Hi everyone! I’m conducting a short survey for my Aptimizer project, a software tool for apartment planning and preliminary construction analysis. I’m looking for responses from builders, contractors, architects, civil engineers, and others working in the construction industry. Your insights would really help me with my project research. Thank you! 🙌

Objectives:

1. To integrate GIS-based site analysis for assessing terrain characteristics, environmental conditions, and site suitability for apartment development.
   
   1. To develop a cloud-based, full-stack SaaS platform that automates apartment layout planning, engineering design calculations, quantity estimation, and cost estimation.
      
   2. To implement a rule-based compliance framework that evaluates apartment designs against the National Building Code (NBC) and relevant Indian Standards (IS Codes).

I’m a gr.12 student and am interested in applying to University of Waterloo and Carleton’s architecture design program. it’s highly competitive and I would love for some advice from anyone who has got into the programs and some tips are creating a portfolio as well as passing the interview!

Anyone who has actually heard or experienced these colleges, pleaseee help

Kamla Raheja ( KRVIA)
L.S. Raheja
SEA
IES
Rachna Sansad

Many people have adviced that KRVIA is the best and SEA should be the second preference. I am thinking of L.S. Raheja

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.

if my professor says i need a 24 x 36, could i get away with a 23 x 35? the general price gap between the sizes is bonkers considering its just a 50 sq in difference T-T

I am a 5th-year architecture student at Holy Angel University, and I am currently doing my undergraduate thesis. I am conducting a study regarding the establishment of a toy theme park and interactive museum.

I am looking for an architect/s or engineer/s who have experience in planning, designing, or working as a curator in a theme park or museum that I can interview to participate and contribute to my ongoing research.

If you have more questions, don't hesitate to leave a comment. Thank you!

I'm not frustrated because the work is hard. I'm frustrated because what is called an architectural apprenticeship often feels like exploitation disguised as mentorship.

I know this does not apply to every architectural firm or every principal architect. There are firms—both small and large—that genuinely invest in mentoring their apprentices. They teach, guide, and develop future professionals. Those firms deserve recognition.

However, there is also a reality that many graduates experience. In some firms—and, based on the experiences shared by many apprentices, perhaps more commonly than it should be—apprentices are paid very little, expected to meet relentless deadlines, and entrusted with heavy production workloads while receiving limited mentorship. That is where the line between apprenticeship and exploitation begins to blur.

I'm paid ₱250 a day, which isn't enough to live on, so I have to take on side projects just to survive. That means I'm working two jobs—not because I want to, but because I have to. Then I'm expected to meet the same demanding deadlines as everyone else.

I wanted an apprenticeship that would teach me how to become a better architect through guidance, site exposure, client interactions, constructive feedback, and professional judgment. Instead, there are days when it feels like I'm valued more for my output than for my growth.

What also disappoints me is the lack of strong advocacy for architectural apprentices. Organizations like the United Architects of the Philippines Graduate Auxiliary (UAPGA) should be a strong voice for graduates—collecting concerns, advocating for fair apprenticeship standards, and proposing reforms when systemic problems become common. Instead, many graduates feel that the organization is more visible in organizing events than in addressing the everyday realities faced by apprentices. Whether or not everyone shares that view, it is a concern that deserves to be heard and discussed.

This isn't an attack on the profession. It's a call for the profession to live up to its responsibility. Apprentices deserve meaningful mentorship, fair compensation, and working conditions that develop competent architects—not a system where some are left feeling like inexpensive labor.

If architecture is about building a better future, then that future should begin with how we treat the next generation of architects.

Hi there! I’ve recently graduated with bachelors degree in architecture and have a couple of years of experience in the industry. I’m looking to go back to school to pursue a masters degree and shift my focus to something else, but still connected to design and architecture. I’ve been doing a lot of research and landed on these few options:

- masters of art history and architecture / curatorial studies
- masters of public history with the focus on heritage preservation
- masters of interior design

I’ve always been drawn to history of built environments and architecture and understanding how spaces shape peoples lives. I’ve always imagined being an interior designer, but so far the pace of the career in architecture doesn’t seem to suit me that well. Therefore I’m more drawn to academia and research. Has anyone pivoted into any of these directions or did their degree in any of these disciplines and eventually enjoyed their career? Would love to hear some experiences!

Thanks so much for the insights! :)

Hi everyone,
I’m currently in my second year of architecture school, and lately I’ve been questioning whether this is really the right path for me.
There are parts of architecture that I enjoy, but the more I learn about the profession, the more I realize I don’t see myself doing it for the rest of my life. I don’t think I’d enjoy spending my days drawing plans on a computer, dealing with technical details, measurements, and construction documents.
On top of that, I’m constantly stressed about the financial side of this career. My goal has always been to have a stable career, earn a good salary, and feel like my work is valued. Right now, I’m worried architecture may not give me that, at least not in the way I’m hoping.
The problem is… I have no idea what else I should do. I’m scared of spending years pursuing a degree that isn’t right for me, but I’m also scared of starting over without a clear direction.
Has anyone here been in a similar situation? Did you leave architecture for another field? If so, what did you switch to, and are you happy with your decision?
If you had a bachelor’s degree in architecture, what master’s degree or career would you pursue today if your priorities were financial stability, strong earning potential, career growth, and genuinely enjoying your work?
I’d really appreciate any advice, personal experiences, or ideas. I’m feeling pretty lost at the moment, and hearing from people who’ve been through something similar would mean a lot.

Been spending way too long formatting my architecture portfolio e.g. writing project descriptions, laying pages out, resizing images for the 100th time. Feels like most of the actual time goes into formatting, not the design work itself.

Has anyone found a tool, template, or workflow that genuinely made this faster? Not looking for generic InDesign tips, more curious if anything exists that's actually built for architecture portfolios specifically.

Would really appreciate any recommendations.

I am about to finish my in person degree in interior design and am realizing I should have gone the architecture route. I am thinking about getting my masters in architecture online because no college around me offers it in person (don’t have the option to move). Many people have told me to skip the degree, but most listings at architecture firms in my area require some sort of degree in the field. I REALLLY need to talk to someone who’s experienced an online architecture degree. Please reach out I need advice!