1

Architecture as a career
Thesis Statement:

Architecture is a suitable career for those who are artistic and

passionate about planning and designing for construction purposes.

I.

Introduction
Architecture is defined as the act of planning and designing, supervising,
giving general administration and controlling in the field of construction. It can
also be defined as a profession of designing buildings, roads, bridges, open areas
and other artificial construction. It includes planning and designing for the
erection resizing or alteration of infrastructures with the use of engineering,
science and technology.
This research discusses all about architecture as a career including the
requirements that one needs in order to succeed in ths field. This further
discusses the architect qualifications, architect duties and job opportunities of a
licensed architect.
This research aims to inform people regarding the things abiout
architecture. The purpose of this research is also to help especially those who are
planning to enter the field of architecture. This research will enlighten their
minds towards the path that they have chosen. This research may help students
who will enter college to guide them in decision making about choosing
architecture as their course.

II.

Architect Qualification
A. Academic Preparation
1. Bachelor in Science and Architecture
A person cannot be an architect without taking a degree course in
college which is related in the said profession. In order to pursue a career
in this field, Bachelor of Science in Architecture, a

5-year degree

program, must be taken. This course highly concerns with the design and
planning of architectural structure such as residential and commercial
buildings, roads, dams, tunnels, bridges, and the like. In addition, this
course will enable students to learn and develop skills in planning,
designing and constructing buildings including principles of utility,
strength and aesthetics.
The BS in Architecture curriculum consists of general education
courses required by the Commission on Higher Education of the
Philippines (CHED) such as technical subjects in Math, Science and
Basic Engineering; and professional Architecture courses presented
through classroom lectures, laboratory classes and studio design
activities.

B. 2-year- training/ practicum

In order to be able to take the Licensure Examination for
Architecture, additional requirement is a record of at least two years or
equivalent of diversified architectural experience. This 2-year-training
will enable the person to be familiar to the actual jobs of an architect and
will include actual interaction with some specific clients with the guide
of a licensed architect.
C. Architectural license
In the Philippines, In order to become a licensed architect, an
Architecture graduate needs to take and pass the Architectural Licensure
Examination (ALE). The examination is conducted by the Board of
Architecture under the supervision of the Professional Regulation
Commission (PRC).
The Examination shall cover the following subjects: (1) History
and Theory of Architecture; Principles of Planning and Architectural
Practice; (2) Structural Design, Building Materials, and Architectural
Specifications, and Methods of Construction and Utilities; (3) Urban
Design and Architectural Interiors; and (4) Architectural Design and Site
Planning.

D. Skills and Traits

1. Artistic Talent and Drawing Skills Drawing skills is a very
important trait that an architect must have. Technologies may aid the
design and planning works but an architect must also know
traditional way of making designs, and it is by making architectural
sketches.
2. Technical skills An architect must have knowledge in mathematics,
engineering, science and other related studies.
3. Creativity Architects design the overall look of houses, buildings,
and other structures. Therefore, the final product should be attractive
and functional. In order to accomplish those, architects must have
high levels of creativity, imagination and vision.
4. Analytical Skills An architect must know how to visualize,
articulate, and solve problems.
5. Basic Mathematical Skills An architect must know how to solve
and use different computational methods that can be very essential in
the planning process.
6. Communication Skills It is very fundamental that architects know
how to interact nicely with people. Architects often share their ideas,
both in oral presentations and in writing, with clients, other
architects, and workers who help prepare drawings that is why they
must have good communication skills. . An architect must also have
the knowledge in language specifically English, whether it is oral or
written.
7. Computer Skills - Todays architects use a lot of technology.
Architects must be trained and familiar with computer-aided drafting

systems, building modeling and other relevant technologies. They

must conceptualize and experiment with different construction
approaches through software and must also be familiar with basic
office software, such as word processing, spreadsheets and
III.

accounting.
Architect Duties
A. Designing structures of infrastructures
This duty starts in the gathering and collecting design
requirements for new constructions, alterations and repairs. The next
thing to do is to prepare architecture designs and drawing based on the
design requirements of the client. And the time these designs are
finished, the architect must submit them to the management and clients
for review and approval.
B. Making computer- aided design and draft (CAD) (CADD)
Aside from making the traditional way of designs of buildings
etc, with the aid of information technology, architects are able to make it
using computer softwares and it is called, computer aided-design and
draft or computer-aided design. In this way, architects make their design
more easily and in a digital way.
C. Preparing and presenting reports and design to the clients

Architects duties also include preparing and presenting design

proposals using computer-aided design (CAD) and traditional drawing
methods.
D. Discussing the objectives requirements and budget of projects
Architects discuss the objectives, requirements, and budget of a
project with clients. In some cases, architects provide various pre-design
services, such as feasibility and environmental impact studies, site
selection, cost analyses, and design requirements.
E. Negotiating with contactors and other professionals
Architects often collaborate with workers in related occupations,
such as civil engineers, urban and regional planners, interior designers,
and landscape architects for discussing some concerned parts of
constructions.
F. Site Visits
This includes preliminary observation and investigation of the
site to determine if there are any problems in the construction which may
affect the site or the building, for example encroachments, drainage
road reserves, right of way, etc. In case there is, he/she should make
interpretation plans to determine if there are any planning constraints.
He/she should not rely on information given to him/her by others but
should examine the site for him/herself. But if ever he/she is not able to

do the job, he must advise the client to negotiate other professionals to do

the work.
G. Controlling a project from start to finish
To supervise the engaged building works is a part of the normal
duties of an architect. This architect duty includes concurrent duties in
contract and under the Building Control Act. He/she has to ensure that
the building works are carried out in accordance with the Act and
Regulations. With regards to the supervision duties, this includes the
prevention, detection and correction of defective work.
IV.

Job opportunities and Employment practices

A. Entry positions
1. Junior Architect a junior architect works are focused in the
designing new buildings, extensions and alterations to existing
building or advising on the restoration and conservation of old
infrastructures. This kind of architect often works in construction
firms.
2. Junior design Architect The duty of a junior design architect is
mainly about the demonstration of design concepts regarding the
rendering and building prototypes. He works with the supervision of
a senior design architect.
3. Computer-Aided Design Architect (CAD) or Computer Aided-Design
and Draft (CADD) Architect His job is to create electronic versions
of the technical drawings and design plans for buildings and
machinery using CAD applications.

4. Building Surveyors the work of a building surveyor concentrates

on preventative measures to keep buildings in good condition and
look to make buildings sustainable. They are responsible for
planning the physical structures and strength of buildings.
B. Advance Positions
1. Principal Architect A principal architect is considered also as the
owner of a construction firm. His job doesnt only focus on being an
architect but also he must be able to handle his business well and
make decisions of his own.
2. Architectural Project Manager works collaboratively with the
construction project manager and coordinate the work of the design
team and manage communication with the client. One of his duties is
discussing about the issues of budget, scheduling, and qualitycontrol.
3. Architectural Technologist an architectural specialist who works
closely with architects and help to turn the architect's concept into
reality in the completed construction. He is concerned mostly with
the technical side of design. He concentrates on the physical
strength, functionality and appearance of the infrastructure.
4. Building Conservation Officer advises on and promotes the
protection of the historic environment and, in particular, its longterm care, preservation and enhancement of enlisted buildings within
conservation areas.
5. Senior Design Architect have experience in strategic master
planning, and is responsible for managing assigned architecture

projects, including development of concept drawings and designs,

and meeting client expectations, while ensuring work is within
project scope, meets the project schedule deadlines and is within
budget.
6. Architecture Researcher this job includes doing researches in
developing solutions to highly complex and technical issues, designs
system

architecture,

workflows,

data

flows

and

databases.

Architecture researcher also recommends solutions to highly

complex problems to provide technical direction on systems analysis,
design, development and testing.
7. Academician Aside from having a work that focuses on the actual
work of an architect, a licensed architect can pursue a job in
education. He can be a faculty member, an instructor, or a professor
in an institution that offers Architectural course.
V.

Conclusion
Architecture is a profession that is concerned with construction. Before one can

be an architect, there are things that must be accomplished first. There are also skills that
a person should have in order to become an architect. The job of an architect does not
limit with only one task. Architecture is also connected to business especially
construction firms. A licensed architect has many job opportunities in our country. Also,
job opportunities of an architect isnt just having a work with the usual job of an
architect, they may also work on other fields such as education and business.

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Architecture is both exciting and hard. Learning it may be hard and getting
through it may encounter many struggles. On the other hand, it may be fun especially in
the application of arts and science at the same time. Architecture as a job needs a lot of
works and patience, but the service it gives to the community is incomparable. To be an
architect may require a lot of things but the time you succeed with it, it is worth working
for. Constructing a building need numerous processes and measures but once it is
finished, it becomes a very fulfilling thing especially upon seeing what was just only in a
paper now stands as a three-dimensional object and is enjoyed by people.

Bibliography

Journals
Guest, Simon.The Role of an Architect. The Architecture Journal Volume 15 (2008) 78. Print.
Internet Sources

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