What is it really like to study architecture?

Studying architecture is often described as a unique academic experience, but what does that mean day to day? If you’re considering architecture as a major, you’re probably asking: What will I learn in architecture courses? How much time will I spend in studio classes? How does architecture compare to other fields of study?

At its core, studying architecture is about learning how to think differently. It challenges you to observe the world closely, ask thoughtful questions and respond to real human, environmental and technical needs through design. The work is hands-on and highly collaborative, and learning happens through developing and refining your ideas over time.

To help you better understand what studying architecture is actually like, University of Idaho Assistant Professor of Architecture Leonie Bunte shares details about studio culture, architecture courses, real-world learning and what you’ll experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

A day in the life of an architecture student

An architecture program is made up of several interconnected parts: studio work, architecture courses, faculty guidance and hands-on projects. Each experience plays a role in how you learn and prepare for what comes next.

Studio and hands-on learning

A typical day as an architecture student usually starts, and often ends, in the studio. Studio is the central space where you’ll develop projects, test ideas, receive feedback and learn through practice-based work.

At U of I, hands-on learning begins very early in the architecture program. In your first year, you’ll start with hand drafting and foundational art and design courses that introduce you to architectural thinking and making. By your second year, you move into design studios and begin working directly with materials through courses like Materials and Methods. This early exposure helps you understand how ideas translate from concept to physical form and builds confidence through practice.

“Most days revolve around studio,” Bunte shares. “There are usually three three-hour studio sessions each week where students draw, build models, work digitally, present ideas and talk through their work with faculty and peers. Students have their own desks in studio, which they use throughout the semester.”

Because you spend so much time there, studio also becomes a social space. Over time, you build strong relationships with peers and become part of a tight-knit creative community. You learn how to collaborate, communicate and respond to critique — skills that shape both your academic experience and how you work with others professionally.

“Studio quickly becomes sort of a second home,” Bunte notes.

Architecture courses

Architecture courses show you early on that the field extends far beyond designing buildings. Alongside studio, your coursework introduces you to the many forces that impact the built environment and influence architectural decision-making.

“Architecture brings together art, history, technology, ecology and social questions. Every project brings a new perspective, and students work across many scales, from materials and details to urban questions,” Bunte explains.

To support that breadth, you take lecture-based courses that build essential knowledge and context. These courses may cover architectural history and theory, building systems, materials, environmental considerations and digital tools.

Rather than existing separately, architecture courses and studio work are closely connected. Concepts introduced in lectures often carry directly into studio projects, giving you the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned through design. Together, studio and lecture courses ensure you develop both creative and technical expertise.

Faculty mentorship

Faculty mentorship is built into every part of the architecture experience at University of Idaho. Because studio projects and classes are closely connected, you work with faculty consistently over time.

“Faculty get to know students well and support them through regular conversations about their work. Studio is a space for dialogue, where students and instructors learn from each other through feedback, discussion and experimentation,” Bunte says.

Faculty members also help you explore the many directions architecture can take. “Mentorship means connecting students to people and possibilities, helping them discover directions within architecture that resonate with them,” Bunte adds.

Through electives, advanced studios and research opportunities, you can shape your architecture degree around your interests, whether those lie in materials, sustainability, urban design or another area of focus, with faculty support along the way.

Design-build projects and real-world problem-solving

One of the most impactful learning experiences for architecture students is participating in design-build projects. “In projects like the Vandal Healing Garden, students work together as one team, just like a team in an architectural office would, designing, planning and building the project,” Bunte shares.

Design-build work introduces practical considerations that don’t always surface in studio alone, from material constraints to coordination and sequencing. As you move through the process, you learn how to adapt when conditions change and solve unexpected challenges collaboratively.

What you really learn when studying architecture

While design skills are a major outcome of architecture education, they’re far from the only ones you’ll develop. Over time, architecture schools help you build applicable ways of thinking and working that influence how you approach complex problems.

You’ll learn how to:

Think critically and make decisions

Architecture students are constantly asked to consider how their decisions affect people, places and environments. Projects rarely have a single right answer, which means you’ll learn to solve tough problems, evaluate trade-offs, justify choices and refine ideas based on feedback.

“Students learn to observe carefully, think critically and act responsibly,” Bunte states. “They also develop interdisciplinary ways of thinking, connecting design to ecological, social, cultural and technical questions.” This ability to connect ideas across disciplines prepares you for a wide range of professional paths, both within and beyond architecture.

Communicate ideas clearly

Another core skill you’ll develop as an architecture major is effective communication. You learn to explain your work visually and verbally through drawings, models, presentations and visual storytelling, often sharing ideas while they’re still in progress.

Because design projects are discussed openly in studio, clarity is essential. You’re expected to explain not only what you’re proposing, but why you made certain choices and how your ideas respond to context and constraints. When you communicate clearly, you'll collaborate more effectively and present your work with confidence.

Prepare for professional practice and other career opportunities

Architecture education at U of I prepares you for a rapidly growing profession, as well as for graduate study and careers across related fields. You’ll leave our architecture programs with strong hands-on experience and a sense of responsibility for your work that goes beyond the classroom.

Bunte says, “University of Idaho offers a NAAB-accredited professional architecture degree, while also preparing students for an ever-changing field and world. Beyond professional preparation, the program equips students with flexible design, critical thinking and communication skills that support a wide range of future paths. They are comfortable collaborating and communicating ideas.”

Studying architecture at the undergraduate and graduate levels

The experience of studying architecture changes depending on whether you’re earning a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. University of Idaho offers architecture programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, with each having unique opportunities and career outcomes.

Learning the fundamentals as an undergraduate

At the undergraduate level, architecture education focuses on skill development and building a broad foundation. Through mostly required courses, you’re introduced to core ideas in design, history, technology and methods while participating in studio work and hands-on projects.

As an undergraduate architecture major at U of I, you learn how to think like an architect and gain exposure to the many professional directions you can take. The program prepares you for entry-level roles in design-related areas and lays the groundwork for advanced study, making it possible to continue seamlessly into our Master of Architecture degree.

Deepening your focus through graduate study

Graduate study builds on your undergraduate foundation with greater independence and depth. “At the master’s level, there is more freedom to focus on specific interests through electives, advanced studios and a graduate project,” Bunte explains.

This progression allows you to take on more complex projects, refine your expertise and develop a deeper understanding of architectural practice. By the time you complete your master’s degree, you’re prepared to step into professional roles that require greater leadership and responsibility.

Why you should study architecture at University of Idaho

Within U of I’s College of Art and Architecture, you’ll learn in a community- and studio-driven environment that emphasizes hands-on experience and individualized support.

“At U of I, students can look forward to a close-knit community, great design-build opportunities and strong connections across the College of Art and Architecture. At the Moscow campus, the small-town atmosphere and the surrounding natural and cultural landscape are a great context for studying architecture,” Bunte shares.

You’ll benefit from:

• Small class sizes and studio-based learning, offering regular faculty interaction and meaningful feedback.
• Hands-on projects and design-build opportunities that connect classroom topics to real-world challenges.
• A seamless path to graduate study, with the ability to transition from the architecture bachelor’s degree into the Master of Architecture program and complete both degrees in five to six years.
• Flexible study options, including completing your first two undergraduate years at U of I’s Boise Center before finishing your degree in Moscow.
• Professional and student organizations within the College of Art and Architecture.
• Dedicated resources for architecture students, from studio spaces and funding opportunities to advising and academic support.

U of I’s architecture programs

University of Idaho offers several architecture degrees that support different levels of study and interests in the field:

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in architecture
• Bachelor of Interior Architecture and Design (B.I.A.D.)
• Master of Architecture
• Master of Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.)
• Master of Science (M.S.) in integrated architecture and design

What studying architecture could look like for you

Imagine yourself at University of Idaho — developing ideas, working through challenges and learning alongside a close community of peers and faculty. Take the next step toward an architecture education that’s thoughtfully designed for you. Request information or apply today.