DO YOU WANT TO PRACTICE ARCHITECTURE?

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     You’re here, and probably curious about what the architecture profession is about before you try to make your major an official decision. Maybe you are the type who think more visually, and communicate that way – or you may be the type to constantly think creative ly. If you are curious of what to look forward to when you start getting into the architecture major. This is what you should consider below which is generally what would be expected whether you are in school or working in the architecture field. 

1. ARCHITECTURE DOES NOT ONLY FOCUS ON JUST THE BUILDING – IT IS INTERDISCIPLINARY. 

      Architecture is not only focused on the building itself – You have to think about the well being of the people occupying the space, the walk through of everyday scenarios, the environment surrounding the building, and so much more. Just think about it – you will be designing a space that may last a few years or for a very long time. You may also hear that saying where ”an average people spend 90% of there day indoors” – which is true. A person may be going to school or work – most of the time people indoors. Thus, it is vital to create buildings that are beneficial to the mental and physical health of people. 

2. ARCHITECTURE IS A CREATIVE PRACTICE

      Some may not agree to this when you first enter the work field, since some people end up drafting for construction documents most of the time, but that’s just one of the things that come with the architecture practice. Try to embrace the process, and understand what your are drafting or detailing. You will go through space in your sketch book or rolls of trace paper drawing out ideas of your upcoming project. Most of your time in school will be focused on the conceptual side.

3. HOURS OF SCREEN TIME

      Yes, this is definitely not that generation where hand drafting was the way to do drawings anymore. Architecture students and practitioners spend most of their time on the computer – BIM Modeling, photoshopping, presentations, and video conferencing. They will always be on the computer screen.

 

Hi! I'm Vheonix

The intent for this blog is to guide, inspire, & achieve as aspiring designers. I am an introverted individual in a field that involves social & interpersonal skills. Though, I want you to gain the confidence you need to succeed as a designer. 

WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT in school:

1. LONG NIGHTS

      There will be teachers that would say ”all nighters are toxic” or ”unnecessary to do in architecture school”. Please remember that all-nighters are not your warrior patch of ”hardwork”. I know – it is college time and you are tempted to play games or talk stories with your friends. Though, that can happen in your breaks, but not often – in order for you to have a productive working period. You have to make sure that if you do need to spend more hours to work on your project, you have to test how productive you are. All nighters are not healthy, though a lot of students or college students do it anyway.  Though, just try to ask yourself – Are you being productive? When you should rest for that class early morning so that you can feel productive? Also, it is not healthy especially if you decide to eat ramen in the middle of your breaks. Remember that you need to allocate your times to take a rest after your hard work. Eat healthy, get sleep.  

2. ARCHITECTURE BRANCHES ON DIFFERENT TOPICS (ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE, PROJECT MANAGEMENT, ETC)

      Throughout your undergraduate year – you will be trained as a designer. You will go through multiple exercises with your professor, and they will challenge you on your design. When you choose a professor, they have different focal areas in their practice, so choose a professor who you truly want to learn from based on your interest. For example, you teacher is a landscape architect so most likely your projects will focus on more environmental topics and the projects may be large scale. Also, there might be that teacher who focuses on sustainability, so he/she might challenge you on your project’s implementation of sustainable design. 

3 YOU WILL DEFINETLY WORK IN TEAMS

      In the first year, first semester – you will have to enjoy it while it last because there will be projects where you will not be in control of. Yes, you will work in teams at some point, and that comes with the practice. Team work is universal, and when you do decide to travel for school you might have to work with people of a different country. Working in teams is not everyone’s strong suit, but starting in school and practicing this will be beneficial in the future. This won’t be easy, especially if you have that one person in the group who has an opposing idea. Just keep in mind not to keep it personal. If you ever do get heated but someone’s comments, just try to be respectful and come to agreements to some aspects in the project. Please keep in the back of your mind that it is just school, and your might work with them in the future. It would be awkward when you grow into professionals and you run into the same person you argued with over a project that is not going to be built. 

WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT IN PRACTICE:

1. EVERY PROJECT IS DIFFERENT

      Every project will be different and you will learn a lot and be challenged through them. By ”different”, it is not just about the challenge of whether the building is a school, resident, or retail structure. There are also challenges in building code, zoning, land, learning about different materials and products, and the list goes on. Initially, when you first start on the project are the logistics – Research. You will go through a lot of reading, questioning specific terms, turning to an expert on building code clarification or ADA clarification. This may be a challenge but you won’t learn unless you go through it process. This will just make you a better architect. 

2. ”THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS”

      Details can be a pain in the butt. As you progress in the architecture practice you will get to a point where you have to understand the components of the project, and the points of connection when the components meet. For example: You make a section cut at the storefront face-What will the exterior finish face be made of? DAFS ? EIFS? Metal Cladding? How will the storefront door connect smoothly with the exterior face? What about the bottom base – What type of exterior tile? Where should the waterproofing go? There will be a lot of questions that goes along when you are starting to detail a component. Always ask questions with an experienced architect, the manufacturer of each component. 

2. PROJECT COORDINATION

      There will be a point in time when you get enough practice in your work – that you start communicating with your consultants, contractors, client, and manufacturers for a project. Think of project coordination/ management as an orchestra and you are the conductor. You have different instruments coming together to create one piece. Always ask questions when you start getting into coordinating a project – Always ask questions to your supervisor, consultants, and manufacturers in order for the project to go smoothly for your client. Project coordination can be overwhelming – so make sure you communicate task so your team can help you on the design side. 

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