December 2011
33 posts
9 tags
Architectural patterns
Patrick Hoesly has got some great ‘creative commons’ architectural patterns on flickr. You can use them with an attribution.
The link to this image.
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Architecture admissions portfolio
Questions from Christina graduating with a bachelors in sociology. She started in architecture, moved out of the major and is thinking about applying for a masters degree in architecture.
What should I include in my portfolio? What do people look for in portfolios for architecture school without having any background in architecture?
Content for a portfolio might include hand drawings and...
thefifthlegend asked: Hi Doug, I'm a big fan of yours, I took the "The Architect's Aptitude Test" on your site and and it says 'Architecture is probably not for you.' I recently went back to college to get my diploma and I'm doing maths and english again to get on to the architectural program in university, I can't imagine myself doing anything else buy architecture and the test...
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How much math does an architect do?
Question from YouTuber:
How much math is involve in a typical architectural project?
Answer:
The answer (on the architects end) is very little. A building is defined with drawings, models, words and dimensions. The architectural engineer deals in math with most buildings. He uses numbers, equations, variables and physics to make sure what the architect does stands up. With that said,...
4 tags
How to Architect logo
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Design a dream home series
I’m doing a design series about my brother, his wife and their dream home. This has been sitting on my desktop in Photoshop for the last couple days. I’m working through my next video on inspiration and trying to get inspired!
Design a dream home series, click here.
christopher-lewis asked: Did you get paid as an intern? could you please write about the types of things you did and learnt as an intern? thanks!
13 tags
Design a dream home, pt.2
The second video in a series about how architects ask questions, get inspired, have ideas and turn it all into a building. This video is about the program. The program consists of the clients requirements for a home as well as their conceptual and stylistic inclinations.
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10 Secrets to success as an architect
10. Changes happen. This could be number one. It’s the single most important lesson for an architect. Don’t fall in love with anything you do. Things change all the time and circumstances are like dominoes. One thing affects the other. Get used to the fact that your ideas, design, details, drawings, models and specifications are in constant flux until their built - and even after...
jellyvine asked: I'll be enrolling in school in the spring to finish a bachelor's degree, and this time around I'm studying architecture. I was wondering if you could recommend some literature to read in order to get acquainted with my upcoming education and prepare me for my studies
12 tags
Interior Design and a Master of Architecture?
Question from an interior design student:
Hi, Doug, Your videos are so inspirational. I chose interior design because it’s related to architecture. However, when I look back I feel like I should’ve gone to an architecture school. I love interior design but I feel like I want to do more with architecture. Do you think it is worth getting a master in architecture? If so I was...
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Architecture school curriculum
Question from a YouTuber:
Hey doug! watching your videos has seriously inspired me to become an architect — really! im applying for colleges that offer architecture. what should i expect as an architecture student? the course work/load/college life as an architecture student?
Answer:
It’s been a while, but I’m relatively familiar with Penn States program which is...
thecranberryblogs asked: Hello, Mr. Patt. I am a huge fan of your blog, it is very interesting, and very resourceful! I was wondering if there is there is still a place for modernists in the contemporary field. I am very interested in the minimalist dogmas of Mies, Le Corbu, and Loos, and I'm wishing that when I eventually get into the field I will be able to practice a similar style.
pencilandcolors asked: where can we see your projects?
pencilandcolors asked: mr. patt, what does a consultant actually do?
foteino-asteri asked: Hi doug im an aspiring architecture student , well my question is "is it ok for me to take architecture though im not good at drawing at the same time at math? but im willing to do everything just to be good at it" thank you so much.
pencilandcolors asked: mr. patt, do you work in an architectural firm?
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Design a dream home, pt.1
The first video in a series devoted to the design of a dream home for my brother Scott Patt and wife Lisa DeJohn. It’s essentially the first step in a hypothetical brainstorming project that Scott and Lisa hope will become a real building on a real site some day.
11 tags
How to Architect, MIT Press
The MIT Press catalog is out for 2012! Here’s the cover of the catalog and the cover of my book. Available at bookstores everywhere late February. You can pre-order here How to Architect.
Here’s what MIT Press says about the book. “How to Architect is a book to guide you on the road to architecture. If you are just starting on that journey or thinking about becoming an...
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Architects, OCD and their inner voice
Image courtesy of Orange County Archives
Question: Doug, Given that you spend nearly every moment of every day inside or around architecture, and because 97.3 percent of architects have OCD (I learned that medical fact from a general contractor), do you find yourself constantly critiquing your surroundings? For example, if you came to my house, would you be doing a mental monologue: A...
13 tags
Architecture school and being a designer
Image by Walker.Carpenter @ flickr
Question from a student in South Korea:
He tells me that drafting seems “very boring.” He believes from looking at Frank Gehry’s work that architecture must be much more than just drawing. He says, “should I choose to go for this industry?” In his second question he asks, “college programs (sci arc., cooper union) tend to...
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Where do good ideas come from?
Let’s assume that good ideas and bad ones come from the same place. It’s preferable to have good ones however. Learn where good ideas come from and why they outlive us.
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Get an architecture job with no experience
Image by bgottsab @ flickr
Question from a YouTuber:
What kind of job can a guy who is waiting to start college get in an architect’s office? I mean, why would they hire someone with no professional training or experiences?
Answer:
You don’t necessarily need experience to do every job in an architects office. I would suggest calling a local small office, meet with a partner...
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Architeture and a graduate degree
Photo at Oxford University by jimmyharris @ flickr
I received these questions the other day and thought they were poignant. I don’t have all the answers but thought my response might be helpful to others.
1. I’m working in a local company in Hong Kong and wishing to work for big popular firms like SOM, HOK, Gensler, etc.. Would my chance of being employed in these companies be...
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Architect's Portfolio
I received a few emails about taking a look at some of the work in my portfolio. Here is a video portfolio and a link to my flickr site with a few of the jobs I’ve worked on with Joeb+Partners in Greenwich, CT. http://www.flickr.com/photos/howtoarchitect/
analogiquesamour asked: Hi, Doug I would like to be an architect but I think my vision is lacking. I have a poor imagination and a bit unable to makeup my own design without taking bits and pieces from other. How can I change that and make something unique, different and appealing?
14 tags
Architecture school preparation
Architecture students present their projects to their piers (alliteration), and practice makes perfect. Said a number of ways, Remember the 7 P’s. “Persistent Practice and Preparation Prevent Piss Poor Performance.” Good luck!
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What's the truth about being an architect?
A friend said to me the other day. Architecture is a great profession and a horrible business. At times, I tend to agree. This video is the truth about being an architect.
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Top 10 things an architect should never say to his...
10. Your Frank Lloyd Wright tie is not hip. 9. Your builder is right. Radon is a myth spread by the government.
8. I get most of my design plans off the internet
. 7. I never visit the job site unless there has been a fire.
6. Feel free to call me 24/7 with questions or concerns.
5. If we go over the initial budget, I’ll work for free. 4. You have the aesthetic sensibilities and ...
sengkiat93 asked: Doug, what are your experience regarding architecture and photography? A lot of architects and students tend to be quite involved in photography, with the belief that both skills come hand in hand. What's your view on this?
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One more great quote...
Another very funny line from the comments page of one of my videos.
“no idea how i got here but im definitely coming back next time im high.”
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Genius
Quote of the day from the comments section of one of my vids. Genius.
“I have a drafting degree and have been a steel detailer for 5 years. I am also currently an engineering student. I don’t care much for architects. They have no clue how anything is really built and generally have almost no common sense. Maybe if they focus more on the actual content of their designs, and not...
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What are architects like?
Answers from The Architect’s Aptitude Test. Read through and let me know your thoughts. I’d love to hear your opinions and impressions.
http://howtoarchitect.com/what-are-architects-like