Struggling to participate in conversations about architecture and often under appreciate it out of ignorance, despite how much it can impact the value of commercial projects.
Other RE aspects seem to be more intuitive—finance, marketing, construction, etc. — but architecture is an art.
Is there a course/program/forum for learning concepts, principals, and all other things architecture?
YT pages and X follows are also appreciated!
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How deep are you looking to go? I find myself easily understanding architectural drawings, its quite easy to tell for example the scribbly circle is a tree!
Floor area ratio (FAR) = total GFA / total site area
- FAR between 0.1 and 1.25 = low density , SFR or townhouse complex
- FAR 1.25-3.00 - woodframe 5/6 storey
- 3.5 + typically concrete
Gross construction area > gross floor area (GCA includes walls, etc.)
Slanted earth bad
In all seriousness, I find my knowledge of architecture passable at minimum... how familiar are you with the zoning bylaws of your city?
What type of conversations do you feel left out of because you don't know architecture?
Top things to look for when working with architects is the net sellable or net leasable area, as a % of total GFA. Residential typically is 85% for multi family projects.
The architect packages developers receive from architects should have a table that breaks down the project in numbers. It will have the site area, all the areas by floors, and units. You use this table for sizing projects.
OP - all the above is good starting guidance. Honestly, unless you are going to be a DM if you're just commenting on architectural drawings as an investments professional who isn't leading the project all you really need to understand are the following:
- FAR/FSI
- Measurements
- Grading/Site layout and its potential implications (this isn't architecture but just from a physical/drawing perspective good to get it)
- Being able to go see a site, then look at a plan, visualize the end product and be able to pick out where problem areas are in terms of usability/livability, effective use of space, etc.
The last item is the one most people struggle with, and while you can get a handle on what is a "good" space for different types of real estate (i.e. what's a good space for a fashion tenant, grocer, what makes a good residential unit), it's impossible to train spatial awareness/the ability to translate that from drawings. You either have it or you don't.
Quite frankly this is what separates "real estate people" who are generally your sponsors on the development side that just get it, from investors who understand the high level and are great at allocating capital but couldn't run a deal to save their lives.
All great and much appreciated comments!
I am new to development. For my role in our underwriting, I'm mostly using net leasable area, and that is as far as my required architectural understanding goes.
Most of my knowledge is on the investment side of real estate but I find the architecture piece interesting. I think it's easy to identify good and bad design, but without an understanding of the definitions and concepts, I struggle making a formal opinion. The design and function of a space can be the separator from competition, and I'd like to learn more about the factors which create that premium.
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