Explore the enriching world of architecture as a hobby. This page is your gateway to understanding and appreciating the art of building design, offering a plethora of resources to ignite your passion. From inspirational videos and podcasts to a glossary of architectural terms, we provide a foundation for your journey into architecture. Dive into digital explorations or physical flânerie, capture your observations through creative mediums, and even create your own designs with the help of AI. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a curious newcomer, our curated content, including books, tutorials, articles, and more, promises to deepen your connection with the built environment. Embrace the emotional impact of architecture and start your hobbyist adventure.
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Architecture
as a hobby
[Architectural atmospheres are] this singular density and mood, this feeling of presence, well-being, harmony, beauty…under whose spell I experience what I otherwise would not experience in precisely this way.
Peter Zumthor, Atmospheres
Helpful content to start architecture as a hobby
We aim to provide accurate information, but errors might be found. Always exercise judgment and discretion.
📼 Videos
Short visual inspiration.
🎙️ Podcasts
Play an episode while exploring the page.
Architecture affects everybody. From the hospital where you’re born to the schools, and grocery stores, markets. Every part of a person’s life is based upon an architect’s presence.
Julius Shulman, American Architectural Photographer
📜 Terms
Basic lingo for orientation.
- Active Design: Promoting healthy living by influencing access to physical activity through the built environment.
- Architectural Acoustics: The study of sound within buildings to optimize acoustics and enhance people’s experience of interior spaces.
- Atmosphere: An immediate form of physical perception, and is recognized through emotional sensibility. Architects and designers use the notion of atmosphere to argue that architecture and space is designed and built for people to use and experience.
- Flâneur: A flâneur is someone who indirectly and unintentionally experiences and appreciates architectural designs simply by wandering through and observing the urban environment.
- Genius Loci: Paying attention to the specific location, culture, climate, geography, and situational aspects when designing.
- Maquette: A small scale model used to visualize and represent an architectural design.
- Night Architecture: Exterior lighting designs that become visible and can be appreciated at night for decorative purposes.
- Sense of Place: Sense of place in architecture refers to how a building or space is experienced by its occupants.
- Doors Open Days: (also known as Open House or Open Days in some communities) provide free access to buildings not normally open to the public.
❗ How to start architecture as a hobby
First moves for getting acquainted and breaking the ice.
Discover it
Digitally, through…
Physically, through…
- Architectural city guides.
- Doors Open Days events.
- Exhibitions.
- Flânerie – wandering your area observantly and mindfully.
Capture it
Through…
- Photography, sketching or drawing.
Create it
With…
Keep inspired
By…
- Subscribing to architectural newsletters.
- Subscribing to updates about architectural events near you.
Go beyond your comfort zone
With…
📚 Books
Get read-y.
🪜 How-tos
Step-by-step tutorials.
📄 Articles
Further reading.
Emotional Architecture
🌐 Websites
Go-tos for information.
Architecture News and Magazines
- Architecture news and projects | Dezeen
- Architecture Hunter – Hunt for inspiration
- ArchDaily | Broadcasting Architecture Worldwide
- Architecture | Wallpaper
- Architectural Digest
Architecture Exhibitions
Virtual Architectural Tours
- 360-degree videos | Dezeen
- Taliesin | Frank Lloyd Wright | 360 Virtual Tour Visit Field Trip
- 10 virtual tours of spectacular buildings around the world | Top 10s | The Guardian
3D and Modeling Software
- Architectural Design Software | Program for 3D Architecture Drawing & Design | SketchUp
- Autodesk Fusion for Personal Use
- Blender – Free and Open 3D Creation Software
AI Architecture Generators
- Generative Design | Architecture Design Software | Maket
- SketchUp Diffusion | SketchUp Help
- ArchiVinci | AI Architecture Generator. Exterior, Interior & Masterplan Renderings With AI
- AI Architecture Generator – Realize Your Vision with Leonardo.Ai
- AI Architecture Generator: Design Better Buildings Faster with AI | Fotor
- Transform Your Architecture Sketch into Real Designs with AI ｜ PromeAI
🍿 Movies
Nothing like a film for inspiration.
❓ FAQS
Get a clue.
Absolutely. Architecture is art, and a great form of it: it is big – you can usually step inside and immerse yourself in it; it is everywhere – from museums to public toilets; and it is often free.
Architecture is a deeply emotional experience. You can enjoy architecture in various ways, and even create your own architecture.
Besides observing architecture you can photograph, draw it, and learn about its history and how it was designed for its context and purpose.
You can also create your own architectural designs by sketching, drawing, or building physical or digital 3d models. You can be helped by AI and maybe even step into your own designs using VR.
Try our ‘near-you’ resources, or become a flâneur: explore your area observantly and mindfully.
📱 Apps
Smart assistance.
📦 Products
Essentials to have.
⛳ Courses
Get smart.
📍 Near You
Get together.
- Dezeen Events Guide | Architecture and design events
- Architecture groups | Meetup
- Architecture Schools Near You
- Architecture Exhibitions Near You
Doors Open Days
Architectural Travel
- MapsArch – An architectural exploration.
- Archimarathon: Learn to See Architecture – See to Learn Architecture
- ArchiTravel | Online Architecture Travel Guide
- Architecture City Guide | Tag | ArchDaily
- world map – Iconic Houses
- ARCHIPORN guide
- Interactive Map – UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Architecture trips and tourism: Discover best cities and getaways | Artchitectours
- TripAdvisor – Architecture
💡 Tips
Additional advice for beginners.
- Search for architecture schools near you and subscribe for updates about events such as exhibitions and graduation shows.
- There is a whole streaming channel dedicated to architecture. It is called Shelter and it features original shows and movies. Try it.