The architect is a well recognizes occupation in every country. But o become one, you have to study architecture. Many universities offer those degrees. It is wise to research before you apply for an architecture degree. One aspect is easiness. Is architecture hard? Should you do it? We want to help you with that.
How hard is architecture?
Normally architecture students have to study for long times. They have a huge workload. You should have some natural skills too. These factors are enough for us to categorize it as a hard course. But if you are a type of person who has artistic skills and the ability to work for a long time, it will not be very tough.
Does architecture require physics and math?
The architecture required knowledge of physics and math to a certain extent. You will not need to excel in physics to study it. Physics in architecture is not hard. Knowledge of statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, pressure, acoustics, electricity, and optics are required for studies.
Math is having a dominant place in architecture. Trigonometry, geometry, space and time, algebra, and calculus are widely used aspects of math in architecture. You will have a hard time if you are below average in math.
Students who’ve studied arts and humanities, math and science, or design tech in high school are studying architecture. Don’t worry much about it if you studied different subjects in high school.
Architecture is an artistic subject. If you have studied arts in high school, you have an advantage on that side of things. Your technical drawing skills will make it easy.
Is hand drawing in architecture hard?
Architecture is the art and science of building. There is a wide variety of things to learn in architecture. The first thing you have to learn is to draw accurate designs. It could be by hand or computer-aided drawing.
Drawing is a method of thinking. It provides a medium for creativity and breeds invention. Architecture is mostly about creativity. So, learning hand drawing is compulsory.
Project parti is the type of drawing used to make concepts. There will be multiple diagrams that give us an idea about what we are going to design. Parti drawings are not stylish. But they are great for creating complex concepts.
Site Analysis and planning is another feature of architectural drawing. Site analysis allows us to try different concepts in the same defined area. A site analysis drawing contains wind directions, solar paths, topography, and terrain with proper illustrations. Vegetation and landscape, infrastructure, contextual relationships, directional views, and more things can be illustrated in site planning sketches.
Loose bubble sketches are helpful for space planning and programmatic diagrams. These sketches illustrate the relationship between space, heights, vertical stacking, and circulation. Loose bubble sketches are good for finding solutions quickly because a 2D illustration of the project program can be drawn
The building design is the most important part of a drawing. There are a few things we should include in a building design. Floor-to-floor heights, structural depths, daylighting strategies, and more. The building design helps decide mass, roof designs, and more. Finally, you can add construction details to the drawing.
How good should am I with software
We are living in a digital era. Many products and services of our lives escaped tradition and adopt the technology. So why architecture would be different. As an architecture student, you have to use a set of software. They can be used for a variety of things. Many of them for drawing. Some are for 3D modeling.
AutoCAD is a product of American cooperation Autodesk. It is the most used software for architecture. Many architectures consider Autodesk as the standard software for architecture. Sketchup and ArchiCAD are other software for computer-aided drawing.
3D modeling is where computer-aided drawing is the best solution. We can see from many angles. Rhino and 3D studio max is popular software for the job.
There is a new trend in architecture to use game engines. Over the past years, game engines evolved into many superior applications for visual representations. Video games allowed the player to explore the virtual world with a unique set of physics. Architectures are doing the same but with building designs and real-world physics. Light handling techniques like ray tracing were introduced to the gaming industry a few years ago. Architects can use those.
But remember, even if the software makes it easy, architectures can not drop hand drawing. There are still some limitations with computer-aided drawing.
Do architects have to learn structural engineering?
Different architecture degrees have different weights on structural engineering. In some degrees of architecture, students have a hard time learning almost everything an engineer learns. They only have to take a few more credits if they want to become structural engineers upon graduation.
But some degrees only cover the basics of it. The structural engineering part is very critical for a building. But that is not the only thing an architect has in mind when they design a building. An architect has to focus on everything at once. So, they are working with their instinct about gravity most of the time. But in special cases such as large openings and overhangs, they seek the help of an engineer.
Other modules in architecture
Sustainable architecture is a module suitable for these times. The goal of sustainable architecture is to minimize the negative impact of a building on the environment. An architect can make it efficient from the design. There are many aspects that modifications are possible for maximum efficiency. Native Landscaping is one of the top strategies for designing sustainable buildings.
Conclusion
Architecture is hard because of the heavy workload and long study times. But if you are passionate about it, there are many ways architecture will be an easy course. In the end, architecture is a valuable degree that gives skills for a range of careers.
I hope this helped you. See how hard other subjects are on our blog. Stay curious. Stay with us.
