Architecture By Diana Rivas

What is Architecture? Architecture is the imaginative blend of art and science used in the design of buildings.

What do Architects do? Architects design buildings and as part of that activity they create – drawings, build scale models, –writes specifications, letters and other documents –supervise or manage architectural projects.

The Process of Becoming an Architect To become a licensed architect in the United States you must meet three requirements: –Education –Experience –Exam. 1.Gain a degree in architecture from an architectural program in college. 2. You need to complete an internship for an architectural firm * getting experience in 16 specific area of practice. 3. Pass the nine-division national Architect Registration Exam.

Training During the time between graduation and becoming licensed, architecture school graduates – generally work in the field under supervision of a licensed architect who takes legal responsibility for all work.

Education architectural history and theory building design technology construction methods professional practice math physical sciences liberal arts

Earnings Entry level range : $21,000 to $40,000 Experienced pay range: $40,000 to $55,000 Top pay range: $60,000 to $100,000

Hourly vs. Salary Architects work regular hours, but may work longer hours to meet deadlines. They may also work weekends and late nights if they are traveling to building sites and clients' homes. Salaries vary, but architects usually earn between $30,000 and $70,000 per year. Self-employed architects may earn more than this.

Work Conditions Architects work inside in offices and studios, and outside on building construction sites.

Typical day at work Architects usually work in a comfortable environment. Most of their time is spent in offices consulting with clients, developing reports and drawings, and working with other architects and engineers. However, they often visit construction sites to review the progress of projects.

Demand Their duties require specific skills — designing, engineering, managing, supervising, and communicating with clients and builders.

Employment growth Architects held about 129,000 jobs in Approximately 3 out of 5 jobs were in the architectural, engineering, and related services industry — mostly in architectural firms with fewer than five workers. A small number worked for residential and nonresidential building construction firms and for government agencies responsible for housing, community planning, or construction of government buildings, such as the U.S. Departments of Defense and Interior, and the General Services Administration. About 1 in 4 architects was self-employed.

Employment growth

Opportunity for advancement Advancement is usually rather slow; as in other fields your motivation, willingness to learn by exposure to a range of tasks (especially during your internship) and aggressiveness all will affect the rate at which your responsibilities and salary increase.