Any Architects Here?

[Scorcher214]

Been putting more thought into what I want to do in life and architecture has always been something that's been on my mind. I've always loved building things. Played with K'NEX and LEGOs a bunch as a kid and was always building stuff. Took a drafting class in high school and thought it was fun creating technical drawings. Also used a bit of CAD and found that fun as well.

 

Wondering if there are any architects here that i could talk to about the field?

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Architects are almost as big of a pain as d**n engineers. I mean really. Who puts a plug in the center of a window.

[K_Mac]

I have become good friends with the architect who designed the church building that we have been working on for the last few months. When I first reviewed the drawings I thought many of the things asked for were a waste of time and money. As the project comes together though, I am starting to like the looks of curves and angles that make life more difficult in construction but make the building more interesting and even better suited to the purpose for which it was designed. Using chases for ducts and electrical services to change and improve the acoustics of a room are an example of how an architect can use available space for both form and function. Architects need a 'big picture' point of view that can challenge those of us who just want a building that works at the lowest cost. Without them the world would be a less interesting place. Good luck Scorcher.

 

FWIW Raider is right that architects and engineers can be prima donnas. When you take the classes where they teach you to be condescending and offensive to those who work for a living, keep that in mind. 

[Scorcher214]

I watched series of youtube videos last night by an architect, called "so you want to be an architect." I got that prima donna vibe from watching him lol. But his last video in the series summed up everything and talked about pretty much all the negative aspects of being an architect, kinda turned me off from the profession just watching that video.....I need to figure out what i wanna do with my life lol

[Raider Nation Fisher]

You like to build. Go into construction. Wanna mans job? Be an ironworker. We build bridges, sky scrapers, buildings, and other structures. Wanna mans job that requires brains? Be a electrician or, as much as it pains me to say, a pipefitter.

[slonezp]

My son enjoyed drafting and CAD. He went to UW Mlwaukee for their architecture program freshman year and decided he no longer wanted to do it. I think he is regretting not at least majoring in some type of CAD design. Such is life. He's a business major now. He has a goal for the future but no plan on how to achieve it.

 

If I could do it again, you'd be watching me on Deadliest Catch. Being a pipefitter isn't all sugarplums and gumdrops like Raider is implying. When sparky cant read a schematic and English is his second language I normally have to clean up one helluva mess.

 

My advice to you. Once you decide the route you want to pursue, learn all you can but try and specialize in one aspect of it. There's more money to be made if you're not another sheep in the herd. 

[Traveler2586]

Been putting more thought into what I want to do in life and architecture has always been something that's been on my mind. I've always loved building things. Played with K'NEX and LEGOs a bunch as a kid and was always building stuff. Took a drafting class in high school and thought it was fun creating technical drawings. Also used a bit of CAD and found that fun as well.

 

Wondering if there are any architects here that i could talk to about the field?

 

If the videos turned you off from being an architect, but you love drafting and CAD, think about becoming a mechanical engineer.  I know one that makes machines that make products.  He takes process design concepts from other work flow engineers and figures out how to build a machine to do the job.  He spends a lot of time driving a CAD.

 

I drove a CAD for a while doing 2D circuit design and systems integration layouts; I was trained on ACAD 12 & 13, and used 2D Auto-Sketch at home for a hobby; every stud, wire, window, etc. of my house is in Auto-Sketch.  I can't think of a more relaxing way to spend an evening, or a day at the office than working on a CAD terminal.

 

Here's an idea, get a job as a CAD driver while you figure out what you want to do.

[Long Mike]

Want to be an architect?  Plan on taking every math class there is.  Algebra, trig, calculus, thermodynamics, electrical, etc.  The difficult thing about becoming an architect is that you have to be familiar with the engineering processes related to creating any structure.  The unfortunate thing about most architects and many engineers is that they create a design, but have no idea as to how Joe the Technician is supposed to implement it.

[SirSnookalot]

You like to build. Go into construction. Wanna mans job? Be an ironworker. We build bridges, sky scrapers, buildings, and other structures. Wanna mans job that requires brains? Be a electrician or, as much as it pains me to say, a pipefitter.

Really...........?

The building business, whether it be residential or commercial starts with a developer, in order to get financing the an architect's plan is usually submitted.  There is so much more than just the actual building design itself but the land away from the structure too.   Infrastructure is different as they are government projects, the architect's plans are absolutely vital. A lot of education is required to be one, more than just complicated designs, a knowledge of metals, materials, plumbing, electrical, a firm will employ experts in each one of these areas.

 

The building business is about as dependent on the economy as any biz can be, welders, pipe fitters, electricians and labor in general need work that these projects supply, there can be downtime and no real security.  Security may come from being the person in charge, as one can always try and solicit new business, not that it's great all the time.  The pressure is enormous but the reward can be too.

[Bankbeater]

I work on CAD at my job, and I'm on it probably 5 of the eight hours I'm at work.  I also work with a couple of architects.  The big gripe I have with them is that they are always shooting for a design that is aesthetically pleasing with no regard to $$$, while I am being told to get the job done with minimum cost.

[Jigfishn10]

Just because you go to school for architecture, doesn't mean you're pinned into being and architect. Many of my collegues went for archtiecture and went into various positions including Construction Management/General Contracting firms as Superintendents, Project Managers or Estimators. Some went on to work as either an Estimator or Project Manager for the various sub-trades. Heck, some own their own business in one of the various construction related trades.

 

CAD users find many positions across the industry as drafting shop and asbuilt drawings and is as much a part of the construction process as the Building Permit drawings provided by the architect. The trades that use CAD draftsmen are: Concrete, Steel Fabricators, Rebar Faricators, Glass, Doors Frames and Hardware, Flooring, HVAC, Plumbing, Sprinkler, Site, Electircal and I know I'm missing a few.

 

As far as an Architects demeanor, just remember that they get paid by the owner of the building and once an owner approves a design, the architect will make sure the owner's best interest is met. As far as one trade bashing another? There are idiots across the board, just learn to manage them and you will have a successful project.

 

Another point is, there is no project unless there is city or town approval and that starts with an architect.

 

In case you're wondering, I'm not an architect, I work for a construction management firm and went to school for arcitecture for 2 years which was a requirement to either go into a BS in architecture, construction technology or construction management. I chose tech.

 

Hope this helps.

[slonezp]

 

 

Another point is, there is no project unless there is city or town approval and that starts with an architect.

 

 

In IL it starts with greasing of the palms

[Traveler2586]

And then there is Civil Engineering.  CE's build roads, bridges, underground infrastructure, etc. 

 

But one thing in common with all of these trades is they use CAD to get their ideas on paper, in fact everything made these days use CAD in the design process.

[MCS]

Been putting more thought into what I want to do in life and architecture has always been something that's been on my mind. I've always loved building things. Played with K'NEX and LEGOs a bunch as a kid and was always building stuff. Took a drafting class in high school and thought it was fun creating technical drawings. Also used a bit of CAD and found that fun as well.

 

Wondering if there are any architects here that i could talk to about the field?

 

I am a senior civil designer for one of the largest design build construction companies in the US. I run autocad Civil 3D and have used Bentely Microstation, Land development desktop and my newest program Revit. I do site layout, grading, drainage and storm, water and sewer design. I am working with our architects and mechanical engineers to provide them with a 3D surface model and underground piping in real world coordinates for revit while they provide me a building and internal piping to connect to. It is BIM at its finest. Autocad is dumb software, nobody really uses it anymore except mom and pop or outdated firms. Civil 3D, Revit, Autodesk Plant, MEP and programs like that are the design software most large and cutting edge firms use these days. I work with civil of course as well as structural, process, electrical and mechanical engineers and architects, project managers/estimators/supers(like Jigfishin10) on a daily basis. As for some of the posts in this thread are not correct and full of half truths and assumptions. PM me if you want anyother information. I would be glad to help you out with any questions. I can also provide you with my linkedin and maybe email you some renderings, would love to post them because I think they would blow most people away but they are usually pushing close to 10 MB. It is like snook said goes with the economy I since the downturn in 2006/07 I have lived in 4 states and moved across the country 5(most paid in full) times but thank God never been laid off, partly because of the software I know how to use.

 

Shoot for designer, it is above cad drafter but doesn't require the schooling a full out engineer needs, plus after 5-10 yrs an engineer is usually past the design stage of their career and the design is the fun part. It can be a very lucritive and rewarding career if you are creative and like to think. Or Construction management is good too, very in demand right now.

[MCS]

And then there is Civil Engineering.  CE's build roads, bridges, underground infrastructure, etc. 

 

But one thing in common with all of these trades is they use CAD to get their ideas on paper, in fact everything made these days use CAD in the design process.

 We do more than that Bud! LOL EVERY site develop goes across a civils desk, who does the grading? Ponds? Parking and drives.....Civils do.

[Jigfishn10]

In IL it starts with greasing of the palms

It's practiced in more places than I thought.

I was looking at a development for a client and we were asked to look at an "offsite" piece. It turns out to be a complete rehab Of a playground across town as a condition to the development approvals!

[SirSnookalot]

It's practiced in more places than I thought.

I was looking at a development for a client and we were asked to look at an "offsite" piece. It turns out to be a complete rehab Of a playground across town as a condition to the development approvals!

I'm shocked !!!

Corruption is fact of life in just about any business I can think of, as minor as giving out xmas gifts or as major as illegal payoffs. 

[MCS]

I wouldn't nessecarily call it corrupt fact is what jig described is a little off, other side of town is a bit much, but most developments have similar stipulations...builder pay to build the school or fire station, improve roads or utilities and construct freeway exits near their proposed site to get their development through. If it wasn't this way then taxes would be higher and quality of the over city would be lower. But ultimately the consumer buying the house bites the bullet. Y'all ever see the impact fees? Jurisdictions do this as another means to fund the above mentioned or to slow development. They can be $2,500 to $25,000 per lot.

[Jigfishn10]

I'm shocked !!!

Corruption is fact of life in just about any business I can think of, as minor as giving out xmas gifts or as major as illegal payoffs.

I was trying to be polite...LMAO!

[Jigfishn10]

I wouldn't nessecarily call it corrupt fact is what jig described is a little off, other side of town is a bit much, but most developments have similar stipulations...builder pay to build the school or fire station, improve roads or utilities and construct freeway exits near their proposed site to get their development through. If it wasn't this way then taxes would be higher and quality of the over city would be lower. But ultimately the consumer buying the house bites the bullet. Y'all ever see the impact fees? Jurisdictions do this as another means to fund the above mentioned or to slow development. They can be $2,500 to $25,000 per lot.

I usually see a road widening with a left or right turn lane or both, you can see how there would be infrastructure work, but the be playground was over the top. I'm out of this one, politics is starting to get involved.

Scorcher, I hoped I helped you Bud.

[SirSnookalot]

I was trying to be polite...LMAO!

Many people don't really see it going on as they are not the ones actually handling the money.  Even in the private sector the highest bid does not always win, lot's of special little favors going on.