Architects are generally involved in all phases of development, from the initial discussion to construction. Their duties demand a variety of skills e.g design, engineering, managerial and supervisory roles. Architecture students need to develop highly desirable creative, visual, technical and design-based skills. If you are interested in making Architecture as a career, these are the branches to look at:
Creative Designing
Some architects concentrate on design work. Design involves both artistic and scientific skills, i.e. producing something which is also technically feasible.
- They work on a set of instructions from their clients defining the type of building required – residential, commercial or industrial or an entire housing or industrial estate and the estimated budget available.
- The project could involve designing from the very beginning or making alterations to existing structures.
- The ideas are discussed and approved
- Sketches and plans with details of sizes, specifications are made and estimates of the cost of building materials are prepared.
- Models for a more graphic presentation of a project may be prepared.
- Designing of the interior layout of buildings
- The work may be done by an architect alone, in a team, or with the aid of architectural technicians. This largely depends on the type of organization or firm an architect is working for and the type of contracts he undertakes.
Managerial and administrative responsibilities
- Obtaining building permission from the local authority
- Preparing and negotiating contracts with building contractors, civil and structural engineers and surveyors
- Presenting drawings and estimates
- As overall in-charge architects make regular visits to the site, checking the progress and quality of work
- Ensuring site and materials security
- Issuing instructions to the contractor/agent and certifying payments to contractors.
- Discussing problems with the site manager and civil or structural engineers until the construction is complete and ready for the client’s use.
Career progression of an Architect
- Practical apprenticeship with an Architectural firm in the final year of studies.
- After graduation – apprenticeship with an architectural firm/ agencies/ firms for managing small assignments. Learning under senior architects the technicalities involved in design.
- After a few years of apprenticeship architects can handle small projects and make architectural plans .Architectural training helps to develop an ability to work independently.
- Experienced and senior professionals in Architecture work on large assignments and generally have a team of junior architects, architectural assistants etc. They work as consulting managers, directing, inspecting and dealing with major technical issues, costing, legal decisions, etc. It takes 10 years or more to reach their position.
Work experience
Finding work experience or an industrial placement will be highly beneficial to you. These types of opportunities help you to develop an understanding of architectural practices and the industry from the inside. You will make contacts in the industry and build your confidence as well as your skill set. Completing work experience also demonstrates to potential employers that you’re hardworking, reliable and motivated.
Alternatively, you can practise your architectural skills in other areas such as the built environment, construction, landscape design, and other design practices. Remember that all work experience is valuable.
Job opportunities
Architects work in a range of establishments. Graduates may be employed by small firms with fewer than ten employees. Public sector employers, such as local authorities and housing associations, employ a significant proportion of the profession, while some large organisations, such as banks and supermarkets, may have in-house architectural teams.
Skills required
- Creativity
- Good mathematical ability
- Awareness of current social and environmental issues
- Keen observation
- Flexibility and patience
- Responsibility and accountability
- Scientific temper
- Ability to sketch
- Ability to understand complicated legal language related to the profession
- Leadership
- Physical stamina and supervisory skills
Eligibility
For one to be applicable to apply for undergraduate programmes for studying architecture, one must have passed the higher secondary school certificate, i.e. the Class XII examination with science and maths. Bachelor’s degree in Architecture is usually four years.
If the student is interested in taking his career forward, eligibility for postgraduate programmes will be on the basis of a bachelor’s degree in (B.E/B.Tech) or any other equivalent branches of engineering. The duration for this course is two years.
One can also specialize in a particular field if he/she wants to. Specializations such as Lighting, Green building, Construction management, Fire protection engineering, Building transportation systems, Acoustics design and construction are also available apart from many others.
List of courses for Architecture
Courses will combine theoretical and practical training. You will sharpen your creative skills and spend hours in the design studio, working on projects individually and in groups.
- Diploma in Architecture Engineering
- Diploma in Architecture Assistantship
- Bachelor of Engineering in Architecture Engineering
- Bachelor of Technology in Architecture Engineering
- Master of Technology in Architecture Engineering
- Master of Technology in Town & Country Planning
- Master of Philosophy in Architecture Engineering
Salary Expected
In the beginning, an architect can expect as much as Rs. 30,000. In about four to five years, expect anything from Rs. 50,000 to 60,000. The amount of investment in the sector seems to increasing with each passing day. The demand is expected to increase in next couple of decades as India is going to expand FDI in real estate and it will attract huge money from foreign companies.
Institutes offering courses in Architecture
- Punjab University, Chandigarh College of Architecture
- School of Architecture CEPT, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad
- School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi
- Indian Education Society’s College of Architecture, Mumbai
- Lucknow University, Govt. College of Architecture, Lucknow
- Goa University, College of Architecture
- University of Mumbai, Sir J J College of Architecture
- Pune University, Marathwada Mitra Mandal College of Architecture, Pune
- Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, School of Planning & Architecture, Hyderabad
- Kerala University, College of Engineering, Thiruvananthpuram
- Anna University, School of Architecture & Planning, Chennai
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