Milestone map
Milestone map
3 milestones
Curate portfolio projects and write reflective statements
2–3 weeks (2 hrs/day)
Select four to six projects that demonstrate the range of your architectural design abilities — from site analysis and conceptual design through to technical resolution and model-making. Write a 300-word reflective statement per project: what the brief required, what design decisions you made and why, what you would change, and what the project demonstrates about your architectural thinking.
Proof required
Submit your curated portfolio (four to six projects) with a 300-word reflective statement per project addressing: the brief, key design decisions, what you would change, and what the project demonstrates about your architectural capabilities.
What gets checked
- Portfolio covers the range of architectural skills — site analysis, concept design, technical drawing, model-making — not only final images
- Each reflective statement addresses all four elements: brief, decisions, what you would change, what it demonstrates
- Reflections are genuinely self-critical — they identify real limitations, not only achievements
Common mistakes
- Portfolio is only final design images — no process work, analysis, or technical drawings included
- Reflective statements describe what was done without identifying what would be changed — self-critique is absent
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
Masteryfor the dedicated
What a verifier looks for
- Confirm portfolio covers the range of architectural skills — not only final presentation images
- Verify each reflective statement addresses all four required elements
- Check reflections are genuinely self-critical — they identify limitations, not only achievements
Lay out portfolio document and prepare presentation boards
2–3 weeks (2–3 hrs/day)
Design and produce your portfolio document: consistent typography, clear project sequence, process work alongside final images, and a coherent visual narrative that positions you as an architectural designer with a distinctive voice. Produce at least two A1 or A0 presentation boards for the panel review.
Proof required
Submit your complete portfolio document (PDF, minimum 20 pages) with consistent graphic design throughout, and at least two presentation boards (A1 or A0 PDF) showing your strongest project at full quality. Include a 150-word statement on the design decisions you made in laying out the portfolio.
What gets checked
- Portfolio document is consistent — typography, layout grid, and graphic style are coherent across all projects
- Process work is present alongside final images — the portfolio shows thinking, not only outcomes
- Layout statement reflects actual graphic decisions — typeface, grid, image hierarchy — not general intentions
Common mistakes
- Portfolio is inconsistent — different graphic styles across projects without a coherent visual narrative
- Only final images included — no process drawings, models, or analysis work showing how designs developed
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
Masteryfor the dedicated
What a verifier looks for
- Confirm portfolio document is at least 20 pages with consistent graphic design throughout
- Verify process work is present alongside final images
- Check at least two A1/A0 presentation boards are included
External panel portfolio critique with documented responses
1 week prep + panel day
Present your portfolio to a live external panel including at least one reviewer with professional architectural practice credentials and at least one academic not involved in your programme. The panel challenges specific design decisions, your articulation of architectural thinking, and the rigour of your technical work. Document all challenges and your responses.
Proof required
Submit: (1) the final portfolio document and presentation boards; (2) panel critique documentation — names and professional roles of all panel members, date, detailed summary of specific challenges posed per project with your responses; (3) a 300-word post-crit reflection identifying concrete changes to your architectural practice.
What gets checked
- Panel included at least one external reviewer with named professional architectural practice credentials — not only programme staff
- Documentation records specific challenges per project — traceable to named design decisions or technical issues
- Post-crit reflection identifies concrete changes to practice — not vague commitments to general improvement
Common mistakes
- Panel consisted only of programme tutors — no external practitioner or independent academic reviewer present
- Documentation records mainly positive feedback without documenting the specific challenges or critical questions raised
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
Masteryfor the dedicated
What a verifier looks for
- Confirm panel included at least one external reviewer with named professional architectural practice credentials — not only programme tutors
- Confirm panel included at least one reviewer not involved in the student's programme
- Verify documentation records specific challenges per project — traceable to named design decisions
- Check post-crit reflection identifies concrete, specific changes to architectural practice
- Confirm panel session was live (in-person or video) with date and all panel member names and roles documented