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 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.
More videos
Play an episode while exploring the page.
More podcasts
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:Â 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:Â 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:Â Paying attention to the specific location, culture, climate, geography, and situational aspects when designing.
- Maquette:Â A small scale model used to visualize and represent an architectural design.
- Night Architecture:Â Exterior lighting designs that become visible and can be appreciated at night for decorative purposes.
- Sense of Place:Â 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.
Term Videos
How to break the ice and make a start.
Discover it
Digitally, through…
Physically, through…
- Architectural city guides.
- Doors Open Days events.
- Exhibitions.
- Fl̢nerie Рwandering 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…
First Steps Videos
Get read-y.
Step-by-step tutorials.
How-To Videos
More how-to videos
Further reading.
Emotional Architecture
- Inside the Rise of Emotional Design | Architectural Digest
- Sensing spaces: Emotional buildings – BBC Culture
- Architecture Is a Deeply Emotional Experience | ArchDaily
- Emotional Architecture: How Contextual Solutions Can Fight against the “Epidemic of Boringness” | ArchDaily
- The Power of Emotions: How Does Space Move Us? | ArchDaily
Video Articles
More video articles
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 and photography | 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
Website Previews
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Nothing like a film for inspiration.
Movie Trailers
More movie trailers
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
Smart assistance.
App Trailers
More app trailers
Essentials to have.
Product Demos
Get smart.
- Frank Gehry Teaches Design and Architecture | Master Class
- Online Course – Expressive Architectural Sketching with Colored Markers (Albert Kiefer) | Domestika
- Online Course – Artistic Architectural Illustration with Pencil and Graphite (Chris Henton) | Domestika
- Architecture & Spaces Online Courses | Domestika
- Hand Drawing Course | How to Sketch Like an Architect | ArchAdemia
Video Courses and Trailers
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
Related Videos
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.
Video Tips
Suggestions?