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All of you must have heard about architects. But who are architects? What do they do? And most importantly, how to become an architect? In this blog, we will learn everything about career in architecture.
Architects are skilled and trained professionals. The main task is to plan, design and construct buildings. From a safety perspective, only professionally licensed architects can participate in building construction.
The journey of architecture begins at the school level itself. You should be interested in the science stream, and an architectural degree should be completed from a recognized university. To become an architect, certain skills are required- like engineering skills, creative thinking, problem-solving approach, effective communication skills, and management quality.
Let’s understand further how a career as an architect can be fruitful for you.
Steps to Become an Architect in India
Most of the school students have a dream of pursuing an architecture career in the future. They might be confused about how to become an architect. In India, certain degrees and courses are required to become an architect. Let’s understand the detailed journey of a successful architectural career in India.
Step 1: Complete Secondary School Education
The first step towards becoming an architect should be opting for science stream in 12th standard where Maths and Physics subjects should be compulsory in order to develop the technical and critical thinking skills.
Students should obtain a minimum 60% marks in 12th standard for further admission to the university for an architectural degree.
There is also another way to take admission to a bachelor’s degree. Students can pursue a diploma program in engineering after completing the 10th standard. The duration of the diploma course is 3 years, and they can apply for the bachelor in Architecture degree course. In this case, the degree duration will be 3 years.
Step 2: Qualify Entrance Exam
Getting the minimum required marks in 12th standard is not sufficient for taking admission to a bachelor’s in architecture degree course. Students should qualify for one of the three exams – Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) main paper one, JEE main paper 2, JEE Advanced, Architectural Aptitude Test (AAT), and National Aptitude Test for Architecture (NATA).
The requirements for the number of qualifying exams can differ university-wise. Some universities can demand more than one qualifying exam. It is advised to the candidates to check the eligibility criteria of their chosen university before applying. For Example, IIT Roorkee accepts entrance exams like NATA, JEE Advanced, and AAT to get admission to Engineering.
Step 3: Complete Bachelor’s Degree
Students can get admission to the university after clearing the entrance test and pursue an architectural degree.
The popular bachelors degrees in architecture include-
- Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch)
- Bachelor in Engineering and Architectural Design
- Bachelor of Engineering in Landscape Architecture
- BSc/BA in Architecture Technology & Construction Management
- BA (Hons) in Interior Architecture & Design
The architecture course duration is 5 years. The students will get the architecture subjects in depth. The program includes subjects like math, design principles, building structuring, and engineering. The university will further guide students on how to become an architect.
Step 4: Enroll in Internship Programs
Internships are essential for architecture students who want to gain real-world experience and make connections in the industry. They provide students with the opportunity to:
- Apply the skills and knowledge they have learned in school to real-world projects.
- Learn about different aspects of the architectural process, such as design, drafting, construction, and budgeting.
- Gain experience working with clients and other professionals.
- Build their portfolio of work.
- Network with other architects and professionals in the industry.
- Get a sense of whether or not a career in architecture is a good fit for them.
Registration
Students should register their names with the Council of Architecture (COA). Degree holders cannot work as architectural professionals without a license. They should submit proof of their bachelor’s degree in architecture to apply for the license. The students should check all the regulations beforehand.
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards provides extra-national certification. This certificate will help them to apply for architect jobs in the States. Extra-national certification is not compulsory, but students can take it along with the registration certification to apply for state jobs.
Apply for a Master’s Degree
If someone is not ready to go for a job after graduation, they can join a master’s in architecture. They can enhance their base of knowledge and skills. They can become specialized in their fields. There are many Master’s programs available, like installation art, sustainable architecture, naval architecture, and civil engineering. Throughout the Master’s program, students will be taught to deal with the challenges of the architect profession. So they can make wise decisions in their job in the future.
Apply for a Job.
Now, all the students have enough knowledge on how to become an architect. They need to make an engaging resume. The resume should show their educational qualifications, skills, training experience, and internship experience. The resume will depict the first impression of job applicants. Students can put all their achievements in their resumes to make them appealing. They should send their resume to the company for the job. The institution will check the resume and will inform the candidates.
Specializations in Architecture
The answer to How to become an architect is universal for all students. But what type of an architect to become is an individual’s interest. When students begin their careers in architecture, they need to decide the specialization in which they want to work. This will be required to maintain positive energy throughout the journey. Checlar specializations in detail.
Residential Architecture
Residential architecture deals mainly with the construction of non-commercial buildings. They are for the habitation purpose of individuals. Townhomes, residential properties, apartment complexes, and all living spaces are a few examples of residential architecture. The average annual salary is Rs 7.2 lakh per annum. The architect should remember certain things while preparing building designs, like budget, space, and time limit. Along with the office work, architects are expected to oversee the fieldwork. They should be good at negotiating wid develop good communication skills to deal with all kinds of clients.
Commercial Architecture
Commercial architecture is the opposite of residential architecture. It deals with designing as well as constructing commercial building structures. Commercial architecture includes office buildings, shopping malls, hotels and restaurants, entertainment venues, and retail stores. Commercial buildings need large spaces and should be visually appealing to people. The architects should be more careful while constructing these buildings as these are public places. That’s why building codes and regulations apply to commercial architecture and not to all. They can be integrated with technology like security systems and smart lighting.
Many groups and organizations benefited from this architecture. The groups include small and large businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. The average salary of a commercial architect can be Rs. 20 lacks per annum.
Landscape Architecture
Landscape architecture is about beautifying a place and making it look aesthetic. The work of a landscape architect is to make a place visually appealing. It includes tree plantation, shrubs, contours, and other ornamental features. This requires knowledge of other disciplines like biology, urban design, interior design, and wildlife. The average annual salary is Rs. 5.7 lakh per annum.
Sustainable Architecture
Sustainable architecture is in demand nowadays. It has gained importance due to sustainable practices. The future of the industry depends on the integration of technology and nature. The average salary varies from Rs. 2.7 lakh per annum to Rs. 3.3 lakh per annum. The achievement of sustainable architecture is visible in the newly developed green buildings. Green buildings are environmentally sound, resource-efficient structures and lessen the carbon footprint. If people’s comfort is important, natural features like trees, animals, and drainage are also important.
Interior Architecture
Interior architecture can help to redesign existing interior spaces. These include window and door placements, heating and plumbing, and ventilation. Creative skills are required for this specialization. The architect gets an average salary of Rs. 4 lakhs per annum. They try to make the existing space look more aesthetic, functional, fascinating, sustainable, and safe. Client Need, and budget is two important things in interior architecture. The job in this specialization can help architects enhance their skills and gain a professional portfolio.
Skills and Qualities Required to be an Architect
Certain skills and qualities are essential for being a good architect. These skills and qualities define the effectiveness of their work. It is easy to tell how to become an architect. But defining the skills needed to become a good architect is difficult. Certain universal skills and qualities are explained in this section.
Creativity
Creative means artistic, and architecture is also a kind of art. If students ask how to become an architect? The answer can be that students should be creative. The clients will come to the architect if they have unique and creative ideas. Architecture is the identity of a country. Architects need to stand out from the crowd through their creative thinking. The employer will also check the creative skill of a candidate along with the other skills. The buildings, designed uniquely, can promote more tourism. The architects are tasked with creating creative solutions to attract more clients and, as a result, make their career growth go upward.
Problem-Solving
The problem-solving approach comes with experience and alertness of mind. The architect is expected to know everything about their surroundings and current laws related to the field. They should understand the demand of the clients. They should be ready with the solution. They should not cause any delay in the completion of the project. They should know how to deal with legal and design-based issues. They should come out of their comfort zone and try every possible way to solve the problem.
Technical Skills
The architect should take care of the minute technical designs. Technical skills are required in planning, designing, and constructing a building. Even a minor mistake can cost a huge loss. Loss can be in time, effort, money, and trust. They should research materials, tools, and other building construction methods. Technical skills can be improved with experience.
Communication Skills
The architect must deal with clients, lawyers, workers, and surveyors daily. Good and effective communication skills can make their work easy. They can get projects if the clients have understood their message clearly. Proper communication skills can be easily developed if an architect can understand the demand of their clients. They should make their clients comfortable. Only then can the architect communicate with them freely. Face-to-face conversations are more effective than conversations through emails.
Time Management
Problem-solving and technical skills directly related to time management skills. Time management means making more output in the given time. The architect can divide the work to reduce the wastage of time with good team working skills. The management skills of an architect can make it easy to handle challenging tasks without any time loss. Time management means effort and budget management.
Career Opportunities for an Architect
Is architecture a good career? It is a good career option when the architects are passionate about their job. They can do private practice. They can join architecture firms, real estate developers, government jobs, and academic positions. Know about the career opportunities in architecture in depth.
Private Practice
Private practice can be an option for those architects who do not want to work under an employer. They are free to work with any client. Architects need a proper license to pursue the profession as a private practice. Lack of proper guidance at the initial stage can be an issue. They must be ready to solve all clients’ problems to grow their profession. The private practice of architects is useful when it comes to salary increments. If the architect wants a sudden salary increment, they usually opt for private practice.
Architecture Firms
Architectural firms hire architects to work with their clients. They need architects to create structural designs of buildings and implement the plan. A variety of clients provided a variety of experiences to the architects, and this experience can be used to get a job in a high job profile firm in the future. Architectural firms are a good option for immediate jobs and experience. They can earn a sufficient amount of money to upgrade their living standards. This can vary from one firm to another. Architects should choose architectural firms wisely as per their preferences.
Real Estate Developers
Architects get an important role to play in the real estate developers industry. Architects are required to plan and construct buildings per the rules and regulations. Architects are well aware of all the laws. Architects approve projects. After the approval only, the actual development of buildings took place. The architects work as a bridge between the design and development process. Real estate industries can provide immense experience and respect to architects.
Government Jobs
Certain government jobs require an architect degree, like an assistant architect in central public work departments, manager architect in BHEL, deputy architect in the defense ministry, planning and designing metro stations, conducting railway workshops, staff quarters, and maintenance sheds under the railway department. Other role-based government posts include a surveyor, technical illustrator, set designer, architectural engineer, and branch engineer. Government jobs provide job security along with decent salaries.
Academic Positions
The architect can also join academic faculties after completing the program. They can join private as well as government universities. Academic positions give inner satisfaction to architects. Academic positions offer a good salary as well as a respectful position. This career option is for those who do not want to do fieldwork. They have to work for certain fixed hours only. They can teach students what they have learned throughout the journey and guide them in the right direction.
Architect Salary
The architect’s salary is the next important topic after how to become an architect. The architect’s salary can vary from private to government institutions. This can also vary with experience.
- If the architects are beginners, they can expect an average monthly salary of Rs. 29,119.
- Intermediate architects can expect some increment in their salary as compared to beginners. The salary can range from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs. 5.7 lakh per annum with an average salary of Rs. 4 lakhs per annum.
- The average salary of senior architects is Rs. 18 lahks per annum, ranging from Rs. 5 lahks to Rs 48 lakh per annum. A decent salary and effective career experience have gained popularity for the program in India.
A Gateway to Become an Architech!
How to become an architect? It is not enough. The students should be aware of their prospects too. The academic journey of an architect ends with a graduation degree in architecture. They gain experience through fieldwork and enhance their skills with time. Then, what is the work of an architect? An architect’s task is constructing homes and making them a better place to live comfortably.
Architects are trying to reduce global warming by making environmentally friendly constructions like green buildings. Architects make our day-to-day life comfortable and easy. They construct buildings like schools, hospitals, and worship places. These are the basic amenities for human beings. So, governmental agencies and universities should work together. They should promote this course. Students should be motivated to opt for this course.
Evaluate numerous career choices to choose the right career path for yourself. Dive in to our guide on Career Advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I become an architect after 12th?
The students should get cleared in an entrance test after the 12th. The exams are Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) main paper one, JEer 2, JEE Advanced, Architectural Aptitude Test (AAT), and National Aptitude Test for Architecture (NATA). They should qualify for at least one entrance exam.
What subjects do you need to study architecture?
The students should opt for the science stream after the 10th standard. The students will get the chance to study architectural subjectsat university. These subjects are math, design principles, planning, building structuring, and engineering.
What should I do after 10th to become an architect?
Students can pursue a diploma program in engineering after the 10th standard. The diploma course will continue for 3 years. Then, they can apply for thebachelor’s in architecture degree course.
Is it hard to study architecture?
Whether hard or easy, architecture study depends on the student’s understanding. They can tackle the program easily if they are curious to know more about their field. They should be passionate about learning architectural skills. They should have an interest in learning math and science.
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