Architecture portfolio defines how keenly we are involved in the architecture field and how devoted we are to our work. The portfolio includes the works done by an individual, whether it be competition work, college work, or even their ideas or design concepts. These works included in the portfolio helps to define how exactly that particular individual is involved in the field. For example, a person interested in planning will have to show some work or any such related idea or research, which shows his devotion to his field of interest. 

Some of the chief reasons of having an architectural portfolio are:

1. Showcasing Skills | Architecture portfolio

Just writing or telling about your skills will not be enough in architecture because the field itself focuses on one’s skills. Thus an architecture portfolio really does help one to know how much skills an individual has. A portfolio proves as tangible proof of our skills. One can showcase their renders, sketches or any other such skills which can be considered by the reviewers for hiring the candidate to the post they are interested in. One can include their rendering images, sketching or even their models which they think might help to show the skills as required. 

Is architecture portfolio essential? - Sheet1
Rendered views (left), Hand sketching (right)_©www.arch2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Arch2O-photoshop-architectural-rendering-10-websites-you-should-visit-weekly-8.jpg_©i.pinimg.com/originals/e9/31/8b/e9318bb7f59af58c459a20e6c37956d8.jpg

2. Reflecting Ideas

An architecture portfolio is an efficient platform to showcase our new ideas and concepts. Through our portfolio, the reviewer can know if our ideas and work can well match with them. The projects as included by us in our portfolio should be as such that they are very well reflecting our ideas. For example, If we are interested in getting into landscaping, we should have our projects reflecting our interest in one way or another. In this way, the person reviewing our work can know about our interests without us telling them.

Is architecture portfolio essential? - Sheet2
A concept for design (left),  Design development (right)_©i.pinimg.com_©media.istockphoto.com/vectors/four-sketches-of-abstract-modern-architecture-with-green-and-trees-vector

3. Applying for Masters and Job | Architecture portfolio

An architecture portfolio will help an individual in going into a job and master in the domain of his choice. Thus, it is important to maintain a portfolio by compiling up the projects done by an individual in college, competition, or internships. While applying for a master’s, one should keep in mind to maintain a portfolio that will help reflect their interest in a particular domain for which they are applying. For example, an individual applying for conservation architecture should have at least some works reflecting their interest in that particular field. The same implies to the job too, the portfolio as presented by an individual should be reflecting the ideals as followed by the firm. One cannot just apply to a planning firm without including any work corresponding to the firm’s work. 

4. Attracting Viewers

With a growing market in the building and construction field, one needs to have a strong impact on viewers to get projects. So for attaining this what according to you can be helpful? Is it strong marketing? Or just a strong connection with people in the particular field? Yes, these things also matter, but the most basic thing required is to make our work known to people in our portfolio. If one includes their architecture portfolio for the viewers, the viewers will find it easier to know an individual’s domain and the type of work one does. This will surely help one in gaining a position in the market and getting more work. 

Architecture portfolio contents (left), Architecture portfolio (right)_©i.pinimg.com_©image.isu.pub

Is architecture portfolio essential?

5. Getting Feedback of Work | Architecture portfolio

Many times we look forward to getting feedback from our guides, peers, or teammates to make our work better. This is the time when a portfolio acts as an amazing way to summarise all our work and present it. Thus, a portfolio also helps to get the reviews that are very much needed in a field like architecture and design, in which there is always a scope to improve. 

So, as we have now summarised the usefulness of a portfolio in architecture, we need to come up with ways to arrange our works and make the portfolio as impactful as it can be. Thus, in nutshell, it can be concluded that in the field of architecture, a portfolio plays an important role. A portfolio can surely help us to get jobs, scholarships, internships, and many more. So buckle up and start working towards compiling an efficient portfolio. 

Is architecture portfolio essential?

Reference:

  1. https://careercenter.cofc.edu/documents/portfolio.pdf
Author

Sameeksha, currently pursuing her architecture degree, is also inclined towards writing and pouring out her thoughts. Being an writing enthusiast as well as an architecture student, she constantly tries to grab every opportunity for writing and express her views for the built environment.