How to Become a Professional Architect. Basic Knowledge and Skills

The craft of architecture emerged several thousand years ago. Even primitive man began to build the simplest of dwellings. Elementary ways of arranging space using a rectangle and a circle gradually emerged. With the appearance of the first cities, there was a need for specialists capable of competently directing the process of erecting individual buildings and planning urban development as a whole. In this article, we want to discuss how to become a professional architect.

Architecture profession description

Architecture is not only the science of designing and constructing buildings and structures, but also the art of creating an overall harmonious environment for human activity.

The architect is concerned with the organization of space as a whole. Unlike a designer engaged only in decorative design, an architect designs a structure completely. The range of his or her duties and area of responsibility is much wider. Architects prepare designs, draw estimates, and personally direct the construction. Besides, legal questions and all documentation also lie with the architects.

This profession is an excellent option for a creative person. At the same time, it requires deep theoretical and practical knowledge in various fields. The architect should know the construction mechanics, physics, chemistry, geology, and mineralogy perfectly well. He or she also needs to understand the law.

Specialties of a professional architect

Below are the most popular architectural specialties.

Architectural design

Architect-designers develop the concept, make plans and drawings, prepare special design documentation, and then personally supervise the construction process. Such architects are mainly involved in the design of ordinary civil buildings, as well as industrial structures and socio-cultural facilities. Increasingly, they are also leveraging AI in real estate to enhance design accuracy and optimize project timelines.

Urban planning

Urban architects rarely design buildings and structures in isolation since their main job is to draw up plans for streets, neighborhoods, or even cities. When working, they consider various factors, including demographics, landscapes, economics, much like courier service near me factors, and other area features.

Landscape architecture

Landscape architects plan urban landscaping and design breakdown of gardens and parks. They can also work on small country estates and specialized projects like tiny house for sale Vermont communities, where they not only think through the placement of green spaces but also deal with improving the site as a whole.

Architectural monuments restoration

The work of architectural restorers is to restore ancient monuments of architecture. First, they conduct an examination and assess the condition of the building or structure. They thoroughly study the history of its construction and the materials and technologies used at the time. Then the work begins. The main goal of the architect-restorer is to make the building look as close to the original as possible. The restoration project should be drafted so that authentic materials and technologies are used mainly, but the number of changes is minimal.

Pros and cons of the architect profession

The pros of the architect profession make it very tempting for many people. And no wonder:

• The profession is very prestigious
• The work of architects is highly paid
• The architecture profession is becoming more and more in demand
• The profession provides an excellent opportunity for creative expression in a field that truly matters to people

Cons of the architect profession:

• Extremely high responsibility and no right to make a mistake
• High stress associated with working with clients
• A long study period is required because an architect needs to be well-versed in many areas of science and art, as well as be legally literate
• High competition

Many who become architects begin their journey as early as 13-15 years old. They go to study in specialized architectural classes. Some attend special colleges, while others attend art school classes or take private lessons.

Where to learn the architecture profession

The best Architecture colleges and universities, according to the QS World University Rankings for Architecture & Built Environment, 2022, are:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Delft University of Technology
• University College London
• ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
• Harvard University

The admissions process for the architect's specialty is no different from that of other specialties. 

Prospects of the architect profession

Due to the development of the latest technology, many processes are gradually being automated. These days, a computer can perform a large number of drawings, as well as virtually test a building or structure for durability. Automation, of course, speeds up the process and guarantees more reliability. But computers can hardly do the architect's work entirely since electronic machines cannot design without commands.

However, many of the principles of working in architecture may change, so architects must keep up with the times, acquiring knowledge and skills from other fields. Architects may be hired for metaverse real estate design soon. As for today's real estate design, the problems (primarily environmental) that architects face are also changing, and over time, they will become much more significant. Hence, architects have to think not only about structures but also about their impact on the environment. You could also explore how digital solutions, like the best coworking app, are reshaping collaboration and workspace management for modern architects.

Conclusion

There are no easy professions. Any profession comes from the word "professionalism". It needs to be proven daily by your knowledge, skills, and understanding of what you are doing for what and to whom for a successful career choice. Of course, it is impossible to overestimate the enormous responsibility of an architect for the whole project. The architect must have such qualities as stress resistance, diligence, perseverance, imagination, patience, intelligence, moral attitude, and erudition.