If you are interested in becoming an Architect one day, this article is for you, You will learn all the basics about this career, and it will help you reflect on whether or not to study in this field to become an architect later.
Architecture involves designing and building structures. Architects create buildings like houses, offices, schools, and churches. They need skills in design, understanding society, business, engineering, and law. Architects can work alone, in small, medium, or large companies, or be self-employed. They serve clients like families, schools, companies, or government agencies.
There are various types of architects, but the term "design architect" is commonly known, referring to individuals responsible for the architectural design of structures. Typically, they work in architectural firms alongside technical architects, who focus on construction-related details such as stability, local codes, and energy efficiency. In some cases, particularly when working independently, a design architect may handle both roles. Design architects may participate in initial planning decisions like site selection and assessing environmental impact. They also provide cost estimates, develop plans, supervise the construction process (while keeping clients informed), and sometimes assemble the professional team, including builders, electricians, and plumbers. Additionally, they ensure that buildings meet safety standards and provide proper accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Architects spend much of their time in offices, developing plans, meeting with clients, and consulting with engineers and other architects. They also visit construction sites to prepare initial drawings and review the progress of projects to ensure that client's objectives are met.
They can work in different places. Often, they are in the office of an Architectural firm, or real estate company, and sometimes they are on construction sites. If they are self-employed, they can also work from home.
You need to complete a bachelor's or master's degree in architecture from a university program approved by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB). Then, to become a licensed Architect, you will have to pass a computerized exam.
In Canada, the lowest wage is 24.00 dollars per hour but this is quite rare. The median salary is 38.46 dollars per hour, and it can be up to 60.44 dollars per hour, sometimes even more, depending on the experience and how good you are, meaning you have a good reputation, and are well-know for your work.
You have to do an Internship in an Architecture Program, by completing the program offered by the architectural associations in their respective provinces. Successful applicants will need a "Mentor," typically a licensed Architect, who will oversee their work throughout the program, following the rules and guidelines set forth by the Internship. Generally, interns or intern architects complete the program within approximately three years.
It can be very challenging in the beginning after you graduate to find work, and it can get very competitive, so standing out in this industry is not easy. You need to be very creative and have original, and new, thoughtful ideas which is hard.
Very few chances. Even advanced robots lack fundamental human qualities like imagination, wisdom, taste, ethics, and emotional resonance that shape architecture's work. In other words, it is hard to create a robot able to have the necessary qualities to create designs, and projects as sophisticated as architects, and humans do. AI may someday partner with architects fluidly but shows no sign of replacing them soon
In Canada, it is around 65 years old but a lot of architects after years of experience start to work on their own so there is no age limitation when it comes to retiring because they are their own boss.
As you can see, being an architect is not easy to achieve but when it is done, it's worth it because it's a high-paying job for passionate and creative people.
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Rationale: to inform or educate
Authority: peer-reviewed wiki
Date: still relevant
Accuracy: probably true
Relevance: relevant for this document
Sources: cites sources