Want to Study Architecture? Online Learning Could Be Your Answer!

Learning Station, In Depth

So, let’s start with this question. Are you interested in architecture, but you have already studied something else? Don’t think this ends it. We have heard before how great architects like Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, or Mies van der Rohe had paved their way in the field without getting a proper academic education.

It is true that times have changed, and you cannot practice architecture, now, without a license. It is also true that the basic way to obtain a license is to go through a 5-year Bachelor’s program, but it is not the only way. There are many other methods you could get licensed. There are plenty of places where you can study architecture programs online and get architecture courses. However, skipping the bachelor’s degree in architecture does not mean you will do just fine without learning all you were meant to learn in those 5 years. One easy and affordable way to seal the gap in your knowledge is online learning!

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If you want this whole “online learning” thing to work, then you need to be organized about it. First, you need to know what you would like to study in order to enhance your skills in practice. Are you more interested in the larger scale or the smaller scale or simply architectural design? Would you rather design cities or home interiors? You also need to know what topics are mostly covered in architecture school. Perhaps, there are interesting topics you are not aware of and would like to learn more about or, more importantly, essential topics that you absolutely need to know about.

Here is a long list of some of the topics that are probably covered in undergraduate architecture school. You may not necessarily need all of them, or not with the same importance at least.

Design basics and principles
Architectural drawing
Architectural design
History of Architecture
Visual Perception and Art
3D Modeling
CAD Software
Interior Design
Building Construction
Urban Design
Landscape Architecture
Housing
Urban Planning
Environmental Studies
Sustainable Design
Structure Systems
Mechanical Systems
Building Technology
Smart Design
Acoustics and Lighting

This is in addition to topics like technical writing and research, which could be beneficial if you are interested in obtaining further academic degrees or research work. Some knowledge in management and marketing could also be essential for practice, especially if you have ambitious plans to run one of your own.

Second, you need to see how you are going to cover these topics through online learning. You may have assumed that the lately trending Massive Online Open Courses (MOOC) are your only way to online learning, but that is not true. They are one valuable and important way but there are other ways.

Here Are Some Online Learning Suggestions:

1. E-books

Photograph: JHPhoto/Alamy

Books have never lost their value as a learning asset since ancient times when they used to be scrolls and manuscripts. Now, they have taken the new form of “e-books” which can be purchased online, or not. Some books, especially the older ones, are actually available for free, under what is known as a “Public Domain” authorization.
Here, on Arch2O, we have gathered sources for 500+ architecture e-books which you can check at the following links:

2. MOOC Courses

There is one way we have already talked about online learning. MOOC courses are offered by worldwide leading educational institutes, and they cover all sorts of subjects. They are mostly accessible via massive online course providers like Coursera and Edx. They do not merely provide academic content and lectures but also give assignments, arrange online class activities, and hold examinations. Students can audit MOOC courses for free or pay fees to receive a certificate.
Here are collections of free online courses which could be beneficial to your career:

3. Video Tutorials

Youtube is your key provider here. You can specifically search for whatever you need to learn for the moment on Youtube, and you will most likely find not just one but many video tutorials to choose from. This can be particularly handy when you are trying to self-learn drafting and design software like AutoCAD and 3Ds Max.

4. Governmental Resources

In order to be a full-fledged architect, you need to be well aware of your country’s building codes. You also need to be aware of the ethics and legislation that regulate the practice of architecture, so that you wouldn’t fall into the pit of breaking the law.

5. Project Libraries

It is one thing when you read about dynamic facades and shell structures, for example, and completely another thing when you see them as part of a project. Checking successful and non-successful architectural projects alike can be quite educational for you. It would give you an idea of how all of those things you’ve learned about from books, papers, or online courses actually work in real life.

Here at Arch2O, we have a selection of various architectural projects by leading architects from all over the globe. Be sure to check them!

6. OpenCourseWare

A number of worldwide renowned universities are now offering some of their course materials for free online learning. Some of these universities hold the world’s top-ranking architecture schools, like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). The downloadable course materials may include readings, lecture notes, projects, and assignments. However, these materials could be only available for the older versions of the courses. So, put that in mind while making your best out of them.
Here are links to the OpenCourseWare online centers for three of the world’s top educational institutes:

7. TED Talks and Public Lectures

TED2012: Full Spectrum. February 27 – March 2, 2012. Long Beach, CA. Photo: Ryan Lash/TED

If you are more into listening than reading, then online public lectures are your best bet. And for a different, and possibly more beneficial, learning experience you’d better check TED Talks. The media organization acts as a platform for entrepreneurs, innovators, and thinkers to spread their ideas and inspire others. All TED talks are accessible for free on TED’s website, and needless to say, you will find a good share of talks about architecture and design. Check our selection of TED Talks for architects in the following links:

8. Documentaries

Is listening not enough? Then, watch documentary movies on different architectural eras, architects, and trends. Again, Youtube is probably going to be your best friend. You can search for documentary movies on whatever topic you like, or type a general keyword, like “architecture documentaries”, and explore!
Here, check our suggested documentary movies for architects and architecture lovers:

8 Architecture Documentaries to Watch in 2018

9. Web Resources

Your sources for online learning needn’t be books, lectures, or movies. You could simply find what you need on web pages. Many websites could offer you the knowledge you need for free and in the easiest possible way. However, you need to make sure they are credible enough to use as references. Examples of credible web sources are those run by esteemed non-profitable organizations like the United Nations or leading corporations like Autodesk and Adobe.

10. Google Scholar

If you are interested in deeply researching a particular topic and need credible scientific references, then this is where you begin your research journey. Google Scholar will lead you to plenty of scientific articles and publications on whatever topic you are researching. However, not all of the search results are accessible for free. Accordingly, you might need to purchase the publications you need or subscribe to an academic database to access them for free.

11. Pinterest

Yes! You can learn a lot via Pinterest. The image-based social network could be your source of inspiration. Create your own design, architecture, interior, and landscape Pinterest boards. Then, whenever you start working on a project, check your boards to gain ideas. Beware though; you could get distracted by all the eye-popping illustrations and images, then end up wasting an hour or two before getting to your boards.

12. Internet Archives

That is one place full of hidden gems of all kinds: video, audio, books, web pages, TV records, and more. You could dig in there and find loads of resources about all sorts of architecture and non-architecture-related topics. Check out how to set up an account here.
Finally, we would recommend you check Arch2O’s category: Learning Station regularly for more learning resources, materials, and tips. Good luck with your online learning!