8 things you should know before joining architecture school| Ar. Mohsin Sheikh


We are widening our spectrum in terms of architecture, if you have any specific recommendations do let us know in the comment section. Each week will be different, as mentioned before we’ll be focusing on different areas IN & AROUND ARCHITECTURE. Many of you will be graduating from high school and will start your degree in a college career. Not sure if architecture is for you, let me help you make a decision. Here are some tips, I haven’t covered all of them but these doubts are common which if I had known, life would have been much easier.

#1. Is sketching important???

Although having a good hand in sketching might help but even if you don’t know how to sketch, that’s OK. A basic understanding of scale and proportion is needed. And if you have good visualization skills, you’ll be fine. Sharpening the skill is always important so keep on sketching and as time goes your skill will improve.
(PS: If you are one who is preparing for architecture tag us on INSTAGRAM @armohsinsheikh)

#2. I am not sure if I should take Architecture/ Engineering???

Architecture and engineering go hand in hand and are also connected to each other. But for your basic understanding of architecture is more on the CREATIVE side of the process and Engineering is more of a technical side of the spectrum. Now on the basis of your potential/ caliber you can make a decision, on which field to choose. Just to give you a better understanding Architects design Spaces, and the load calculations, are done by the Engineers.

#3. Math’s & Architecture.

If you are someone who’s scared of numbers and calculations, then I think Architecture is just not your thing. Though if you are like someone who can manage the education part, you can choose an alternative career in Architecture where you’ll be less involved with the calculations. It’s always helpful if you are good with numbers.

#4. It’s unlikely you will be Rich.

Real Estate as an industry is a place where a lot of money gets involved with too many architects, engineers, developers, and many more. Now for your basic understanding if a building is being made it takes millions of dollars to make just One building. Architects take a small percentage as a fee. Now, this is possible only If you have a good network of connections. If you are working for some company, you’ll be paid a certain salary which might not sound interesting. The whole problem here is getting projects as a freelancer, somebody to trust a newcomer (or even if you are experienced) so a client to trust you and assign you a project is huge responsibility where risk is involved in which both the parties need to support each other.

#5. Get ready for all-nighters, Hard work is the only option.

Architecture is a multi-disciplinary course. I say this because there are many skills, you’ll require to complete your design process. From the basics of design to technical drawings to the history of architecture to Architecture design Studios. Now as you see a typical course would ask you to learn something and then write exams, but the architecture you need to make drawings, presentations, exams and many more. As per the Guinness World record, ‘Architecture’ is known as the Toughest Course.

#6. Be Jack of all Cards.

Architecture is not just about drawings, design, philosophy, and buildings. If you’re an architect there might come a project where you have to design a house for an artist, musician, or anyone for that instance. You need to know how they react with spaces, what are their daily activities, and what aura they need in the home. This point will be of use once you become an architect and start designing, but these habits need to cultivate at the basic level where you start architecture. So, read books, interact with people, get involved in different art forms, you don’t know which activity will help you where.

#7. Design is never RIGHT OR WRONG!!!

Every course has a specific outline and precise Answers. But not architecture, when it comes to design it is Subjective. Design can never be right or wrong. So, if you are a person who likes to do things your own way, you have the freedom in Architecture. You can explore as many things and still be correct. Also, the design has no curriculum that you have to learn a particular section then only you can design.

#8. It is an EXPENSIVE course.

Not all of us are rich. The basic yearly college fees as of 2020 are 1.5lakh rupees in INDIA. This is just the beginning, daily sheets, accessories for drawing, model making material, and many different kinds of stuff. This is something nobody would talk about, and when you enter architecture college most of the people are capable of handling that load of Finance. But for a middle-class family in INDIA where you have 2 siblings, it can be a hole in the pocket for your parents.


Architecture is a lovely course, and by all these points I don’t want to put the course in dark but these are the facts one should know before getting into Architecture. Also, this blog wouldn’t be possible without Madhura, Ahmed, Priya, Wasim. Thanks a lot for the valuable inputs.

After spending a decade in Architecture, I realize that these are my thoughts and Understanding as a Student, Entrepreneur, intern, employee. These all points are Important but if you are passionate about Architecture than you can go beyond the odds and work things out.


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