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Throwback Diploma Architecture |
Top Ten Reasons to be an Architect (school of
life)
I have
seen a lot of lists recently that have reasons why not to be an
architect so I thought I would come up with a list of reasons why you should be
an architect. To make things interesting, I am only allowing myself 30 minutes
to write this entry so hopefully this limitation will force my own reasons to
the surface.
1. It’s
a lifestyle, not a job.
Architects typically tend to think about architecture all the time, I know I
do. Not just the big ‘A’ type of buildings or projects, but every little thing
from every where I go. I go somewhere and start looking at materials, form,
massing, lighting, etc. If I take a trip somewhere, I start by planning it
around the buildings I want to visit. Probably 90% of all the books I buy (not
including children’s titles) are about architecture – I even put them on my
Christmas list.
2.
People respect architects.
Even if they don’t really understand what we do, there is a perception that
architects are ethical and responsible and will endeavor to make the right
decision to our own detriment. It’s part of the reason that ‘architect’ is
chosen so often as the vocation for title characters in movie and TV roles.
Architects aren’t generally viewed as driven by financial rewards like doctors
or as scurrilous as lawyers (can be).
3. Job
is constantly evolving.
Architects are not artists – we have to address building technology and
programming. There are constantly evolving materials and construction methods
out there and we are required as a profession to address the demands of the
public at large (building performance, energy consumption, incorporating
recycled materials, etc.). Architects create new design concepts that push how
modern day construction is executed. Architecture is one of the few professions
that is never static.
4.
Artistic freedom and personal expression.
As an architect, we are given certain project parameters that help guide the
direction of our projects. We are then given the freedom to pursue the artistic
embodiment of those parameters. 10 architects with the same client and the same
project parameters will provide 10 different solutions. Every time.
5. You
can be your own boss.
You can be your own firm of one and still be a viable service provider on
almost any size project. You can enter contests and win commissions for major
projects by yourself – I can’t think of another vocation that can provide
similar latitudes. I have also seen a team of 3 people design and prepare
construction documents on a mall over 1,000,000 square feet.
6. There
are tangible (and sometimes euphoric) results.
Anyone who has ever seen a building that they worked get built knows exactly
what I am talking about. I am still excited to watch one of my projects getting
built – it’s like having your own laboratory where you can experiment and
refine things that you consider to be important and worthwhile. It ties into
the artistic freedom listed in #4 but architects generally have a sense of
ownership on every project they work.
7. We
can positively impact peoples lives.
It is rewarding to develop a personal relationship with your client,
particularly when you know that the process will yield a more fruitful end
product. By understanding the process, our clients appreciate the product. By
appreciating the product, they are acknowledging the role it plays.
8.
Experimentation is expected.
Despite architecture having to contain building sciences and technology, the
final esoteric product does not have a definitively right or wrong answer.
Because no two architects will ever come up with the exact same solution given
an identical set of parameters, there is a liberating sense that you are here
for the purpose of imparting your own personality on the project. We are
expected to try new things, explore different materials, and incorporate
emerging technologies into every project.
9.
Longevity of Career.
You can practice the profession of architecture for as long as you want –
you’ll always be an architect even when it isn’t your job anymore. Most
architects don’t really start to become good until later in life – I’m talking
in their 50′s. I imagine that you have to come to some sort of understanding as
to who you are as an individual before you can start to be consistent with
imparting your imprint onto a building.
10.
Incredible variety of options within the profession.
Unlike other professions, you graduate with a degree in architecture without
having to know what type of architecture you are going to focus on. This is
really great because when you graduate, you don’t know enough about the
possibilities to know what you want to do. You can float between big and little
firms, the role of project architect, designer, or management. You can work on
building types from different market sectors like hospitality, residential,
civic, retail, etc. and will still be an architect. Your degree will have a
marketable value beyond the time of your immediate graduation.
Architects typically tend to think about architecture all the time, I know I do. Not just the big ‘A’ type of buildings or projects, but every little thing from every where I go. I go somewhere and start looking at materials, form, massing, lighting, etc. If I take a trip somewhere, I start by planning it around the buildings I want to visit. Probably 90% of all the books I buy (not including children’s titles) are about architecture – I even put them on my Christmas list.
Even if they don’t really understand what we do, there is a perception that architects are ethical and responsible and will endeavor to make the right decision to our own detriment. It’s part of the reason that ‘architect’ is chosen so often as the vocation for title characters in movie and TV roles. Architects aren’t generally viewed as driven by financial rewards like doctors or as scurrilous as lawyers (can be).
Architects are not artists – we have to address building technology and programming. There are constantly evolving materials and construction methods out there and we are required as a profession to address the demands of the public at large (building performance, energy consumption, incorporating recycled materials, etc.). Architects create new design concepts that push how modern day construction is executed. Architecture is one of the few professions that is never static.
As an architect, we are given certain project parameters that help guide the direction of our projects. We are then given the freedom to pursue the artistic embodiment of those parameters. 10 architects with the same client and the same project parameters will provide 10 different solutions. Every time.
You can be your own firm of one and still be a viable service provider on almost any size project. You can enter contests and win commissions for major projects by yourself – I can’t think of another vocation that can provide similar latitudes. I have also seen a team of 3 people design and prepare construction documents on a mall over 1,000,000 square feet.
Anyone who has ever seen a building that they worked get built knows exactly what I am talking about. I am still excited to watch one of my projects getting built – it’s like having your own laboratory where you can experiment and refine things that you consider to be important and worthwhile. It ties into the artistic freedom listed in #4 but architects generally have a sense of ownership on every project they work.
It is rewarding to develop a personal relationship with your client, particularly when you know that the process will yield a more fruitful end product. By understanding the process, our clients appreciate the product. By appreciating the product, they are acknowledging the role it plays.
Despite architecture having to contain building sciences and technology, the final esoteric product does not have a definitively right or wrong answer. Because no two architects will ever come up with the exact same solution given an identical set of parameters, there is a liberating sense that you are here for the purpose of imparting your own personality on the project. We are expected to try new things, explore different materials, and incorporate emerging technologies into every project.
You can practice the profession of architecture for as long as you want – you’ll always be an architect even when it isn’t your job anymore. Most architects don’t really start to become good until later in life – I’m talking in their 50′s. I imagine that you have to come to some sort of understanding as to who you are as an individual before you can start to be consistent with imparting your imprint onto a building.
Unlike other professions, you graduate with a degree in architecture without having to know what type of architecture you are going to focus on. This is really great because when you graduate, you don’t know enough about the possibilities to know what you want to do. You can float between big and little firms, the role of project architect, designer, or management. You can work on building types from different market sectors like hospitality, residential, civic, retail, etc. and will still be an architect. Your degree will have a marketable value beyond the time of your immediate graduation.
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| landscape project short sem - model making .. |
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| masa final project.final sem diploma architecture .. |
People expect architects to be a little bit nerd mixed with creative artist. This conflict of known social paradigms allows generous liberties to be taken with your personal billboard (but you have to earn it).
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