If you’re planning to apply for a master’s program in Architecture, there’s a few things you’ll need to know about how your application will be assessed.
Firstly, even though they may be required, your standardized test scores will not have as much weightage when it comes to deciding whether you receive or not. That isn’t to say that you can afford to submit a really bad GRE or TOEFL score, but let’s say, you don’t necessarily need a 325/340 on the GRE.
But most importantly, your application will very much hinge on two aspects:
- Your Statement of Purpose
- Your Portfolio
And in this article, we focus on the first aspect, i.e. how to write a Statement of Purpose for applying to a Masters in Architecture program.
What should you focus on in your Masters in Architecture SOP?
Before we specifically look into this, it is important that you have a thorough understanding of the different ingredients that an SOP should have in general. And we’d recommend you to The Ultimate Guide to Drafting a Stellar Statement of Purpose where we have covered the topic extensively.
When writing an Architecture/Urban Design SOP, you will need to pay emphasis on certain competencies. These include, but are not limited to, design to the following:
- Creativity and Innovation: Ability to generate unique and original design ideas, experience with applying innovative architectural solutions and concepts to projects while focusing on all aspects from aesthetics to functionality
- Technical Proficiency: Skills in design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Rhino), Knowledge of building materials, construction methods, and structural systems
- Academic Excellence: Strong academic record in architecture-related coursework, Relevant research projects, thesis work, or academic publications
- Professional Experience: Internships or work experience in architectural firms or related fields, Involvement in real-world projects, detailing your role and contributions
- Project Management: Ability to manage multiple aspects of a project, from conceptualization to completion, Experience with project timelines, budgets, and client interactions
- Sustainability and Environmental Awareness: Understanding of sustainable design principles and practices, Projects or coursework focused on green architecture and eco-friendly solutions
- Technical and Design Skills: Proficiency in technical drawing, drafting, and model-making
- Collaboration and Teamwork: Ability to collaborate with other architects, engineers, and stakeholders
- Problem-Solving Abilities: Aptitude for addressing design challenges and overcoming obstacles in projects
- Cultural and Historical Awareness: Understanding of architectural history and its influence on contemporary design, Appreciation for cultural contexts and their impact on architecture
Also Read: Careers that you can pursue after an Undergrad in Architecture
Sample 1:
The first example is of a candidate applied to the State University of New York Buffalo.
“As an architect, you design for the present, with an awareness of the past for a future which is essentially unknown” – Norman Foster
As an aspiring architect, I have always been fascinated by the magnanimity and sheer massiveness, which is only reflective of the architectural expertise that must have gone into designing them, of Egyptian pyramids, Greek temples, and European Gothic cathedrals. When I pass by many modern skyscrapers across the city, I can see how architecture has evolved significantly over time. Despite this evolution, which reflects the changing cultural, technological, and social contexts our times today, what has remained constant is a consideration for creating not just aesthetically appealing but also functional structures. My fascination with architecture propelled me to seek hands on exposure through professional experiences; the most notable of which is my work at Alliance City Developers and Realtors Pvt. Ltd. as their in-house architect for residential redevelopment projects in Mumbai.
Here, I worked on detailed drawings and sections of three multi-storeyed residential apartments with recreational facilities. I worked on designing and executing their main entrance lobbies, common areas, the main gate, facades, and flats. Besides these, I managed project coordination with consultants, met with site personnel, and supervised all the ongoing projects. For the luxury apartments, I designed their elaborate lobbies, terrace gardens, gymnasiums, landscapes, interiors, and many more ancillary aspects that go into making a house a home. I’ve created designs using sketches and experimenting various forms and materials on software such as Revit, Enscape, Sketchup and worked on presentational works for better understanding of space designing. In addition, I ensured the use of ergonomics while creating and designing these spaces, from drawings to material selection, vendor management, timelines, and executing the site work.
This professional exposure has been pivotal in motivating me to pursue my Master’s in Architecture to enable me with a gratifying career in leading and managing large projects ahead. After graduating, I aspire to work as the Team Lead of Design departments in companies such as Foster + Partners, SOM, and Zaha Hadid Architects, reputed for their work in projects for innovative design, use of new technology, and sustainability. Here, I would like to be responsible for handling the design and management of various commercial and residential projects, helping coordinate with clients and consultants, and exploring new sustainability technologies. Later, with significant work expertise to back me up, I want to take on leadership roles in companies like Bjake Ingles Group and Foster + Partners, where I would collaboratively work with my team of Architects and Construction Engineers to drive sustainable design projects for a large clientele.
My Bachelor’s in Architecture education proved decisive in defining my career interests and helping me develop a solid conceptual knowledge base. The curriculum included subjects like architectural design, rendering and detailing (ARD), and Allied design – interiors & landscape. Subjects like the theory of structures and Architectural building construction management (ABCM) helped me understand the building and loads of structures. Also, I took electives on software applications used in architecture. Furthermore, I went on industrial visits to Pune, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh, where I documented historic and cultural spaces keeping in mind their impact on the environment, understanding the town they were built in and its climate, and the materials used. One such documentation was titled “Divine waters,” a study of heritage temples at Lonar, Aurangabadh. Here, I have drafted and presented detailed drawings of heritage temples in Lonar, Aurangabad. Through seminars on _______________, I learned about global practices of design.
Over the ten semesters of my undergrad, I worked on numerous hands-on design and allied projects. The semesters included projects starting from a bungalow design on a 600sq.m plot and then escalating to a design institute at the scale of a 45,000sq.m plot, which I chose for my thesis. I explored various projects like bungalows, exhibition spaces, motels, cultural centers, healthcare resorts, hotel management institutes, mass housing- a residential project, a convention center, and Design Academy. With research on user behavior and ergonomics, I would develop a zoning map for the structures and plan them while working on their external façade. My elective subjects allowed me to learn several 3d software such as SketchUp, Revit, rhino, and even 3ds max. I implemented these software skills for rendering my design projects. Allied projects included the Interior design of a commercial restaurant and a residential 3-bhk house with detailed work. For allied design, the process went on from creating a mood board to developing a design from materials and patterns to further zoning areas and diagrams.
Each design had detailed working drawings of each section and legends for the type of material used and the finished product. Civil layouts, Plumbing, Electrical, furniture, lighting – every aspect was given attention to detail. These projects start with simple sketches, turning them into beautifully hand-rendered projects. Other subjects included working drawings–detailed drawings regarding government rules and building construction.
For valuable industry-specific exposure, I interned at Architect Hafeez Contractor (AHC). I worked on several BIM projects using Revit. I worked on residential mass housing structures for CIDCO’s Navi Mumbai projects. My job was to create detailed working drawings for the structure as per GFC’s, analyze data, and create detailed design elements like windows and doors, the thickness of even plaster levels, and incorporate them into the structure. While working at AHC, I also attended seminars and visited hands-on exhibitions like ACE TECH to learn more about the field. Also, I worked on their Municipal drawings. In a subsequent internship, Pendse Yash architecture + design, I learned to work on several software applications for renders. The ongoing projects include a bungalow and a bunch of interior projects. I was assigned site supervision, wherein I would directly contact the vendors and the workers at the site for details about the designs for a smooth workflow. I also made presentational drawings for several ongoing and upcoming projects. Alongside working in-house, I also got to collaborate with other architects and their studios for social projects like the ‘pod design: animal shelter for strays.’ My work also included creating a bill of quantities, a market survey, and constant ergonomic studies to learn about space user behaviors.
In addition to channeling my focus on meeting my undergrad objectives, I reserved time to engage in extracurricular activities. I have organized and participated in the annual college events for five years and various seminars and workshops. I was a part of the design team from my first year and later led the team as their design secretary in the last two years of academics. I attended exhibitions such as ACE Tech: An annual hands-on exhibition for people from the construction industry to network about materials. Also, I completed a course in Parametric architecture: generative and fluidic design specializing in various computing design strategies using Rhino, Maya and keyshot. Also, I attended a seminar hosted by ISRO on Geospatial inputs for enabling master plan formulation under AMRUT sub-scheme – an outreach program. Furthermore, I participated in a Women’s Pavilion by volume zero competition, which aimed to create a space that would encourage and support women worldwide by creating awareness about crimes and issues. My interest in animation led me to learn software applications such as 3ds max and Blender for motion graphic designing. These engagements enhanced my creativity, leadership, teamwork, and management skills.
With the extensive learning I gained through my professional stints, I now wish to advance my knowledge through M.Arch from __________. The courses, including ___________, ____________, and ___________, will help prepare me for a rewarding career ahead. It will be an honor to learn from renowned professors such as Prof ___________, whose work in ___________ is truly exemplary. I also wish to proactively contribute to the design field and sustainability committees and participate in diverse extracurricular activities.
I am an inquisitive architect, passionate about designing spaces. I believe my strong determination, good communication skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving mindset qualify me as the perfect candidate for this graduate program. To this end, I hope my candidature is given due consideration, and I am granted a place in the Class of 2023.
Sample 2:
In this case, the student here was applying for Carnegie Mellon University’s Masters in Architecture and Urban Design.
I am the granddaughter of a Kashmiri pandit who fled from her home as a seven-year-old, in the era immediately preceding the Partition of India. A lazy afternoon activity during my childhood that my mother and I engaged in was to attempt to reconstruct my grandmother’s house in Srinagar using a Lego set, based on her anecdotes alone. We would strive to capture details such as the front steps, the large balcony, and the bedrooms with thick timber walls that managed to withstand harsh Kashmiri winters. This was my first foray into any form of design but witnessing the imprint that spaces and homes left on people’s minds struck a chord within me. During my teens, I would photograph spatial elements during vacations and try to recreate them in Lego; delighting in the forms that took shape out of toy modules. As a student in the Science stream who yearned to express her creativity, discovering that architecture lay at the confluence of science and art deepened my interest in the field.
After I graduate, I aim to work as an architect and designer and contribute to the art and science of spatial design. The ongoing discourse in architecture has inspired me to bring my knowledge of the Indian disciplines of vernacular, climate-responsive, and resilient design to a more global platform. I wish to seek opportunities to integrate a human-centric approach to design with technology, culminating in forms at the scale of the building and neighbourhood that cater to user requirements. Post acquiring substantial work experience, I aspire to attain a leadership position at a design firm. I also hope to utilize my long-standing passion for writing to be a voice for responsible, people-centric design in the architectural community.
My initial fascination for architecture into translated into my Bachelor’s degree in Architecture. My curriculum comprised a wide array of subjects, culminating in an Architectural Design project at the end of every semester and a Design Dissertation in my final year. I secured a gold medal in my first year. In the following years, I have consistently been within the first five ranks in my batch, securing the top rank in the subjects of Construction and Design in different semesters.
My interest and participation in workshops gave me a critical prism to observe the current architectural trends in the field. I enrolled in TU Delft’s “Rethinking the City” course on edX, which focused on resilient cities. I attended lectures and exhibitions by leading architects such as Brinda Somaya, Swedish architect Rahel Belatchew (Swedish Style Mumbai), and Sameep Pandora (deCoding Mumbai: a study of the City’s Building Codes), to name a few.
My design dissertation in the final year stemmed from learning about the role of architecture and planning in my city. In 2014, the Mumbai Port Trust Land Development Committee (MPTLDC) published a draft proposal to redevelop the Eastern Waterfront (EWF) of Mumbai, an 1800-acre stretch of land along the east coast of the financial capital of India. This area houses ports, defunct mills, and supporting institutions that directly contributed to Mumbai’s growth in the 1800s. The original document proposed the adaptive reuse of existing structures, but subsequent proposals envisioned the land as a blank slate devoid of any history, primed for real estate development. My thesis aimed to understand the relationship between Mumbai’s industrial past and the locals via interviews and literature reviews. It attempted to recognize and conserve the industrial heritage of the area and design interventions that allow these structures to serve modern requirements, thereby reintegrating them with the urban fabric of the city. This process involved extensive documentation in person via AutoCAD and BIM software. I conducted case studies of similar instances of post-industrial precincts. The design proposal delineated ways to conserve and reintegrate certain industrial precincts within the redevelopment plan. The dissertation’s methodology, research, and the final design concept, along with the fact that it added to the ongoing discussion surrounding the EWF lands in Mumbai’s architectural circles, was praised by jurors.
I undertook a 6-month internship with a design studio called Tropic Responses, located in Bangalore, India. This firm focused on residential and institutional projects, emphasizing local styles of architecture and minimizing the carbon footprints of buildings. My role was to conceptualize architectural and interior design elements via sketches and SketchUp 3D. Post this, I would produce detailed technical AutoCAD drawings for construction. I also took the initiative to write articles for the studio’s website, which were published. This experience taught me the practicalities of the profession, such as executing ambitious designs with budgetary restrictions and integrating vernacular designs with a modern flair. At a personal level, I learned how to work independently and efficiently with time constraints and design collaboratively with people at different levels of the hierarchy.
Marrying my interest in architecture with my childhood passion for writing led me to try my hand at an architectural journalism internship with a premiere magazine, Architect and Interiors India, during my summer vacation in 2019. During the month I spent there, I authored several articles for the magazine’s website and print issue. I learned about market trends, upcoming technology, and materials. I had the opportunity to interact with some of India’s top architects and attend seminars. The experience made me realize how crucial it is to stay current on new technological developments and how useful that information is in implementing smart designs into execution.
My current association with Morphogenesis, a pan-Indian architecture firm, has expanded my horizons further. In the past three months, I have worked on ideating luxury interiors for commercial projects and creating tender drawings. Once I was assigned a specific project, I created the entire set of technical drawings required by the landscape team and other consultants. In the second month, I was allocated the responsibility of coordinating with the associated consultants and handling the workings independently in the absence of my seniors. I received consistently positive feedback during my probation reviews with the Director and Team Leader, maintaining a rating of 3.6/4.
To foster holistic development, I have been equally involved in extracurricular activities. In my second and third years of college, I was part of the Core Team for the batch exhibitions post our annual architectural study trips. The role consisted of overseeing initial documentation and working with our batch of 80 students over 2-3 months each year to ensure standardization in the accuracy, completion, and aesthetic of the final drawings. We would coordinate with faculty to finalize the logistics of the exhibition, and introduce the exhibition to dignitaries, college trustees, and practicing architects. These experiences honed my leadership skills and taught me how to delegate tasks to maximize efficiency while managing coursework.
At this point, seeking a platform that will help me attain my career goals, I wish to be part of the Urban Design program at the ____________. __________’s participation in the ___________, which allows students across different disciplines to conceive design proposals as a team, struck me as a unique initiative and as great opportunity for collaborative learning. I look forward to learning about sustainable cities and communities from luminaries who have dedicated their careers to the pursuit of the same, such as Professors __________ and ___________. The electives about __________ and _____________ to address realistic challenges such as disaster resilience in cities, transport infrastructure, urban housing greatly appealed to me since they are applicable in urban contexts globally. Having read some of the publications on ___________’s website (namely, ______________), I would be delighted to contribute to similar, research-driven articles.
Being raised in the vibrant metropolis of Mumbai has allowed me to meet with people from various socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. I would relish the opportunity to contribute my nuanced understanding of cultures to a multicultural architectural platform. My inherent love for writing and research has consistently led me to seek out opportunities for the same and I will continue to contribute to ongoing academic and research initiatives at the university while aspiring to enhance the academic fabric of the university.
