- People need places in which to live, work, play, learn, worship, meet, govern, shop, and eat.
- Architects are responsible for designing these places, whether they are private or public; indoors or out; rooms, buildings, or complexes.
- Architects are licensed professionals trained in the art and science of building design who develop the concepts for structures and turn those concepts into images and plans.
- Architects create the overall look of buildings and other structures, but the design of a building involves far more than its appearance.
- Buildings also must be functional, safe, and economical and must suit the needs of the people who use them.
- Architects consider all these factors when they design buildings and other structures.
- Architects may be involved in all phases of a construction project, from the initial discussion with the client through the final delivery of the completed structure.
- Their duties require specific skills—designing, engineering, managing, supervising, and communicating with clients and builders.
- Architects spend a great deal of time explaining their ideas to clients, construction contractors, and others.
- Successful architects must be able to communicate their unique vision persuasively.
- The architect and client discuss the objectives, requirements, and budget of a project.
- In some cases, architects provide various pre-design services: conducting feasibility and environmental impact studies, selecting a site, preparing cost analysis and land-use studies, or specifying the requirements the design must meet.
- For example, they may determine space requirements by researching the numbers and types of potential users of a building.
- The architect then prepares drawings and a report presenting ideas for the client to review.
- After discussing and agreeing on the initial proposal, architects develop final construction plans that show the building's appearance and details for its construction.
- Accompanying these plans are drawings of the structural system; air-conditioning, heating, and ventilating systems; electrical systems; communications systems; plumbing; and, possibly, site and landscape plans.
- The plans also specify the building materials and, in some cases, the interior furnishings. In developing designs, architects follow building codes, zoning laws, fire regulations, and other ordinances, such as those requiring easy access by people who are disabled.
- Computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) and building information modelling (BIM) technology has replaced traditional paper and pencil as the most common method for creating design and construction drawings.
- Continual revision of plans on the basis of client needs and budget constraints is often necessary.
- Architects may also assist clients in obtaining construction bids, selecting contractors, and negotiating construction contracts.
- As construction proceeds, they may visit building sites to make sure that contractors follow the design, adhere to the schedule, use the specified materials, and meet work quality standards.
- The job is not complete until all construction is finished, required tests are conducted, and construction costs are paid.
- Sometimes, architects also provide post-construction services, such as facilities management.
- They advise on energy efficiency measures, evaluate how well the building design adapts to the needs of occupants, and make necessary improvements.
- Often working with engineers, urban planners, interior designers, landscape architects, and other professionals, architects in fact spend a great deal of their time coordinating information from, and the work of, other professionals engaged in the same project.
- 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 centres, college campuses, industrial parks, and entire communities.
- Architects sometimes specialize in one phase of work. Some specialize in the design of one type of building—for example, hospitals, schools, or housing.
- Others focus on planning and pre-design services or construction management and do minimal design work.
- Competition is expected, especially for positions at the most prestigious firms, and opportunities will be best for those architects who are able to distinguish themselves with their creativity.
- In recent years, some architecture firms have outsourced the drafting of construction documents and basic design for large-scale commercial and residential projects to architecture firms overseas.
- This trend is expected to continue and may have a negative impact on employment growth for lower-level architects and interns who would normally gain experience by producing these drawings.
- A growing number of students are graduating with architectural degrees and some competition for entry-level jobs can be anticipated.
- Competition will be especially keen for jobs at the most prestigious architectural firms as prospective architects try to build their reputation.
- Prospective architects who have had internships while in school will have an advantage in obtaining positions after graduation. Opportunities will be best for those architects who are able to distinguish themselves from others with their creativity.
- There should be demand for architects with knowledge of “green” design.
- Green design, also known as sustainable design, emphasizes the efficient use of resources such as energy and water, waste and pollution reduction, conservation, and environmentally friendly design, specifications, and materials.
- Rising energy costs and increased concern about the environment has led to many new buildings being built green.
- Employment of architects is strongly tied to the activity of the construction industry and some types of construction are sensitive to cyclical changes in the economy.
- For example, during recessions non-residential construction of office and retail space tends to fall as funding for these projects becomes harder to obtain and the demand for these spaces falls.
- Firms involved in the design of institutional buildings, such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and correctional facilities, will be less affected by fluctuations in the economy.
- Residential construction makes up a small portion of work for architects, so major changes in the housing market would not be as significant as fluctuations in the non-residential market.
Others workers involved in the construction and maintenance of buildings include Construction managers; Engineers; Landscape architect; Urban and regional planners.
Architects design buildings and related structures. Other occupations with design responsibilities include Commercial and industrial designers; Graphic designers; interior designers.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Architect
This career information is drawn from data provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.