My time on the BA (Hons) Architecture course at AUB so far has been a genuinely rich and well-rounded experience. I’m currently in my second year, and I have to say, I’m really enjoying this term.
It’s been super engaging and creatively fulfilling. That’s not to say the earlier terms weren’t challenging though. They definitely had their tough moments, especially the more theory-heavy, academic parts. Since I’ve always been more drawn to design and the creative side of things, I initially found it hard to get into the flow with modules that were more conceptual or technical. But looking back, I can really see how important they were. They laid the groundwork for a lot of the practical stuff I’m doing now and gave me a better understanding of architecture as a whole.
When I first joined the course, I was honestly quite nervous. Apart from a brief one-week work experience placement at an architecture firm, I had no real background in the subject – no idea how to draw a floor plan, no clue what elevations even were, and definitely no understanding of things like wall construction. But the tutors were fantastic from day one. They really took the time to walk us through everything from the basics.
We learned how to draft floor plans and elevations by hand and gradually, we built up to understanding structural components, like what’s actually inside a wall, which, surprisingly, starts to make a lot of sense once you dive in! It all felt very hands-on and supportive, and that solid introduction gave me a good foundation (pun intended) for everything that’s come since.
The transition from first year to second year, though, was intense. At the end of first year, we were in uni about two days a week, but that suddenly jumped to four packed days a week in second year, with multiple deadlines stacked across those days. It felt overwhelming at first, I won’t lie; but because everything was moving so quickly, there wasn’t much space to overthink or put things off. That constant momentum weirdly helped me stay focused and motivated, and I found myself pushing through it with a surprising amount of energy.
This year has been way more design-led, which has honestly been such a highlight for me. We’ve had loads of opportunities to get stuck into creative projects, and the trips and site visits have really helped bring everything to life.
One of the standout moments for me was going on the architecture trip to Florence with most of my class. It was incredible seeing iconic chapels, museums, and soaking in the architectural details while strolling through the streets (with regular stops for pizza and gelato, of course) was such a fun and inspiring experience – definitely one of the most memorable parts of the course so far.
All in all, I’d say the architecture course at AUB is one of the best-supported and best-equipped courses on campus. We have access to a ton of resources for modelmaking, loads of materials and equipment, plus the computer suites and workshops are always available with staff happy to help. It really feels like a space where you’re encouraged to experiment, learn and grow, where the support is there if you need it.
