The Kailasa Temple at Ellora wasn't built stone by stone—it was carved top-down from a single massive rock.

Created in the 8th century, it is one of humanity's most astonishing feats of rock-cut architecture.

Thousands of tonnes of basalt were removed to reveal an entire temple complex, complete with courtyards, pillars and monumental sculptures.

The most incredible part? The builders essentially carved a mountain away until the temple was left behind.

I’m looking for some realistic career and business advice from people actively working in the industry or running their own studios.

I am a licensed architect who recently switched industries to work as a BIM Coordinator for a general contractor. Because of this pivot, I rarely touch the design or visual side of things anymore, and I find myself missing it. I have extensive past experience running renders, building complex models, and doing post-processing in Photoshop.

I’m strongly considering setting up a part-time architectural visualization business to run renders for clients after hours. Since I have limited free time outside of my standard 9-to-5, I want to see if this is truly worth pursuing.

Questions I have for this community:

Is this a viable side hustle anymore?

• With generative AI rendering tools rapidly advancing, are clients (contractors, small developers, local architects) still willing to pay a premium rate for custom part-time work, or is AI squeezing out the lower-to-middle tier of the market?

How do you compete in the market with cheaper overseas labor?

• As a part-timer based in the US (Washington DC area), my rates naturally need to reflect local living costs. Is it still possible to carve out a niche against low cost, high-speed overseas teams when you only have a few hours a week to give?

I'd love to hear from anyone who has successfully built an ArchViz side business while maintaining a full-time job. Is it worth the squeeze anymore, or has the landscape shifted too much?

Thanks in advance for your insights!

The Burroughs Wellcome Headquarters (demolished 2021) was a landmark brutalist and late modernist structure located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

Conceived as a structure that could continue growing. Its laboratories, offices and support areas could each be extended independently, with flattened hexagonal end walls indicating where new sections would attach.

The Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, India, is a massive temple of Dravidian architecture laid out as a sacred cosmic mandala.It has 14 gateways densely covered with intricate carvings.The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who resides in the main central section

1. Forbidden City, Beijing, China

2. Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, South Korea

3. Itsukushima Shrine, Hiroshima, Japan

I have been wanting to pursue architecture for quite a while now. But the more I search about it on social media or reddit, the more discouraged I feel about the pay. I personally love what architecture is about, but also I want to have a high paying job. Is it even possible..?

Just read that the current design of Faisal Mosque was selected out of 43 proposals submitted in a competition. Is there any way I can have a glimpse of the other 42? Please guide. Thank you

My gap year's just ended and honestly? I'll admit, I haven't thought much about uni this past Summer. Save for my own research, I really don't know what to expect; I'm the only one I know in my life whose doing architecture, though don't get me wrong - I'm still excited nonetheless!

Guarino Guarini's extraordinary 1670s dome on the Real Chiesa di San Lorenzo in Turin.

Photo, as ever, by me.

hello, ive been thinking of studying architecture but im afraid that im overromantizing it..

i first got interested in it when i saw famous architects works and unique buildings. i love looking at concepts and sketches and building models.

however, i heard that its basically an ordinary 9-5 sitting job and looking at cad for 8 hours. and that very little part of the work is actually spent designing. this made me wonder whether i actually want to pursue it or not. am i just overglamorizing the work?

Hello! I have explored all 50 states and a couple countries taking pictutres of abandoned and unusual places. These are some of the wildest architectures that I have seen while exploring.

If you want to see more of my work check it out on insta: https://www.instagram.com/whimsicalruins/

1. "Goose Creek Tower" in Alaska by Phillip Weidner, unfinished
2. "World’s Largest Covered Wagon" in Nebraska by Kenneth Dahle, built in the 1960’s,
3. "Igloo City", in Alaska by Leon Smith, built in 1970s
4. "Pink Palace" in New York by David H. White, built in 1860
5. "The R.M. Knox House" in Arkansas by C.J. Faucette, it is one of the best remaining examples of Eastlake Victorian architecture, built in 1885
6. "Royse City Futuro House" in Texas by Matti Suuronen, built in 1960s
7. Russian Orthodox-style tiny church located in New York, 1972 by Ed Scherneck, built in 1972
8. "Reading between the Lines," in Belgium, by Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh, built 2011
9. "Bannerman Castle" in New York, by Francis Bannerman VI, built in 1918
10. "The Milk Can" in Rhode Island, by Charles Plant, built in 1931
11. "The Gingerbread House" in New Jersey, by Joseph Urban, built between 1928 and 1930

The way this building sits over the reflecting pool feels almost unreal. I really like the contrast between the massive concrete volume and the surrounding landscape. I always visit when have opportunity, is like 300km from my house

I worked in the trades for 8 years before deciding to go back to school. Originally I was going to do a 2 year diploma to become an architectural technologist. I've enjoyed the experience so much that I've decided to push for a masters in architecture.

I don't have an undergraduate but my school has a partnership with an arcedited masters program that will allow me to transfer my college credits but it's competitive.

Given my work background and interests I have a strong understanding of the practical aspects of the industry such as materials, construction methods, plan interpretation, mechanical systems, etc.

I'm looking for any resources focused on design and portfolio building. Anything from books or videos would be helpful. As well as any general advice that can assist me in the application to a masters program.

I graduated back in May and I've been applying to places within driving distance all summer, about 10 firms. I got one response and a long interview process that eventually led to nothing. I have one year of professional experience from working with a teacher on a project he was contracted to do. I feel my portfolio is not an issue, but more location and experience. As I've just recently graduated, I don't have funds to move and plenty of factors in my life would also prevent this for a year or two. I'm going to have to start paying back my loans soon and I cannot find a job. I imagine I'll have to pick up a retail job or something along those lines to be able to pay those off. Though, I worry doing that will just let my skillset fade and I won't even be able to say "I'm a recent graduate" anymore, lowering my chances further.

I'm starting to feel incredibly frustrated and hopeless so if there are any angles I'm not looking at, or things to consider, please let me know.