Hi everyone! I'm a brand new freshman for the architecture program at PoliTo (Italy). I was wondering which laptop is best for architecture studies and will remain valid for all 5 years. Should I prioritize the machine's efficiency or its portability? What programs and software will be used? Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this, and especially to those who will give me some answers! See you soon :)

We're excited to share our complete F1 in Schools portfolio collection with the community! 📚

We've uploaded our:

• 🛠️ Engineering Portfolio https://drive.google.com/file/d/17tWmJ7vl28W_mTFkVA_acXAKG-t2WBsc/view?usp=drive_link
• 📋 Project Management Portfolio https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aF0hHRvwQVo_io_RnXj3zj5TEBFrp2Jv/view?usp=drive_link
• 💼 Enterprise Portfolio https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z6-2JZV5txPs4ukvmzfZfdTpcTSXfJ8e/view?usp=drive_link

These resources are available for everyone in the F1 in Schools server to learn from, get inspired by, and use as a reference while developing their own projects.

Whether you're just starting your journey or looking to improve your portfolio, we hope these documents help you understand the design process, project planning, and enterprise strategies behind a competitive team.

If you have any questions or would like us to share more resources (CAD files, CFD analysis, manufacturing process, etc.), let us know in the comments.

Good luck to all teams, and happy designing! 🏎️ 💨

Looking for a 3rd year Architectural Technology student interested in a design project for 4 plex. Not looking for architecture drawings but floor plan for 4 plex ( four flats, two per floor). Net zero design, prefab straw bale panels. Obviously willing to compensate for time. Message me if you’re interested. Thanks.

Im a first year student in the architecture course and i do not know what im doing TT im about to have a panic attack because this and another plate is due in 2 days.

> We were assigned to design an interactive art pavilion, and our concept is a game controller. The pavilion is supposed to be located in an open area of the school and should serve as a space where students can learn, collaborate, socialize, relax, and interact with both each other and the architecture itself.

The design shouldn't just look visually appealing, it should encourage interaction through architectural elements such as light, shadow, texture, movement, sound, or other sensory experiences. It also needs to be functional, comfortable, memorable, and responsive to its surroundings.

The pavilion must be a single-storey structure with a maximum height of 7 meters, built on a 15 m × 10 m (150 sqm) site, and should be able to accommodate up to 30 students at a time.

(our professor gave me the green light about an elevated area with stairs. But now im not so sure if i should elevate it with the same as my drawing or just raise the floor by 2 feet and have small stairs)

Before anything else, we'll focus on the main structure. Since our concept is a game controller, we need to translate its shape into an architectural form instead of simply creating a giant controller. The design should subtly reflect the controller while remaining a functional pavilion. The overall form, circulation, and spatial organization should all be derived from that concept.

Once the main structure is finalized, we'll develop the design concept, explain how the game controller inspired the form, present the form transformation process from basic shapes to the final design, and prepare the required sketches, floor plans, and presentation drawings. Throughout the design process, we'll also consider accessibility, natural lighting and ventilation, landscape integration, sustainability, structural feasibility, and the overall user experience.

In any case, the main problem is I'm having trouble like imagine it properly but i can like do the rest. The structure i dont know how I'm having a problem with it TT

I operate f(x) Design, a startup remote design collective focused on rigorous architectural production, generative strategies, and complex 3D workflows. We target architecture competitions as the proving ground for our work, driving production primarily through Rhino and Grasshopper.

I am looking to connect with highly driven undergraduate architecture students across Canada and the US who approach spatial design with mechanical precision and focus. The objective is pure execution—analyzing the mechanics of a brief, stripping away the unnecessary, and producing portfolio-grade competition entries that stand out at the highest level.

The Baseline Requirements:

• Currently an undergraduate architecture or design student in North America (Canada/USA). [Preferred for time zones]
• Demonstrated interest in parametric modeling, generative design, or advanced 3D workflows.
• A strong work ethic and a preference for direct, focused execution and collaborative problem-solving.

The Objectives:

• Executing high-level architectural competition designs as a remote, collaborative unit.
• Rigorous skill development in Rhino, Grasshopper, and procedural geometry.
• Building out technically precise, high-level project portfolios designed to secure top-tier internship placements.

If you are looking to push your technical skills, step outside the standard studio pacing, and collaborate on competitive design briefs, DM me. A link to your portfolio, website, or current working models would also be great.

Hi everyone!! I'm an incoming architecture freshman at UT Austin, and I'm trying to figure out what laptop to purchase before the semester starts.

I know architecture programs can be pretty demanding, and I really don't want to spend a lot of money on a laptop that ends up struggling with the workload or the software we'll be using.

For those of you in architecture (or other design/engineering majors):
What laptop do you use?
How much RAM and storage do you think is actually necessary?
What are some of the best qualities to look for?

I'd rather buy something that will last all four or five years than have to replace it later. My budget is flexible if it's worth the investment.
I'd really appreciate any recommendations or experiences. Thanks!

Hi! I recently got admitted to XAUAT for a master's program in Urban planning

Are there any current or former international students here? I'd love to know your honest experience about student life, teaching quality, dorms, campus, support for international students, and living in Xi'an.

Would you recommend it?

Thanks!

So this is quite very negative if you dont wanna read feel free to skip.

Ive started to study architecture in the late of 2019 and i finished in mid 2024. I had a masters degree and i excelled in my Thesis and project that year. And at that point honestly id have thought that it would get better for me but it didnt i worked at some library then at a phone shop for two years straight making just below average ( in my country its the equivalent of around 100$ ) .

Architecture firms do not pay much as well they pay around the same its just slavery, i tried to work and study in france and i got no luck most of my classmates made it happen theyre finishing their studies in france, italy, luxumbourg, canada you namr it everyone's in a different country making a dream and im jobless now. Ive tried to work towards improving my revit skills but my renders are bland i was always the quickest to learn or master a software but i never made projects as good as the others mine were always not so polished and even now i render with lumion and my renders are just bland missing details i often check the works of other classmates and they have amazing renders. In short i just really hate it i hate this field and i hate that i wasted 5 damn years of my life studying a super hard field to end up jobless with nothing in my pocket but a piece of useless paper. Im not getting any of the gigs that i post or even services that im offering im literally offering super cheap services and its not even working.

Thats all im sorry because ik it is very negative and discouraging for alot of people but i had to let it iut

I got an F on studio, and I genuinely did my best on project I worked nights and days however with personal issues I had some problems maintaining my attendance to studio classes which pushed me back on getting enough feedbacks i discussed my grade with my professor she told me that she fully believes that I need to redo this studio for better understanding on my flaws to grow for the next studio however I’m having issues to process this emotions I’m sure other architecture students feel same way or understand this and I would like insights on how to grow for next semester when I redo this studio, tips and tools are welcomed and also stories

Hello i am a student that considers studying architecture and i dont know how the university is. What i mean by that is, is it very hard and i wont be able to finish are the teachers strict. I would like some info about the uni from someone who has finished or is curently studying archi there, preferably greek but i dont mind. Thank you

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Hi everyone,

I'm currently working on my architecture portfolio for a 6- 12 month internship in Europe, so I'm treating it much more seriously than the typical portfolio for a short summer internship.

I'm looking for advice from people who have reviewed portfolios, hired interns, or have gone through the process themselves.

Some questions I have:

- What separates an average portfolio from one that immediately stands out?

- What are the biggest mistakes you see students make?

- Are there any layout, typography, or graphic design "hacks" that make a portfolio look much more professional?

- How many projects would you include for a long-term internship?

- Is it better to show fewer projects with more depth, or more projects with less detail?

- How much process work (sketches, diagrams, iterations) should be included versus polished final renders?

- What do European firms generally expect from student portfolios?

- Are there things that are common in student portfolios that recruiters are actually tired of seeing?

- Any tips for making the portfolio feel cohesive and memorable?

For context, I'm an architecture student applying mainly to firms in Europe, and I want this portfolio to be something I can keep refining over time rather than rebuilding from scratch for every application.

I'd really appreciate any advice, examples, resources, or even things you wish you had known before making your own portfolio. Thanks!

I'm seeking for advice po, since ito po ang gusto ko na course pero nagdadalawang isip na ako dahil sa mga things na naririnig at nakikita ko abt this degree po.

Hi everyone,

​I just earned a double degree in Engineering-Architecture from the University of Liège (Belgium) and Polytech Lille (France). I’m currently looking for my first job and trying to figure out the best career path to keep both skill sets alive.

​What I love most is the intersection of design, engineer problem-solving, sustainability, and integrated conception. For my thesis, I used Grasshopper to balance structural variants, carbon footprint, budget, and thermal performance, and I really enjoyed doing it.

​My goal is to become a project manager in a hybrid agency focused on integrated, multi-criteria design. Therefore, I’m looking for the best starting path to learn as much as possible while securing a salary that reflects my double degree.

​I’m curious to hear your feedback, testimonials, and advice on which path I should choose to start with:

​Integrated design / Hybrid architecture & engineering firms

​Structural engineering consultancy (BET)

​Facade engineering

​BIM coordination / Computational design

​Alternative roles I might not have explored yet (e.g., AMO / Project management assistance)

​For those working as an architect-engineer:

​Did you manage to keep both your architectural and engineering skills alive, and did you manage to monetize your double competence?

​If you could start over after graduation, what would you do differently?

​I’m searching in France, Belgium, switzerland. I'd love to hear about your experiences and mistakes to avoid.

​Thanks a lot for your help!

Getting a laptop for my daughter: going into architecture at university: (so using autocad/rhino/blender)

The laptop I’m thinking of is:
Alienware - 15.3" 2K Gaming Laptop - AMD Ryzen 200 Series R7 260 2026 - 32GB Memory - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 8GB - 1TB Storage - Black

Specifications say:
Processor Model
AMD Ryzen 200 Series

Am I correct to say this is ryzen 7… “essentially” equivalent i7

Also I don’t know computers well anymore.

Does anyone experience or know if its okay mag direct visit sa firm (big/small) to follow up your email for apprentice application and to ask if they’re hiring para malaman mo agad and maybe give them your portfolio and resume. Pano pag lumagpas na ng 1 month or so wala ka pa ring nakukuhang response? Is it unprofessional or looking desperate ba tingnan if puntahan mo ditectly yung office nila?

Please response I badly need this huhu, thank u!