Earn a Certification in Architectural Analysis from GIAA

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Casa Curutchet

The Global Institute for Architectural Analysis (GIAA) offers rigorous certifications designed to strengthen your portfolio, enhance your CV, and connect you with the methods used by professionals worldwide.

Certification Stickers

A label of excellence in Architectural Analysis

Architectural analysis is a discipline that enriches design practice, research, and cultural understanding. In an era where accuracy, context, and critical interpretation are increasingly valued, the ability to study and explain buildings with depth is essential for professionals, institutions, and content producers alike.

Through its certifications and research programs, GIAA provides a recognized framework for applying rigorous analytical methods, complementing academic training and professional expertise while ensuring consistency and credibility in the study of architecture.

ARCAM

1. Enroll

Fill in the form and enroll in a certification of your choice

2. Study

Dive into our curated resources, including videos, templates and examples

3. Submit

Analyze the building that’s asigned to you and submit your analysis assignment

4. Get certified

Receive your certification after your assignment is reviewed

Building on this legacy, GIAA now extends its expertise to individuals, professionals and students through certification programs.

Certification Sticker
Esters House

Single-Home Analysis

Single homes are a core value in our society; our place of shelter and identity.

Learn to examine this building typology with precision, from spatial organization to materiality and detail.

General
$249
Student
$89
$125
$45
First 50 to enroll get 50% OFF
Program starts January 2026
Enroll now
Qatar National Library

Public-Building Analysis

Develop the skills to analyze architecture at the civic scale.

Explore how public buildings shape communities, embody cultural values, and express institutional identity through space and form.

General
$249
Student
$89
$125
$45
First 50 to enroll get 50% OFF
Program starts January 2026
Enroll now
Marina City

High-Rise Analysis

Master the tools to critically evaluate tall buildings, from structural systems and facades to urban presence and social impact.

This program prepares you to understand skyscrapers as both engineering feats and cultural icons.

General
$249
Student
$89
$125
$45
First 50 to enroll get 50% OFF
Program starts January 2026
Enroll now
Rolex Study Center

Diploma in Architectural Analysis

The GIAA diploma recognizes comprehensive mastery across building types.

By completing the three certification programs you demonstrate the ability to analyze architecture with rigor and breadth, from the intimate scale of the home to the complexity of the city.

General
$560
Student
$199
$280
$99
First 50 to enroll get 50% OFF
Program starts January 2026
Enroll now

“The details are not the details. They make the design.” – Charles Eames

General Information

Will a GIAA certification add value to my CV?

Yes, absolutely. GIAA certifications demonstrate your ability to analyze architecture with recognized standards of rigor.

Regardless of the role you pursue in the architectural world (creative design, visual representation, academic research, editorial work, or cultural production...), the capacity to critically analyze buildings is a foundational skill.

Each certificate also includes a unique verification code that employers or institutions can use to check its authenticity directly on the GIAA website, ensuring your achievement is both credible and verifiable.

Are the certifications recognized internationally?

Yes. GIAA certifications are recognized by institutions, publishers, and professionals worldwide as a mark of rigor and excellence in architectural analysis.

What is the difference between a Certificate and the Diploma?

A Certificate is awarded upon completion of a single program (Single Homes, Public Buildings, or High-Rises). The Diploma recognizes broader mastery and is awarded when you complete all three certification programs.

Will I be awarded a Diploma if I complete all the certifications independently?

Yes. You will still earn the Diploma if you complete all the certifications independently. But you can benefit from a substantial discount by enrolling in the Diploma program directly.

Will I receive a physical certificate?

Yes. Every graduate receives both a digital certificate and a physical copy. Both include a unique code that any employer or interested third party can use to verify the authenticity of the certificate on the GIAA website.

In what languages are the certifications offered?

All certificates are issued in English. Lessons are currently available in English and Spanish, with additional languages to be added in the future.

Eligibility and Audience

Who are these certifications for?

GIAA certifications are designed for both students and professionals in architecture, urbanism, and related fields. Whether you're still studying or already working, the programs help you sharpen your analytical skills and gain international recognition.

While the lessons explain concepts clearly and step by step, some prior architectural knowledge is recommended. Familiarity with basic concepts (for example, understanding the difference between a load-bearing and a non-load-bearing wall), and terminology is not mandatory, but it will help you advance quicker and make the most of the material provided.

Do I need to be an architect to enroll?

No. While many participants are architects or architecture students, the certifications are also valuable for urbanists, editors, researchers, and media professionals who engage with architectural content.

Can I enroll while still studying?

Yes, absolutely!

In fact, we encourage students to enroll. Completing a GIAA certification alongside your academic studies will deepen your understanding of architecture and enrich your performance in every other subject of your curriculum.

It also demonstrates your curiosity, independence, and initiative, qualities highly valued by universities, scholarship committees, and future employers.

GIAA is deeply invested in supporting emerging architects and researchers. That's why students receive a 65% discount on any certification enrollment fee.

How can I prove my eligibility as a student?

During the enrollment process, you will be asked to upload documentation confirming your student status. Valid documents include:

  • Official student IDs
  • Enrollment papers issued by your academic institution
  • Acceptance letters from your academic institution

All submitted documents must either display an expiration date later than your enrollment date or an issue date within the past 12 months.

Every submission is manually reviewed by the GIAA team before your enrollment is formally approved.

Are there any admission requirements?

No. GIAA certifications are open to everyone. You don't need to be an architect or have formal qualifications to join. However, having some familiarity with architectural concepts and terminology will help you get the most out of the program.

Understanding ideas such as spatial hierarchy, structure, or basic elements like load-bearing walls and lintels will make it easier to connect the lessons with real buildings and deepen your analytical perspective.

Program Structure and Learning Experience

How are the certifications structured?

Each certification includes several hours of video lessons, templates, checklists and case studies.

Once you've completed the lessons, you'll receive an assignment to analyze a specific building.

Once your work is reviewed and approved, your certificate is issued.

How long does each certification take?

It depends on your schedule and pace of work. On average, participants complete a certification in 1–2 weeks, without a full-time commitment.

Is there a time limit to complete my certification?

No. There is no time limit to complete your certification. You can enroll today and progress entirely at your own pace, accessing the material and submitting your assignment whenever you're ready.

Will I receive feedback on my work?

Yes. Every assignment is personally reviewed by a member of the GIAA academic team, who will provide detailed feedback on your analysis.

In some cases, you may be asked to make adjustments to your submission before obtaining certification, while in others your work will be approved immediately.

In both situations, you will always receive personalized feedback to help you improve and refine your analytical skills.

Can I fail the certification?

Once you submit your assignment, it will be reviewed by the GIAA team. You may be awarded the certification immediately or asked to make adjustments based on the feedback you receive. Each participant has up to three submission attempts.

If, after three revisions, your work still does not meet the certification standards, you will need to repay the enrollment fee to submit again. However, our team will work closely with you throughout the process to help you reach the required level within those first attempts. We are here to support your learning and success.

Do I need to attend in person?

No. The entire certification process takes place online.

You enroll through our website, access video lessons on the GIAA learning platform, and use downloadable templates and checklists to complete your assignment. You'll also submit your work and receive feedback digitally, all within the same platform.

The only physical element is the certificate itself, which will be printed and shipped to your address once you complete the program (a digital downloadable version will also be available).

Enrollment and Payment

How do I enroll?

You can enroll directly through the GIAA website. Simply choose the certification you want to complete and follow the guided enrollment process.

Can I get a refund?

Once you've been granted access to the GIAA learning platform, refunds are not available.

For non-student enrollments, access is granted automatically after payment.

For student enrollments, the GIAA team will first review your student documentation before confirming access. Refunds are only issued if your student documentation is not approved.