Your Career in Architecture
What is architecture?
What is an architect?
Which professionals work with architects?
How do architects become involved in projects?
What makes the profession worth practicing?
Preparation to become an architect
How do I prepare to become an architect?
At what point in high school should I take architecture-related classes?
What kinds of skills should I have?
What else can I do to develop my interest in architecture while in high school?
Must I go to a college that has an architecture program?
How do I chose among the various school programs?
What is professional registration?
What is the nature of professional practice?
Employment outlook
How can I improve my chances of getting a good job?
How rapidly does one advance?
What are the income range and benefits can I expect?
How is the practice of architecture affected by regulations and codes?
Do firms specialize in one building type?
What is the average size of an architecture firm?
What are the different practice settings for an architect to pursue?
What are related careers that architects may pursue?
The Boston Society of Architects (BSA) prepared this information on the profession of architecture as part of its larger career-information program with assistance from the Consortium for Design and Construction Careers (CDCC).
Since the 1980s, several BSA committees have sought and continue to seek to improve the level and quality of information available to students and others considering architectural careers.
Another service available through the BSA is a roster of architects available to serve as guest speakers, mentors or career advisors for schools and other organizations in Massachusetts. Contact the BSA for details on this and other services.
The Boston Society of Architects is a nonprofit professional and public organization whose members are architects and others with an interest in architecture. As a chapter of the national American Institute of Architects, the BSA provides services, information and resources for its members and the public.
Formed in 1986, the Consortium for Design and Construction Careers is a consortium of colleges and universities and professional organizations interested in informing individuals about careers in architecture, interior design, construction management and landscape architecture. The Consortium annually sponsors the Chicago Career Day on the first Saturday of October.
Architecture is the imaginative blend of art and science used in the design of environments for people. Problem-solving, decision-making, team leadership and creativity are key elements in making architecture and lead to the tremendous excitement that comes from seeing a design idea become a physical reality.
What is an architect?
Architects may design, draw, build scale models, write, supervise or manage. They also may teach, perform research or consult.
Most architects do not construct the buildings they design; that is usually done by construction firms. However, smaller projects such as houses are often built by the architect who designs them.
Architects also may develop projects on their own, alone or in conjunction with financial advisors, real-estate developers or others.
Architects do more than design space: they serve as consultants on a broad range of clients' needs such as long-term business planning, relocation planning, human resources and space-use planning, facility maintenance programming and hundreds of other services.
The practice of architecture is enriched by the cultural and ethnic diversity of the men and women who join the profession.
What other professionals work with architects?
Other professionals who work with architects, often as consultants, include structural, civil, electrical and mechanical engineers, landscape architects, acoustics and lighting consultants, interior designers, exhibit designers, artists and photographers, city planners, facility managers, regional planners, developers, real-estate firms, sociologists, demographers and many more.
How do architects become involved in projects?
In many cases, architects respond to requests for proposals published by private or public clients. Sometimes architects are invited to present their qualifications; this is usually followed by interviews and perhaps a design presentation.
Another popular way to get a job is to participate in a design competition sponsored by a public agency or private-sector institution or other client. This often involves a considerable investment of resources in the hope of winning the commission.
Architects also may be the initiators of projects, especially if they are also the developers/clients.
What makes the profession worth practicing?
For some architects, the excitement of practice comes from the mix of intellectual stimulation, technical challenges and "getting your boots muddy" at a construction site. For others, the ability to be one's own boss—and to make a living doing what one loves to do—provides "psychic income." Since practice options cover such a broad range, from teaching and writing to construction supervision and management, you can define your own niche in the profession and ideally satisfy your emotional needs.
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| Preparation to become an architect |
How do I become an architect?
To become a licensed architect, you must meet three standards: education, experience and exam. First, you will need to gain a professional degree in architecture from an accredited higher-education architecture program; second, you will need to complete an internship (working under the supervision of a licensed architect); and third, you will need to pass the nine-part ARE (Architect Registration Exam). After completing the three "Es," you are a "licensed" architect. The entire path to licensure typically requires eight to ten years to complete.
At what point in high school should I take architecture-related classes?
If you are interested in a career as an architect, it is best to begin early. Your own environment—at home, in school, and in your community—is a good laboratory for study. By learning to "see" buildings, spaces and their relationships, you will become sensitive to the things that concern architects. Notice the effects of color, texture, light and shape—the "tools" of architecture—and consider how spaces and places "feel" when you are in them. Analyze your positive and negative reactions and see if you can connect them to design elements. Look for rhythm and pattern, simplicity and ornament, old and new in your environment, and notice the variety in your community. Think about the values expressed in the design of your house, school and city hall.
What kinds of skills should I have?
When in high school, you should plan a college preparatory program strong in English, history, social studies, mathematics, physics and foreign languages. If you can, add courses in business and computer science. It may surprise you to know that freehand drawing skills will be more useful to you than drafting ability. Computer literacy is essential.
Perhaps the best attributes are to be able to listen, to speak and write (communicate) effectively and to be able to organize your thoughts and activities.
What else can I do to develop my interest in architecture?
You are encouraged to visit the design studios of a school of architecture, tour the offices of a local architecture firm and read books and magazines on architecture to gain a broad understanding of the nature of an architect's work and the values of the profession. Many schools of architecture offer summer programs for high-school students.
You may also be interested in attending the BSA's annual College Fair. It brings students, parents, guidance counselors and educators together to discuss college programs and career paths in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and planning.
Must I go to a college that has an architectural program?
There are two different educational paths. One is a five- or six-year program that usually leads to a Bachelor of Architecture. The other is a four-year undergraduate program, not necessarily in architecture, followed by a two- to three-and-one-half-year graduate architecture program that leads to a Master of Architecture. Of the 113 accredited architecture programs in North America, roughly half offer the former and half the latter. The BSA's Resources for Interns and Students page can provide you with a list of these schools or check out the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).
As you can see, the total number of years in school can be reduced if you commit yourself to architecture early. If you pursue a non-architecture undergraduate degree and then go to graduate school, you could spend as many as eight years in school. There is a trade-off that one must reconcile with this decision. One approach offers fewer years in school but sacrifices some of the liberal arts education central to all professions. The longer path is more expensive but provides for a more well-rounded educational approach. (The Master's degree often leads to greater opportunities to teach architecture at an advanced level.)
How do I choose among the various school programs?
Selecting a college or university in which to study architecture can be an overwhelming and daunting task especially when you consider there are over 100 schools that offer professional architecture degree programs in the US and Canada. However, by understanding which criteria are important to you, the best school for you will emerge as your top choice.
Criteria can reflect your attributes and needs—level of confidence in becoming an architect, personality type, closeness to home, budget; attributes of the institution— location, size, private vs. public, cost, scholarship opportunities; and academic attributes—size, enrichment programs, facilities, philosophy, reputation, faculty and post-graduation careers of recent graduates.
Resources that may be of help as you select a school include discussion with current students, faculty and alumni; promotional materials provided by the school including websites, annual career days in Boston and Chicago and campus visits.
Financial aid is available, both through the schools and the American Institute of Architects/American Architectural Foundation. In addition, many local chapters of the AIA provide scholarships for students from within their boundaries. Contact the BSA for a listing of local AIA chapters throughout the US.
What is registration?
Registration or licensing as a professional architect involves the successful completion of a rigorous examination that tests your knowledge and skills—the Architect Registration Exam (ARE). In order to take the ARE, you must have a Bachelor or Master of Architecture degree from a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)-accredited program of architecture and have completed a structured "internship" of about three or more years in architectural offices. Most states accept the structured internship program developed by the National Council of Architecture Registration Boards (NCARB), called the Intern Development Program (IDP). IDP provides a structure for gaining experience in various aspects of the profession including schematic design, construction documentation and construction administration. Upon passing the exam, you receive your license to practice in the state in which you took the exam. This entitles you to sign any documents prepared by you (or under your supervision) in that state and carries with it legal responsibilities for the public welfare.
The computerized examination is nationally standardized and is developed by NCARB. Each state administers it and grants licenses to those who pass; you do not receive a "national registration." If you register with NCARB, then you may, at a later date, apply for registration in other states (that have similar requirements) by paying a fee and without taking other examinations.
Most principals of firms and their top personnel (associates, project managers) are registered.
For projects of the size of a house or smaller, many jurisdictions do not require an architect's license. As a result, and often unfortunately, many homes are designed and built without professional architectural involvement.
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| What is the nature of professional practice? |
Click here to view Architecture Career Options from the AIA.
Employment outlook
Employment of architects is strongly tied to the level of local construction, particularly non-residential structures such as office buildings, shopping centers, schools and healthcare facilities. The boom in non-residential construction during the 1980s resulted in high vacancy rates and a slowdown in this type of construction during the first half of the 1990s. Although architects were in great demand from the mid-1990s on, slower labor force growth, rapid increases in telecommuting and "flexiplace" work and the 1980s overbuilding are expected to continue to suppress demand for new office space for a few years into the early 2000s. Nevertheless, employment of architects is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations during this period.
How can I improve my chances of getting a good job?
If possible, attempt to gain relevant experience in an architecture firm while you are in college. Many schools will assist their students in finding jobs; a handful even require such experience.
What kind of entry-level salary can I expect?
Architectural job openings fluctuate with the state of the national and local economy; when the economy is good, there are more jobs. There can be considerable variations from one region to another, as well as from city to city within a region.
Entry-level jobs often pay in the range of $12-15/hour (with a professional degree; 1999 figures) and usually involve drafting and/or model-building. Obviously, this will depend on your skills and experience to date; summertime and part-time job experience are recommended as a way of starting at a higher level upon graduation.
How rapidly does one advance?
Due to the sensitivity of the architectural work-load to the economy (i.e., the boom-or-bust/cyclical nature of the work), it is not unusual for entry-level individuals to hold three or more jobs in the first few years after graduation. There is nothing wrong with this; in fact, it is the rule more than the exception and you should expect it. This situation has some advantages in that it exposes you to different offices and their varied ways of designing, running projects, doing presentations and succeeding as businesses.
Advancement is usually rather slow; as in other fields, your motivation, willingness to learn by exposure to a range of tasks (especially during your internship) and aggressiveness all will affect the rate at which your responsibilities and salary increase.
What are the income range and benefits I can expect?
Salaries are generally lower than those of other professions with equivalent educational/preparation requirements (law, medicine, business). Entry-level jobs for holders of Bachelor of Architecture or Master of Architecture degrees pay from $25,000 to $40,000 (1999 figures); annual increases usually include cost-of-living and "merit" increases.
Six to ten years out of graduate school, you may earn $45,000 (1999 figures). Generally, the only way to earn substantially more is to own your own firm or become a partner in a large firm. Even then, the average income range is from $70,000-100,000 (1999 figures).
Benefits often include health plans, other insurance and sometimes profit-sharing, in addition to the usual holidays, sick-time and vacation. Generally, the larger the firm, the greater the benefits. However, you should keep in mind that the benefits should be considered as only one issue in the choice of a job; for example, although a smaller firm might have fewer benefits, you are more likely to be given a wider range of tasks/responsibilities than in a larger firm.
How is the practice of architecture affected by regulations and codes?
Architects practice within the boundaries set by myriad national, state and local regulations, such as building codes, fire-prevention codes, zoning ordinances and industry conventions. In addition, legislative/regulatory bodies such as historical commissions, community groups, design-review boards and public agencies often must review proposed projects during the design process. As one gains experience, one incorporates the basics into one's own "process" and views them as an order-giving part of professional practice, not simply as "obstacles to be overcome."
The architect's greatest responsibility to the public is life safety. This encompasses structural stability, protection from the elements and from fire and, of course, support of the activities for which the project has been built. Architects, like physicians and other professionals, carry liability insurance that provides financial protection from lawsuits or other actions that may result from bodily injury, property damage, construction disputes and other use- or work-related incidents.
Do firms specialize in one building type?
Although most firms do a variety of work, they often have particular areas of expertise that may represent a large portion of their work.
Some firms, however, do specialize in one type of work, usually more complex types such as hospitals, airports or housing.
What is the average size of an architecture firm?
Eighty percent of the firms in the U.S. are composed of six or fewer architects. The largest firms number 1,000 employees, often located in several regional offices.
Although the larger firms are more likely to be doing the largest projects, most firms are capable of handling a range of project sizes. With the increasing use of computers, more and more small-to-medium-size firms are better able to do larger projects than might have been possible for them in the past.
What are the different practice settings for an architect to pursue?After a few years in the profession, you will soon realize that architects work in numerous practice settings including community design and urban planning firms, public agencies, private community development corporations, construction firms, corporations, institutional and governmental facilities offices.
What are related careers that architects may pursue?
In addition to "traditional" careers in architecture, an architectural education may lead to a number of other careers. Actual careers pursued by individuals with architectural backgrounds include: critic, building inspector, campus planner, developer, landscape architect, graphic designer, set designer, construction manager, professor, interior designer, codes consultant, structural engineer and photographer. Over 600 career choices recently were catalogued by the AIA.
Tell me more about a few of these related careers!
Construction Managers — Although they hold a variety of job titles, construction managers plan direct construction processes including the selection, hiring and oversight of specialty subcontractors.
Construction Management Association of America
Suite 540
7918 Jones Brance Dr.
McLean VA 22102
703-356-2622
www.cmaanet.org
Interior Designers — Interior designers plan, design and furnish the interior of private homes, public buildings and commercial establishments such as offices, restaurants, hospitals, hotels and theaters, either as new construction or renovation. With a client's tastes, needs and budget in mind, interior designers develop designs and prepare working drawings and specifications for interior construction, furnishings, lighting and finishes.
International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
341 Merchandise Mart
Chicago IL 60654
312-467-1950
www.iida.org
American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)
608 Massachusetts Ave., NE
Washington DC 20002-6006
202-546-3480
www.asid.org
Landscape Architects — Landscape architects design proportions of residential areas, public parks and playgrounds, college campuses, shopping centers, golf courses, parkways and industrial parks. They plan the location of buildings, roads and walkways as well as the arrangement of flowers, shrubs and trees. They often collaborate with architects, surveyors, engineers, environmental scientists, foresters and other professionals.
American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)
636 I St., NW
Washington DC 20001-3736
202-898-2338
www.asla.org
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