As we have seen, architects are trained in how to use certain tools to create spaces for people to live, work, and play. They also study mathematics, science, and philosophy as they apply their craft. But what many don’t know is that architecture is a form of applied science!

That means that like physics or biology, if you want to be an architect you will need to understand basic principles of math, chemistry, and engineering. What makes this different from studying those fields directly though is that it focuses more on applications than knowing the theory behind them.

For example, when most people think about engineering they probably imagine things such as cars or trains. But actually, engineers can design just about anything so long as they have the correct formulas and numbers at their disposal.

This includes buildings and structures! While not every architectural project requires elaborate mathematical calculations, being able to identify appropriate shapes and proportions for your space and applying fundamental concepts of strength and balance to determine whether something is stable or not is crucial.

Similarly, understanding chemical processes and formulas helps us build durable materials that last. And while an architect isn’t necessarily tasked with designing molecules, some projects require you to know enough about chemicals to make sure what you're using is safe and won’t hurt anyone else who comes into contact with it!

This article will go over some examples of how practicing architecture is a bit like doing scientific research because it teaches you similar fundamentals.

History of architecture

Like any other field, studying architecture requires more than just learning what the school teaches you in classes. You must also research how architects themselves built their buildings and studied past styles to learn about good architectural practice.

Architecture is an artistic discipline that draws from many different areas – mathematics, physics, engineering, psychology, and fine arts among them.

However, it is not enough to know only those fields as separate pieces of the puzzle. An architect must be able to visualize how all these parts come together into one unified whole.

That way, you get the full picture of how to design beautiful structures. The historian in you will enjoy exploring the history of building types and styles, too.

History is a rich source of knowledge for anyone who loves art or wants to make their own. It’s like reading a novel without knowing how the characters talk or why they do things!

In this article, we will discuss some important concepts related to the study of historical architectures.

Architectural design

When we talk about architecture, what we mean is designing or building structures and spaces for use. Structures can be buildings or rooms in a house, parks or green areas, playgrounds, public squares, etc. Spaces are not limited to empty boxes but could be defined as certain areas with decorations or features attached (like a swimming pool).

Architecture is more than just creating pretty shapes and colors — it’s exploring ways to organize space efficiently so that it functions well for its purpose. This may sound complicated, but there are many methods and tools used to do this.

These tools include mathematics, physics, psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, geography, and others. Some of these apply at a larger scale while others focus more closely on how people interact with each other and the environment around them.

All of these disciplines play an important role in the field of architectural design. In fact, some architects combine several into one project.

Architectural engineering

Like any other profession, there are programs that offer professional degrees in architecture. These degree programs typically focus on either architectural design or building construction. Beyond those two areas, however as an architect (or anyone else with a professional degree in architecture), you will likely be called upon to do something more creative than just build houses and bridges!

In fact, many architects have reinterpreted what it means to be an architect. Some redefine what it means to be an architect by including things like community engagement, urban planning, or even artistic expression as part of their practice.

These non-architecture practices are often referred to as “practice-based” or "non-conventional" practicing architects. Because the term "architect" is such a broad one, professionals usually add additional titles or descriptions to identify who they are working for. An experienced designer may not know what expertise another person has, so he or she must refer to them as an architect with no mention of what field they specialize in.

This article will talk about how to become a practiced artist/designer/engineer/builder through the art of persuasion, storytelling, and psychology. It will discuss some types of practitioners and why their work is effective. And, of course, we will talk about some cool examples.

Organization of an architecture firm

Like any other profession, there are different levels of architects – from those that only have their license to work directly with clients, to more advanced professionals who can design buildings or landscapes or both.

The most fundamental level of architect is actually the individual. An architect is someone with formal education in the field, but they are not working members until they are licensed by one state or another. This varies per country and region.

After licensure, an architectural career typically consists of two stages: practicing as an architect and then either serving as part of a team (as a designer) or running your own business (as a principal).

Practicing as an architect means going through additional training beyond just being admitted into the profession. This could be doing some specialties within designing (for example, landscape design), taking certification exams, or developing professional skills and habits.

Team membership comes next, where you get assigned projects or assignments from employers or customers. The responsibilities here vary depending on what level of architect you are.

As a principle, having your own business means getting paid for your services. These can range anywhere form hourly wages to salaried positions dependent on how much business you bring in.

Architectural technology

Technology used in architecture is sometimes referred to as architectural technology, engineering technology or design technology. These are all terms for how to apply concepts of science to designing buildings and landscapes. Technologies such as computer-aided drafting (CAD) and computer-assisted design (CAM) use algorithms and software programs to produce designs.

Architects have been using computers since the 1970s. Since then, technological advances have allowed architects to do more with their tools. Computer applications now not only aid in creating designs, but they also help manage projects, communicate ideas, and find solutions to complex problems.

These technologies can be found anywhere from conceptualization through construction. Some examples include Auto CAD, CAM systems, BIM, 3D printing, VR/AR apps, and mobile devices designed specifically for architecture. All of these play an integral part in shaping future visions of our built environment.

Increasingly, engineers and architects utilize digital tools for production, research, and communication. This article will discuss some ways that you can incorporate architectural technologies into your practice.

Different types of architecture

While some may consider art to be a form of science, for most people that view is limited to looking at painted or sculpted representations of things.

Architecture isn’t just about creating beautiful shapes, it's more than that. In fact, there are several different academic disciplines within the field of architectural design.

These include such specialties as urban planning, interior decoration, furniture design, landscape design and graphic design.

All these areas have similarities in how they use mathematics and physics to come up with their concepts. This means that what kind of architect you want to become depends on which parts of the discipline appeal to you the most.

Popular styles of architecture

What is architectural style, then? Architectural style refers to how things look or feel in a given area. Buildings that use similar shapes, colors, materials, and decorations are considered examples of the same stylistic theme.

Ships, for example, use rounded corners and vertical lines very frequently. This was done because ships were protected by having thick walls made out of heavy metals like iron and steel. They also used tall towers as antennas to receive radio signals and radiate power.

Modern skyscrapers have become popular due to their impressive looks. Tall buildings with lots of windows make for beautiful views and natural light. These types of structures fit into the architectural genre called Neoclassical.

Neo-classicism influenced other styles such as Art Deco and perhaps even more clearly Classical Antiquity! Many people think of Ancient Greece when they hear the term “Classical”.

Art Deco incorporated some features from ancient Greek designs, and there are many similarities between Modern and Brutalist architecture (see below). So, you can consider Neo-Classical to be one of the most influential styles of all time.

Design principles of architecture

Even though there is no such thing as science in architecture, we can learn some important design concepts from studying how scientists organize their work spaces.

In fact, many architects use scientific methods to approach building projects. These include using cause-and-effect theories to explain why certain features are needed or wanted in a space, applying mathematical formulas to determine ideal room sizes, and organizing materials by how well they retain heat or cold.

Architects also apply systematic thinking to develop designs. They will start with an idea or concept for the space and then search for ways to make it better by incorporating different styles or types of buildings.

This process is called evolution, and it applies not only to buildings but to other things like recipes. If someone has a good recipe that works, you should try making it and seeing what changes you can make to make your version more like the original.