Whats the good and bad of being an architect?

Question

Im now taking CAD class at school, i want to know what it takes to be an archiect and how did you become one. Also whats the salary you are obtaining now?


One more thing...Is there anything free like software i can use to become more experience

Answer 1

Typically it takes 5 years of architecturally-accredited college, at least 3 years of apprenticeship under a registered architect (in the state you're working in!), and passage of a very strenuous test. There are "in-lieu" ways around some of this but it would take far longer. And "in-lieu" you'd also have to take a qualifying test in order to take the real test.

The test is incredibly difficult. I quit my job and studied hard for 3 months before the test and just barely passed. I was upset that I'd just squeaked by until I found out that only 22% of the people that took the exam passed - and that's including those who've taken it multiple times before! So for me to pass on my first time was actually quite an achievement.

And then it takes years to become a good architect. Besides designing and CAD (delineating the design) you have to be able to present it. Being able to "communicate" well is essential. Before CAD we had to be able to quickly sketch in 3D to give clients insight to what we were conceiving though 3D CAD is really great that way now - though is still NOT useful for conveying on-the-spot ideas. Developing good sketch technique is essential.

CAD is good, but only a very small part of being an architect. I think of an architect as a "fairy godmother".... We turn the client's desires into reality. We need to know about so many diverse things (structures, materials, heating, plumbing, electrical, financing, pricing, weather, scheduling, procedures, social issues, historical context, future possibilities, codes...) and pull it all together into something that looks great, works well, and is affordable.

I love to do puzzles. And well-designed houses (what I'm into though the same could probably be said of architects who are into shopping malls or sky scrapers) to me are the epitome of puzzles - putting so much together - AND PEOPLE LIVE IN THEM for centuries! Amazing!

I became on probably because my mother was a contractor (designed and built vacation homes) and artist, and my dad is a writer, so designing stories people live in seemed like the only thing I wanted to do ever since I can remember.

Architects don't make anywhere near as much money as everyone thinks they do. I design houses and have a half-time drafter helping out. I pay him $24/hr as he's really good (he's almost through his schooling and halfway through his internship) and bill him out at $48/hr (standard practice is to bill twice what an employee is paid). I bill myself out at $100/hr.

While this all sounds like a lot of money you need to consider that much time is spent doing non-billable stuff (like driving to meetings or job sites, doing research and office work, schmoozing with contractors and clients, dealing with reps, installing new software and dealing with computer issues, taxes and paperwork...). At the end of the year with all the expenses and deductions I wind up making only about $30,000/year which is about $25/hr (as I don't want to work full-time) which is about why my drafter makes....

I could make more if I worked more hours, but I've got other things I like doing and family as well. I like the flexibility I have.

Oh yeah... your question about software to become more experienced. I don't think there's any software to help you design better. DESIGNING is where an architect is, not in drawing (CADding) out stuff. CAD is just a tool to express a design.

If you want to CAD better/faster, apprentice yourself to an architect who really has their CAD system set up well (which is an incredible task! Most architects I know have very poorly set up CAD systems) and design protocol all worked out. There are ways to CAD efficiently and ways NOT to.

You really need design and construction experience to be a good architect. Get yourself hired on to a construction company - even if it's only to be a gofer for a summer. You'll learn a lot about how buildings are built.

Answer 2

I changed my major from architecture because as an artist, architecture was much to constricting for me. You must be very good with math and you have to generally be good with following precise directions (at least until and if you ever make it big and you can do what you want). Most people who hire architects have specifications and that limits your imagination. Additionaly, architects (and students) often huge projects with deadlines which means many many MANY sleepless nights. Then again, completing a project after such hard work and being amazed at your creation despite the restrictions can be very rewarding!

Answer 3

You have to be very good at maths. That's not something people often think about when they think 'architecture' - I know someone who got half way through their training and decided to call it a day as they just could't cope with the level of maths skill required. I can't add 2+2 myself so I've no idea what level you need.

Good people skills are also very important for most architects - you would generally have to oversee people/their work/and deal with difficult situations, say when things aren't going (literally!) 'to plan'.

Being an architect though - always thought - apart from the maths - what a wonderful career it would be. A marriage of science and art. Very creative and equally demanding also on the logic side. What a great thing to be able to influence the built environment, actually shaping how our world looks, influencing how people interact.

Answer 4

The rewards can be very high but you will need to be creative and good at both technical issues and management generally. You als get to be a member of the RIBA which some used to say stands for "remember I'm the bloody architect" i.e. your the boss!!!

Answer 5

Good: looking at a beautiful building and thinking 'I did that'
Bad: Having that beautiful building collapse on to the head of a local dignitary on opening day.

Answer 6

its a long time in university but salary can be good, big commitment, look at online jobs for salary ranges