3 answers
Naima
Student
Portland, Oregon
1
Question
Asked
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What are the main qualities/characteristics that an architect should have?
I'm a high school senior who is planning on getting into architecture. I'm currently reaching out to firms and individuals in my area to get a good idea of what to expect in the future. I'm also debating Architecture or Landscape architecture, and am trying to figure out what would be a better fit for my current skills.
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3 answers
Maria Rehmet
Architect
26
Answers
Plano, Texas
Updated
Maria’s Answer
An architect is a dreamer, collaborator, inventor, and creative problem solver.
They act like teachers and learn to speak like engineers and contractors.
Some might prefer to work by themselves, but we thrive in a team. They present their ideas to their peers, bosses, clients and end-users. Listening well is a key skill that the best architects do very well. They are passionate and driven. They are optimistic about the future of design and how design can impact the world.
They are hard workers and fast-learners. They are constantly learning, and they love it.
An architect is there for the journey and the process, not just the final result.
If this all resonates with you, maybe you should consider architecture!
They act like teachers and learn to speak like engineers and contractors.
Some might prefer to work by themselves, but we thrive in a team. They present their ideas to their peers, bosses, clients and end-users. Listening well is a key skill that the best architects do very well. They are passionate and driven. They are optimistic about the future of design and how design can impact the world.
They are hard workers and fast-learners. They are constantly learning, and they love it.
An architect is there for the journey and the process, not just the final result.
If this all resonates with you, maybe you should consider architecture!
Sara Dagostino
architect
2
Answers
Bloomington, Illinois
Updated
Sara’s Answer
How well do you handle high-stress environments? A significant part of my job involves problem-solving. What’s on paper doesn’t always match the reality in the field, so you need to address issues quickly and understand the broader impact of your solutions.
School will help you grasp design principles, how to create them, and how to respond to the built environment. It will also provide opportunities to explore various software and become proficient in them. While CAD is being gradually replaced by Revit, it’s beneficial to learn both. In my experience, I found architectural literature to be quite dry. As a visual learner, I turned to YouTube and the book “Architectural Graphic Standards,” which is an invaluable resource. It really helps you understand how building elements come together and are sequenced.
A professor once told me—an insight I’ve come to agree with—that you don’t become an architect for the money; you do it for the love of design. If you surveyed architects, many would probably agree they don’t earn enough for some of the challenges we face.
Take some time to reflect on what it is about architecture that you’re passionate about and whether you need a degree to pursue it. I’ve met many successful designers who have thrived without formal schooling.
School will help you grasp design principles, how to create them, and how to respond to the built environment. It will also provide opportunities to explore various software and become proficient in them. While CAD is being gradually replaced by Revit, it’s beneficial to learn both. In my experience, I found architectural literature to be quite dry. As a visual learner, I turned to YouTube and the book “Architectural Graphic Standards,” which is an invaluable resource. It really helps you understand how building elements come together and are sequenced.
A professor once told me—an insight I’ve come to agree with—that you don’t become an architect for the money; you do it for the love of design. If you surveyed architects, many would probably agree they don’t earn enough for some of the challenges we face.
Take some time to reflect on what it is about architecture that you’re passionate about and whether you need a degree to pursue it. I’ve met many successful designers who have thrived without formal schooling.
seyed hamid hosseini raviz
www.taravat.com
17
Answers
Karaj, Alborz Province, Iran
Updated
seyed hamid’s Answer
Hello Naima, In my view, an architect is someone who carefully enhances certain human qualities in order to create a holistic design. The design of spaces in architecture is a subject that can profoundly influence all other components of a project. For example, educational spaces must be suitable for children and teenagers who spend several hours there each day, engaging in various activities. By understanding the behavioral patterns of different age groups, the architect creates environments that prevent feelings such as fatigue, monotony, or depression—emotions that undermine concentration and the joy of learning.
At the same time, the architect must ensure the physical safety of users when designing stairs, terraces, or drop-offs that connect complementary spaces. Light must be used artistically to optimize the atmosphere, and countless other factors must be considered so that the project results in a harmonious and beautiful whole, fulfilling the client’s expectations.
As you can see, many details—such as budget, aesthetic standards in design elements, local and ethnic cultures, climate, and environmental conditions—are all critical and worthy of deep reflection in the construction of a building. You can imagine projects with commercial, healthcare, or sports purposes, each defined by its own unique criteria.
Therefore, an architect is a disciplined, precise, intelligent, and inquisitive individual, capable of designing and managing a large-scale process like an architectural project all the way to completion. You might think architecture is a difficult profession—and indeed it is—but students like you, once they enter this field at university, become so captivated by the discipline and its methods of teaching that, in my experience, they complete their studies with passion. In the end, they embrace architecture as a way of life.
I hope your dreams are so vast that when you achieve them, you will be immersed in joy, vitality, and happiness.
At the same time, the architect must ensure the physical safety of users when designing stairs, terraces, or drop-offs that connect complementary spaces. Light must be used artistically to optimize the atmosphere, and countless other factors must be considered so that the project results in a harmonious and beautiful whole, fulfilling the client’s expectations.
As you can see, many details—such as budget, aesthetic standards in design elements, local and ethnic cultures, climate, and environmental conditions—are all critical and worthy of deep reflection in the construction of a building. You can imagine projects with commercial, healthcare, or sports purposes, each defined by its own unique criteria.
Therefore, an architect is a disciplined, precise, intelligent, and inquisitive individual, capable of designing and managing a large-scale process like an architectural project all the way to completion. You might think architecture is a difficult profession—and indeed it is—but students like you, once they enter this field at university, become so captivated by the discipline and its methods of teaching that, in my experience, they complete their studies with passion. In the end, they embrace architecture as a way of life.
I hope your dreams are so vast that when you achieve them, you will be immersed in joy, vitality, and happiness.