Learning Architecture by Myself?

[Kairin Touzen]

I have no idea of how possible it is to learn architecture by myself, but I just want to try. I don't really know everything that's being studied in architecture, but all I know is that it focuses on design, construction and planning. Well, I want to learn those things. However, I'm a college student now, and is currently taking up Computer Science, and I don't want to shift to Architecture since.. the tuition for it is really expensive XDDD

But I'm kinda willing to learn the basics and some advanced stuff on it, but I don't know where to start. Some may recommend reading books and stuff, but are there any free tutorials on basic architecture which can be found online?? And can I have tips from you guys? Thanks a bunch. XDDD

[JoKeRcologne]

I don't have any good tutorial... but what was pretty useful for me to get a feeling for buildings is to search on Google pictures of them in 3d.
"city landscapes 3d" or "buildings 3d" ...or simple "buildings" for more real one.
I think those pictures are very inspiring.

[Selidor]

I'm currently working in architecture without a formal qualification in the subject, so I guess I can offer a little insight (although I have no intention of pursuing a long-term career in the industry).

Actually, very few of the staff where I work are chartered RIBA architects (that's the UK professional organisation) with degrees in architecture. Most of them have other formal qualifications in construction, though. There's only one member of staff who doesn't even have a degree at all and is mostly self-taught, but to be honest I have no idea how he managed to get to that point (he's one of those people who seem to know everything). Depending on the economic climate in your country (and construction is usually one of the first industries to suffer in a poor economy) it may be difficult to get a foothold in the industry without the appropriate degree.

I work in the most junior position, doing everything from admin work to attending meetings to making alterations to drawings and even small bits of design work. I've picked up a lot of stuff about design, and some about the construction and planning side of things, though while I know more than enough to help me with background work in comics and illustrations, I'm far from being considered an architect. I could in theory work my way slowly up and supplement what I learn from work with more in-depth knowledge and eventually be in the same position as my colleagues.

I'd recommend trying out some architectural software, since the vast majority of drawing work is done digitally now. AutoCAD is the industry standard, and there's also ArchiCAD and probably some others as well. My workplace uses ArchiCAD, and I taught myself how to use it with online tutorials and trial-and-error in order to get my job (it's specialist stuff so it has a lot of annoying quirks, but being able to see it modelled in 3D as you're drawing 2D plans is really helpful for understanding how things work).

[JoKeRcologne]

@ Kairin Touzen
Oh ...sorry I thought you want to use this tutorials for a comic project.
Ok my fault ...never mind.

[Kairin Touzen]

I'm currently working in architecture without a formal qualification in the subject, so I guess I can offer a little insight (although I have no intention of pursuing a long-term career in the industry).

Actually, very few of the staff where I work are chartered RIBA architects (that's the UK professional organisation) with degrees in architecture. Most of them have other formal qualifications in construction, though. There's only one member of staff who doesn't even have a degree at all and is mostly self-taught, but to be honest I have no idea how he managed to get to that point (he's one of those people who seem to know everything). Depending on the economic climate in your country (and construction is usually one of the first industries to suffer in a poor economy) it may be difficult to get a foothold in the industry without the appropriate degree.

I work in the most junior position, doing everything from admin work to attending meetings to making alterations to drawings and even small bits of design work. I've picked up a lot of stuff about design, and some about the construction and planning side of things, though while I know more than enough to help me with background work in comics and illustrations, I'm far from being considered an architect. I could in theory work my way slowly up and supplement what I learn from work with more in-depth knowledge and eventually be in the same position as my colleagues.

I'd recommend trying out some architectural software, since the vast majority of drawing work is done digitally now. AutoCAD is the industry standard, and there's also ArchiCAD and probably some others as well. My workplace uses ArchiCAD, and I taught myself how to use it with online tutorials and trial-and-error in order to get my job (it's specialist stuff so it has a lot of annoying quirks, but being able to see it modelled in 3D as you're drawing 2D plans is really helpful for understanding how things work).

Thanks much for the tip. I guess I really do have to use the architectural softwares as I have thought. XDDD

@ Kairin Touzen
Oh ...sorry I thought you want to use this tutorials for a comic project.
Ok my fault ...never mind.

No, it's okay. XDDD To be honest, it's going to be used for a comic project. But besides that, I really want to learn architecture.

[adrilahan]

CAD is pretty simple to learn. If you don't want to transfer to architecture at school, look into transferring to a related field. Most of the engineering/drafting classes in my schooling had me playing with AutoCAD at some point or another.

I will say that in some ways, I think you'll be better off studying more generally in engineering at first. It's amazing how many architects do not understand the properties of the materials they want to use. Those architects are then amazed when they're told by an actual engineer "You can't do that. It'll break. You need more x here to do that, or y won't work here." Material properties are something you'd do well to learn if you want to be a real architect. What's the point of designing something that it is truly not possible to build? There's a reason all stone churches from the medieval period have a similar appearance: it's the only way to build something with that shape and size of interior given the materials you're using. The same thing with stone pyramids, for that matter. The materials dictated the form because of the way you have to work with them. That's why steel structure made such a huge difference in architecture, you were no longer confined to the physical properties of brick, stone, or wood, which means you open up new possibilities (but limited by what steel can do). It's hard to tell an artsy-fartsy architect these things, they like drawing impossible things, because they just don't know any better.

I also recommend general art too. Good architecture is form and function. Whether function follows form or form follows function is up to you, but it will radically change the feel of a building. In either case, you need to study function and form in order to understand how to combine both in a pleasing and functional way.

The great thing is, having done all of that, you'll be prepared for more than just architecture. Learning general engineering and art is a good place to begin for all the engineering fields. You open up a lot of doors that way. You might end up learning aircraft design, car design, or even electronic device design, or indeed, architecture.

[Blaeringr]

Google Sketchup is an awesome, and free program with a HUGE database of simple 3d models made by users. Awesome drawing reference. You can look at the structure from any angle, even inside.