If you have a dream to become an architect like me, or you are just interested to know more about this career, this article is for you. Since my last years of high school, I began to think about becoming an architect, but I wasn't fully sure what being an architect actually means. To answer my own questions and probably some of yours, I created this career summary.
Being an architect is being able to do many tasks that some times overlap each other. An architect is the person who designs new buildings, which means that they need to draw plans, create a 3D model of the building, and do some mathematics and physics to be sure that the building can be safely build in the real world. Of course, the architect is almost never alone in their work, but they will take the responsibility for the project by putting their seal on the project's papers.
Architects do a multitude of tasks, from designing a building from zero to going to the construction site. Architects work with other architects, general contractors, subcontractors, architectural technicians, engineers, interior designers and many others. Architects use their knowledge in artistic conception, mathematics and physics to create new projects or restore older infrastructure.
Depending on the experience of the architect they may have more of less work and/or responsibility. In general, an architect would spend time in their office drawing or making a 3D model of a project. They would coordinate their progress with the progress of their coworkers. They would communicate with contractors and visit the construction site if needed.
Architects usually work at architectural bureaus with other architects, designers, technicians and some other workers. The bureau can be as small as large. Working at a bureau allows faster communication with others, and it may give a feeling of belonging. They also can be self-employed, starting their own firm, which means that they can work from home or another place of choice. Working remotely is possible even when working at a bureau, but being self-employed allows the architect to have a more flexible schedule.
To become an architect in Canada, you need to have a college degree. It can be obtained by a pre-universersity program of two years and/or by a technical program of three years, for example by the Architectural Techonology program. Then, you have to get into a university that teaches the program approved by the Order of the architect. For example, there is the University of Montreal for French speakers and the University of McGill for English speakers. After achieving the bachelor's degree, you would need to complete the master's degree. Then, the graduate would have to work as an intern for two years before being able to do the architects' exam of Canada. After passing the exam, the intern will be officially authorized to be an architect.
In Quebec, architects receive a pay that may vary from 24 dollars hourly to 70 dollars hourly. The middle range is close to 33 Canadian dollars. Junior architect and interns start with the lower salary, but after some years of work, and after receiving the title of a middle or senior, they get a significant raise in their pay.
Every architect should complete a course named 'Health and general safety on construction sites' to obtain the 'ASP' card. This card allows a person to enter a construction site. Also, architects need to follow the continuing formation to learn about new technologies, sustainable architecture and many other important information.
Being an architect means staying often in the office, but they do have to go to the construction sites once in a while to make sure that the site is ready or that the construction is going well. Even if the architect is following the safety protocol, some accidents may happen. However, this is only a physical risk. Since architects take full responsibility of their work, they may be severely punished if the project collapse or cause damage. They may be pursued legally, which may lead to a withdrawal of their license.
There are not many chances for architects to be replaced by robots or artificial intelligence in the next decade. There is no AI, for the moment, that could create a unique project that would totally correspond to the clients' demands. Only vague concepts can be generated, but they still need an architect to bring them to life by making sure that the materials, forms and other elements were realistic. Also, there is no software yet that can create full and realistic 3D models of buildings.
Usually, an architect can take their retirement at the age of sixty years old. After long years of work, an architect would have achieved an immense quantity of experience and knowledge about buildings. Retiring architects would have done approximately 10 to 30 projects. Some of those projects might have been houses, which may, in my opinion, bring a small feeling of peace knowing that they provided a home for other people.
In conclusion, I would like to say that I am really looking forward into becoming an architect. My plans for the future are to obtain my college diploma, then I would go to the university where I would complete my bachelor's and master's degree. Then, I would keep following the usual path for becoming an architect. Thank you for reading this career summary. I hope that it showed how interesting the career of an architect may be.
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