One common mental image of an architect at work is at a drafting table or computer screen, sketching up plans for a new structure. Architects, however, play an important role in a wide variety of fields, from public works projects like sewer networks and roadways to private ventures like interior design and home building. Architects’ work typically straddles the border between utility and artistry, and they are engaged in everything from municipal park planning to bridge design. Structural engineers are concerned with the safety and soundness of a structure, but it is the architect who is usually in charge of the design. Whether it’s a grain silo or a museum dedicated to contemporary art, an architect will play a significant role in the creative process. When designing a museum, hotel, or other large structure, architects are often allowed wide latitude in terms of aesthetics.
After serving your country in the armed forces, you may be at a crossroads in terms of your professional future. Do you have any interest in becoming an architect? It’s not just a rewarding and stimulating line of work, but one that also provides stability and room for advancement. The best thing is that you may become an architect by making advantage of your VA educational benefits. This post will explain how to use your VA schooling funds to pursue a career as an architect.
Common Services Provided By an Architect
Architects are professionals that create plans for and design buildings with the goals of functionality, safety, and aesthetics. Architects often offer the following services:
To find the most advantageous placement and orientation for a structure, architects examine the site and its immediate surroundings. Topography, ease of access, and scenic vistas are all taken into account.
Architects create the blueprints, sketches, and construction documents needed to build a structure. To make sure the design is up to code, they collaborate closely with contractors and other specialists.
To guarantee that the design is carried out accurately, architects keep a close eye on the building process as it unfolds. They oversee the building process by managing costs, timelines, and agreements.
Sustainable design approaches that reduce a building’s negative effects on the environment are gaining more and more attention among architects. Renewable energy sources, water-saving appliances, and LED lighting are all potential additions to their plans. Some architects choose to further their credentials by becoming LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited.
Architects offer a variety of services to ensure that structures meet code, are safe for occupants, and are visually beautiful, all while being mindful of their impact on the surrounding environment.
Salary of an Architect
Architects can make a decent living based on their level of expertise, the market they work in, and the nature of their work. As of May 2021, the BLS reported a median annual pay of $82,320 for architects in the United States.
Architect salaries can range from roughly $50,000 to $60,000 per year for those just starting out, to over $130,000 per year for those with decades of expertise. Architects in major cities also tend to make more money than their counterparts in smaller towns or rural locations.
A job’s nature might also have an effect on an architect’s pay. A professional architect’s salary may vary depending on whether they work for a major firm or corporation, a smaller business, or are self-employed. Architects who focus their practices on niche markets like healthcare, hospitality, or sustainability may also command higher salaries.
Architects have room to negotiate wage increases with experience and education. Architects who get their licenses and pursue LEED certification, for instance, may be able to increase their salary. In addition, major architects at established companies or those who establish their own practices may make considerably more than their less senior colleagues.
Architects have the opportunity for upward income mobility as they gain expertise and experience in the field.
SKILLS & CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUCCESSFUL ARCHITECT:
The people who work in architecture reflect the breadth and diversity of the field itself. While no two architects are exactly same, there are several talents that are common to the profession that would benefit all aspiring architects.
Knowledge of physical principles: :
Although visual appeal and design are the first things people notice in a building, architects never ignore the physical laws that govern their work. Any job in the field of architecture requires familiarity with these terms.
Design-related curiosity:
Architects’ works, such as buildings, parks, and industries, remain in their communities long after they’re constructed. The quality of life of those who inhabit or frequent a building is not the only thing that may be affected by design decisions. Therefore, an awareness of design principles and an interest in architecture are essential.
Capacity for addressing problems:
As a practical field, architecture requires architects to consider not just their own creative vision for a building, but also any number of limits that may be placed on the project. When working with a limited budget or just having access to particular materials, a talented architect will still be able to create spectacular results.
HOW TO WORK AS AN ARCHITECT - DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS
To become a registered architect in the United States, formal education in architecture is often required, with a few isolated exceptions. The National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB) is in charge of determining whether or not a school is qualified to grant architectural degrees in the United States. It is not suggested that students pursue education at an unaccredited institution due to the difficulties they may encounter in obtaining a license upon graduation.
However, future students still have a wide range of options available to them when it comes to designing their educational path. As of December 2022, 137 programs around the country are listed as certified on the NAAB website. In the United States, aspiring architects can get a bachelor of architecture (BArch) or a bachelor’s degree in a separate or related subject and then a master of architecture (M.arch) at their own pace.
WHAT MODERN ARCHITECTS DO AND HOW THEY DO IT
There are various subfields within the larger discipline of architecture. Most modern architectural companies specialize in one or a small number of fields due to the vast differences in design requirements between, say, an elementary school and a hospital or an oil drilling platform.
This is by no means an all-inclusive list, but it should serve as an introduction to the many facets of architecture practiced today.
Industrial Architects:
In accordance with the maxim “function over form,” industrial architects create functional structures. Warehouses, factories, and other purpose-built structures are all within the purview of industrial architects. Due to the specialized nature of some building types, an industrial architectural firm may cater only to that sector. Some industrial architects, for instance, have specialized training that allows them to design chemical factories, and hence earn a higher salary.
Residential Architects:
Residential architects, as their name suggests, are in charge of creating homes of various types. This might be a luxury apartment building in the heart of a bustling metropolis or a modest house in the middle of the country. Some residential architects are entrusted with collaborating closely with homeowners to realize their own visions for their new houses during the design phase.
Municipal Architect / Urban Planner:
The role of municipal architect is similar to that of urban planner or city planner. Architects employed by local governments are responsible for supervising a wide variety of building, renovation, and demolition initiatives.
Municipal architects can manage the building of anything from a modest local park to a multimillion-dollar sports stadium, depending on their experience and specialization.
Steps to Become an Architect
To become an architect, one must put in many years of study and practice. To become an architect, you must follow these broad steps:
Earning a Bachelor of Architecture from a recognized university is the primary requirement for entry into the field. During this time, students learn about design, building techniques, and the history of architecture.
While a Bachelor’s Degree is all that’s required to practice architecture legally, some professionals choose for more advanced study with a Master’s in Architecture. Two more years of schooling may be necessary for this.
Get an Internship
After graduating from college, architects must do an internship that usually lasts three years. They get hands-on experience in design, project management, and construction administration while working closely with a licensed architect.
Candidates for the profession of architect are put to the examination over seven distinct sections of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). After finishing an internship, you’ll be eligible to take this exam and get your license.
A state license is required for practicing architecture after passing the ARE. While specifics vary by state, most require some combination of coursework, an internship, and a test to earn a license. According to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), the Florida Electronic Fingerprinting Service is one of the most frequently used approved providers for electronic fingerprinting services that applicants can use to satisfy this requirement in the state of Florida.
Architects need to take CE classes to keep their licenses current with the ever-changing architectural field.
To become an architect, one must put in many years of study and practice. But in the end, it’s worth it to have a job where you get to help shape your community through the structures you design.
Learn Architecture with the Help of Your VA Benefits
If you are a veteran interested in a career in architecture, you may utilize your VA education benefits to pay for school. Some of the educational aid provided by the VA includes the following:
Adjustments to the Post-9/11 GI Bill:
A housing stipend, a book and supply stipend, and help with tuition and fees are all part of this program’s financial aid package. Up to 36 months of support are available for completion of accredited architecture bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
The Yellow Ribbon Initiative:
When the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s yearly limit is reached, the veteran can use the Yellow Ribbon Program to cover the remaining cost of tuition and fees. Master’s degree programs in architecture tend to be more costly than bachelor’s degree programs, thus this program might be especially useful for veterans who are considering advanced study in the field.
Employment and Rehabilitation Program for the Disabled:
Disabled veterans can get financial aid for higher education and vocational training through this initiative. Assistance with architectural school costs may be available to people with disabilities that prevent them from working in their current profession.
You may pursue a profession in architecture without worrying about how to pay for school thanks to the educational perks provided by the VA. Find out if you qualify for each program and how you can get the most out of it by doing your homework.
Concluding Remarks
Veterans who choose to pursue a career in architecture may find it to be both a rewarding and hard choice. Veterans may become licensed architects without worrying about the cost of school because to educational incentives offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans who are interested in a career in architecture should use the VA’s educational advantages to their fullest extent. Find out if you qualify for each program and make the most of its benefits by doing your homework.
To start the licensing process in Florida, you must first pass a background check administered by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). You may then confidently pursue a profession as an architect, knowing that you have fulfilled the prerequisites for licensing. Don’t allow a lack of resources prevent you from being the architect you’ve always wanted to be. By taking advantage of the VA’s educational advantages and following the required procedures to get licensed, you may launch a successful and satisfying career as an architect.