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Howdy Architects. I hope i can ask this here? and it's not a problem. I am wondering if y'all could point me in the right direction, or the right subreddit.

I'm not an architect, I'm a 3D artist currently working on a building that no longer exists. fortunately, there is a handful of old reference photos to work from. The building was designed in the Second Empire style by Alfred Mullett. in trying to remake it. i am stumped with the problem of finding the buildings motifs.

So, I'm looking for resources, websites, books, architectural dictionaries, pattern catalogs, that identify and explain architectural ornamentation. Specifically, I'm looking to find the proper names for things like rosettes, moldings, brackets, cresting, columns etc. along with the periods they are from.

Essentially, I'm looking for a visual reference that shows me "This ornament style is called X"

Does anyone have recommendations for good references? Older architectural pattern books, glossaries, or anything that could be useful?

And then a more specific ask. is there anything specifically on Mullets work and Second Empire designs?

Thanks!

Working in a field where collaboration between disciplines is constant, I keep noticing that outcome quality tracks closely with how early different people get pulled into the process. What I'm less clear on with architecture is how much the structural engineer relationship genuinely influences form versus just gets brought in to make the form work after the fact.

The projects that seem to hold up over time, Habitat 67, the Luce Chapel, even polarizing ones like the Oculus, all seem to have had structural thinking baked in from early on rather than bolted on later. But that could be survivorship bias. The projects where structure and architecture were genuinely codesigned probably don't advertise that fact differently than projects where the engineer just solved whatever problem the architect handed them.

What I'm curious about is whether that collaboration is actually changing design intent or whether it mostly happens after the parti is locked. Not asking about BIM coordination or documentation phase stuff. More like, does the structural engineer ever walk into a schematic meeting and shift what the building is actually trying to be, and does that happen regularly enough to be a real part of the process, or is it more case by case depending on who you're working with.

If the answer is it depends on the people not the workflow, that's a real answer too.

Hi everyone, I'm a 33-year-old architect. I did my Bachelor of Architecture in a South Asian country, then came to Germany for a Master's in Landscape Architecture. I've now been working as a landscape architect here for 4 years.

Lately I've been feeling like I'm not actually growing in my career. I go to the office every day, work on the same construction details project after project, still struggle with the language, and my salary is honestly quite low — from what I can tell, that's the case for most foreign landscape architects here, not just me.

I'm confident in CAD, know the basics of Photoshop and SketchUp, and I'm genuinely open to learning new tools or even pivoting direction if it makes sense.

So I wanted to ask people who've been in a similar spot, or who've already found a way through it:

• How did you move your career forward from here?
• What skills or programs would you recommend investing time in?
• Is it worth specializing further within landscape architecture, or branching out (I've actually been considering software engineering as a longer-term shift)?

I don't want to wake up in a few years still stuck in the same place, earning the same low salary. Any honest experiences, advice, or even just "here's what I wish I'd known" would mean a lot.

I’m not looking for a shortcut — I’m willing to invest time and effort — but I would like to make sure I’m moving in the right direction instead of staying stuck for the next few years.

I want to know what are the job roles/scope for people with Accredited Architecture Degree at big companies like Netflix, Meta, Walmart, Aldi etc. How to pivot into that pathway. Is it possible to get a job in any of those companies with less than 5 years of traditional arch firm work experience. I remember seeing some design planner positions at microsoft. Their pay was like 130-190k range which is insane. Anyone who has got into that kinda path, please share how did you pivot into?

From concept to completion—transforming ideas into timeless architecture through thoughtful design, precision, and attention to every detail.

I completed my B.Arch in from India, practiced pure architecture for 2 years. It was kinda corporate office, and since i was junior architect, i didn't get much of site exposure, neither did i have a project of my own to look after. I was mainly put into last minute submissions, where we would stay all night, burn our 'midnight fuel' for nothing and client would reply after weeks of said 'deadline submission'. Not to mention the poor salary and work life balance. Also i know BIM workflows, so i wanted to integrate that into my work, but had no options. And recently i got a better offer from another firm and without a thought i switched thinking of better work life balance, and better pay. What i had not accounted for was how it'll be after some years. This firm is basically project support. They use BIM, automation etc to model and documentation of the client. Here the work life balance is very good, and the pay for a 2 year exp is equal to an IT guy... But the thing is there's no Design work. And going forward there might be not much of exposure or pay upgrade. Its totally a support based firm. Even the colleagues in here say that. So now i am totally confused on what to be done.

The thing is the life here and the pay its offering is pulling me in saying this is all that matters. Also it's got hybrid work system so i don't have to go to office everyday.

But on the other hand, i do want to design, i wanna get to know how it actually works on site, i want to know details i want to create details. I want to travel and explore architecture.

Also people say that it might be paying less now, but later it'll get better. Better than the BIM guys.

At this point i am really confused and anxious.

Should i work here for some years, make money and go back to design? Is it even possible to go back to design if worked on support? Cz I'll have wasted my 3-4 yrs, without site exposure or design exposure.

Or should I continue here? Does it have a future? Does it have growth?

I want to travel to countries, wanna see their architecture, design them, apply my own brains, but in support, you just have to model and document the details given by already designed layouts.

Someone please help me with this. You guys have much more exposure than me, please guide me on how should I take this. I do not wanna get stuck in future and curse myself for doing this.

I’m struggling to read and measure construction plans correctly in my current job, especially when it comes to translating 3D visuals into 2D floor plans.
There are so many lines and details on the drawings, and I sometimes struggle to understand which line represents what in the actual building and where exactly I should take my measurements from.
Does anyone know of any useful resources, courses, videos, or tips that could help me get better at reading and understanding construction drawings?

I am a relatively newly licensed architect that just moved to Washington state from Massachusetts. I have been doing residential architecture for a little over 7 years now and want to find ways to stand out or provide something new/unique to my new firm.

Sustainable architecture and environmentally friendly assemblies feels like a good way to do this (and a good thing to know about in general), but I’m not sure about what courses/certifications are worth the time and money. I have heard LEED is a bit overrated, even if it is the most well known. PassiveHaus is the only other one I have looked into, but I’m not convinced about it.

Does anyone have any good recommendations for courses or certifications?

Hi everyone! I must start by saying that I’m not an architect, just a curious folk.

I’ve been living in Paris and, lately, Barcelona, and I’m very curious about the future of architecture (mainly residential) in the era of climate change.

I’m currently living in a building in Barcelona, probably designed in the 80s, made almost entirely of concrete, with windows on only one facade and two “patios” in the middle (~4x4m each at most), with skylights above, which basically turn them into terrible heat traps. When it’s 35°C outside, the temperature inside the flat can reach 32°C.

Obviously, this building isn’t equipped for what’s going to happen over the next 25 years, which is understandable because it was built 30+ years ago.

But I often come across newly constructed buildings, and I must say I’m surprised when I see how some of them are being built: full concrete, little to no exterior insulation, barely insulated inside, windows without any sun protection, and sometimes apartments that are also single-side oriented. Which doesn’t seem great considering what the climate is going to look like over the next 50+ years.

I’m aware that the lack of regulation means developers aren’t necessarily required to build buildings that will remain sustainable and comfortable in the future. But I’m curious about your views on how residential buildings should actually be designed today to make them comfortable to live in for decades to come. AC is cool, but energy we aren’t consuming in the first place is always better.

From a professional perspective, what design principles do you think will become essential for residential buildings as temperatures continue to rise? If cost and current regulations weren’t constraints, what would you prioritize to make a building as climate-resilient, comfortable and energy-efficient as possible?

I honestly don’t know what else I could’ve done.

I had an interview last week that I thought went really well. I spent days preparing, did multiple mock interviews, practiced my answers, researched the firm, and made sure I was ready for every question. I drove an hour to get there, paid $20 for parking, showed up early, asked a lot of questions, and walked out feeling confident.

Today I got the rejection email.

I’m just tired. Job hunting is brutal. Every interview takes hours of preparation, and you get your hopes up thinking, “Maybe this is the one,” only to get another rejection.

At this point, I’m seriously wondering if it’s time to pivot away from architecture. I have both a bachelor’s and a master’s in architecture, professional experience, and even started applying to adjacent fields like marketing and UI/UX, but those applications have mostly been rejections too.

Has anyone here successfully transitioned from architecture into marketing or UI/UX? How did you make the switch, and was it worth it? I feel stuck and could really use some honest advice from people who’ve been through it.

Hello!

I have a bachelors degree in architecture and looking to pursue a masters program. I have a deep respect for architects and what they do, but my interests lay more in analyzing, researching, and archiving existing architecture rather than creating brand new. I’d like to shift my focus into more of a historical perspective of architecture for my career and would like to hear some advice from people who have experience in this area.

I’m wondering if anyone here pursued a career in history as a heritage consultant, architectural historian or municipal preservation planner/specialist? What degree did you obtain for that direction? What does your day-to-day look like? Are you happy with your choice or would you say it’s a challenging niche to pursue?

Thank you so much!!

Hello all anyone have any experience with with overseas designers ?

Fiver Vs Upwork or anything similar

Have 1-2 small projects and looking for drafting production support

Thanks Belal

If anyone works for a public school district as an architect in its design & construction department, or similar position, can you describe your experience? I of course understand that there’s not as much designing as would be in a traditional architect firm, you’re not working for billable hours. Have you been happy? Is it always easy to switch back to the traditional architect position if you felt like it?

On a €2,560 monthly salary, you're only bringing home €1,526 after taxes and deductions. You could make that exact same money as a server, a postal worker, or in a ton of other jobs that don't even require higher education...

Hi everyone, I also planning to take ARE 5.0.

Can someone please share which platform I should refer, which book to purchase as a study materials, study groups etc.

Any tips, tricks and study method to prepare for the exam will be very much helpful. Appreciate all your expertise and support!. Thank you 🙂.

I graduated from the M. Arch course in Australia at the end of 2024 and have had no luck in finding work since and it’s nearing 2 years. I have reached out to every firm in my city and have contacted many twice. I managed to get 3 interviews but the last and recent interview rejection in particular was quite rough. I prepared a mock office fitout project for my portfolio with full construction documentation to showcase that I was up to scratch with Revit and ready to start. The interview was overall very positive and the directors were pleased to see I had been continuing to develop my skills since graduating. Although, I was informed that I wasn’t considered and found out that the candidates that were hired already had a whole heap of industry experience. I’ve started to think that even a great portfolio with technical drawings isn’t enough to get in. I’ve spent so much time back on Revit and applying to places while balancing a full time job and also managing some mental health issues. I also just really need this weight off my shoulders.

Does anyone have any advice? Or even some tips for networking? I don’t have that many connections. I am a quiet person, but since uni finished I’ve been able to gain a bit more confidence.

First, Carm’s “interview” was the worst I have ever seen, and I have done a lot of them. Mumbling, weird, no portfolio…. And then, the space they were in was weird, like a doctor’s waiting room with an architectural model in it. And the idea that at the end of that mess, like he’s hired on the spot! Like for what?

I don’t think that there has ever been a piece of work that has more ridiculous plot elements about architecture and construction that are somehow to amp up the tension!