If you are an architect, architecture graduate or student, then it is time to start brushing up on the relevant architecture software skills in demand in 2022. The industry is competitive and your software versatility, especially of the latest industry tools will make you highly sort after. Whether you plan to work in an architecture office, freelance or already own your firm, these 3 software will aid your design, graphic and 3D production as an architect at the schematic or conceptual phase of your architectural designs.

These trending architecture software are:

Adobe Creative Cloud

This is a suite of Adobe software that every architect should have. If you have ever wondered how those crisp, coloured plans, elevations, schematic 3-D presentations and design portfolios are made, then here is your answer. The three most powerful software every architect needs in this suite are Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop. These software works to complement each other in any architectural presentation.

Adobe Illustrator is the design app that lets you capture your creative vision with shapes, colour, effects, and typography. Work across desktop and mobile devices and quickly create beautiful designs that can go anywhere—print, web and apps, video and animations, and more.

Adobe InDesign is used to design and publish multipage documents containing text, vector artwork, and images. Uses precise grids and guides to position page elements and create polished layouts. Takes advantage of professional typesetting features to format text consistently across pages, chapters, and publications.

Adobe Photoshop is an application for working with pixel-based images. It lets you correct exposure and colour balance, crop and straighten images, alter colours, remove blemishes, or combine multiple images into a new scene.

If you plan to try out this software, Adobe offers a 7-day trial period before payment is required.

A presentation like this can be done with 3 of these software: The 3D model in SketchUp, the colour application, people and line outline in Adobe Illustrator and the typesetting in Adobe Indesign. The images are courtesy of Archdaily.com, Project is Livery Shop, Calgary, Canada by MODA

SketchUp

SketchUp isn’t a new software to most architects but its use in Nigeria isn’t as common as you would expect. In the schematic or conceptual phase of architectural design, SketchUp is the most powerful 3D modelling and design tool that allows you to think and design at the same time. SketchUp is often not used alone, it is used with Enscape for rendering and Adobe creative cloud for presentation.

SketchUp is a program used for a wide range of 3D modelling projects like architectural, interior design and landscape architecture, to name a few of its uses. The program includes drawing layout functionality, and surface rendering, and supports third-party plugins from the Extension Warehouse

If you plan to try out this software, Trimble offers a 30-day trial period before payment is required.

The images are courtesy of Archdaily.com. The building was modelled in SketchUp and rendered with V-ray for SketchUp

Enscape

Gone are the days when we had to wait hours for a rendering to get completed. New rendering software can render a complex 3D scene in minutes and sometimes seconds. Enscape, just like Lumion has made this possible. Enscape’s appeal is in its price and its integration with 3D and BIM software like Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, Vectorworks and ArchiCAD.

In other words, Enscape plugs directly into your modelling software, giving you an integrated visualization and design workflow. It is the easiest and fastest way to turn your models into immersive 3D experiences by eliminating the inconveniences of production, shortening the feedback loop, and giving you more time to design.

If you plan to try out this software, Enscape3D offers a 14-day trial period before payment is required.

The mages are courtesy of Archdaily.com

Software in architecture schools in Nigeria

While hand sketches and drawings engage the architects’ creative side and should continue to be taught in schools, software polishes and packages this creativity in a presentable manner. Therefore, architecture schools that haven’t fully integrated software use into their curriculum leave students ill-equipped for life after school.

In most Nigerian architecture schools, the use of architectural software is gradually being adopted in design courses to aid student projects but the alternative of hand sketches, pen and ink drawings are still preferred. On the contrary, in practice, graphical presentation with software is preferred for their ease of use, crisp quality and speed of production, precision, ease of storage, etc. A lot of hand sketches are still used in practice but seldom make it to the final presentation sheets sent out to the client.

To commense learning these software, go on youtube and you will find numerous tutorial videos on these software. If you have any questions, don’t hesistate to ask by dropping a comment here or following me on LinkedIn

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