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.
Architecture
as a hobby
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[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: Architectural Environments. Surrounding Objects
Helpful content to get started
We curated content to familiarize you with architecture as a hobby and to inspire and help you get started.
We strive for accuracy, but errors may occur. Always use your judgment.
Refer to the listed resources for further research.
Short visual inspiration.
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Play an episode while exploring the page.
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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
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Term Videos
How to break the ice and make a start. One Aha! moment is all you need.
Discover it
Virtually, through…
- Websites and magazines.
- Architecture albums and collections.
- Virtual maps and tours.
- Virtual Reality exploration.
- Films and TV.
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 area
With…
First Steps Videos
Get read-y.
Step-by-step tutorials.
How-To Videos
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Essentials to have.
Product Demos
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Further reading.
Emotional Architecture
- Affective response to architecture – investigating human reaction to spaces with different geometry: Architectural Science Review: Vol 60 , No 2
- Architecture Is a Deeply Emotional Experience | ArchDaily
- Emotional Architecture: How Contextual Solutions Can Fight against the “Epidemic of Boringness” | ArchDaily
- Inside the Rise of Emotional Design | Architectural Digest
- Neuroarchitecture: How the Perception of Our Surroundings Impacts the Brain – PMC
- Sensing spaces: Emotional buildings – BBC Culture
- The hidden ways that architecture affects how you feel – BBC Future
- The Power of Emotions: How Does Space Move Us? | ArchDaily
Dreamscapes and Artificial Architecture
Video Articles
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Go-tos for information.
Architecture News and Magazines
- ArchDaily | Broadcasting Architecture Worldwide
- Architectural Digest
- Architecture Hunter – Hunt for inspiration
- Architecture news and projects | Dezeen
- Architecture | Wallpaper
- PA | Architecture & Technology in The 21st Century
Architecture Exhibitions
Virtual Architectural Maps and Tours
- 10 virtual tours of spectacular buildings around the world | Top 10s | The Guardian
- 360-degree videos and photography | Dezeen
- ARCHIPORN guide
- ARCHITECTURAL VISITS WORLD MAP | Architectural Visits
- Architecture — Google Arts & Culture
- Buildings Inspired by Nature – Google Earth
- Interactive Map – UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- MapsArch – An architectural exploration.
- Taliesin | Frank Lloyd Wright | 360 Virtual Tour Visit Field Trip
- World Map – Iconic Houses
Virtual Reality Exploration
- EarthQuest on Meta Quest | Quest VR Games | Meta Store
- Fly on Meta Quest | Quest VR Games | Meta Store
- Google Earth VR on Oculus Rift | Rift VR Games | Meta Store
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
- AI Architecture Generator – Realize Your Vision with Leonardo.Ai
- AI Architecture Generator: Design Better Buildings Faster with AI | Fotor
- ArchiVinci | AI Architecture Generator. Exterior, Interior & Masterplan Renderings With AI
- Generative Design | Architecture Design Software | Maket
- SketchUp Diffusion | SketchUp Help
- Transform Your Architecture Sketch into Real Designs with AI ｜ PromeAI
Website Previews
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Nothing like a good film or a show for inspiration.
Movie and TV Trailers
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Get a clue.
Can architecture be a hobby?
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.
What can I do with architecture besides observing it? Can I make my 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.
How can I discover beautiful architecture near me?
Try our ‘near-you’ resources, or become a flâneur: explore your area observantly and mindfully.
FAQ Videos
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Smart start.
App Trailers
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Get smart.
- Architecture & Spaces Online Courses | Domestika
- Frank Gehry Teaches Design and Architecture | Master Class
- Hand Drawing Course | How to Sketch Like an Architect | ArchAdemia
- Online Course – Artistic Architectural Illustration with Pencil and Graphite (Chris Henton) | Domestika
- Online Course – Expressive Architectural Sketching with Colored Markers (Albert Kiefer) | Domestika
Video courses and trailers
More video courses and trailers
Get together.
- Architecture Exhibitions Near You
- Architecture groups | Meetup
- Architecture Schools Near You
- Dezeen Events Guide | Architecture and design events
Doors Open Days
Architectural Travel
- Archimarathon: Learn to See Architecture – See to Learn Architecture
- ARCHIPORN guide
- Architectural Visits by Helena Ariza
- Architecture City Guide | Tag | ArchDaily
- Architecture trips and tourism: Discover best cities and getaways | Artchitectours
- ArchiTravel | Online Architecture Travel Guide
- Interactive Map – UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- MapsArch – An architectural exploration.
- TripAdvisor – Architecture
- World Map – Iconic Houses
Related Videos
Additional advice for beginners.
- Save your architectural findings in a dedicated Google Maps list for future visits.
- 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.
Video Tips
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