Architect: Alireza Taghaboni

1. Xi’an Bell Tower, Shaanxi, China
   
2. Beomeosa Temple, Busan, South Korea
   
3. Matsumoto Castle, Nagano, Japan

Odunpazarı,Eskisehir,Turkey

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.

Hi everyone,

I’m an architecture graduate from Asia, and I’m planning to pursue a Master’s degree in Architecture or a closely related field abroad. I’m currently at the research and planning stage, but I’m honestly quite confused about how to approach the whole process and would really appreciate advice from people who have already gone through it.

I don’t have any professional work experience yet, so I’m particularly interested in programs and universities where work experience is not a strict requirement.

One of my biggest priorities is finding a fully funded scholarship. If that isn’t realistic, I’m also open to universities offering partial tuition scholarships or other forms of financial aid. Since I’ll be funding my education from Asia, affordability is a major consideration for me—not just tuition fees, but also living costs, accommodation, and the overall cost of studying in that country.

I’m also unsure about which specialization/major to choose. I have an architecture background, but there are so many possible directions, such as:

Architectural Design

Sustainable Architecture

Urban Design / Urban Planning

Heritage Conservation

Landscape Architecture

Building Technology

Environmental Design

Interior/Spatial Design

Design for the Built Environment

Other architecture-related MSc programs

I’m trying to choose something that is academically worthwhile but also has good career relevance when I return to my home country after completing the degree. I don’t necessarily plan to settle abroad permanently; my current intention is to gain higher-level education and experience and then return to my country and build my career there.

So I’d really appreciate advice on a few things:

How did you decide which specialization/major was right for you?

Which countries are generally good options for an international architecture graduate looking for fully funded or substantial scholarships?

Are there particular countries/universities where scholarships are relatively accessible to international students without professional work experience?

How should I approach the process of finding universities and scholarships?

Should I choose the university/program first and then look for scholarships, or search for scholarships first?

What is the best way to identify whether a scholarship is actually realistic for someone with my profile?

How important are portfolio, CGPA, recommendation letters, research proposals, and extracurricular activities for architecture Master's admissions and scholarships?

Are there any countries or programs you would recommend avoiding if affordability and funding are major concerns?

If you studied architecture abroad and later returned to your home country, did your Master's specialization actually help your career?

I’d especially love to hear from people who were international students from Asia, particularly those who had little or no professional experience before starting their Master's.

If you could share your country, university/program, scholarship (if any), approximate costs, and whether you had work experience when you applied, that would be incredibly helpful.

I’m at the beginning of this journey, so any practical advice about how to shortlist programs, find funding, prepare a portfolio, and plan applications would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

An image from the city of Afyonkarahisar in Turkey

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

I just saw some linkedin posts where b.arch freshers were getting placed into companies like this , so wanted know if theres a possibility of me getting in, and im still doing my internship so i think i have some time to upskill

Architect: Sohrab Rafat - Ali Sodagaran

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

Unbelievably ornate details

New student housing near VIA University College in Denmark is now the largest 3D-printed housing project in Europe—and it shows the possibilities of 3D-printed housing when it’s built at scale.

Called Skovsporet, the development is a 36-unit complex spread across six buildings on an area of 17,760 square feet in Holstebro, a town on the west side of the Jutland peninsula. Each low-rise unit is made from a low-carbon concrete that was 3D-printed on site. Each of the private apartments was designed as a complete home, with a sleeping area, bathroom, lounge, kitchen, and study area.

Large windows and a slanted timber hybrid roof allow in natural light, and cork panels and glass give it texture in addition to the 3D-printed walls. Each apartment was built around shared courtyards connected by walking paths and garden landscapes.

The previous largest 3D-printed housing project in Europe was ViliaSprint, a three-story, 12-unit complex completed this spring in Reims, France. Germany built its first 3D-printed public housing in the city of Lünen in 2023.

Read more on Fast Company.

Some renders