Building a Solid Foundation: Essential Tips for Fresh Architecture Students

Your University should have lightboxes, but you can purchase your own portable one which is handy. I bought mine from Hobbycraft I believe, but I think it's currently a lot cheaper on Amazon. I would get the biggest you can afford - A3 hopefully. 

But only the books you want. There are exceptions here, do buy the Architect's Pocket Book. Otherwise, buy the books you will actually use and read. Tutors will suggest books all the time, and if you're unfortunate and stuck with a particularly egotistical one, they will recommend their own books. These are only any good if you intend to use them. If you have your own intentions with your architecture, buy books that relate to that. For example, if you are interested in green architecture then buy those books for you to use in your work or if you particularly like using arches in your designs then find books all about arches - how to use them, how to draw them, materials used for a great arch. When given a reading list, these books should all be in the University library. Books are expensive, and often tutors recommend books that were printed decades ago and out of print - so now cost £100s which is extremely unreasonable for most students to hunt down and purchase. Use the library for required reading and only buy the book if you think it'll be worth it throughout and beyond your studies. You can photocopy and take pictures of pages in particular, saving time and money on the physical book. Just ensure to file these away so you can find them later!

The world of architecture is becoming increasingly digital. While drawing by hand can be beneficial, it isn't for everyone - it certainly wasn't for me. Learning AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino3D, etc. will be excellent knowledge when looking for placements and jobs. There are YouTube tutorials, hopefully your University give you access to IT lessons and online courses through Lynda. If not, you can get classes through these various programmes - like AutoDesk, and complete various certificates if you like but these come at a cost. 

Additionally, using Photoshop, InDesign, and Lightroom from Adobe (or programmes similar) are useful for getting your work looking amazing and designing a great portfolio. There are many templates and resources online for how to use these. 

If your University does not give you an AutoDesk license for free, I would find a University that does. You will not get anywhere without knowing CAD programmes. My Universities IT suite was a nightmare, it was one small room with about 15 PCs shared between three different courses. It wasn't enough to support the students. Make sure you have suitable access to these programmes. My University did give free licenses for AutoDesk and I was fortunate to be able to afford a PC at home.

When it comes to making models, materials can be expensive. Unless your University is kind enough to have a suitable workshop with access to free materials... mine was not. B&Q is your friend. In every store, there is a bin by the doors that have waste material in that is free. Free materials - like wood, tiles, etc. You can find some useful stuff in there to help build models. I'm not sure if there are similar stores out there that do this too.

In the same sentiment, if there are houses with skips out the front of their house do not be afraid to have a peak and ask very nicely if you can take things out of the skip. I worked in retail for a bit while I was a student, and we would get deliveries in cardboard boxes - I would take these home for model making. Truly take on board the phrase: 'Another mans trash, is another mans treasure'.

Go outside. Go visit places. Don't sit at home sketching. Don't stay in the studio 24/7. Get yourself a National Trust student pass or look up free places to enter. Find buildings that are interesting, and visit them. There is a whole world out there, and while COVID hindered this aspect for me, hopefully there's not much stopping you (perhaps other than money...) to go out there and explore. Your tutors will suggest various architects and buildings, but there is more than what they recommend or like. Take photos of things you find interesting, even if you can't apply it to something you're currently doing, you might want it for something later on and you'll probably want to reference it. 

Not only will this help you educationally, but it will help you socially. Architecture students are renowned for not having any/very little social life. Take some friends with you, organise a class trip. Get out there. I firmly believe the best experience is first-hand experience. There's only so much you can absorb from a lecture and even though tutors are there partially to share their opinions and experiences, it's not always helpful, accurate, or the same as what you believe. You don't even have to go in the day time, go out at night and find churches in the dark or an old-fashioned pub with interesting brick-work, or something. Just be safe and don't break in places.

Let me know if these tips are helpful or if you have any questions, please let me know! Share your own tips below.

~ Sovay ✧