Architectural Restoration Courses

What is Architecture?

The term “Architecture” describes the art, design, and engineering processes and principles that shape the physical world. The rich study of architecture and design dates back to the ancient world and can be traced through Ruskin’s 19th-century treatise on Gothic Architecture, and on through today's modern architecture and contemporary architecture design aesthetics. Filtering into almost every aspect of human life, architecture is chief among the artifacts that civilizations leave behind; lending it great cultural significance as well.

Architecture is also a forward-looking and ever-evolving field with a wide range of applications and theories. In the face of climate change, green architecture or sustainable architecture has emerged as a competitive field centered on developing architectural plans that address and seek to minimize human impact on the natural environment.

In addition, architectural principles can be applied to other areas of business and information technology. The Open Group Architecture Framework (ToGAF), for instance, provides an approach for designing, planning, implementing, and governing information technology systems based on key principles of architecture.

An architecture degree offers the skills needed to pursue a career as an architect, ranging from design architecture to the study of environmental systems. Individuals interested in becoming a professional architect must either complete a Bachelor of Architecture or a Master’s degree in Architecture. A working knowledge of architectural design software is also critical for modern drafting. There is an abundance of online architecture courses and online Architecture degrees available, making a career in architecture more accessible than ever.

Online courses in Architecture

There is a wide range of online courses offered in the field of architecture. Beginners interested in the fundamental principles of architecture might consider Harvard’s Architectural Imagination course, which approaches the subject through a study of history’s important buildings.

Intermediate students may explore the mechanical engineering principles that undergird architectural design through The Mechanics of Deformable Structures course offered by MIT.

And for those interested in history, The University of Notre Dame offers The Meaning of Rome: The Renaissance and The Baroque City, which teaches how the art, architecture, and urban form of Renaissance and Baroque Rome projected the city’s image around the world.

Jobs in Architecture

With a long list of transferable skills including strong analytical, communication, and technical skills, the study of architecture can lead to a career as a Civil Engineer, a Construction Manager, Drafter, a Graphic Designer, an Interior Designer, a Landscape Architect, or an Urban and Regional Planner.

The Job site Indeed lists more than 20,000 open positions for Architects. The average starting salary is close to $100,000 a year. There are an additional 17,000 jobs for Civil Engineers, with 8,000 of these starting at $80,000 or more.

Explore a Career in Architecture

Architecture informs just about every aspect of modern life. Online courses are a great way to dive into this challenging and rewarding field - or just learn to appreciate the structures all around us. Help design the future by pursuing a career in architecture today!