What Makes a Public Space Work? 7 Key Design Principles from Great Cities

Take a stroll through a vibrant Barcelona plaza, a crowded street market in Marrakech, or Central Park in New York City on a sunny day, and you can sense it immediately: that pulse of life that makes a public space successful. People linger, gather, talk, watch, sit, and move about in a kind of improvised…

ByParvathi Jayasankar1 day ago

Career

10 Skills That Matter More Than Your GPA in Architecture

If you're an architecture student, you've likely had that sinking feeling when grades come out: "Did I do well enough? Is this GPA going to determine my fate?" Here's the reality that's not often spoken in studios: your GPA isn't your destiny. In reality, most companies aren't looking at your grades; they're looking at your…

ByParvathi JayasankarNovember 5, 2025

Architecture

How to Start Designing When You Feel Stuck: 6 Strategies for Architecture Students

Every architecture student is familiar with the experience: in front of a bare white sheet, pencil poised, hoping for a "genius" thought to materialize. The longer the page remains empty, the heavier it gets. And then the thrill of the new project is transformed into panic, and you question whether you even belong here. The…

ByParvathi JayasankarSeptember 4, 2025

Architecture

The Truth About Working in Big vs. Small Architecture Firms

As an architecture student or new graduate entering the professional arena, there's one question that inevitably arises: Should I work for a large firm or a small firm? The answer? It depends on your values, your goals, and even your personality. Both have their benefits, drawbacks, tempo, and politics. In this blog, we will explore…

ByParvathi JayasankarAugust 25, 2025

Interior Design

The Science Behind Colour Psychology in Interiors: How Colours Influence Mood, Perception, and Spatial Experience

When we enter a space, we hardly take time to think about how the colours in our environment affect us. Yet, colours speak quietly to our unconscious in strong terms—calming us, stimulating us, even inspiring creativity or provoking appetite. It's no new-age pseudoscience; it is based on psychology, physiology, and even cultural conditioning. For architects…

ByParvathi JayasankarJuly 29, 2025

Architecture

Ace Your Architecture Jury: 9 Tips for a Winning Presentation

There are few things more nerve-wracking for an architecture student than jury day. After weeks of designing, drawing, modelling, rendering, tweaking, and doubting every decision, you find yourself standing in front of a panel of critics—professors, professionals, sometimes even people you’ve admired from afar, trying to explain the "why" behind your design while keeping your…

ByParvathi JayasankarJuly 26, 2025

Architecture

Master Architecture Appreciation: How to Experience Buildings Better

Whether you are a design student, a travelling curiosity-seeker, or simply a person who would like to view buildings more wisely, mastering architectural appreciation will add value to your everyday life. We're surrounded by buildings—offices, houses, schools, temples, airports—each one the product of a combination of aesthetic decisions, functional decisions, and cultural narratives. But how…

ByParvathi JayasankarJuly 15, 2025

Conversations

Architecture Communication Made Easy: How to Explain Your Design to Non-Architect Clients

Whether homeowners, startup entrepreneurs, or corporate investors, most are not architects. That is not to say that they care less about design; it is to say that they perceive and comprehend spaces differently. As architects, our job is not simply to create meaningful designs, but to successfully explain design to clients and help them connect with those designs. Here’s how to better your architecture communication and make your design story resonate with non-architects. 1. Begin with the Problem, Not the Plan Before discussing floor plans and…

ByParvathi JayasankarJuly 5, 2025

Architecture

Bauhaus vs. Brutalism: Learning Two Revolutionary Architecture Movements

Few movements in the history of architecture have been so powerful—or misinterpreted—as Bauhaus and Brutalism. Both appeared during eras of social, political, and technological upheaval, and both embodied daring new conceptions of how architecture might contribute to society. Yet, while both were determined to remake the built environment, Bauhaus and Brutalism differ fundamentally in philosophy,…

ByParvathi JayasankarJuly 4, 2025

Architecture Practice / Studio

Basics of a Good Architecture Portfolio

Just graduated and wondering what’s next? Your architecture portfolio is your first step into the professional world. This guide covers what to include, how to present it, and tips to make your portfolio stand out.

ByParvathi JayasankarJune 27, 2025