2 answers
Aaron
Student
1
Question
Asked
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What does being an architect entail?
I have always wanted to go into architecture, but my school has never had any classes or groups that have ever talked about what this line of work entails, so I just had a couple questions.
How Does Your Design Process Work?
What Services Do You Offer?
What are the Philosophies that you stick to?
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2 answers
Amber Drenth
Interior Design
5
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Amber’s Answer
Hello! I am interior designer that works closely with architects. Architecture is definitely different than interiors, but in many ways very similar. As an architect or interior designer you will gain knowledge of how construction elements are built, how to read construction plans, draw construction plans in CAD/BIM software, and also specify materials/finishes that give your design a nice aesthetic. Architects will typically deal with details of walls/partitions, doors, and windows. They also design what we call the "shell" of the building, where public restrooms are, stairs, and other public areas.
The design process is usually very long. At the firm I work at, architects will already be conducting studies of the existing building or new plot, before the project is awarded to our firm. This is to ensure that we are right for the job and can provide great solutions. From there, the architects will program square footage and activities needed from the client into a rough sketch of a floor plan. As the process continues, they will meet with the clients and continue to revise and edit to where the floor plan can be priced for an estimate. After the estimate, we all work to complete construction drawings so that contractors can receive the plans and eventually start to build. Architects are involved at every step of the way.
For services offered, it depends on the firm. So I work at a firm where we have architecture and interior design. This means we are equipped to take on small interior renovation projects, to large new buildings. We outsource work to consultants, specifically mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural, since we do not have those disciplines in house. Other firms could have engineering, landscape architects, structural architects, etc.
I think a good philosophy to stick to with the design industry is to know your limits and worth. There is a lot of time that goes into building a building and some firms are able to work out a good schedule to stick to and respect your work/life balance. There are other firms that do not. Many architects like to boost about how many all-nighters they've pulled in school and at work, this is damaging to all those in the design industry. Know when enough is enough and when you need to step back. There is so much burn-out with designers in this industry and it needs to change.
The design process is usually very long. At the firm I work at, architects will already be conducting studies of the existing building or new plot, before the project is awarded to our firm. This is to ensure that we are right for the job and can provide great solutions. From there, the architects will program square footage and activities needed from the client into a rough sketch of a floor plan. As the process continues, they will meet with the clients and continue to revise and edit to where the floor plan can be priced for an estimate. After the estimate, we all work to complete construction drawings so that contractors can receive the plans and eventually start to build. Architects are involved at every step of the way.
For services offered, it depends on the firm. So I work at a firm where we have architecture and interior design. This means we are equipped to take on small interior renovation projects, to large new buildings. We outsource work to consultants, specifically mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural, since we do not have those disciplines in house. Other firms could have engineering, landscape architects, structural architects, etc.
I think a good philosophy to stick to with the design industry is to know your limits and worth. There is a lot of time that goes into building a building and some firms are able to work out a good schedule to stick to and respect your work/life balance. There are other firms that do not. Many architects like to boost about how many all-nighters they've pulled in school and at work, this is damaging to all those in the design industry. Know when enough is enough and when you need to step back. There is so much burn-out with designers in this industry and it needs to change.
Abdur Raafay
Architect
1
Answer
Birmingham
Updated
Abdur’s Answer
I'm glad to hear that you have had an interest in architecture from a young age. Typically, school classes don't provide much information about architecture. They generally offer a more general education without delving into specific subjects. It is only when you choose architecture as a field later on that you truly learn what architecture entails.
Apologies for not introducing myself earlier. Hi, I'm an architect. So, your first question is about the design process for any project, right? The design process can vary depending on the project. For example, in a house design project, we usually begin by meeting with the client to understand their vision, what they want in their house, and how they imagine their dream home. Afterward, we start the design process at our studio. We generate different design proposals based on the client's requirements, considering functionality, aesthetics, and overall design. Once we have 1-2 proposals, we present them to the client. This process may go through iterations based on any requested changes until a final design is approved. We then create 3D visuals to demonstrate how the house would look with materials and furniture. If everything goes well, the construction phase begins. This is a simplified explanation of a typical design process.
Your next question is about the services architects offer. The range of services provided can vary among architectural practices. Some solely offer design services, where they create the design and hand it over to the client, who decides when to initiate construction. Sometimes, clients may request that the architect oversee the construction phase, for which architects may charge additional fees for site visits. In other cases, architects provide comprehensive services, including design, construction, and site visits. So, it really depends on the architect and their specific practice.
I didn't quite understand your last question about the philosophies architects adhere to. Are you referring to design principles or something else? If you can provide more clarity in your question, I would be able to assist you better.
I hope this information has been helpful to you. Best of luck with your future endeavors!
Apologies for not introducing myself earlier. Hi, I'm an architect. So, your first question is about the design process for any project, right? The design process can vary depending on the project. For example, in a house design project, we usually begin by meeting with the client to understand their vision, what they want in their house, and how they imagine their dream home. Afterward, we start the design process at our studio. We generate different design proposals based on the client's requirements, considering functionality, aesthetics, and overall design. Once we have 1-2 proposals, we present them to the client. This process may go through iterations based on any requested changes until a final design is approved. We then create 3D visuals to demonstrate how the house would look with materials and furniture. If everything goes well, the construction phase begins. This is a simplified explanation of a typical design process.
Your next question is about the services architects offer. The range of services provided can vary among architectural practices. Some solely offer design services, where they create the design and hand it over to the client, who decides when to initiate construction. Sometimes, clients may request that the architect oversee the construction phase, for which architects may charge additional fees for site visits. In other cases, architects provide comprehensive services, including design, construction, and site visits. So, it really depends on the architect and their specific practice.
I didn't quite understand your last question about the philosophies architects adhere to. Are you referring to design principles or something else? If you can provide more clarity in your question, I would be able to assist you better.
I hope this information has been helpful to you. Best of luck with your future endeavors!