Like what you do and how you do it, is fundamental to understanding architecture. It’s like how people use language — some of them really well, and others not so much. Just because someone doesn’t speak your language very well doesn’t mean they aren’t thinking about language or that they don’t have ideas.

It can be tricky to tell when an architect isn’t using their craft properly. They may know all the theory, but if you look at their work, you won’t see any sense of harmony, no feeling for proportion, and nothing that looks deliberate.

Architecture takes lots of different things – from materials, to space constraints, to personal styles – but none of this matters unless you are able to articulate why something feels right, in terms both theoretical and practical.

History of architecture

Like most arts, there are various routes to learn how to create architectural designs. Some people start with painting or sculpture as their main medium, then add other materials like glass, metal, or plastic to build upon their skills in depicting shapes and forms.

Architecture is different because it involves more than just using pure shape and form material, but also incorporating space into consideration. This way, your design does not only have emphasis on decoration, but also function.

History is an important part of learning about architecture, because it teaches you when and why certain styles were developed. For example, looking at old buildings can tell you what style they use, whether it be neoclassical, art deco, gothic, etc.

There are many ways to study history of architecture, such as by studying specific styles, geographical areas, or individuals.

Major architectural periods

During different time periods, architects developed styles that are recognizable as part of what it means to be called an architect. These styles help give shape to how people perceive architecture, and everything from the colors they use to the shapes themselves influence this perception.

There have been many major architectural periods in history, and most of us recognize at least one or two of them. Some of you may know the term “Neo-Classical” because your parents made you study it in high school. This is the style that looks very much like Ancient Greek and Roman buildings but with more modern features.

The French Neoclassic Style was heavily influenced by Rome and Greece, and so we get lots of columns and other decorative features. The Empire style used large rounded roofs and elaborate doorways which look similar to Roman structures.

If you ever see pictures of famous buildings, such as the Sydney Opera House or the Chrysler Building, then you have seen Neo-Classicism or Empire Style built into the structure. Or perhaps you have heard the name Chippendale before!

These three styles can all be considered variations on Classical themes, and some builders adapted these styles for various reasons (cost being the main reason for choosing Neo-classics over Empire).

But once popular styles come out of fashion, and so we lose touch with those classic elements. A lot of people forget about the importance of balance and proportion until these types of designs reappear in new works.

Famous architects

While not every architect is famous, there are still many well-known professionals that have made their mark in the design industry. Some make huge waves and influence other designers, while others remain relatively anonymous. Either way, most people know who some of the top professional architects are!

To identify an architect you can look into listings to find out what schools they attended, if they’ve won any awards or received recognitions for their work, and maybe even read something written by them. All of these things show up online somewhere so do your research.

If you’re really passionate about architecture then you could also try to meet with trained architects to see if they would be willing to talk to you about it. Many universities offer courses designed just for aspiring architects so check those out as well.

Architectural terms

As with any field, there are so many different ways to describe what an architect does that it can be hard to know which ones are correct!

Mostly people agree upon ‘architect’ being the right word for someone who designs or plans buildings, but some believe that only certain countries allow this to be called architecture.

In this case, they suggest using the term ‘planner’ instead.

Another option is ‘designer’, however these individuals usually limit this to product design (e.g. furniture) or graphic design (typography, logos).

Some argue that architects should not use the term ‘architect’ because it implies that their work has value beyond just inspiring awe at its beauty.

This argument typically breaks down when you consider that most of us spend our lives in an architectural setting – we live under roofs, we travel through cities designed by Architects, and everyday things like cars were influenced by well-designed spaces.

Design basics

The term design comes from the Latin word desginare, which means to shape or form something. Beyond just talking about shapes and forms, designing also implies creating concepts for what you want to be done with your project.

This includes deciding where it will go, how it will be used, and what functions it should have. All of these are considered components of the design!

When speaking about architectural designs, people usually refer to buildings as part of the design. But beyond that, there are many other ways to apply design principles in areas such as landscape architecture or urban planning.

Landscape architects create gardens and outdoor spaces by using nature as their inspiration and incorporating designed features like walkways and seating. They also use mathematical equations to determine how best to blend natural landscapes into the space.

Urban planners develop policies and guidelines for the growth and maintenance of cities to ensure resources are well distributed and accessible to everyone. Their goals can vary, but typically focus on improving the quality of life through access to amenities and transportation.

Drawing to scale

A lot of people begin talking about architecture with a drawing of a house or a skyscraper! While this is an interesting way to start, it isn’t very practical.

First off, houses and buildings don’t stand still. So trying to draw one as if it did would not be a good idea.

Also, even if a building was standing perfectly still, you wouldn’t want to make a sketch that size because there’s no room for error.

As we know, errors in drawings can have disastrous consequences. If something gets built wrong, you could end up with a crack in your wall or a collapse. (This has happened many times!)

Good architects design their projects using well-established rules they use to ensure everything works properly.

3D modeling

The next step in architectural design is to create three-dimensional (3D) models. These are representations or depictions of your building or area you want to be designed as shapes, forms, and colors.

There are many ways to do this. Some people take pictures of buildings they admire and then trace over those photographs with computer software to get exact replicas. Others make sketches and then draw these designs directly onto the computer program using proportions and shape templates.

Many students choose to use free or paid online drawing and designing programs that have pre-designed styles and features that can easily be modified and adapted. This helps them learn how to achieve their desired look while still having some control over what changes they make.

Some students find it helpful to physically build up their understanding of proportion and scale by doing simple drawings and studying them under a microscope or through digital magnification. By comparing their own versions to the original, they gain insight into why certain style choices were made.

Enjoying architecture

One of the most important things about enjoying architectural experiences is having an understanding of how to enjoy them!

This can be tricky at times because not everyone enjoys looking at buildings in the same way. Some people are more drawn to bold, striking shapes while others prefer elegant curves and lines.

There are many ways to appreciate architecture so do whatever you feel is best for you! If you want more detailed illustrations or pictures, look up some references and learn what makes those designs beautiful.

You may also like to consider reading literature about architecture which will give you different perspectives and ideas. Many famous writers have left their own mark by exploring different themes, styles, and concepts in architecture.

These could include stories such as The Tower of Babel or Paradise Lost where God creates humans and teaches them how to build using his power. Or maybe Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Vitruvian Man where he talks about proportion and symmetry in human forms.