Studios

As an architecture student, I spend most of my time in the studio, and honestly, studio work is what makes architecture education feel so unique. Thanks to a Handbook we were asked to read in a few of our classes, I learned early on why the studio is such an essential part of our education. I’d like to share some of the things I’ve learned and a few of my experiences with you. The studio is not just a place where we design and work independently; it’s also where we collaborate with our peers, push our limits, challenge our creativity, and learn to think like architects.

The architecture studio is where we transform ideas into reality. It’s where we dive into projects, from the first sketch to the final presentation. Unlike a regular classroom, there are no strict lectures or textbooks—it's all about hands-on work, getting your hands dirty with models, drawings, and digital designs. This is where we practice what we learn in theory, where we experiment, fail, and learn from it. It's a back-and-forth process. The studio environment is where we really feel we grow as designers, learning both the technical and creative sides of architecture.

Nobody can learn architecture by just reading books or watching videos. The studio is where we apply everything we’ve been taught. We learn through doing physical models and creating relationships and organizations; we try to observe what is wrong and what is true.

Of course,even in our lives we need to learn how to communicate. We have to defend our ideas, and that’s where communication becomes more importent for us.Every time we present our designs or get feedback, we’re forced to think critically about our choices. Why did we choose that material? Why is this form important? Whether it’s presenting our work or discussing it with classmates, we’re constantly practicing how to communicate our ideas effectively, which is key in architecture.

The studio environment encourages us to think outside the box. It’s not just about following standard rules; it’s about creating something unique, pushing boundaries, and coming up with new ways to solve design problems. In the studio, we’re encouraged to be bold with our ideas and take risks. This is where our creative potential really shines.

Architecture isn’t a solo profession. In the studio, we often work in groups, discussing ideas, sharing resources, and learning from each other. Collaboration is such an important part of the field, and the studio is the perfect place to develop those teamwork skills. It’s where we understand the value of different perspectives and how to combine them into a cohesive design.

There’s a lot of trial and error, and deadlines are tight. In the studio, we learn how to balance all the tasks, manage our time, and stay organized throughout the entire process. From researching to sketching to finalizing models, we quickly realize that time management is everything in architecture.

The studio isn’t just a place to work—it’s where we grow as designers and future architects. It teaches us how to apply our knowledge, how to think critically, how to communicate our ideas, and how to collaborate with others. Most importantly, it pushes us to be creative, take risks, and experiment without fear of failure. For me, the studio is the most exciting part of architecture school. It’s where the learning happens, and where we get to shape our own ideas and visions.