, feel their textures. When you enter a building try visualising your route through the building, wander around and explore, pay attention and don't take anything for granted, there were people involved designing almost everything you see and use, try understanding why things are done the way they are and if you would do things different what would you change. Also, besides the sketching and the programming, make things with your hands, maybe wood working or furniture or learning how to cook and learn how to put different materials or ingredients together into something that gives you pleasure, the pleasure of how it looks, feels, can be used or tastes. Something like that. And read and travel, experience other perspectives than your own.
Thank you so so much for the advice and that you took time to reply and help me out I really appreciate it. I will definitely do the things you suggeseted thank you
When you see a building out in the real world, slowly and carefully approach it from a distance, take small steps at first, then pick up speed as you walk along and you'll be going towards architecture.
Lolll
Fully Monitored Home Security – CCTV, Intruder & Perimeter
Our home security systems are truly bespoke and designed for High Net Worth and Ultra High Net Worth clients. Each Security System is designed from the ground up for each client. We operate a leafed approach to security – different elements protect your home with an overall aim of ensuing your home is never at risk. Full integration with a Crestron home automation system allows easy monitoring of subsystems (such as intruder alarm, CCTV and Perimeter Protection) and automated events to occur such as bring lights on in certain areas. Our monitoring station can even have audio feedback in to external areas, allowing operators to warn a potential intruder before they get close to property. Integrating security in to a Crestron Home Automation system makes perfect sense – high definition CCTV cameras can be viewed on touch panels as well as televisions in addition to preset actions such as lights being brought on when movement is detected. Easy remote viewing from a client supplied iPhone or iPad allows complete peace of mind. The monitoring station can also remotely monitor any required sub systems such as fire alarms, water sensors or pumps – alerting the home owner to any issues as soon as they occur.
It sounds like you're on the right track. The only thing I would add is to learn technical drawing, by hand, with a straightedge and triangles. We do most of our work on computers, but the people who know how to draw a set of working drawings by hand are almost universally better at CAD/BIM than those that don't.