r/architecture

I own a small boutique firm, mostly high end residential. I recently gave a client some renderings of their home (mostly interior remodel) showing the front facade with a custom entry door. They responded ‘we put this into ChatGPT and would like this’, with the door replaced by a fairly standard catalog door. Needless to say, I’m pissed.

I have a standard clause in contracts RE ownership of instruments of service, etc… I’m working on adding a clause to future contracts stating that feeding my work into an AI model is a violation of the limited use license clients receive with my service - any advice on this?

Also, I’m looking at adding an anti-AI watermark before distributing anything to clients digitally in the future. Does anyone currently do this / have recommendations for software or platforms?

AI can be a useful tool in the hands of a professional, but I’m not in the business of enabling clients to dictate least common denominator slop for me to draft and permit!

I once was an architecture student until last year. I can genuinely say managing architectural assignments for all units and still trying to have a life outside architecture can be hectic.

One way I used to manage, not all the time though, was locking in at the last minute or even getting someone else to do the assignment for me.

Unfortunately, sometimes work done at the last minute isn't always quality. I later came to realize some students hire others to do the work for them but at a fee though.

So how did you manage to complete all your assignments on time and still enjoy life in architecture school?

Hi my name is Maya, I’m 22 years old, I have an entrance interview on Wednesday, in 3 days. I would love it if you could give me some tips on how to get in, like what to talk about more and less, what kind of spirit their looking for, should I be more serious or more calm?
Thank you for any advice 💜

Zaha Hadid’s 520 W 28th in New York is a textbook example of how ‘starchitecture’ maximizes visual drama at the expense of long-term maintainability. The curved aluminum and glass facade requires custom panels, waterproofing details that flex with thermal movement, and bespoke access cradles that aren’t stocked anywhere. Owners report cleaning crews spending twice as long per window panel compared to a standard tower, and glazing seals failing after seven years instead of the expected fifteen. The building’s swooping forms also complicate facade access, pushing maintenance costs past $12/sf annually,nearly double the Manhattan average. Beyond the sticker shock, the geometry makes it impossible to swap out individual units without partial disassembly. Architects I’ve talked to say the tradeoff is baked in: the image sells, but longevity is negotiable. So the question stands: how many iconic buildings are we willing to build when the true price arrives decades later?

I study in iraq and basically most of the "architecture" colleges are called architectural engineering here

I thought its just in iraq we consider architecture as an engineering degree but it turned out we actually study architectural engineering and architecture at the same time

Unlike other countries where u can study only one at the same time

So im confused, when i graduate and perhaps wanna work or continue my academic path at other country

What am i ? and what do i study and work

Hi!

I'm here to seek some feedback on my architecture portfolio. I have graduated a few years ago and I have looked for jobs before, but now in the United States it has been over 6 months since I have gone past the first interview, and it has only gone that far in a few occasions.

I have tried to change and curate my portfolio and CV a few times without significant results.

I thought it wouldn't hurt to try to reach out to the community and ask for feedback.

Thank you in advance!

P.s.: If some of you are in the US and are familiar with hiring processes, I'd love to hear what you think I should add/remove/change.

What’s your preferred Architecture for your home???, do you Iike old money or new money homes??? Do you prefer maximalist or minimalist decor???, what’s your ideal size??? A mansion or a log cabin???, what features do you want to add???

did anyone shift from architecture to environmental conservation?

Hi everyone! I'm applying from India for Fall 2027 to an interior design master's program and would love advice from anyone who made a similar leap — especially career changers or people who came in without a design degree.

My background: I have a 3-year BA in a non-design field, but I've spent the last few years working in school design and construction management, curriculum development, and brand communications. Lots of spatial thinking, but no formal design education. I'm looking at Parsons MFA Interior Design, RISD MDes Interior Studies, and NYSID MFA1.

For career changers specifically
— Did you come into your program without a design degree? How steep was the learning curve in the first semester?
— What did you wish you had taught yourself before starting — software, drawing, anything else?
— Did admissions committees respond well to a non-design background, or did you feel you had to work harder to prove yourself?
— How long did it take to feel like you belonged in a room full of people who had been designing for years?
— Is there anything you would have done differently in your preparation before applying?

NYSID MFA1 — career changer focused
— The MFA1 is explicitly designed for people without a design background. Does that show in the quality of the cohort, or is everyone genuinely strong?
— The curriculum goes from foundations all the way to thesis over 3 years — does that pace feel right, or is it rushed/slow?
— The summer Experiential Learning placements — how useful are they actually? Are they real internships at real firms?
— Faculty from Gensler, Rockwell Group, HOK etc — do those industry connections translate into actual job opportunities or is it more of a name-drop?
— No portfolio required to apply — but does that mean the program is easier than Parsons or RISD in practice?
— The two-week summer workshop for people without a portfolio — is it genuinely useful or just a formality?
— How much technical knowledge (AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp) do you pick up in the program vs needing to know it going in?
— NYSID is very focused — only interior design, small school, ~600 students. Does that feel limiting or is it actually an advantage?

RISD MDes — Open to You, But More Self-Directed
— RISD says a design background isn't required, but the portfolio asks for 10 samples of visual work. What kind of work did non-designers submit that got them in?
— How much does the program assume you already know going in — or does it genuinely teach from the ground up?
— The Degree Project is self-directed and focused on transforming an existing structure in Providence. How supported do you feel in that process as someone new to design?
— Is the program more conceptual and research-heavy in practice, or does it balance theory with hands-on making?
— How does Brown University cross-registration actually work — do MDes Interior students use it regularly?
— Providence is small compared to NYC. Does that affect your ability to intern, network, or find work during the program?

Parsons MFA — career changer focused
— Parsons talks a lot about social practice and research. As a career changer, is that framing helpful for people coming from non-design fields, or does it assume a design foundation?
— How much technical design knowledge does the program teach vs expecting you to bring it in?
— Is the cohort mix of backgrounds — architects, designers, complete non-designers — or mostly people with design training?

NYSID vs RISD vs Parsons — which is best for a career changer?
— If you had to recommend one of these three specifically for someone coming from a completely non-design background, which would it be and why?
— NYSID is 3 years and explicitly for non-designers. RISD and Parsons are 2 years. Is the extra year at NYSID worth it, or does it feel like it's just filling time?
— Which program produces graduates who actually get hired in NYC studios — not just the prestige ranking, but real job outcomes?
— Is the NCIDQ exam eligibility (which both NYSID MFA1 and RISD offer) important for actually working as an interior designer, or is it less relevant in practice?
— For someone wanting to eventually return to India and work in luxury interior design — which degree carries the most weight internationally?

Practical prep questions
— What software should I be learning before I start — AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, Adobe Suite?
— Is freehand sketching and drawing ability important, or has that been replaced by digital tools?
— Should I try to build a portfolio before applying, even if it's self-initiated projects?
— Are there any online courses, books, or resources you'd genuinely recommend for someone preparing to enter design school from scratch?
— How important is it to visit campuses in person before applying — is it expected or optional?

Job placement after graduation
— How strong is the job placement actually — not the official statistics, but real outcomes for international students specifically?
— How quickly did you find a job after graduating? Weeks, months, over a year?
— Did your school’s name open doors, or was it mostly about your portfolio and who you knew?
— Which of the three schools — Parsons, RISD, NYSID — has the strongest alumni network that actively helps graduates find work?
— Are career services at these schools genuinely useful, or do you mostly find jobs on your own?
— What types of firms or roles do interior design graduates typically land — residential studios, hospitality, corporate, retail?
— Is it realistic to get hired at a top NYC firm (Gensler, Rockwell, HOK, AD100 studios) straight out of a master’s program?
— Did your internships during the program lead directly to job offers, or was it more of a foot-in-the-door situation?
— How important is it to stay in NYC vs relocating to another US city for job prospects in interior design?

Living in NYC (NYSID / Parsons)
— What neighbourhoods do most graduate interior design students actually live in — Brooklyn, Jersey City, the Bronx, Queens?
— What is a realistic all-in monthly budget for a graduate student in NYC in 2025/2026 — rent, food, metro, supplies, everything?
— Is it worth living with roommates vs getting a studio, and how do you find roommates as an incoming international student?
— Which is cheaper and more student-friendly — on-campus housing or finding your own apartment?
— Are there good Indian grocery stores and communities near the school areas? Does NYC feel manageable for someone from India?
— How safe is it to live in more affordable neighbourhoods as a single woman?

Living in Providence (RISD)
— How affordable is Providence compared to NYC for a graduate student?
— What is a realistic monthly budget living near RISD’s campus?
— Is Providence a liveable city for an Indian international student, or does it feel isolating?
— Is there a strong enough Indian or South Asian community in Providence?
— Does living in Providence vs NYC make it noticeably harder to find internships and jobs during the program?

OPT, work visa and staying in the USA long-term
— How long is OPT for interior design graduates — is it 12 months or 36 months STEM OPT? Do any of these programs qualify for STEM OPT extension?
— How realistic is it to get H-1B sponsorship as an interior designer — do firms in this field sponsor visas at all, or is it rare?
— Did your employer sponsor your H-1B, or did you have to find another route to stay?
— Are there specific types of firms — large corporate, hospitality, architecture firms — that are more likely to sponsor visas than small residential studios?
— Has anyone gone the O-1 visa route (extraordinary ability) as a designer? Is that realistic for someone earlier in their career?
— What’s the most common path to a green card for interior designers — EB-1, EB-2 NIW, employer sponsorship?
— How long does the green card process realistically take for Indian nationals in a design field?
— Are there any immigration lawyers or resources you’d recommend specifically for creative professionals?
— Did your choice of school or program affect your visa and immigration options at all?

General survival advice for Indian students in the US
— What do you wish someone had told you before you moved?
— How long does it take to genuinely settle in and feel at home?
— What are the biggest financial mistakes new Indian students make in the US?
— Is it hard to build a genuine social life and community as an international student in a design program?

Any advice at all is genuinely welcome. Thank you so much! Sorry for the lengthy post.

Planning to major in architecture after high school