Skills you need to know as a wanna-be architecture student

So in my previous post 10 things I learnt from 1st year in Architecture School I suggested that if you wanted to practise something before going to uni it should be using a scale ruler.

Well, this post is full of a few more things you could do.

All of which you can put on your personal statement or will help you at university...


1. Travel

Berlin baby

Go visit buildings - one of the things all architects love to do.
Get travelling around your city, to another city or another country and record it all. By record I mean photograph and sketch buildings you like. Make a scrapbook or photo album. This is the easiest thing and anyone can do it.


2. Draw

I love A5 sized sketch books because they can fit in my bag and travel with me without being a burden

Get the ink flowing and get drawing. Most of you will be good at drawing already - and if you're not, get practising. Drawing isn't classed as essential for architecture, but I think that it definitely is.

Draw your house to begin with... a view from your garden?

Then try out plans and elevations.

Draw out the plan of your ground floor.

Perspectives (views which look 3D) don't have to be in scale but if you can, try to draw your plans in scale - measure your rooms with a tape measure and use your scale ruler to draw on paper.

 (keep reading, because I have linked two videos below which will help you draw in scale)


3. Read

Put down "The Hunger Games" or "The Fault in Our Stars" and pick up architecture books. The range is huge, from books about architectural history to books written by architects showing their perspective on the world.

In year 12, I read Peter Zumthor's "Thinking Architecture", which is a great read and portrays Zumthor's conceptual and analytical response to building.

The book I have shown above is great too, for first years it will teach you some of the basics within design. Flick through the pages to read all about hierarchy and analytical responses to a building's concept. Go buy it here.

If writing is not attractive enough for your artistic perspective on life, maybe try "Building Construction Illustrated" (here) or "Architectural Inventions" (and here) for beautifully drawn images.

Websites and blog are great too, but books look better on your personal statement. My favourites include Dezeen, Archdaily and Archidose. Not forgetting of course Tips for Architecture School (who recently shared my blog- big thanks to them!).


4.Making models

1:50 model of my Bat Art Gallery using foamboard

This is a skill which will come into use A LOT at university. Using card and UHU glue, design your own buildings to scale (using that scale ruler) or better still make models of existing buildings. Try your own house or a simple famous building like the Eiffel Tower. You can normally find plans/elevations/sections online - just print them off and get cutting.

A few REALLY useful videos I came across are ...
 Part 2. Architectural Model Making: Scaling & Cutting by Chicago Arch Today they show you guys in international waters (who use inches) how to use a scale ruler for modelling
and
Metric Scale Rule, which shows you how to use a scale ruler in metric dimensions (cm and mm) for those of you in the UK.


And finally,
5. Play on the computer

Yep that's right, I said "play". What I mean is play on computer programmes like Google Sketchup or Photoshop not World of Warcraft or Rift.

Get the 30 day trials and just mess around on there -  learn the different tools and watch tutorials on youtube. This will definitely come handy at university and on your work experience.

So you want work experience?

As a year 10 or an A level student, I'm sure you will want work experience.

And if you don't WANT it, trust me - you need it. 

You need it to see what will happen to you after you finish your fun, creative degree in Architecture... and what the real world of work in Architecture is all about.

So many people love the degree and hate working - you just need to see if this is really for you.

And that is mostly because the wacky, crazy designs you create in your degree just aren't really what most of your clients look for. I say "most" because there will be a few clients who let you do these amazing, crazy designs... but those people are scarce in the working world. Plus, your type of clients will depend on the type of practice, of course.

So that leads me to my first piece of advice...

1. Browse around

Check the work of lots of different practices before you chose which ones to ask for work experience. 

Doing this will give you an idea of what sorts of projects they do; compare designs, scale, clients, response to site, etc.

2. Apply to more than one place

A few years ago, during the recession I tried to find year 10 work experience and I got turned down by so many practices who just weren't getting many projects. After a while, I got lucky and finally got 2 weeks at a really nice practice. Now the economy is starting to pick up again in the UK and many will probably let more work experience students in - but just apply to lots of places to be on the safe side. 

3. Don't email

Many other people will disagree with me - but in my experience you won't get work experience by sending an email. If you do send it, you've most likely to not hear anything back or receive a generic no. This is because architects have the tendency to not even bother reading your email when they have more important emails to read from clients, contractors, engineers, etc.

Send letters or ring up and sell yourself- but be professional, of course. Aim for "The Apprentice" not "The Office".

4. Show them your work

If you have done some extra work outside of school that shows your interest in Architecture: show them!

You need to show that you are intrigued by what the practice does and to show them your eagerness to learn about Architecture.

5. It might be hard

Be optimistic and don't feel too disheartened if you receive a no. Remember that for the practice, letting in work experience students is a hassle for them - because they know they will have to spend time with you rather than working on their projects.

So that leads me to my final piece of advice.

If you're lucky enough to get some work experience - use it wisely. The practice has " let you in", which means you have a private viewing into what happens behind their closed doors; so you need to ask lots of questions and get a good look at their work. 

Make their most of your time there.