Architect

Introduction

Architects design buildings and remain involved in the construction process until building is complete. Projects may include making changes to an existing building or creating a whole group of new buildings.

Architects apply both technical knowledge and a creative imagination to produce a structure which is safe and practical as well as pleasing to the eye and in keeping with its surroundings.

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Work Activities

Architects are involved in the whole construction process from the planning and design of buildings through to their completion. They may work on a wide variety of projects, ranging from making changes to existing buildings to creating housing estates.

The construction process begins with a brief, which the customer and the architect decide together. The brief indicates the type of building required, what it will be used for and the amount it is expected to cost.

Before design work begins, the architect may organise research work to obtain information on the needs and opinions of those people who will work in, live in or use the building. They also examine similar buildings and inspect the site of the development.

Most buildings are the result of a team effort and the experienced architect often acts as project leader, discussing ideas with a group of professionals and co-ordinating their work. This may involve the architect in talks with:
• civil engineers regarding road, water or sewerage systems
• structural engineers regarding the design of the structure
• surveyors regarding the choice of site and the cost of materials
• landscape architects regarding the outdoor environment
• architectural technologists regarding technical design and detailing.

Once ideas have been established, the architect produces sketches and plans of the exterior and interior, which show the size that the building needs to be and the materials that are appropriate for use. In some cases, the architect co-ordinates the construction of a model to illustrate the proposals.

After the client accepts the design for a building, the architect produces detailed technical drawings for use by the building contractor. In some cases, architectural technicians may do this. At this stage, the architect may be involved in talks with town planners and building control officers regarding planning permission and aspects of health and safety. After contracts are agreed with the building contractor, the architect draws up a specific programme of work.

As building work progresses, the architect visits the site regularly to check that the work is being done according to the original drawings and specifications. They discuss any problems with the client and specialist members of the design team at work on the project.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As an architect, you need creativity and imagination to produce something that is visually pleasing and suited to its environment and purpose.

You need technical knowledge, spatial awareness and practical skill.

You need to be good at English and maths, and you need to have good presentation skills, which you need to be able to combine with knowledge of building technology. You also need to be able to sketch and draw although you do not need to have studied art.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salaries for architects vary, depending on qualifications and experience.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Architects earn in the range of £18,000 - £27,000 a year, rising to £31,000 - £45,000. Senior architects can make around £50,000 a year, and higher salaries are possible.

Architects work a basic 39-hour week with occasional weekend and evening work according to the demands of the project.

Most architects work in private practice in many types of organisations. There are also career opportunities in government organisations, commercial organisations and on projects in other countries.

Architects can also work independently as consultants, in education and research.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Candidates need to be aware that it usually takes seven years to become professionally qualified.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree course, a college or university Access course could be the way in.

These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

Study at schools of architecture can be taken on a modular or part-time basis (often day release). You would normally need to have worked as an architectural technologist for a few years.

If you have gained a minimum of six years' experience in an architect's office, plus suitable qualifications, you can become an external candidate for the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Office-based Examination, to qualify as an architect.

This can be followed with the RIBA exam in Professional Practice and Management, available via distance learning at Oxford Brookes University. This leads to full, chartered membership of RIBA as an architect.

A portfolio of art work is usually required for entry to courses.

To become self-employed as a freelancer or join a partnership, you will usually need to have several years' professional experience.

• 37% of architects work on a self-employed basis.
• 15% work part-time.
• 13% have flexible hours.
• 4% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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Further Information

You usually have to take out insurance against the possibility of future litigation in case one of your buildings ever develops serious faults.

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New Developments

Some people working in this occupation may be involved in the green jobs sector in areas such as renewable energy, waste management, conservation or countryside management.