14.09.2022
Overview
Architecture, Room Planning
Students of this field are involved in the planning, design and construction of buildings of all kinds (such as residential buildings, public buildings, industrial and structural engineering) up to complex urban development areas and renovations.
The study field at a glance
In architecture, it is important to follow the technical-constructive, economic and building requirements are considered as well as the needs of the people. On one hand, the balance between the artistic and creative design of the buildings plays an important role, and on the other, their technical and economical implementation. Environmental aspects such as the sustainable use of energy and environmental protection are also extremely important. This applies both to new buildings and to the renovation of old buildings. Especially in the case concerning the conservation of historical monuments arise.
Urban planning, including regional planning, is to be understood as the drive of the structural and spatial development in the municipal area, including questions of traffic, supply and disposal, land management and nature and landscape protection. Urban planners (city planners) must therefore be aware of and consider interactions between political, social, economic and technical problems. As specialists, they advise their clients and provide them with various possible solutions, e.g. in the form of land use and development plans, conversion or renovation concepts.
Offered courses
The degree programs in this area offer both basic universities and technical colleges. In addition to the classical study program "Architecture", there are also specialized courses, such as "Climate Engineering, "Architecture & Real Estate Management", "Media Architecture", "Architecture and Environment", "Resource Architecture", "Metal building shells" or "Baukultur heritage". Students of interior design, spatial strategies, and color technology and work in interior design. Courses of urban and landscape planning are to be found under names such as "Regional Planning", "Spatial Sciences", "Urban Studies", Open Space Management", "Urban Dynamics", "Landscape Planning and Nature Conservation" or "Landscape Development / Architecture". Depending on their orientation, students complete the bachelor in master of arts, engineering or science.
Contents of the course
It conveys architectural, urbanistic and architectural theoretical knowledge. Modules in the subject include groups design / construction, urban design / building customer, interior design, social, cultural and historical foundations (sociology and cultures), presentation and design (design methodology, visual arts, aesthetics, descriptive geometry, digital design techniques), scientific-technical basics (structural science, materials science and building physics, technical building equipment). In addition, there are aspects of energy use or energetic renovation, sustainability and environmental protection. Also monument protection, the architect, building regulations and planning law as well as construction project management and building economics are treated.
In addition to theory, internships in a major or minority business or in a planning office are recommended or compulsory in most study programs.
Admission criteria & study application
Depending on the university and study program, the Fachhochschul- or the general university entrance qualification as well as a certain grade point average are required for the application for one of the study programs. In order to determine the artistic or creative suitability of applicants, a number of higher education institutions have introduced a special procedure for determining their suitability for studies before starting their studies.
Possible careers after graduation
Architects often cooperate with civil engineers, especially for planning and construction management of complex construction projects, as well as with authorities and construction companies. As an employee or as a freelancer in the architecture office, the design, pre-planning and supervision of individual buildings to the planning of urban development projects is an important focus of her work.
In the construction industry, architects are responsible for the structural planning of buildings. They calculate the costs and supervise the construction. In larger planning offices, construction companies, large companies such as Deutsche Bahn AG or Deutsche Post AG, they mostly work in a specific field of activity (planning, design, construction management, etc.). This also applies to the activity in public administration, e.g. in city construction offices, where they also perform urban planning tasks.
Alternative areas of application include facility management, the distribution of construction products or, for example, an expert.
For entry onto the list of architects and for the job title "architect", together with an two years of work experience and possessing a minimum four-year study period (for the EU according to EU Directive 2005/36 / EC on the recognition of professional qualifications). The registration can take place either after an eight-semester bachelor's degree or after a bachelor's degree and a consecutive master's degree.