What do Architects do?
Architects design new buildings and give advice on the re-use, restoration, extension or conservation of existing ones. They work with individuals, local authorities, community groups and large organisations. When architects work on a project, as well as the aesthetics of the building, they consider the job the building has to do, safety, drainage, ventilation, the type of building materials and building law. They submit designs as part of a tender or they may be asked directly to work on a project. If their plans are accepted they may manage the work through to completion; this means that they draw up detailed plans, negotiate with planning and building control departments and liaise with surveyors, engineers and builders. Architects are creative, have good practical and scientific knowledge and work well as part of a team.
Skills you need?
design skills and knowledge
knowledge of building and construction
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
thinking and reasoning skills
customer service skills
excellent verbal communication skills
analytical thinking skills
the ability to use your initiative
maths knowledge
knowledge of engineering science and technology
the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
business management skills
the ability to work well with others
ambition and a desire to succeed
the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
operations analysis skills
concentration skills
a good memory
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
In this role you could
create hand sketches, 3D models and detailed technical plans using computer aided design (CAD) software
create a plan, following building laws and safety regulations
find cost-effective ways to work within budgets
manage construction projects
choose or advise on materials
visit sites to check building work and progress
communicate and share ideas with clients, other architects, and architectural technologists and technicians
write reports and job proposals and complete planning applications
IB Requirements?
an IB diploma including maths
an IB diploma including physics
an IB diploma including an art based subject
Most degrees would require a portfolio upon application. Some universities will also require an interview to discuss your motivations to studying architecture and your portfolio.
The typical route to becoming an architect is made up of the three year Part 1 degree course, followed by one year of professional experience. Then the two year Part 2 degree course is studied, plus another year, or more, of professional experience before the final Professional Practice Examination, or Part 3. Degrees need to be accredited by the Architects Registration Board; always check specific entry requirements for individual courses before making an application. You need to be able to sketch and draw freehand; work experience in an architect’s office will aid a degree application.
BA vs BSc?
It is possible to study either routes to become an architect as long as the degree is accredited by the ARB/RIBA and your undergraduate degree will gain you the RIBA Part 1 qualification, the first of three stages of RIBA professional registration.
A BA explores the spaces we inhabit, focusing on the relationships between the built environment, social interaction and material culture. A BSc - scientific aspect of design
Portfolio Requirement Example:
From UAL's BA Architecture requirements:
Digital portfolio
Your portfolio should be no more than 10 pages. It should be made up of your best work, showing your sensitivity to 3D design, your skills and thinking. You can create the pages in any layout (For example: presentation boards).
It should include:
Pages from your sketchbooks
Drawing
Ideas, visual research and experimentation
Photos of your finished work accompanied by a short explanation of the piece and your thinking.
Please note the quality of the work is more important than the quantity. We would also like you to organise your work by project, so that we can see any supporting work presented alongside final outcomes.
The only files that can be uploaded as part of the portfolio are:
Images: bmp, gif, jpg, jpeg, png
Audio: mp3, mp4, ogg, wav, wma
Video: avi, mp4, mpg, mpeg, mkv, mov, wmv
Your portfolio should demonstrate creative development, whether for a college project or in your personal work. By creative development, we mean ideas that have originated through your own experience and research and progressed towards potential visual proposals. Ideas, visual research and experimentation are more important than finished design solutions and can be shown in two-dimensional work, or through three dimensional objects and maquettes.
It is important that the creative work you include reflects and demonstrates your thinking, initiative and personal commitment to a particular project, theme or idea. Both in your portfolio and at the interview we are interested in you as an individual, your personal interests, your creativity and initiative in finding out about your proposed area of study. We would also like to know about your favourite designers and artists, where you have seen their work at first hand and how you have acquired more information about the work that interests you.