What is architecture?Architecture, building and planning courses are renowned for educating students to imagine, design and construct the streets and buildings of the future.The term architecture is used to describe physical structures, such as buildings, however it also describes the technicalities of designing those buildings, as well as the method of construction.Studying an architecture degree is challenging but rewarding and can take between three and seven years to complete. Students must be prepared to study for a relatively long period as, essentially, architects design structures for human use and, as a result, are largely responsible for the safety and reliability of those structures.To become an architect, students must complete a combination of five years study and two years practical work experience before completing final exams. After completion, students become members of professional architecture organisations such as the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).Despite the long study time, it is positive that there’s always a need for new buildings, ensuring promising career prospects and a confident chance that you will always be in demand.What do you learn in an architecture degree?Architecture degrees are a highly popular and competitive choice. Studying it at university requires a particular set of skills combining both sides of the brain; creative and logical. Courses draw on elements of mathematics and engineering, alongside creativity and an understanding of modern technologies and cultural trends.In comparison to other professions, architects work primarily with their hands and very little is about reading and writing. This aspect is practised from the offset while at university.The approach differs between universities and you should research the various modules, the possibility of a sandwich year and attend open days.

A lot of architecture is taught not in the classroom, but by actually going out seeing it in the real world, so features such as field trips and year abroads are an appealing addition to the curriculum.Key parts of BA or BSc programmes (bachelor's degrees) include structural engineering, architectural history, principles of environmental design and building material studies. Degrees teach budding architects everything from how to accurately draw 3D designs – both by hand and computer – to design theory.Some academic institutions concentrate on giving its students a detailed understanding of the history of architecture while others immediately concentrate on the practicalities of the industry. Modern universities focus on management and building skills that prepare its students for running building sites.An integral part of an architecture degree is the development of practical design skills, meaning that a large proportion of time is spent doing studio-based design project. Drawing skills are developed as well as digital illustration and architectural modelling.At master's level, students can study straight architecture or go along the route of more specialised courses including architecture and environmental design, interior design or urban design – alongside many others.More subject guides:What should I study at high school if I want to study architecture?It is unlikely that you will be able to study architecture prior to university, but it is related to a variety of subjects which are commonplace at school. A historic requirement to have a high grade in mathematics has softened in recent years, but most academic institutions express desire for prospective students to have studied mathematics, physics, design technology or English.In order to be considered for architecture most universities required you to have achieved or be predicted top grades at A level, IB or equivalent, since competition for places is very tough.In addition, due to the artistic aspect of architecture, most universities require a portfolio of design work which shows your ability to draw freehand and create 3D models. This, for many, can be the most important aspect of your university application.

Clipboard 'COPY' CopyIn recent years, there has been a lot of discussion about what architecture's ultimate purpose might be - with answers ranging from the creation of form to the correction of societal ills. But according to Lance Hosey, perhaps the least useful definition currently in circulation is that architecture is 'art.'

A pair of low-cost, single family houses designed by Only If on two different urban infill sites outside downtown Atlanta, Georgia. Only If— is a New York City-based design practice for architecture and urbanism.

In this article, Hosey argues that the concept of architecture as a form of art is not only misleading to the public, but also potentially damaging to society.In July, I that when architects use the bodies of specific women such as Marilyn Monroe or as 'inspiration' for buildings, they objectify both women and architecture. Many readers didn't like this: 'Anyone complaining about where an artist gets thier sic inspiration dosn't sic understand what an artist or art is,' protested one. 'What's wrong with using the female form for artistic inspiration?' Asked another; 'I can think of nothing more beautiful.'

And another: 'Music, Structures, Paintings, anything artistic is not degrading. It's beauty.' The message: Architecture is art, and where artists get their inspiration isn't up for debate, since it's personal to the artist. Elenberg Fraser's 'Premier Tower' in Melbourne was 'inspired by Beyonce's curves'. Image © Elenberg FraserHuffington Post readers aren't alone in this view, of course. Act of aggression mods. 'Architecture is art, nothing else,' architect once declared, and Pritzker Prize winner that architecture is in fact 'the greatest of the arts.'

In 2011, observed that architecture at its best becomes 'works of art that we can move through and live in,' and the, which ran from October until January, was themed 'The State of the of Architecture.' If architecture is art, what is 'art,' anyway? Philip Johnson's AT&T Building. Johnson once stated that 'Architecture is art, nothing else'. Image © David Shankbone'Art as we have generally understood it,' writes Larry Shiner in (2003), 'is a European invention barely two hundred years old.' Originally stemming from the Latin ars and Greek techne, the word meant any craft, from joinery to haberdashery, performed with skill. In 18th-Century Europe, the meaning shifted from the practical to the esoteric: 'The fine arts, it was now said, are a matter of inspiration and genius and meant to be enjoyed for themselves in moments of refined pleasure.'

Art for art's sake. By extension, architecture for architecture's sake.' STOP confusing architecture and art,' demanded Patrik Schumacher, Zaha Hadid's partner, on in 2014: 'Architects are in charge of the FORM of the built environment, not its content. Architecture is NOT ART although FORM is our specific contribution to the evolution of world society. We need to understand how new forms can make a difference for the progress of world civilization.' Schumacher exposes the most common conceit among architects. We claim that 'new forms' benefit 'the evolution of world society' and 'the progress of world civilization,' although we rarely explain how.

Ironically, the most celebrated architects actually use evermore exotic geometries for the opposite purpose - to broadcast their personal interests. The recent Chicago Architecture Biennial was titled 'The State of the Art of Architecture'. Image © Hedrich Blessing. Image Courtesy of Chicago Architecture BiennialAnd this is exactly why architecture is considered art.

'In the Western world,', the Arts & Culture editor, 'art and self-expression are often thought of as going hand-in-hand.' , supposedly the 'largest source of expert content on the Internet,' backs this up: 'Art is usually about self-expression.' Agrees: 'The essence of art is expressing oneself.'

The recently called Hadid 'the champion of an architecture that was more about personal 'vision' than public utility.' Has called Frank Gehry, certainly the world's most famous architect, 'the avatar of architectural self-expression,' and Gehry himself staunchly defends 'the validity of self-expression' as 'a basic value.' This year, the declared that both architects' recent projects 'arrogantly flaunt their refusal to defer to local context. Atv offroad fury 2 nacs. Announcing instead that the supposed right to ego-expression of a starchitect trounces all such decencies.'

Zaha Hadid Architects' Wangjing Soho in China, which was copied by another developer in Chongqing. Image © Feng ChangConsider this: When Chinese builders began copying one of Hadid's designs a couple of years ago, she looked into legal action, as have other designers under similar circumstances. Yet, if architectural forms genuinely are meant to benefit society, as Hadid's own partner claims, more form presumably means more benefit, so what's the objection to it being replicated? At worst, the designers already had been compensated, so what's the harm? Wouldn't they actually want to give away the concept, as Elon Musk has done with?Maybe 'new form' is less about social progress than it is about self-promotion. As put it, 'Art is making something out of nothing and selling it.' Architect Lance Hosey's latest book is.