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50 Excellent Open Courses For Architecture Enthusiasts
With cable television, the internet, and more, architecture enthusiasts can find many sources in which to get their fix. However, watching a show or reading an article is not enough if you are truly devoted.

With the emergence of open course ware and other educational tools, why not take advantage? Below, we have gathered 50 excellent open courses for architecture enthusiasts that include videos, notes, assignments, and other fun tidbits.

Excellent Undergraduate MIT Open Courses For Architecture Enthusiasts

A leader in both education and open courses, there are several options for architecture lovers.

1. Introduction to Building Technology : An excellent place to start, get a fundamental understanding of the physics related to buildings. The course also teaches the various issues that are combined to offer the building’s occupants a physical, functional and psychological well-being. Students will examine both independently and in the manner in which they interact and affect one another.

2. Introduction to Integrated Design : Students explore the basic questions of architecture through several short design exercises. Working with many different media, students discover the interrelationship of architecture and structures, sustainability, history and the visual arts. Both lectures and assignments are provided for the open course.

3. Architectural Design: Intentions : The open course introduces a full range of architectural issues through drawing exercises, analyses of precedents, and explored design methods. Students develop design skills by conceptualizing and representing architectural ideas and making judgments about building design. Click on projects to see some of the student’s completed works.

4. Architecture Studio: Building in Landscapes : This subject introduces the skills needed to build within a landscape establishing continuities between the built and natural world. Students learn to build appropriately through analysis of landscape and climate for a chosen site, and to conceptualize design decisions through drawings and models. There is also an image gallery with more.

5. Fundamentals of Energy in Buildings: A highlight of this class on energy in buildings is that it includes a complete set of assignments and class projects, along with a detailed set of readings called out in the calendar. Thermo-sciences are taught to students interested in architecture and building technology. Fundamentals in energy, ventilation, air conditioning, and comfort are introduced.

6. Architectural Construction and Computation : This architecture open course investigates the use of computers in architectural design and construction. It begins with a pre-prepared design computer model, which is used for testing and process investigation in construction. It then explores construction from all sides of the practice: detail design, structural design, and both legal and computational issues.

Excellent Graduate MIT Open Courses For Architecture Enthusiasts

Is your love and knowledge of architecture unquenchable? Then give these graduate open courses a look.

7. Introduction to Design Inquiry : Explore the nature and exercise of design intelligence with this architecture open course. It aims to pursue research and open vistas on the teaching of design and professional design practices. Also included are a bibliography and class log.

8. Introduction to Urban Design and Development : Examine both the structure of cities and ways they can be changed with this open course. Its scope includes historical forces that have produced cities, models of urban analysis, contemporary theories of urban design, and implementation strategies. Core lectures and guest speakers are also included.

9. Urban Design : In the Urban Design Studio, the course focuses in on an area adjacent to Cambridgeport and the western end of the MIT campus. The goal is to discover the ways in which good urban form, an apt mix of activities, and effective institutional mechanisms might all be brought together. The full report and all seven chapters are available in the projects section.

10. Urban Design Politics : This is a seminar about the ways that urban design contributes to the distribution of political power and resources in cities. In this view, design is not some value-neutral aesthetic applied to efforts at urban development but is an integral part of the motives driving that development. Readings and assignments are both featured.

11. Special Problems in Architectural Design : This open course teaches architecture students to expect the unexpected. It focuses on representation tools used by architects during the design process and attempts to discuss the relationship they develop with the object of design. Exercises and submissions are also available for the viewing.

12. Theory of City Form : Theories about cities and the form that settlements should take are discussed in this open course. Attempts will be made at a distinction between descriptive and normative theory by examining examples of various theories of city form over time. Lecture notes and loads of readings are included.

Excellent Green Open Courses For Architecture Enthusiasts

If your love for architecture has a green frame of mind, check out these open courses.

13. Sustainability in the Built Environment : Get an international education with this open architecture course from Hong Kong University. The course aims to develop understanding of sustainability in built environment for students in all disciplines. It focuses on raising the awareness of the built world’s connection to environmental issues, examining sustainable architecture and exploring the methods for reducing impact.

14. Sustainable Design and Technology Research Workshop : This workshop investigates the current state of sustainability in regards to architecture, from the level of the tectonic detail to the urban environment. Current research and case studies are investigated, and students propose their own solutions as part of the final project. Assignments and completed projects are featured.

15. Energy Efficiency in Building : Another open course from HKU, it introduces the basic concepts of energy efficiency in buildings, energy efficient technologies, and the common methods for building energy analysis. Students study the topics through readings, discussions, and project analysis. It is hoped that the knowledge and skills acquired could help generate innovative architectural designs and improve performance of building systems.

16. Nature and the Built Environment : This course explores the evolutionary roots of form and order in the built environment. While grounded in scientific evidence, a broad perspective of humanism is emphasized throughout, with discussions of how ideas animate societies and thereby give form to the things they make. Lectures, readings, and more are included.

17. Environment and Sustainable Development : The United Nations University offers this open course totaling 15 hours. Students examine policy responses to environmental problems caused by economic development with special attention to innovation. The central topic of the course is innovation for the environment, which is explored through a number of lectures and discussion meetings.

18. Soil-Based Hazardous Waste Management : Worried about the impact structures have on the environment? Then check out this open course from Utah State University. Students learn analysis and design emphasized through problems, examinations, and report writing.

19. Environmental Ethics : This open course is an introduction to the study of modern human interaction with other species and the environment. Students begin with a brief introduction to moral theory, then move to in-depth investigations of some of the main topics in contemporary environmental ethics. Architect enthusiasts wondering where to draw the ethics line will appreciate it.

20. Epidemiological Thinking For Non-Specialists : Similar to the above, this open course focuses on changing the ways architects, and other professionals, think. Special attention is given to social inequalities, changes over the life course, heterogeneous pathways, and controversies with implications for policy and practice. A syllabus, schedule, and assessments are available.

Excellent Lectures For Architecture Enthusiasts

Listen to these free architecture lessons on your iPod, jog, or next car trip to give your enthusiasm for architecture a boost.

21. Introduction to Computer Architecture : You don’t have to be a student of architecture in India to learn more. This one hour lecture from the IIT in Delhi is available for free at YouTube. Professor Anshul Kamar of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering shows how computers can be helpful to architects.

22. Sustainable Building Systems : This small lecture series is brought to architecture enthusiasts from Hong Kong University. Principles discusses include sustainability, green building, basic principles, and design issues. There are various video presentations totaling hours.

23. Information Architecture : Get a lecture on architecture form the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Professor Gary Marchionini lectures on the topic of Information Architecture. Related videos are also available.

24. CCA Architecture Lecture Series : Paul Lewis is head of a leading architecture firm in New York. Here, he speaks at the California College of Arts on design, limits, and more. A useful watch for those wanting to enter the field of architecture professionally.

25. European Graduate School : Greg Lynn is an American architect, thinker, philosopher and science-fiction writer discussing and lecturing about the future of architecture and many other topics. Get it all for free in eleven parts on YouTube.

26. This Land is Our Land Greening Architecture, Ethics, and Environment : Ian Ritchie is a UK-based architect, artist, environmentalist, and innovator in engineering, construction and materials. In a lecture presented by USC, he discusses his pioneering work and issues of sustainability. A discussion also follows.

27. Defending A Vision For Architecture : Any architect enthusiast knows the name Frank Gehry. This video lecture was taken in 1990 when a younger Gehry discusses his craft. He even discusses his own Venice Beach house using multiple slides.

28. Nice Building, Then What? : An older and wiser Frank Gehry discusses architecture. He also gives takes on the power of failure, recent buildings, and the “then what?” factor. Coming in at only 22 minutes, it is worth a look if you are an architecture enthusiast.

29. Architecture, Design, Art : Get strategies for survival in all three fields with this video from USC. Featured speakers include Teddy Cruz, Marjetica Potrcˇ, and Krzysztof Wodiczko. Practices are discussed, along with possible intersections.

30. Creativity at a Crossroads : Another USC lecture, this one focuses on the intersection of both art and architecture in China. Three of China’s most influential figures in these areas come together to talk about their work. A good watch for architecture enthusiasts who want an international point of view.

Excellent TED Lectures For Architecture Enthusiasts

A worldwide leader in educational lectures, see what these enthusiasts have to say about architecture.

31. 17 Words of Architectural Inspiration : Daniel Libeskind builds on very big ideas as a designer of breathtaking buildings. Here, he shares 17 words that underlie his vision for architecture including raw, risky, emotional, radical. An excellent lecture for offering inspiration for any bold creative pursuit.

32. Architecture That Repairs Itself? : TED Fellow Rachel Armstrong discusses her research on metabolic materials. Using Venice, Italy as an example, she demonstrates how the city can be saved. She proposes a not-quite-alive material that does its own repairs and sequesters carbon.

33. Cradle to Cradle Design : Architect William McDonough believes that green design can prevent environmental disaster — while also driving economic growth. His theory inspires what architecture would look like if buildings and products were designed with all children in all times in mind.

34. The Quirky World of Manspaces : Sam Martin is the senior editor at frog design and the editor-in-chief of “Design Mind” magazine. In his short lecture, he shares photos of a quirky world that is trending with the “manspace.” These spaces are designed with the man in mind and all they entail.

35. Architectural Inspiration : If you still haven’t had enough, click on this link. It contains over 20 other lectures on architecture by global experts. There are also online discussions to take part in.

Other Excellent Open Courses For Architecture Enthusiasts

Other universities offer this open course ware in relation to architecture.

36. Architecture and Planning : MIT World brings this series of speakers on both topics. Over 40 entries deal with everything from the past of architecture to its future. There are also videos on innovation, business, public policy, and much more.

37. Architecture : Get loads of study tools for architecture enthusiasts from Columbia Interactive. Learning tools include Falling Water Interactive tours, the architecture of New York city, and even a guide to Columbia’s own architecture. There are also events, journals, and newsletters.

38. Introduction To Roman Architecture : Get a comprehensive overview of one of the most recognized architecture systems with this open course. A wide variety of Roman buildings are covered in the course and linked to the theme of Roman urbanism. Best of all, there are tons of video lectures from a leading Yale professor.

39. Planning and Zoning : This topic can be a breeze or a nightmare for architecture enthusiasts. Make it the former with the help of this open course from MSU. It covers the planning official, looking back to look forwards, and how zoning works.

40. Architecture : Get an introductory and short open course to the topic from the King Fahd University. It has a syllabus and instructor information. There are also engineering and other courses to choose from.

Excellent Miscellaneous Courses For Architecture Enthusiasts

See how these open courses apply to architecture by giving them a look.

41. The City : Stop here for a course that explores what a city is, what shapes it, and how architecture can effect it. Learn how cities constantly being built and rebuilt shapes them. The open course includes journals, assignments, readings, and more.

42. Design Like You Give A Damn : Not exclusively for architects, but there is much to be found on these design talks from TED. They focus on mechanical, medical, and many other forms of design. Speakers are featured from across the globe.

43. Blender 3D Design : The software has many design applications, including for architecture enthusiasts. It explores basic mesh modeling, applying textures and materials to 3-D objects, lighting, animation, and rendering. The course provides a good basis for further independent study in architectural, engineering, and theatrical modeling and even game design.

44. Wildfire Management and Planning : Architect enthusiasts can learn both the causes and prevention of fires with this open course. Students see how the interactions of fire with its environment influence assessments of fire behavior. This course will also introduce mathematical fire models available to help predict fires.

45. CityScope: New Orleans : With both American and French influences, New Orleans is a city unlike any other. Until Hurricane Katrina hit. This open course explores what can and should be done to help the city recover.

46. Understanding Societies : Get a better look at architecture by learning more about the societies that build them. Sociology is the science of understanding social relationships, human behavior, and the society that we live in. Lecture notes, readings, and quizzes are offered.

47. Invention and Innovation: An Introduction : The Open University offers this 55 hour advanced open course. It provides an understanding of invention, design, innovation, and diffusion as ongoing processes with a range of factors affecting success at each stage. It can help any architecture enthusiast inspire all sorts of ideas.

48. Thinking About Architecture: In History and At Present : Get a look at both the past and future of architecture in this open course. It studies the interrelationship of theory, history, and practice as it relates to architecture and the architect. A calendar and readings are also included.

49. Exploring A Romano-African City : Did you know that Rome has architecture influences from Africa? In this open course, the city of Thugga is explored in video sequences. Students are taught to undertake activities identifying Roman and indigenous elements in the city.

50. Visual Communication Design : Enthusiasts of both architecture and design will appreciate this course. It is intended to teach how to design successful technical documents. Students also learn how to establish effective visual hierarchy by consistently using variables such as type size, type weight, and spacing.

True architecture enthusiasts can spend loads of hours on their passion with the help of the above 50 excellent open courses for architecture students. There are also many other related open courses at many universities, with dozens more at MIT alone.

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