Black Spectacles
Black Spectacles
The go-to YouTube channel for US architects preparing for the ARE licensing exam — Revit tutorials, SketchUp walkthroughs, and professional development content.
More resources on Architecture Practice
30X40 Design Workshop
Practising Maine architect Eric Reinholdt covers the full residential design process — site analysis to construction documentation — with methodical clarity. Includes the most honest 'How to Become an Architect' overview on YouTube.
RIBA Plan of Work 2020
Defines the eight stages of an architectural project (Strategic Definition through to Use) — the framework every UK architect works within. Understanding it is not optional; it is the language the profession speaks.
Designing Buildings Wiki
A comprehensive encyclopaedia of the built environment — definitions of terms, procurement routes, building regulations, contract structures, and professional roles. The reference to check when you encounter any unfamiliar term in architectural practice.
Building Codes Illustrated: A Guide to Understanding the 2018 International Building Code
Illustrated guide to the 2018 International Building Code, explaining how the code is organised and applied to occupancy classification, allowable heights and areas, fire-resistive construction, means of egress, accessibility and structural provisions. Architects learn to read and apply the requirements that shape design decisions.
Architect's Legal Handbook (10th edition, Routledge)
Covers the legal dimensions of practice in England, Wales, and Scotland — contracts, liability, planning, and professional obligations. Essential for any architect practising in the UK.
The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice (15th edition, AIA/Wiley)
The comprehensive US reference for architectural professional practice — contracts, project management, business development, and ethics. The AIA's definitive guide for practitioners.