Profession architect

Building architects plan and develop designs for the construction and renovation of commercial, institutional, industrial and residential buildings.

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Personality Type

• Artistic / Investigative

Tasks architect

• Consult with clients and other relevant parties (such as landscape architects or planning authorities) to obtain relevant information, for example on costs and functional and spatial requirements.
• Conduct feasibility studies and financial analyses of building projects.
• Conceptualize, create and develop designs for construction and renovation of buildings and other structures.
• Design landscape around buildings.
• Prepare sketches, scale drawings, models, etc., for example using computer-aided design (CAD) equipment.
• Prepare work plans for construction projects.
• Coordinate and administer construction projects.
• Represent clients in obtaining bids and awarding construction contracts.
• Prepare or supervise the preparation of contract documents and specifications.
• Observe, inspect and monitor building work.
• Evaluate projects.
• Give advice on other construction designs, e.g. with regard to building law and architectural style.

Related professions building, construction

• Blocklayer
• Bricklayer
• Building repairer
• Building wrecker
• Construction block mason
• Construction company manager
• Construction contractor
• Construction designer
• Construction operative
• Construction or building inspector
• Construction work planner
• Fence erector
• First line supervisor construction workers
• Glass decorating sandblaster
• House builder
• Insulation worker
• Iron worker
• Jointer
• Kit worker
• Prefabricated buildings erector
• Project manager civil engineering
• Project manager construction
• Quantity surveyor
• Town planner

Knowledge

• Architectural design

  The branch of architecture that strives for balance and harmony in the elements of a construction or architectural project.

• Zoning codes

  The division of land into zones where various uses and activities are allowed, such as residential, agricultural, and industrial activities. These zones are regulated by legislative procedures and local authorities.

• Urban planning

  Political and technical process that seeks to design the urban environment and optimize land use by considering various aspects such as infrastructure, water, and green and social spaces.

• Building codes

  The set of guidelines that determine the minimum standards for buildings and other constructions in order to protect public health and safety.

• Relationship between buildings, people and the environment

  Understand the relationships and the interactions between people, buildings, and the environment in order to adapt architectural works to the human needs.

• Architecture regulations

  The regulations, statutes, and legal agreements existing in the European Union in the field of architecture. 

• Architectural theory

  The principles underlying the various theories pertaining to architecture. The relationship between buildings and society, and the relationship between art and architecture. The theories surrounding the architect's position in culture and society.

Skills

• Consider building constraints in architectural designs

  Conceive the different types of constraints faced in architecture and building projects, including budgetary, time, labour, material, and natural constraints.

• Meet building regulations

  Communicate with construction inspection, e.g. by submitting schemes and plans, to make sure all construction regulations, laws and codes are dealt with correctly.

• Use CAD software

  Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.

• Develop architectural plans

  Draft a master plan for building sites and landscape plantings. Prepare detailed development plans and specifications in accordance with applicable laws. Analyse private development plans for their accuracy, appropriateness, and compliance with laws.

• Negotiate with stakeholders

  Negotiate compromises with stakeholders and strive to reach the most beneficial agreements for the company. May involve building relationships with suppliers and customers, as well as ensuring products are profitable.

• Integrate engineering principles in architectural design

  Integrate engineering principles in architectural design under the guidance of engineers from different fields. Integrate electrical, civil, etc. engineering in architectural drafting.

• Advise on building matters

  Provide advice on building matters to the various parties involved in construction projects. Bring to their awareness important building considerations and consult on construction budgets.

• Write an architectural brief

  Draft a brief that discusses the requirements of the client. This brief outlines design specifications and instructions as to what is expected of the architect such as costs, technique, aesthetic, social and environmental contexts, and time frame.

• Integrate building requirements of clients in the architectural design

  Interpret clients’ requirements for building projects and integrate them into the design of the construction while considering feasibility and budget constraints.

• Satisfy aesthetic requirements

  Satisfy aesthetic requirements and create a design that is in line with what is expected of you in terms of visuals and artistry.

• Design open spaces

  Design social areas and open spaces working in cooperation with communities, clients and other professionals.

• Analyse problems for opportunities

  Identify and anticipate problems in order to choose a course of action, come up with appropriate solutions or even identify opportunities for further development.

• Identify customer's needs

  Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.

• Create architectural sketches

  Create architectural sketches for the design and detail specifications of interiors and exteriors to scale.

• Execute feasibility study

  Perform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of a project, plan, proposition or new idea. Realise a standardised study which is based on extensive investigation and research to support the process of decision making.

• Design spatial layout of outdoor areas

  Design the spatial layout and functional and architectural appearance of outdoor areas. Integrate green spaces, social spaces, and regulatory aspects in outdoor design.

• Provide cost benefit analysis reports

  Prepare, compile and communicate reports with broken down cost analysis on the proposal and budget plans of the company. Analyse the financial or social costs and benefits of a project or investment in advance over a given period of time.

• Interpret technical requirements

  Analyse, understand and apply the information provided regarding technical conditions.

• Integrate measures in architectural designs

  Integrate measurements, taken at sites or included in the project, into the design and drafting of architectural projects. Integrate considerations such as fire safety, acoustics, and building physics.

• Design buildings

  Design buildings and housing projects in cooperation with communities, clients, and other professionals.

• Perform field research

  Participate in field research and evaluation of state and private lands and waters.

• Identify necessary human resources

  Determine the number of employees needed for the realisation of a project and their allocation in the creation, production, communication or administration team.

• Satisfy technical requirements

  Take into consideration technical requirements coming from the clients or from the engineers in order to integrate them into the design.

• Draw blueprints

  Draw layout specifications for machinery, equipment and building structures. Specify which materials should be used and the size of the components. Show different angles and views of the product.

• Conduct field work

  Conduct field work or research which is the collection of information outside of a laboratory or workplace setting. Visit places in order to collect specific information about the field.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB