3 answers
Caroline
Student
New Marlborough, MA
2
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As an architect, what is the hardest part about the job?
I find designing structures and landscapes very interesting and would like to know the hardest part about being an architect and can you still travel a lot being one? #travel #architecture
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3 answers
Andrew Castelli RA NCARB LEED AP M-Arch BS-Arch
12
Answers
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Andrew Castelli’s Answer
Hello Caroline,
The architecture profession is national and global in nature, meaning that you will most likely work on projects that will be located in other cities or other countries. The opportunities for national and international travel are huge, depending on your needs, ambitions and where you decide to practice.
As far as difficulties within the profession, there are of course many. I recommend first, that you read the following books to get an idea about what Architecture is, understand its essence and its relationship to people, human scale and to the environment.
They are: The City in History, by Lewis Mumford, Architecture as Space by Bruno Zevi, Experiencing Architecture by Steen Eiler Rasmussen and Image of the City by Kevin Lynch. There are, of course, many others, but these had an influence early in my career.
At the focal point of Architecture, we find Space as it’s central protagonist; vertical planes such as partitions and walls and horizontal ones defining it, conforming it, providing an existential framework for human life, activity and culture.
We also find that these elements conform not only interior architectural space, but also exterior public space at the urban level.
As Architects, we are the individuals responsible for the proper design of these spaces, their nature, and the resulting quality of life that these may bring forth.
If we understand the nature of Architecture as Space, we see that we are limited in how much influence we have in defining the quality and nature of exterior public realm, where in many instances, buildings in cities fail to relate to one another, or contribute to the quality of the urban environment and to public space, where many factors such as human scale, continuity, beauty are absent.
An understanding of Place Making through the proper and deliberate organization of horizontal and vertical planes such as screens, partitions and walls is critical- to achieving the necessary quality of BOTH the design of interior and public exterior space environments.
An understanding of this is key to achieving proper scale and beauty in our cities, and in their respective public urban spaces (the “in between of things”- the void). We see that screens do indeed have a dual purpose, function and responsibility- to interior spaces AND to the quality of exterior urban spaces. Individual buildings and their relationships (the “in between spaces- the in between of things”) do in fact define the nature of our cities, contributing to human enjoyment or causing disarray, and to the quality of human life. This limitation of influence may be the greatest difficulty of all.
The architecture profession is national and global in nature, meaning that you will most likely work on projects that will be located in other cities or other countries. The opportunities for national and international travel are huge, depending on your needs, ambitions and where you decide to practice.
As far as difficulties within the profession, there are of course many. I recommend first, that you read the following books to get an idea about what Architecture is, understand its essence and its relationship to people, human scale and to the environment.
They are: The City in History, by Lewis Mumford, Architecture as Space by Bruno Zevi, Experiencing Architecture by Steen Eiler Rasmussen and Image of the City by Kevin Lynch. There are, of course, many others, but these had an influence early in my career.
At the focal point of Architecture, we find Space as it’s central protagonist; vertical planes such as partitions and walls and horizontal ones defining it, conforming it, providing an existential framework for human life, activity and culture.
We also find that these elements conform not only interior architectural space, but also exterior public space at the urban level.
As Architects, we are the individuals responsible for the proper design of these spaces, their nature, and the resulting quality of life that these may bring forth.
If we understand the nature of Architecture as Space, we see that we are limited in how much influence we have in defining the quality and nature of exterior public realm, where in many instances, buildings in cities fail to relate to one another, or contribute to the quality of the urban environment and to public space, where many factors such as human scale, continuity, beauty are absent.
An understanding of Place Making through the proper and deliberate organization of horizontal and vertical planes such as screens, partitions and walls is critical- to achieving the necessary quality of BOTH the design of interior and public exterior space environments.
An understanding of this is key to achieving proper scale and beauty in our cities, and in their respective public urban spaces (the “in between of things”- the void). We see that screens do indeed have a dual purpose, function and responsibility- to interior spaces AND to the quality of exterior urban spaces. Individual buildings and their relationships (the “in between spaces- the in between of things”) do in fact define the nature of our cities, contributing to human enjoyment or causing disarray, and to the quality of human life. This limitation of influence may be the greatest difficulty of all.
Adel Iskandar
Architect and Project Manager (retired)
2
Answers
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Adel’s Answer
One of the main task of the architecture practice is to ensure and maintain the "Quality" built including the aesthetic. However, the owner / investor preference is the "Cost and Schedule" bottom line of the built product. So the big challenging task for the Architect is to find a balance between the three factors: the Quality, the Cost and the Schedule.
Nattakarn Alkire
52
Answers
Updated
Nattakarn’s Answer
Hello, Caroline
I think the hardest part would be the long work hours to meet the project's deadline. Please see below about the work style for an architect and the link below for more details as well.
Your schedule can vary as an architect, but most work full-time. Many architects work long hours when in the middle of a time-sensitive project. If a project runs behind or requires in-progress modifications, you might have to work long days to get the work back on track. For self-employed architects, long hours are also common because you not only perform technical work; you also have to operate a business. The business operation includes hiring and training workers, managing books, paying bills, collecting money due and keeping up with necessary taxes and licenses.
Other Working Condition Factors
One advantage of being an architect is that the hours are sometimes flexible, especially when you don't have urgent project deadlines. This flexibility allows you to work in personal or family commitments around your meetings and drawing time. Architects at larger, geographically-dispersed firms may have to travel more frequently than those who work for small, local operations. Architects often face intense deadline pressure to complete projects on time and on budget.
Typical Workplace
Most architects work for architectural firms and spend much of the day in an office. Office time is spent meeting with clients to discuss plans, create renderings and collaborate with colleagues on projects. About 20 percent of architects were self-employed as of 2012. Some self-employed architects commute to their own offices, while others may work out of a home office.
Work Schedules
Most architects work full time and many work additional hours, especially when facing deadlines. Self-employed architects may have more flexible work schedules.
Site Visits
The non-office portion of an architect's job is usually spent at the job location. When a project is located nearby, architects may leave the office periodically to stop by the project site. For distant projects, an architect may spend a few days on the road at a site as a project starts or evolves. Location visits often involve checking in with building developers and engineers to ensure the client’s objectives are met, review the progress of projects, and check on any potential obstacles in construction.
Below is the link to more details about this occupation which include how to become one, pay scale, work environment, Job Outlook, etc. You can also search for other occupations on this website as well.
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/architects.htm#tab-4
I think the hardest part would be the long work hours to meet the project's deadline. Please see below about the work style for an architect and the link below for more details as well.
Your schedule can vary as an architect, but most work full-time. Many architects work long hours when in the middle of a time-sensitive project. If a project runs behind or requires in-progress modifications, you might have to work long days to get the work back on track. For self-employed architects, long hours are also common because you not only perform technical work; you also have to operate a business. The business operation includes hiring and training workers, managing books, paying bills, collecting money due and keeping up with necessary taxes and licenses.
Other Working Condition Factors
One advantage of being an architect is that the hours are sometimes flexible, especially when you don't have urgent project deadlines. This flexibility allows you to work in personal or family commitments around your meetings and drawing time. Architects at larger, geographically-dispersed firms may have to travel more frequently than those who work for small, local operations. Architects often face intense deadline pressure to complete projects on time and on budget.
Typical Workplace
Most architects work for architectural firms and spend much of the day in an office. Office time is spent meeting with clients to discuss plans, create renderings and collaborate with colleagues on projects. About 20 percent of architects were self-employed as of 2012. Some self-employed architects commute to their own offices, while others may work out of a home office.
Work Schedules
Most architects work full time and many work additional hours, especially when facing deadlines. Self-employed architects may have more flexible work schedules.
Site Visits
The non-office portion of an architect's job is usually spent at the job location. When a project is located nearby, architects may leave the office periodically to stop by the project site. For distant projects, an architect may spend a few days on the road at a site as a project starts or evolves. Location visits often involve checking in with building developers and engineers to ensure the client’s objectives are met, review the progress of projects, and check on any potential obstacles in construction.
Below is the link to more details about this occupation which include how to become one, pay scale, work environment, Job Outlook, etc. You can also search for other occupations on this website as well.
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/architects.htm#tab-4