Study Architecture as a Mature Student!

Read, read everything

Are there any books you would recomend starting with? I was thinking about reding about Ancient Roman or Greek architecture to begin with or maybe Renaissance Architecture and then moving on to a modern architect or buildings.

Does anyone know any modern architects or buildings that are environmentally friendly and would be good to study?

Thanks

Read anything you can find about the Australian-based architect Glenn Murcutt – who, incidentally, is giving a lecture in the RDS this evening. Free. There are a few biographies, for example “Leaves of Iron”.

http://www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/architecture/events/summer/summer.htm

This year the Bartlett School of Architecture is introducing its first Summer School, to be held annually thereafter. We expect a group of 50 participants ranging in age from 16 – 50 and from differing backgrounds including prospective Bartlett students, international students, secondary school students and those who are simply keen to develop their interest in architecture.

In 2006 the Summer School will be held from Monday 17 July until Friday 28 July and will focus on London and the planned Olympics. Students will take part in a design-based programme in a studio environment. The two week, full time programme will include a visit to an architectural practice, visits to buildings and sites, and
development of a proposal based on the London theme. Full use will be made of the schools facilities including access to the excellent workshop, computer facilites, audio visual equipment and environmental studies library.

To take part in the summer school please contact
Emma Kirkman,
The Bartlett School of Architecture,
University College London,
22 Gordon Street,
London,
WC1H 0QB,
telephone 020 7679 4642,
e-mail e.kirkman@ucl.ac.uk

There is a £600 fee for participation and it is advised that an additional amount will be needed for travel and material costs. Students are asked to make their own accommodation arrangements.
UCL offers accomodation to vistors to London.
Contact
Ramsay Hall
20 Maple Street,
London W1T 5HB,
telephone 020 7387 4537
for more details or http://www.ucl.ac.uk/residences/

Entry to the Summer School is on a first come, first served basis.

@goneill wrote:

Read anything you can find about the Australian-based architect Glenn Murcutt – who, incidentally, is giving a lecture in the RDS this evening. Free. There are a few biographies, for example “Leaves of Iron”.

Thanks for that recomendation, I Googled him to get a quick look and he’s exactly the type of architect I was hoping to read about. I just waiting on the Christmas holidays now to go and buy a book or two, I’m up to my neck with study at the moment with the exams coming up 🙁 .

UL will be my first choice but I’m going to apply to DIT and UCD as well. Does anyone recommend a course in the UK that would be worth looking into? It’s early days yet but I just want to compare the different courses to see which suits me best.

I have loads more questions too but I can’t think of any right now. I’ll keep them coming though!

Being someone who started an architecture course later than most (i was 21), i had studied architecural technology first like many others,
I would say, dont be afraid of starting the architecture course as soon as possible, because the 1st year of the course is geared to opening up your mind like any foundation art course. I wouild also recommend studying in the UK because it will be much easier to get in even if your not 23 and there are some very good schools. You would probably face an interview, and people come into 1st year from all kinds of other jobs and courses.

Sounds a bit like my situation. I was always interested in architecture but went to Bolton Street to do Civil Engineering after I left school – made the same technical discovery and left after 6 months. Since then I’ve done Architectural technology and worked as a technician for 4yrs. At present I’m 27 and will be finishing my degree this year in ‘Architectural and Heritage Conservation Studies’ in Wales.

I’ve found studying in the UK a good option. Nearby, I know that the uni’s in Cardiff and Liverpool are good for Architecture..

If you’re interested in innovative and eco friendly designs A good book to start off with is ‘The Whole House Book’ by Pat Borer and Cindy Harris from the National Centre for Alternative Technology. It’ll open your mind to ideas.. 😉

‘The Whole House Book’ looks very interesting, thanks. I’m going to pick it up over the Christmas holidays.

If I do decide to apply to a college in the UK I don’t think I’ll do it straight away. I’m going to take at least one year out after I graduate to travel I think, regardless of what I decide to do with regards to Architecture. I think it’s important to travel and see different cultures while your still young.

I’ve been looking at a few of the different syllabi for Architecture courses and they all seem to concentrate on helping you open up your mind to ideas in first year. Even though this is the case I still fell like I’m missing out having not done art in school and would like to spend some time working on a portfolio. A lot of courses require a portfolio to be considered for entry so I would really be limiting my options if I was to apply straight after graduating from Galway.

Hi Archiboy, just a couple of things I’d like to add, as I am a mature student studying architecture myself.
First, why UL? It’s not recognised by the RIAI, that’s the professional body of Architects in this country in case you’re not aware, and won’t be for a number of years yet at best. If the requlating of the term ‘Architect’ is to be introduced, as it is hoped will happen within the forseeable future, then you might be hard pushed to work as a professionally recognised architect by having taken a course that is not recognised by the professional body. DIT and UCD both have their merits and are, most importantly, the only 2 courses requlated and recognised by the RIAI, UCD being recognised by the RIBA also.
Second, don’t limit yourself to thinking about just architecture. The architectural technologist course could be even more suited to you as you already have a technical background with engineering and may find it easier to adjust and progress well in architectural technology – check it out.
Third, as is previously mentioned in the thread, look at the UK too. Scotland has a number of great courses – a number in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee etc., and London has a great rep as well as being a great course.
Please also keep in mind that the course is a bloody long one, with a huge percentage of people taking much more than the 5 years it says on the tin, if you get me…. It’s long, it’s tough, it can be soul destroying at times, and you can ask anyone here that’s gone through it about that!
But if you love it, it’ll be worth it…or so I’m told 😉
Good luck!
ps. DIT are starting a 5 year Masters programme in place of the current 5 year B.Arch programme within the next few years that might be worth thinking about too.

Hi CR, I’m finally on my Christmas holidays so I got a chance to reply to your post.

Before I heard about the architecture course in UL and Merritt Bucholz’s involvement I had walked past and been very impressed by two of the buildings his firm, Bucholz McEvoy [[url]http://www.bmcea.com][/url], designed, the Limerick County Hall and the SAP building in Galway. When I found out the same architect was behind these buildings and the course in UL I decided to check it out.

I know the course is not yet recognised by the RIAI but this is not due to any deficiencies
in the course. It’s because the course is new and the first group of graduates from the course have to be tested by the RIAI to make sure that they have reached the standard required by the institute in their studies. Although, I can’t guarantee it, I don’t think the course will have any trouble being approved by the institute when the time comes because of the high standards of the University and the architect they have selected to head the course.

I havn’t looked at Architectural Technology yet but I will take your advice and look into it.

I have had a quick look at some of the courses in the UK, Glasgow sticks out in my head at the moment. I will be taken a closer look at a few courses in the UK, I havn’t ruled out any courses yet, UL is my number one choice at the moment but that could change after I look some other courses.

As for Architecture being soul destroying at times, that’s the kind of course I’m looking for. 🙂 What I mean by that is that one of the biggest problems with Civil Engineering for me is not that it’s not interesting, it’s that I have no passion for it, it’s a job and I’ll do it but I wont pour my heart and soul into it. I love being around well designed buildings, I love walking around them and through them and taking it all in and I know design building is a job I will love and I will be willing to put the work in if I am accepted into an architecture course.

SAP Building, Galway

Limerick County Hall

I have been looking at courses throughout the UK and I think the the Architecture degree in the University of East London is worth a look for anyone who is considering the UK as a place to study http://www.uel.ac.uk. As of yet my portfolio is very bare, something I hope to change over the coming year, however I think this course could be ideal for someone like me. The university gives people like me who have not previously studied art the opportunity to show their suitability for the course and has the foundation year of art so students can be properly exposed to art before they enter the course.

This course and the course in UL are the two that stand out the most to me? What are other peoples opinions about the various coursed in Ireland and the UK?