10 Online Architecture Courses for Beginners in 2024

Learn how to build your CAD skills, render architectural visualizations, and more with these essential digital architecture courses

Architecture is a trade as old as civilization itself, but one that requires constant learning. Whether you're interested in creating professional architectural sketches or using your skills to design innovative interior spaces with health in mind, understanding various CAD (computer-aided design) programs and new ways to showcase projects to clients are areas you'll want to familiarize yourself with.

In these ten Domestika courses, you'll learn everything from how to render architectural visualizations to creating artistic architectural sketches, and beyond to start your own architectural projects.

Watch the course trailers for more information.

Introduction to SketchUp, by Alejandro Soriano

The first step for getting started in digital architecture is knowing the secrets of the software tools you'll need to advance professionally. A popular 3D design and modeling software, SketchUp can be design spaces quickly and efficiently.

In his Introduction to SketchUp course, architectural visualization and 3D modeling expert Alejandro Soriano teaches the basics of the software from familiarizing yourself with the tools to creating and animating your scenes.

Introduction to AutoCAD, by Alicia Sanz

The versatility of the tools and its compatibility with other software have seen AutoCAD become one of the most used software in architectural and industrial projects. In this Introduction to AutoCAD course by contract and retail design specialist Alicia Sanz, you'll learn how to start a project from scratch.

Alicia starts by teaching you the very basics, from installing AutoCAD, before moving on to program customizations, inserting and editing images, and working right through to creating your own blueprints.

Visual Storytelling for 3D ArchViz, a course by Sonny Holmberg

Architectural visualizations are an opportunity to tell a story of atmosphere, mood, vision. At his Copenhagen-based studio Depth Per Image, architect and visualization artist Sonny Holmberg creates visually striking ArchViz compositions that captivate clients.

In his online course Visual Storytelling for 3D ArchViz with 3ds Max, Sonny teaches you how to use the powerful ArchViz software. He guides you step-by-step through the design process to create a compelling design with the different software plug-ins.

Architectural Visualization with V-Ray Next for SketchUp, a course by María Alarcón

The work of architect María Alarcón can be summarized in one sentence: transforming spatial ideas into visual content. Her day-to-day work involves a range of techniques and disciplines that go from drawing sketches to developing realistic 3D images for architecture.

In this course, you'll learn the basics of rendering a SketchUp architectural model using V-Ray Next. See how to use and edit V-Ray materials, learn how to position the camera and create scenes, and discover techniques for lighting the scene with artificial or natural light.

Artistic Architectural Sketching with Procreate, a course by Ehab Alhariri

While every building has a long creative process behind it, the development of new software has helped these processes evolve, allowing more room for experimentation and innovation. Renowned architect and digital artist Ehab Alhariri creates architectural sketches in Procreate that perfectly fit the needs and the budget of his clients.

In Ehab's course on artistic architectural sketching in Procreate, you'll learn how to use the popular program, you'll digitize your architectural drawings and create unique renders through perspective, lighting, shadow, and texture.

Digital Illustration of Architectural Projects, a course by Fernando Neyra Moreta

Although realistic 3D representations of architectural spaces are the preferred option for many architecture studios, artistic illustration is gaining ground.

In his Digital Illustration of Architectural Projects course, Fernando Neyra teaches you how to build bridges between the technical and the artistic with this technique for displaying architectural projects.

Architectural Models with Rhino 3D and V-Ray, a course by Saul Kim

Thinking outside the box when it comes to design allows you to imagine what the future of architecture might look like. Believing in this ethos, architectural designer Saul Kim specializes in creating designs that explore new architectural possibilities, transforming everyday spaces into unique, architectural masterpieces.

In his online course, you'll learn how to build architectural models with Rhino 3D and V-Ray, as he teaches you his design process for making playful and unique architectural spaces.

Architectural Visualization Using Digital Collage, a course by PALMA

There are lots of ways to represent an architectural project, and—through lots of experimentation—PALMA studio found its own distinctive style in collage, using powerfully evocative images to represent its projects.

In this course, learn the foundations of architectural visualization using digital collage to capture your own architectural projects, using different programs and plug-ins for modeling and image editing.

Design of Healthy Spaces: Wellness and Comfort, a course by Ana García

In some ways, the spaces we live in, live in us. Interior design can contribute to our health and comfort on a daily basis, and healthy architecture can even improve our physical and emotional states. Discover all the secrets of neuroarchitecture alongside architect Ana García, founder of NeuronaLab and creator of the Zamness coworking spaces.

In her course, you'll learn how to design healthy spaces, applying basic neuroarchitecture principles to your project, from the initial ideas to the finished product. By considering environmental impact as well as the health and comfort of the inhabitants you can achieve interior design solutions with wellness at their core.

Interior ArchViz: Create Surreal 3D Designs with Blender, a course by Camille Boldt

Architectural visualization has the ability to create realistic compositions that have paved the way for some of the most impressive buildings in the world. However, when coupled with elements of surrealism, they have the power to create designs that could only exist in our dreams.

Designer Camille Boldt has created some breath-taking ArchViz compositions using Blender. In his interior ArchViz course, he teaches you how to create surreal designs using the free program, Blender.

For more courses to spark your creativity in 2022, keep an eye on the Top Courses section of our blog.

You may also like:

- Iconic Buildings Around the World and the Stories behind Them
- What is Architectural Sketching and What Are Its Origins?
- SketchUp Tutorial: How to Import a CAD File to SketchUp
- ArchVIZ Tutorial: 6 Key Pro Tips to Get You Started

Article updated to 2023