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What is architecture really about?

I am in high school and am really into architecture. Should I go into architecture even though there's a high unemployment rate?

  • I really like architecture and have a whole portfolio of projects (homes, monuments, skyscrapers, communities, etc). Although I really want to pursue it as a career, I want to be successful and live a comfortable life, and the high unemployment rate and low pay slightly deters me. Is there a way of making good money with architecture, and should I pursue it as a field?

  • Answer:

    Architecture is an occupation that you really have to be passionate about if you want to pursue it and be successful. It's a lot of hard work, long nights, and little reward and recognition (to start out with). Having just graduated with my B.Arch from the top undergraduate architecture school in the country myself, I have friends that are working all over the place doing interesting things or pursuing Masters degrees (as well as others working retail because they haven't really tried to find a job). The friends working in design however, have all accepted that they will get paid little, be expected to stay and work very long hours, and work on very menial, tedious work for the majority of their time. But they love it. If you have a passion for architecture and design and don't necessarily care about making great money upon graduation (or even for most of your career depending on your definition of "great money"), or working tireless hours, then I'd say go for it. The construction industry is turning around currently and has been on a steady incline for a while now, so jobs are starting to pop up and firms are beginning to hire again. As long as you're diligent in your pursuit of a job you will find one. The pay for an architecture graduate and architect in general varies depending on the type of firm you work for or if you eventually start your own private practice and the types of work you do. All that being said, there are also many avenues an architecture degree can take you down after graduating instead of the traditional Architectural design role. Myself for instance, I am currently working for a national specialty construction firm as a project engineer/manager. I minored in Construction Management while pursuing my Architecture degree and that opened up a whole other realm of possible job opportunities for me. I have other friends that went into graphic design, construction, working in the solar industry, real estate, etc. With an architecture degree you learn a little bit about a lot of different things along with your predominant design curriculum. So if you realize that doing the traditional architecture student to architectural designer to architect path isn't for you, you can make other options for yourself. All in all though, if you love design, love buildings, love learning how things go together and are built, and don't mind long hours, menial tasks (like bathroom plans and door schedules), receiving little pay and little recognition, but can't see yourself doing any thing else, then go for it. If you're passionate about it you will do well and thrive and be successful (and maybe even make money).

Chris Mojo at Quora Visit the source

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When you say you like architecture and have a large portfolio of different building types, you need to ask yourself what exactly you liked about designing those buildings. The joy you might get from making fanciful Sketchup models is very different from the day to day work that an architect does. What kind of buildings do you like? Why do you like them? If you were to change five things about the design of your house what would they be, how would you change them, and why? Do these kinds of questions interest you more than the thrill of making a representation of a building for your portfolio?If you're good at your job, you will be able to make a living wage even if you're not making as much as your friend in finance. As architecture is becoming a global profession, architects are getting the opportunity to work around the world. If the construction industry is facing a downturn in one part of the world, there will be a boom somewhere else. People from my undergraduate cohort are now working all around the world - from Singapore to Seattle and Canada to Canberra.I would encourage you to look beyond national employment statistics and talk to architects and architecture students. See if you can spend a day in the office of a local architect and get a feel for what it's actually like to be an architect. Also, there are a lot of different ways to practice architecture, from a one-person practice to large multinational corporate firms. Each has their own positives and negatives. Try and educate yourself about as many aspects of the profession as much as you can.Also, don't forget that you can change your major as an undergraduate. And even if you major in architecture as an undergraduate you have opportunities to change your profession at the graduate level. Some of the best undergraduate architecture students that I've taught are now in professions as diverse as animation, automobile design and management.

Ayodh Kamath

As an architect with over 15 years experience and a number of years teaching undergraduate architecture, I would recommend against a career in Architecture in its current form. That is not to say I would recommend against taking an architecture degree.   The study of architecture is about problem solving, lateral and creative thinking, time management and self expression. These are valuable skills that will benefit any future career you may wish to pursue. Also, the practice of Architecture is changing with new business models being created all the time in an effort to remain relevant in an online world and global marketplace. Arguably, by the time you graduate the professional landscape will be very different to when you start, and there will be new opportunities that do not even exist yet.   I would advise you to look closely at the courses and schools you are applying for and choose one that allows the most interdisciplinary cross-over and opportunity for elective choices beyond the traditional mode of study. These might be in computer programming, parametric modelling, building analysis, photography, business, construction management or any number of specialisms. Use your time at college to explore what it is about architecture that really interests you (the reality of practice is likely to be very different) and explore that niche further.   Graduates with specific skills that address a particular niche market will always make more money and have greater employment opportunities than those with a 'generalists' architecture qualification.

Mark Gregory

I have been a registered architect for 16 years. I would generally not recommend becoming an Architect if you are focused on architectural design and want to make allot of money. For the time you spend in school, internship, work, the monetary reward is not there compared to other fields like business, law, medicine etc. However, those who do not only think in terms of design or of becoming a "famous designer", but rather focus on the business of architecture and/or other niches within Architecture can make comparable compensation with other professionals.  In fact, you might find yourself in huge demand if you think outside the traditional role of the Architect.

Thomas Agius

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