2 answers
Devyn
Student
Sikeston, Missouri
2
Questions
Asked
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What is a typical day while being an architect?
#architect #architecture #architectural
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2 answers
Dennis George Link, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB
Architect
2
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Dennis George’s Answer
Well one of the best things is that there is no typical day as an architect.
Okay...let me explain.
Being an Architect means wear a lot of hats....some times those are actual hats (like hard hats) but sometimes it a metaphor for things like:
Project Management, drafting, client meetings, business development, research, drawing coordination, construction management...etc.
Being an architect is way more than just making drawings, but even if you were just "making drawings" remember that every building is different so that means even though you might work on the same building (maybe an airport) for 10-16 months at some point that airport will begin to be built and you'll start a new project (maybe a museum this time?) so though your daily routine might be the same the projects that you work on are always changing and hopefully as you grow as an architect your role also changes.
My day starts with a big cup of coffee. Then I look at my "to do list". I make a list before I go home about the things that I need to get done the next day and I review that before staring my morning at work.
Sometimes that means finishing a floor plan drawing, or calling a city building code official to ask questions about how a city or town wants architects to design a particular type of building. It could mean that I need to meet with my interior design team or engineering team to review the progress of a project.
But the best thing is that my "to do list" is different every day.
Really I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to this question. But, most architecture firms are open to having students in HS or even Junior HS come in for a day to see what goes into being an architect.
Google local architects in your area
Call them and ask about coming into see what they do.
Check with your local AIA office (AIA.org) to see if they have any local programs to let you shadow an architect for a day.
Okay...let me explain.
Being an Architect means wear a lot of hats....some times those are actual hats (like hard hats) but sometimes it a metaphor for things like:
Project Management, drafting, client meetings, business development, research, drawing coordination, construction management...etc.
Being an architect is way more than just making drawings, but even if you were just "making drawings" remember that every building is different so that means even though you might work on the same building (maybe an airport) for 10-16 months at some point that airport will begin to be built and you'll start a new project (maybe a museum this time?) so though your daily routine might be the same the projects that you work on are always changing and hopefully as you grow as an architect your role also changes.
My day starts with a big cup of coffee. Then I look at my "to do list". I make a list before I go home about the things that I need to get done the next day and I review that before staring my morning at work.
Sometimes that means finishing a floor plan drawing, or calling a city building code official to ask questions about how a city or town wants architects to design a particular type of building. It could mean that I need to meet with my interior design team or engineering team to review the progress of a project.
But the best thing is that my "to do list" is different every day.
Really I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to this question. But, most architecture firms are open to having students in HS or even Junior HS come in for a day to see what goes into being an architect.
Dennis George recommends the following next steps:
Thank You! I really appreciate your responses they are very helpful!
Devyn
Vito Lotta
Architect
1
Answer
McLean, Virginia
Updated
Vito’s Answer
Most days include creative fun collaborating with team members to design and technically document a new building or transformation of an existing building. This is done by listening to the client’s needs, exploring known solutions and innovating advancements beyond known solutions. Ideas are shared by hand-sketches, digital 3D modeling and occasionally virtual and augmented reality technology.
Consider the incredibly wide range of responses due to the diversity of building types which impacts your practice and the role that you are playing on the team. After graduating from an accredited university with a degree in architecture and some experience as an apprentice, your roles and responsibilities will transition over your life-long learning career and be dependent on the type of architecture that you practice. Most architects often work towards project schedules and deadlines that require occasional long hours exceeding a common 8 hour day and often work more than 5 days a week.
Understand that for most architects, this is a collaborative team effort. Typically, no one person designs a building. The team within an architectural firm is formed by several people with different talents, experiences and expertise. The team is expanded to collaborate with other professional firms like structural engineers, mechanical Engineers, Interior Design firms and the Construction Company, just to name a few. Many architects choose to specialize in interior architecture/interior design.
What you will do on a typical day is also influence by the project phase. Projects begin with a clear definition of the client’s objectives, schedule and budget. The phase sequence is commonly defined as Conceptual Design, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documentation and followed by acquiring building permits, adjustments to cost verification and construction.
My response above is high-level and you will gain additional insight to this profession by visiting https://www.aia.org/
Don’t be shy – meet with a local architect and ask for a tour of their office.
Consider the incredibly wide range of responses due to the diversity of building types which impacts your practice and the role that you are playing on the team. After graduating from an accredited university with a degree in architecture and some experience as an apprentice, your roles and responsibilities will transition over your life-long learning career and be dependent on the type of architecture that you practice. Most architects often work towards project schedules and deadlines that require occasional long hours exceeding a common 8 hour day and often work more than 5 days a week.
Understand that for most architects, this is a collaborative team effort. Typically, no one person designs a building. The team within an architectural firm is formed by several people with different talents, experiences and expertise. The team is expanded to collaborate with other professional firms like structural engineers, mechanical Engineers, Interior Design firms and the Construction Company, just to name a few. Many architects choose to specialize in interior architecture/interior design.
What you will do on a typical day is also influence by the project phase. Projects begin with a clear definition of the client’s objectives, schedule and budget. The phase sequence is commonly defined as Conceptual Design, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documentation and followed by acquiring building permits, adjustments to cost verification and construction.
Vito recommends the following next steps: