CAREER AS ARCHITECT

 Architects - the true GOD of amazing buildings and structures. The great landmarks of the modern world would not have been possible without them. Considered as one the charming professions and looked as a career option for elite class students, architecture field has been visiting numerous changes happening in the last couple of decades where demographic set up of students from varied countries,states, social background, disciplines, and streams have come to join Architecture colleges. Career in Architecture is very interesting, promising, attractive, high paying, and has lots of potential in terms of growth. Besides the required criteria, some skills are also essential for making a rocking  career in architecture.

Architect

Architects work with engineers, technicians and clients to design safe, functional and aesthetically pleasing structures ranging from dams to homes. These professionals meet with clients to determine the parameters, needs, functions and constraints of proposed projects. And also, they may play a role in generating project bids and budgets.

Once both parties have agreed on all aspects, architects begin the design phase. This may include planning the layout of Architectural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems. Architects generally use computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) software to facilitate the design process and make modifications easier. These professionals are also responsible for ensuring that designs meet building codes (NBC), city ordinances and government regulations.

Great Minds towards Architecture career

As architects would study planning and designing of building and structures, a mental inclination and orientation is necessary to move forward in the career of Architecture. All the non – IIT & Non - NIT Architecture colleges in India offer Architecture courses ( B.Arch) at undergraduate level with a Common entrance exam where the NIASA with COA ( Council of architecture) dictates certain eligibility criteria for undertaking the B.Arch course .Hence a All india common entrance exam termed NATA EXAM – National Aptitude Test In Architecture Exam is made mandatory to students to earn Minimum NATA pass mark of 80/200 to prove them eligible enough to undertake the B.Arch course.And the Preparation for an All India Architecture aptitude Entrance Exam can be started soon after 10th Class. To pursue B.Arch in IIT or NIT colleges, the students are suppose to undertake IIT – JEE ( Mains ) Paper – 2 for the NIT admissions & IIT – JEE ( Advanced) for IIT admissions.After completing B.Arch graduation or during the time of graduation in Architecture, candidates can do an internship/training program either with some practicing architects or with an architecture firm to gain practical experience and better up job prospects & learn the current markets, styles, materials & trends in architecture of varied region.

Personality traits of an Architect

A person would acquire sound communication skills and needs immense physical stamina to practice as a successful Architect. He is expected to work on papers & desk as well on the computers & construction site. Continuous effort, Excellent memory and sound concentration level, understanding the prerequisites, flexibility, patience, team spirit, responsibility, authenticity and accountability, etc. are some common personality traits which are essential for professional success in architecture and design.

About Bachelor Of Architecture (B.Arch.)

The Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) is a five year undergraduate program in Architecture, design and structure of building covering the sociological, systematic and environmental aspects. It is framed to satisfy the academic component of professional accreditation bodies, to be followed by a period of practical training prior to professional examination and registration. It is awarded for a course of study that lasts up to five years. In India, five year B.Arch course is offered by various schools in India. These schools are recognized by council of architecture (coa) and are affiliated to various Universities.

What would be my job as an Architect?

Architects design not just structures, they design an experience for a user with the space volume & the function related with the space, thereby giving a physical face-lift as well as provide functional utility, Aesthetical sence,safety and economy.

The job of an architect is not limited to designing just the volumes of spaces & not just the corporate offices.Rather they design houses, apartments and colonies, industrial complexes, airport terminals,Parks, hospitals, hotels, memorials, stadium, shopping and commercial complexes, schools, colleges, Museums, Theme parks etc. Architects focus on how to make living sensible, interesting,easy and comfortable for people ranging from economically weaker section to lower-middle class & extending up to the upper-class and offer them housing and shelter with luxury, image and style within their budgets.  Moreover, increased demand for luxury accommodation that is more interesting, beneficial & attractive on basis of commercials & generating landmarks from certain section of people drives architects to work on special building designs which fulfill the specific requirements. The last century saw tremendous growth in scope of architectural designs. Though architects have been in existence since time immemorial,latest trends,modern styles with new concepts and designs with        implementation of hyper - technological inputs has increased in last century only. Architects provide professional services not only  to new constructions, alterations and rennovations, but also offers conservation techniques for preserving the age old buildings for their heritage, vernacular & value of exclusiveness to save the gift &                   evidence of the ancestral piece of past.

What would it Cost Me to study B.Arch?

Various autonomous,government – aided, private colleges and Deemed universities in India offer B.Arch course which lasts for 5 years. The fee of the course depends entirely upon the reputation of the institute or its aid from the government. Similarly, the fee structure varies based on your type of admission, whether through the government counseling or Management seat . The direct government colleges charges a nominal fee of Rs.40,000/Year – Rs.55,000 /Year.The government affiliated institutes or colleges charge a medium range of fee from students, which can be any amount in the ranges between Rs. 80,000/year – Rs. 1,35,000/year. While in private institute & most of the deemed universities,or management seats may demand a hefty fee between 1,35,000/year- Rs.4,50,000/Year based on the demand & reputation. The fee does not include expenses incurred in the form of hostel charges, transportation fees, library fees,studio fees, Stationery fees etc. Candidates who could not make out to degree level education in Architecture colleges may opt for a 3 1/2 year Architecture diploma course ( Architecture assistantship) where in they may be asked to pay any fee in the range from Rs.5000/year – Rs.10,000/year if in government colleges & about Rs.30,000/year – Rs.50,000/year in other private polytechnic colleges. However, the Architecture diploma holders are not termed as “Architects” & they can only work under an Architect as assistants & are not authorized to either sign the approval drawings nor practice individually in the name of Architects. But ,there is a opportunity for them to upgrade themselves to Architects through an extended course & examination under IIA ( Indian institutes of Architects)

Advantages Or Benefits Of B. Arch

Architecture is a demanding profession, but it can also be a very interesting, creative one. As architects gain more experience, they become more involved in actual design work rather than technical issues and routine construction documents.
Architecture is a profession for the people who have talents in artistic and aesthetic.
There is always a demand for good architects so as to utilize the entire construction space in building projects. Global population growth from 2000 to 2050 will rise 46% and 70% of the population will live in urban areas.(Source: Building Feature Report)
Architecture is also never a boring career because of the variety of tasks it demands. No project is ever the same as the one that came before. Architects are also constantly dealing with different issues, such as meeting with clients and contractors, drawing plans, looking at estimates, or working out last-minute details and requests.
Even though many architecture schools have math requirements, many architects say that very little math is actually involved in their day-to-day routines. Anything that requires advanced levels of math such as calculus is usually handled by engineers or other specialists involved with a project. General overall intelligence, good drawing skills, an inquiring nature, and excellent listening and speaking abilities are actually the most important qualities for architects to possess.
Most architects work in the profession not for the money but because they have a passion for their work, and this passion makes everything else worthwhile. Even with below-average pay, many architects know they are providing a valuable service and love every minute of it, especially when a client truly appreciates their finished work on a project. Also, the pay usually does increase with experience and can even be lucrative if you reach the top levels of the profession.
In the present scenario, architects are essential to plan and carry out building projects and to find solution for the problems related to this field.
Building projects and real estate is one of the largest sectors of investment in our economy; hence the profession is also getting recognitions and further career opportunities.