Architecture Portfolio that got me into BIG and OMA

Due to popular request, I'm showcasing my portfolio that got me into international internships at offices such as OMA and BIG. I'll be explaining what I think made this a successful architecture portfolio, focusing on presentation and layout techniques you can use for your own work.
The portfolio is an edited collection of one's best work intended to showcase one's style or method of work. A portfolio is used to show employers their versatility by showing different samples of current work. Typically, the work reflects an artist's best work or a depth in one specific area of work, namely architecture.
View this portfolio here: issuu.com/bennettoh/docs/benn...
Rendering realistic model tutorial: • Render Realistic Physi...
Download the portfolio template: gumroad.com/l/portfolio-template
Book a personal 1:1 Portfolio Review session: gumroad.com/l/portfolio_review
What to work at a world-famous company? Join Starchitects Bootcamp: archihacks.com/starchitects-b...
Thanks again for watching! Subscribe for free tools, tips, and tricks to accelerate your design process! Work less design more with Archi Hacks.
#architecture #portfolio #review
🚀 Follow us on social media for the latest updates!
📱 Instagram: / archi.hacks
🙌 Facebook: architecture.hacks
🔗 Website: archihacks.com
🔖 Use coupon code ARCHIHACKS10 to get 10% off on your first order on Fiverr: fvrr.co/3Hw6f8d
📢 Get a free month's trial with Audible when you use the link: www.audibletrial.com/archihacks

[@esradogan938]

what is the paper size?

[@ArchiHacks]

😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIfEmYSQhsl5nJY

[@muhammedeminkurtulan7350]

helal beee

[@test2facsimile881]

@@ArchiHacks For a moment I thought you were going to rick roll.

[@youreright9178]

looks at my own portfolio me: cries

[@akurdriftk]

no need portofolio, only seeing at my models already made me cry

[@agch771]

HAHAHAH :(

[@Mythetor]

Ikr... I have 60+ versions of portfolio and I keep update or redo it almost every year... still cry everytime saw others portfolio and relook into my own one....

[@gabriella8173]

I feel you 🤣🤣🤣 I need more great perspectives with good renders to have a portfolio like this.

[@jim-mu1ji]

@@akurdriftk why are you so true

[@blasianmcbob8570]

gaddamn this really sets the bar, no surprise it got you to BIG and OMA

[@L3nny666]

What why are you all so impressed? This is super average

[@alvaomega56]

L3nny 666 i dont want to hate but is this really considered average??? can i know on what basis are u stating this?

[@killerofprimes]

L3nny 666 I think it's pretty good considering he was in 2nd year BArch when he made this.

[@PilipiHoops]

How to download portfolio?

[@akurdriftk]

@@L3nny666 yes, super average . . . . . . . for world class architect

[@revolvency]

this is one of the portfolio on youtube that's actually looks neat, clean, and gooooood

[@roseansari2650]

Watching your portfolio and the review of that was such a useful experience. It would be great to see more reviews on your channel. Thanks from Iran

[@JDazell]

This is the best portfolio I've seen. The rhythm between the pages are great and it really keeps you curious to explore each project. You even made the contents page interesting. Great job

[@trippij5710]

Wow, this is an incredible and very inspiring portfolio. Definitely goals for me as a first year in architecture 🙌

[@leenigen4533]

Your drawings are amazing. I think that when your drawings and renderings are exceptional there is less of a need for physical models because they do not look as similar to the actual project as a rendering and with today's computational software, we can practically simulate every aspect of the site and model even more accurately than the model

[@ufluchral7008]

Thank youu! Your video just... literally answered all my questions ☆

[@leghtim1]

you definitely gained a new subscriber, amazing.

[@Rhinoch8]

The coolest things to observe from this portfolio is not the format or the way content is presented - rather, it is the subliminal and subtextual symbols that you convey. By carefully choosing what you want to show, you are crafting a story about yourself. The pioneers, the alpinist scaling a mountain blizzard, the sense of warmth and comunity around the fire, the mindful zen monk, all at the top of the peaks, in the wind and snow.... Those are some strong emotions you are conveying. It is a bold and beautiful story you are telling about yourself and how you conduct yourself in this world. Beautiful!

[@winterwolf211]

I'm going to be building up my portfolio for the next few years. I hadn't been able to save much of my school projects so it looks like I'll busy making it look presentable.

[@christophertorres8827]

Wow, what a great job man!!! Keep it Up!

[@VidEOoSlOKOss]

wow amazing! I was inspred to start working on my portfolio, thank you so much

[@SuperNat9999]

finally. I've been waiting for this

[@ArchiHacks]

Hope you find it helpful!

[@SuperNat9999]

@@ArchiHacks Yh.Keep it up

[@architectio]

Thanks a lot for sharing! Ill use ur portfolio as an example, but in my own style. Please keep it up!

[@andrijaperic8509]

this man is AMAZING

[@alexibrown-schmidt9795]

The software we have now is amazing but I bet Rem would be more impressed if you could hand draw orthogonally like he did in Delirious NY in the late 70s, esp. with the hatches he created

[@kaycheng3237]

What I found from your sharing is combining liberal arts to the real practice of work will definite decides the success of outcome.

[@akshayathiagarajan1856]

God, this inspired me a lot!!!!! thanks for sharing and please make more video!! Have a Nice Day!

[@ArchiHacks]

Thank you so much for your kind words 😊 will try my best!

[@ArchiTube]

Nice to share your works. Looks great.!

[@dumitra2392]

This feels inspirational. I love the atmosphere you gave to each project! Do you have any recommendations for softwares?

[@ArchiHacks]

Glad you liked it Dumitra! Software choices would depend greatly on what you like to do :o If you haven't already, check out this video where I explain which ones you might be interested in: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3SUqHmVftuXf9k

[@GerryGoodDude]

OMG fantastic work. Subscribed

[@hemk.m4537]

Things are well balanced and also it follows your parameters for keeping it minimalist. I’d really like you to review mines as well in your own time.

[@RafaelVieiraVEVO]

Perfect portifolio!

[@mrfrank77777]

Great work and presentation.

[@andrewfrancisjames]

Really great man. Thanks

[@amansasan7876]

This is amazing! Can you probably do a tutorial on how you achieve those "cover page" renderings which you got at the start of each project. Maybe some tips and tricks to photoshop such renderings would be perfect for us!

[@Teddys_lifestyle]

They always say put sketches or hobbies when applying to university (masters) but I don’t sketch buildings it’s more of fashion illustration would it be a wise decision to include it under hobbies and skills ?

[@archzay5073]

Very inspertation work Bennett, I am currently in Division 8. I find your work extraordinary, while also being very clear to understand. Keep up the good work, you my guy are a pioneer.

[@ArchiHacks]

Glad you found it inspirational :) Enjoy your time at your division!

[@nathalyruvalcaba6981]

Wow! I love that he clarified that most of those projects were his own competition entries! In my undergrad, I never once touched a project that was super fascinating or cool! *slowly cries, while updating portfolio*.

[@jackstephenmccahon8372]

same because my work for bachelors doesn’t look nearly this good. I really want to do independent competitions once I graduate so I can compile a portfolio like this!

[@HippieP629]

Impressive. Did they (big, oma) talk about hand-sketching techniques as well?

[@warmhooksbyphidjie4031]

First off congratulations on getting the job. your portfolio speaks so well of your design level. One question please, can you please explain more on what you did on page 24-25. And also I just finished architecture school and working on mu portfolio. and tips on what I should prioritize please?

[@woody3786]

beautiful work!

[@kofiaboagye1300]

Gonna help me a lot... though in my first year💥👊

[@Georgi.S.Georgiev]

Great job on the portfolio and the projects inside are awesome! Can you share what software did you use to make the portfolio? I guess it's a .pdf file? All of the firms want a portfolio of max 5-10 MB in size. How do you make it with good quality images and small in size at the same time? Also what is your opinion on web page portfolio made on platforms like squarespace? Is it suitable for job application?

[@juanpablopadillasif]

No wonder how you got into those firms, my porftolio isn't as half as cool hahaha amazing work!

[@123nyanna]

This is very impressive portfolio!!! I love your graphics and renders. I will appreciate if you make videos on render topics.

[@ArchiHacks]

Thank you for your kind words! They're coming right up, but make sure to check out a few that's already on our channel as well!

[@katem5035]

Beautiful!

[@catroche009]

Wow it's a really nice portfolio. I really like the project with the bridge. I am from Switzerland and something like that would be really cool in the Alps.

[@ArchiHacks]

Glad you like it! That sounds like a great idea :o I would love to see your proposal for it!

[@catroche009]

@@ArchiHacks HI, I think it would be cool to buil it next to a lake. Because then you have on one side a Landscape with wide view and on the other the "hardness" of the mountain. For example next to the Gramont. It'a mountain at the frontier between the "Lac Leman" and the Alps. www.randos-montblanc.com/moyen/grammont.html oder next to the Lake of Luzern. there, the mountain are already pretty high. www.erlebnisregion-mythen.ch/de/erlebnisse/sommer/weg-der-schweiz/geschichte-zum-weg-der-schweiz/ Or you can built high in the alps. But then you have to think about what happen with the nature. This Bridge will attrack a lot of people which is probably not the best for the nature. But it could be an intersting subject, how to build something in the wild without negativ effect on the nature.

[@noaht-s8126]

Amazing , what I aim for

[@jakubjopek4367]

Hey. Great portfolio!!! Would you mind sharing what kind of font have you applied to create descriptions in your portfolio ? would be greatefull

[@heyitsalex1210]

Great video!! I really liked your portfolio. May i ask what programs did you use in the 4:38 drawing? Thank you!

[@user-wf4nd3sr2x]

OMG really nice. THX for sharing

[@ArchiHacks]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@diegoquintana9164]

I went to Uhill aswell, nice to see people from there do good in architecture

[@ArchiHacks]

Great to meet a fellow uhillian!

[@rahulmodiya2243]

Can you tell us how was your interview with OMA & BIG

[@algoriticus]

Beautiful Work.

[@ArchiHacks]

Thank you!

[@carloacilo242]

great job man!

[@ArchiHacks]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@underprogress2638]

to be honest!! thats some serious photoshop skills! great work ! It seems like a visualization portfolio and not at all an architects portfolio! PS that 1 m2 project of yours has temporary housing as a subject.. damn right it is temporary lol! Its so temporary that it might not even stand for a sec! I wonder have you ever been to the himalayas! PS check out Architecture from India and other south asian countries! good luck!

[@RodrigoHernandez-tn7xw]

Hey man, Can you make a video about how you did the tube3 render? like the one you did with the Himalayas competition! It is such a beautiful image

[@lisualcam]

It is incredible!! 😀

[@ArchiHacks]

Glad you think so!

[@MotionFORM]

Sounds nice. Not going to BIG, but I enjoyed Architectural Association and classes at Zaha's offices. Zaha and Bjarke both worked with OMA. It seems that since those are only 2 firms in a small demographic of expertise based firms. If people have your skill set, it would be useful. If people have other skills, or opportunities, they should aim for low hanging fruit. Even at BIG or Zaha or OMA, the next question is how long you want to be there and where do you want to go with your career. These questions will take you where you want to go before the effort to enter 1 firm. It's nice, but unless you will be partner, these firms are crowded at the top. The firms that will be leaders tomorrow are kind of small now. Nice work regardless, and I hope BIG and OMA get lots of cool portfolios(spoiler alert, they get tons) 👌👌

[@khein572]

Very impressive portfolio !

[@ArchiHacks]

Thanks for your compliments!

[@exthaichhiv984]

thank you for sharing !!! :D

[@ArchiHacks]

You're welcome! Hope you found it helpful : )

[@bujowithzozo]

this video was so helpful and inspiring! i can't wait to make advanced projects like these in the future! how did you have time to participate in design competitions and balance schoolwork?

[@ArchiHacks]

Glad you found it inspiring! And that is an excellent question that might take a little while to explain. If you don't mind, I'll get back to you on that with another video in the future!

[@RodrigoHernandez-tn7xw]

This video helps a lot, I have learned so many things from you, you bring a lot to the table so thank you very much. Can I ask which software did you use to make your orthographic drawings?

[@ArchiHacks]

All drawings are made with Rhino, V-Ray, Photoshop, and Illustrator!

[@jonathan_l19]

This is amazing! any special software you use for making the schematics in particular?

[@ArchiHacks]

Hey Jonathan, I'm glad you liked it! I use Rhino as my schematic design tool : )

[@KEVIN-yf9ln]

Great work 🙌🙌

[@ArchiHacks]

Thank you so much 😀

[@dennisyeung187]

Amazing presentation! take the very first stunning images “TUBE” as an example, could you offer a work flow video to demonstrate how your commence from the beginning (say drawing / raw modeling stage?) to delivering that stunning rendering? 🙏🙏

[@ArchiHacks]

That sounds like a great idea!

[@akankshaparmar8288]

Hii, Amazing portfolio ! How do you make those orthographic line drawings?

[@florenciafeldsberg3878]

This is so cool! How did you balance page size: font size ratio? I would love to get your feedback on my portfolio!

[@ArchiHacks]

Hey Florencia, it is simply based on a 16:9 wide screen aspect ratio fit inside a 8.5" spread to enable printing. Sure thing, send me a DM on Insta : )

[@farzanaantu1137]

That is also my question. I have been facing problem to simply have a 18 page portfolio a3 size under 10 mb. If I downsize I lose the quality and little elements are hard to read

[@christophermoody1448]

Very cool!

[@ArchiHacks]

What are your favorite portfolio tips and tricks?

[@anujmodi8934]

Keep it short, to the point and cleanly formatted. It should be really eye catchy at the first glimpse and the same intensity of knowledge embedded into every page. Was this portfolio made after your b.arch programme or after working with few firms?

[@ArchiHacks]

@@anujmodi8934 Those are excellent advice! I could not agree more :') Yes, it was made during my b.arch program after my first internship

[@jeroenschoenmakers3446]

What a great expression and formulating of your projects. Can you please tell me were you did the render in? Especially the constructional rendering from Skyrise Miami. If you have any tips you want to share with me, please give me a personal message. Kind regards, Jeroen (student in Architecture)

[@YunaYi]

동환님 , 한국어 자막은 없나요 ㅠ ㅠ 영어로도 무척 도움이 되지만,,,,

[@robertjohnstone586]

Great portfolio! Currently waiting for responses on my internship applications...

[@ArchiHacks]

Thanks! Best of luck with your results 🤞

[@flashgames1273]

how did it go?

[@robertjohnstone586]

@@flashgames1273 Starting an internship in Copenhagen soon :)

[@samyaghatak]

Hello Bennett, Really enjoyed your work. I have a question about Page 24-25 I am curious to understand the workflow of the line drawings (sections). Which file format did you use for these sections to import into InDesign? I have some similar line drawings, made in AutoCAD > which I exported as PDF > and finished in Adobe Illustrator . When I place this .ai format file in InDesign document, it looks fine. But when I export it in PDF, all thin lines gets dark and thick in full screen display! Also I have checked this same exported PDF in different display. Lines thickness seems varying across devices ( PC/ iPad/ phone) and OS ( windows/ mac ) and display engine ( browser like chrome etc/ acrobat reader) I am not to keen to use the drawings in .png format instead of .ai format. What do you suggest? Thanks

[@Kahlil_]

When applying to firms, did you send a link to your online portfolio or did you send as a pdf attachment?

[@dylanfardon88]

You mentioned you were previously devoted to cinematography, would you say that non-architecture subjects that you're passionate about are something that need to be made clear in interviews? Should these subjects only be mentioned if they directly apply to your work?

[@omarmagallanes4738]

Awesome video & amazing portfolio. Were most of the projects you worked on, and show on your portfolio school assignments? Or were they projects you made for fun and to show your abilities? I honestly, didnt put in the work in college, so i dont have any good projects to show, is it cool if i add projects i made myself after graduating? Thanks again and hope you are doing well.

[@ArchiHacks]

Glad you found it interesting Omar! As mentioned in the video, all the projects were done outside of school. So don't stop yourself from showing off your skills!

[@killerofprimes]

Nice video. I think you should touch a bit more on consistency, project hierarchy, style and length

[@ArchiHacks]

I agree. There was so much more I missed in retrospect! Hopefully I can iterate those in future videos :P Thank you for your suggestion every time!

[@bhumikarathore8327]

Hi :) Loved your ideas, I just have one question as to which application do you use to make the portfolio flip like a book? Thank you :)

[@ArchiHacks]

You can upload your PDF to this website called issuu.com to get this effect!

[@rutvigoyani9332]

it's really inspirational, i love it could please tell us page dimension:)

[@marlonif3198]

holy shit youre the real deal

[@anthonyraymundo9102]

it'd be cool if you were to do a Q & A later on in the future.

[@ArchiHacks]

That sounds like a great idea! Maybe for now I'll create a discussion thread on the channel Communities tab if you have any general questions : )

[@thomasgesbert9758]

Hi, french architecture student over here. I discovered the channel something like two days ago and I'm already a big fan. Thanks for your contribution. I was wondering though about the format of your portfolio and the few you reviewed in the channel. I'm european so I'm not familiar with these paper dimensions. Could you tell me what it is? In france we mainly use A0 (84,1x118,9) declination, so A4 (21x29,7), A3 (29,7x42), etc

[@killerofprimes]

A4

[@thedjk2]

I really want to know how you rendered the TUBE^3 project. More specifically the main render

[@rshivam10]

Amazing Portfolio sir! It's a jist of what i would like mine to be in the future years! So inspiring! Can we connect and please if you can tell me how to acheive hyperreal exterior landscape renders like the one in tube^3 and which software can be used to give such result?

[@ArchiHacks]

I'm sure you'll make one above and beyond one day! Sure, I would love to connect : ) Send me a DM on Insta or Facebook. I do all my renders in Rhino, V-Ray, and Photoshop! I will be making tutorials on those in the coming days, so stay tuned!

[@TheBjEscarilla]

Thanks for this bro!

[@ArchiHacks]

You're welcome!

[@chrisstone1188]

how did you order the list for your selected projects? you started off with a bang and that ended up being on the top of your project list too, but i'm not sure if it's based on chronological order (and if so if it's just by coincidence your more recent project was the best to showcase?)

[@alexpolito7121]

How did you do your interior and exterior renders for 1.0m2? they are exceptional! Would love a video on your methods.

[@ArchiHacks]

Thank you so much Alex! I'll make a follow up video on those soon, so stay tuned : )

[@temitopeakinsiku4722]

Thanks for the great video. I just went through the 3 videos on portfolio and there seems to be a consistency in that portfolio size. Whatt would you say is the ideal portfolio page size. Thanks

[@ArchiHacks]

Glad you liked the videos! If you are printing hard copies of your portfolio, I would recommend using the local standard, so for the previous two, I think they were using US-Lettersize 8.5x11" page. I used a little bit less standard method to fit the spread in a 16:9 aspect ratio so that it fills up computer screen. I was applying abroad so screen preview became the priority. Hope that answers your question, but if you have some more, please feel free to let me know!

[@temitopeakinsiku4722]

@@ArchiHacks Yes it does. Thanks a lot and enjoy the rest of your day

[@hitchhike6035]

You used a 2 page format for this. What happens if the reviewer sees this on a single page format as you have a full bleed images covering both pages?

[@dianacarolinagarcescordoba5073]

It is any special configuration to print the final document and load to issue , as its final size is really big ?

[@ArchiHacks]

I believe it's fine as long as issuu doesn't complain about it! I would suggest using highest settings for issuu

[@bleu1497]

한국사람이엿네...대단해요!

[@Mylifestoriesmaybe]

Oh man, one of my dream jobs would be working at BIG. I'm still just a 2nd year student tho

[@AP-cb3xo]

why?

[@Justmt6940]

Be careful what you are wishing for. You shall strive to become a good designer yourself rather than fitting yourself into a designer for someone else (imho)

[@demetgulizuslu7341]

It is amazing. Congrats. I wonder which programme you use for doing this portfolio? Indesign or anything else? Is there a way to make it as a book as in the video in indesign. ? Thanks for your help in advance.

[@ArchiHacks]

Hi there, InDesign is used to make the layouts, and the book format comes from uploading PDF to issuu.com!

[@oxiary]

GOD LVL

[@TheArchitecturalInsider]

How involved were you on the projects of your work in the office?

[@vm7127]

hello, Love your guidance and videos. Just wanted to know...what is the font you are using for title blocks and lower case explanations. Would very much appreciate it if you could answer my query.

[@ArchiHacks]

Hey there, I believe you are looking for DIN or Uni sans!

[@ultradevelopment9323]

At 1:10 in the video, the map with the lines connecting to specific locations, what program did you use to create that? Thanks

[@muntazirbeegun7115]

this can be done otherwise in photoshop/illlustrator i believe.

[@bp3188]

Its photoshop, use the bezier pen tool

[@ggyun]

WOW.... very nice photoshop skill Portfolio.

[@shaikhshaan8507]

Hi! I really loved your portfolio. I just have 3 questions 1. Have you done it in A3 landscape? 2. What fonts did you use? 3. What can be the lowest visible font size for using in small diagrams ?

[@ArchieBoldster]

It´s neither the page format nor the font nor the size. It´s the overall conceptual idea behind it. A3 landscape is great since it can be easily printed. Font needs to be clean and crisp, I personally use just one font in various sizes. If you can´t read it without glasses and proper lighting or you have residue on your screen or portfolio print out because people bumped their noses on it then, well, it is too small.

[@shaktivelio3553]

Great video! can you write what softwares do you use for plans, models, renders and visuals?

[@ArchiHacks]

Yes of course! I've actually made a quick video on what softwares I recommend: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3SUqHmVftuXf9k Hope you'll find it helpful!

[@Cheminglin1]

Hi there, would you be able to do a quick tutorial about the 3d section of Tube project ? Cheers

[@ArchiHacks]

Would love to! Stay tuned for more tutorials : )

[@aryanchoudhury7349]

Hello! Really awesome work! Could you tell me what types of software you used for your renders?

[@ArchiHacks]

All work is done using Rhino, V-ray and photoshop!

[@rimjhimsingh128]

The portfolio looks great! The fonts is so clean. What's name of it?

[@ArchiHacks]

It's called DIN! It's available as a part of Adobe fonts

[@conneralvarez7792]

great content, not sure why you don't have more followers

[@ArchiHacks]

Thank you so much : ) I'm so flattered. We feel blessed with our current subscribers honestly haha

[@moatazmattar4714]

Great Work Man! Im just curious, what size is your potfolio page?

[@ArchiHacks]

Sorry for my slow response! Page size is 8.5"x9.5625" so that a spread fits into a 16:9 full screen monitor : )

[@moatazmattar4714]

@@ArchiHacks no problem :D. Is that a portfolio standard though? I mean I am working on my portfolio and it's in A3.

[@kajolvora5582]

great work !! Can you please tell me is A5 a doable size for an architecture job portfolio?

[@ArchiHacks]

Thank you! Absolutely. It's really all about expressing yourself so choose the paper size that suites your work the best!

[@Gigi-lu3bo]

that's a great job. How did you make the renders on pages 26 -27? Many thanks :)

[@ArchiHacks]

Hi Gabriela, they were modeled in Rhino, rendered with V-Ray and then Photoshopped afterwards : ) Let me know if you would be interested in another video that walks you through that process!

[@Gigi-lu3bo]

@@ArchiHacks yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mubarakolawuyi2660]

Hello your line drawings are really good How do you get them so clean and beautiful?

[@ArchiHacks]

Keep it simple! And use line weights

[@faisalpk6549]

Which font u r using. And what are some good fonts for portfolios?