Who this is for?
This course is for motivated students aiming for TU / FH / Akademie - Bachelor Degree in Vienna.
It follows a mentorship model, providing close guidance and structured support to help students prepare for both Matura and architecture admission exams with greater clarity, efficiency, and (hopefully) reduced risk of burnout.
Format & rhythm
• Recommended rhythm: 2 individual sessions / week, each 3–4 h, primarily held in person.
• Online sessions are offered only when in-person attendance is not possible.
• Start: ideally 9–12 months before the admission date.
• First session: skills assessment drawing test + short questionnaire (preferences, favorite architects, goals). Students who present previous work skip the drawing test.
• Language: English (with translations/explanations as needed).
• Recommended age: 16+
1. Working plan — core sections
• Artistic / Representation: traditional drawing (still life, line quality, composition), shape and volume studies, color and material basics, light and values, architectural views, physical modeling and sculpture, photography for portfolio use.
• Technical / Graphic: freehand and constructed perspective, light and shadow, entourage elements, axonometric representation, plans, sections, elevations, layouting (typography, scale, measurements).
• Theory & Context: contemporary architecture history, design thinking, styles and movements, architectural language and terminology, materials and finishes, case studies.
• Digital & Professional Tools: 2D and 3D tools introduction, presentation techniques, workflow examples from real architectural projects.
• Studio Practice & Cognitive Skills: work ethics, time management, critique culture, creative flow, vision pitch and rhetoric, thinking from small to large scale
2. Portfolio building / Motivational letter + Ranking test (TU Wien)
• Portfolio strategy aligned with the student’s vision and academic criteria; project-based work with feedback; curated final portfolio pages; captions and visual storytelling;
• TU Wien - specific support including sketches for the motivation letter and ranking test preparation.
3. Interview & Jury impression
• How to present choices: storytelling (problem → idea → resolution → learning).
• Jury cares about: clarity of thinking, process visibility, curiosity, adaptability, visual literacy, attitude.
• Prepare answers for likely questions: motivations, favorite works, why architecture, what you learned from a project, how you solve problems.
4. Extras (optional)
• Urban sketching, museum visits, architecture and design events, photography walks, model making
5. Resources
• Recommended books, articles, case studies, presentations, 2D and 3D models where needed.
