What best describes an architectural portfolio?

An architectural portfolio is fundamentally a curated collection that presents an architect's work to showcase their skills, creativity, design philosophy, and professional achievements. This compilation typically includes various projects designed or completed by the architect, along with detailed imagery, project descriptions, and sometimes explanatory texts that provide context about challenges faced and solutions implemented. The emphasis is on visual presentation and the articulation of design intent, which allows potential clients, employers, or peers to understand the architect's style and capabilities.

While other options might relate to aspects of architecture or the practice itself, they do not encapsulate the specific purpose of a portfolio. Theoretical ideas may form the basis of an architect's design approach but are not the primary focus of a portfolio. A history of architectural trends could provide context and inspiration but does not represent the individual architect's body of work. Outlining construction codes and regulations is essential for practice but is distinct from demonstrating one's own design competencies and style within an architectural portfolio.