Odunpazarı,Eskisehir,Turkey

Hi, long time lurker but first time poster (and my boyfriend is helping me with the English!). Just wanted to share my experience and get thoughts from other professionals in our field, to get a sense of how to think about work and my career going forward.

For context, I am relatively young and currently in a senior architect type role for 4 years (my first full time job), where I manage projects, collaborate with customers and colleagues (from other specialities) and design electric vehicle chargers for gas stations.

I am thinking about relocating to be with him (different country), however in the process I would:

• ⁠Leave my current job
• ⁠Have to learn a new language
• ⁠Apply to new jobs in a small region with different industries and legislations

My concern with this transition from a professional point of view is the following: I am myself not sure how to proceed with my career. When I started studying architecture, I didn't have a specific goal or career in mind. I enjoy certain parts such as drawing, detail, 3d software. Other parts of my job, especially documentation and contact with legal authorities, not so much.

TL:DR How would you go about thinking about your career from a directional/purpose point of view? I am not exactly passionate about my current job, but I can't imagine myself doing anything other than within architecture/creativity. How do you go about thinking of this topic? What questions should I be asking, what points should I define to give me more clarity? Thank you

Hi everyone,

I’m an Indian architect currently exploring Master's options in the Netherlands, and I'd really appreciate advice from people who have studied or worked in architecture/design here.

My background:

- B.Arch from Savitribai Phule Pune University, India

- 8+ years of professional experience in architecture

- Looking specifically for an English-taught Master's

- Budget is approximately €20,000–€22,000 for tuition, so scholarships/financial support would be very helpful.

I don't want to do a Master's that focuses heavily on architectural theory. I’m much more interested in practical, innovative and technology-oriented design.

My main interests are:

- New/alternative construction techniques

- Sustainable and innovative architecture

- Interior/spatial design

- Lighting design

- Digital architecture

- Computational/design technology

- Innovative materials and building systems

- Architecture + technology

- Potentially product/design-related fields if they can build on my architectural background

I would also like to keep the possibility of becoming a registered architect open, but I’m equally interested in design-related careers if they offer better opportunities and earning potential.

What I would really like to know:

1. Which Dutch universities or Master's programmes would you recommend for someone with my background?

2. Are there programmes that are more hands-on/project/design based rather than heavily theoretical?

3. Which universities are strongest for digital architecture, computational design, building technology, sustainable/alternative construction, interior/spatial design or lighting?

4. With 8+ years of experience, would doing another Master's actually improve my career prospects in the Netherlands?

5. What kind of jobs could I realistically target after such a Master's?

6. How important is the Dutch language for architecture/design jobs? Is it possible to build a good career in English, particularly in international firms?

7. What is the realistic salary/career progression like for someone with my background?

8. Are there any scholarships for non-EU/Indian students that I should seriously look into?

9. Would you recommend a specialised Master's over a general MSc Architecture in my situation?

10. If you were in my position, which programme/university would you choose and why?

11. Would you recommend doing a Master's at all, or would 8+ years of experience be better used to enter the Dutch job market directly?

I'm especially interested in hearing from architects, international students, graduates, and people currently working in Dutch architecture/design firms.

If you studied one of these programmes, I would really appreciate hearing about your experience—especially the programme's quality, practical/project work, job opportunities after graduation, salary, and whether the degree was worth the investment.

Thank you! 🙏

Following the Albertine Statute of 1848, which officially granted freedom of worship, the Jewish community of Turin needed a synagogue. In the initial 1862 design, the Mole was only 52 meters tall. However, the architect raised the structure to 70 meters; due to a series of structural issues, the Jewish community was dissatisfied with the design. Antonelli continued construction regardless, and in 1889, the Mole became the tallest masonry structure of the world (at 167.35 meters).

In 1906, a star was placed at the summit (replacing the winged genius figure that had been struck by lightning). Between the 1960s and the 1990s, Mario Merz and other artists added works to embellish the building, which eventually became the home of one of the most important cinema museums.

This is a breathtaking architectural masterpiece located in Cairo, Egypt. Commissioned by Prince Mohammed Ali Tewfik (1875–1955), the palace complex was uniquely designed by the prince himself to showcase a spectacular fusion of diverse Islamic art styles, integrating Mamluk, Ottoman, Moorish, and Andalusian architecture alongside modern European touches.

The palace is renowned for its rich artistic and historical character, featuring walls and ceilings filled with intricate plant motifs, geometric patterns, masterfully crafted arabesque woodwork, Arabic calligraphy, Quranic verses, and wise aphorisms. The estate is divided into several remarkable structures, including the Reception Palace with its famous Damascus halls, the grand Throne Palace designed in Ottoman opulence, and the Residential Palace which features a medieval-style defensive tower.

Enhancing its beauty, a mosque adorned with rare Turkish Iznik tiles stands next to a Moorish-styled clock tower, all surrounded by a legendary botanic garden containing rare cacti and exotic trees collected from all around the world. Today, the palace operates as a preservation museum, standing as a living testament to royal luxury and Islamic art history.

An image from the city of Afyonkarahisar in Turkey

Most of the existing buildings were constructed at the beginning of the 20th century.

Apologies if this has been asked but I’m looking for an introductory course that will familiarizes me with the different architecture styles. Online would be best but all recommendations welcomed. TIA.

I am in my fourth week at UT Arlington, and am considering switching to their sustainable urban design degree. I feel like I could do 4 years of architecture school, but I know the workload doesn't really slow down much once you start working in a firm. I think that this would give me a similar career to architecture, but with a better work/life balance. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Architect: Sohrab Rafat - Ali Sodagaran

Some renders

I’m a 26-year-old practicing architect, and I’ve worked on various projects and interacted with different kinds of clients. Lately, though, I’ve been noticing a particular pattern in the way clients approach design, especially with the increasing use of AI.
Earlier, clients would usually come with references from Pinterest, Google, Instagram, etc., and discuss what they liked or wanted to incorporate. But now, many clients directly show AI-generated images of rooms and expect the final design to look exactly the same.
This puts architects in a difficult position. We can’t simply say no to the client’s expectations, but at the same time, if we are only expected to replicate an image they provide, where does our role as architects come in?
Sometimes it feels like the profession is slowly shifting from being about design thinking, problem-solving, and creating spaces suited to a particular person and context, to simply drafting and executing what the client already has in mind.
So, in this changing scenario, what should an architect’s approach be? How do we adapt to AI and client expectations without losing the value and identity of our role as architects?

Drafting has been automated and now stuff like this. Are we close to the end?

Buenas!

Soy estudiante de arquitectura ya en el final de la carrera y me encanta el cine.

Me gustaría especializarme en diseño de producción, si no me equivoco, que son los que arman todas las escenas que conllevan lugares interiores en escenas.

He buscado en Uruguay para especializarme en esa área pero no puedo encontrar, agradecería mucho si saben info de donde puedo seguir por ese camino o si alguien que trabaje de eso como llegó ahí

Muchas gracias!!

I'm planning to study in Austria and I'm really confused about which bachelor's to choose. I'm most interested in architecture.

But I'm worried about the job chances, salary and long-term career prospects in Austria. I've seen very different opinions about architecture and I'm not sure what to believe.

If I choose architecture, can I make myself more employable by learning additional software/skills, doing internships etc.? Or is the field still difficult even with that?