What should architects do

They design a wide variety of buildings, such as office and apartment buildings, schools, churches, factories, hospitals, houses, and airport terminals.

They also design complexes such as urban centers, college campuses, industrial parks, and entire communities. Architects sometimes specialize in one phase of work. Others focus on planning and predesign services or construction management and do minimal design work. Work Environment Usually working in a comfortable environment, architects spend most of their time in offices consulting with clients, developing reports and drawings, and working with other architects and engineers. However, they often visit construction sites to review the progress of projects.

In , approximately 1 in 5 architects worked more than 50 hours per week, as long hours and work during nights and weekends is often necessary to meet deadlines. However, State architectural registration boards set their own standards, so graduation from a non-accredited program may meet the educational requirement for licensing in a few States.

Most architects earn their professional degree through a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture degree program, which is intended for students with no previous architectural training. The choice of degree depends on preference and educational background.

Prospective architecture students should consider the options before committing to a program. For example, although the 5-year bachelor of architecture offers the most direct route to the professional degree, courses are specialized, and if the student does not complete the program, transferring to a program in another discipline may be difficult. A typical program includes courses in architectural history and theory, building design with an emphasis on CADD, structures, technology, construction methods, professional practice, math, physical sciences, and liberal arts.

Central to most architectural programs is the design studio, where students apply the skills and concepts learned in the classroom and create drawings and three-dimensional models of their designs. Also, a growing number of schools, including are now offering architecture degrees online.

Many schools of architecture also offer post-professional degrees for those who already have a bachelor's or master's degree in architecture or other areas. Although graduate education beyond the professional degree is not required for practicing architects, it may be useful for research, teaching, and certain specialties.

These standards stipulate broad training under the supervision of a licensed architect. Most new graduates complete their training period by working as interns at architectural firms.

Some States allow a portion of the training to occur in the offices of related professionals, such as engineers or general contractors. Architecture students who complete internships while still in school can count some of that time toward the 3-year training period.

Interns in architectural firms may assist in the design of one part of a project, help prepare architectural documents or drawings, build models, or prepare construction drawings on CADD. Interns also may research building codes and materials or write specifications for building materials, installation criteria, the quality of finishes, and other related details. Certifications Needed Licensure All States and the District of Columbia require individuals to be licensed registered before they may call themselves architects and contract to provide architectural services.

During the time between graduation and becoming licensed, architecture school graduates generally work in the field under the supervision of a licensed architect who takes legal responsibility for all work. Licensing requirements include a professional degree in architecture, a period of practical training or internship, and a passing score on all divisions of the Architect Registration Examination.

The examination is broken into nine divisions consisting of either multiple choice or graphical questions. The eligibility period for completion of all divisions of the exam varies by State. Most States also require some form of continuing education to maintain a license, and many others are expected to adopt mandatory continuing education.

Architecture is an art and a science. So mathematics is very important. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. The career video is in the Public Domain and originally hosted on Kids. Free Career Tests. Skip to content Architects design structures such as office buildings, businesses, stadiums, schools, malls, and homes. Job Description of an Architect An architect is responsible for drawing up the detailed plans for a structure and developing final construction plans to include electrical and HVAC Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems.

Candidate will provide support to all 4 SPD Districts. The construction management of these projects will be executed by each of the four Districts. Projects typically are within the geographical area of SPD, which encompasses six western states and small parts of four others.

The area is characterized by complex and diverse climate. As a recognized regional technical specialist, the incumbent uses ingenuity to research and fully explore solutions to complex problems that typically involve unprecedented aspects of beyond existing standards and methods.

The incumbent resolves regional problems and coordinates with HQUSACE where a formal waiver to code or criteria is required or an official determination of equivalency is required. Ways to assess energy use. How to account for use of urban infrastructure. It was a burst of confidence, rather than ability: the capacity to integrate different disciplines and stages, to understand that a good design doesn't stop: to sell your idea, to plan your construction, to understand your design, and to combine specialties.

Sure, this was a way to lift the self-esteem of architects of the past, but today we know that this kind of talk doesn't get you anywhere. Society won't give you a pass just for being an architect. Architecture is as much about negotiation and integration as it is about creation. You need to converse with clients, builders, and specialists. Every one of them brings something important to the table and this is why architects need soft skills for presenting projects, integrating ideas, and accepting modifications.

If you've talked with someone from the business world lately, it's likely they've mentioned design thinking to you without even knowing that you're an architect.

It's a concept that comes directly from our line of work. This is what makes us the object of observation from other fields," said Spanish architect Juan Herreros during a visit to Chile in in his talk about "Design Thinking," a methodology that can be found throughout the field of innovation.

Last, but not least, is design. You don't have to be Leonardo DaVinci to come up with an impeccable design, but it is fundamental that an architect be able to illustrate their concepts via layout, be it by hand or computer; however, knowing how to draw offers a multitude of benefits, especially when paired with technical thinking.

The two are fundamental throughout the design process, from the blueprints to the first laid cornerstone. Furthermore, it's always a plus for clients to see hand-drawn work. It makes your idea look even more brilliant!