Careers in Commercial and Institutional Architecture 9781585113880, 1585113883

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CAREERS IN COMMERCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL

ARCHITECTURE

Institute Research Number 388 ISBN 1-58511-388-3 DOT Code 001.061.010 O*NET-SOC Code 17.1011.00

CAREERS IN COMMERCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL

ARCHITECTURE YOU CAN CREATE THE CITIES OF THE FUTURE FROM SKYSCRAPERS TO SHOPPING MALLS IF JACK WERE DREAMING UP HIS BEANSTALK TODAY HE WOULD FIRST HAVE TO SURVEY

the land, test the soil, do an environmental impact study, and arrange for financing. Then he would need an architect to design the beanstalk but only after finding out if the area is zoned for a beanstalk, how tall it can grow and will it cast a shadow on other smaller plants. Jack would have to hire an engineer to ensure that the beanstalk is sturdy and can withstand high winds, storms and other natural disasters.

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The next step would be to get a building permit and then hire the construction company to build the beanstalk to the architect’s and engineer’s specifications. Jack must determine in advance who will use his beanstalk and what he will charge for access. Only after all this and much more is done can Jack start to enjoy his beanstalk and realize his dreams! Does this sound like a lot to do? Not if you are into building skyscrapers for commercial and industrial use; or hospitals for treating the sick; or churches, synagogues and mosques for religious services; or theaters, sports arenas, park facilities and restaurants for entertainment; or malls for shopping, or any other type of building you can think of. Whether they are urban, suburban or rural sites, constructing any kind of a building today requires a great deal of serious thought and meticulous planning. Some structures can be years in the planning stages before the first shovel of dirt is turned and the foundation laid. Others remain a concept and never get built. Architects and developers, sometimes one and the same, are the catalysts for these ideas and structures. They have transformed our cities and suburban areas with high- and low-rise developments that cater to our work and play times. From a Sears Tower in Chicago soaring over one hundred stories into the air, to a multiplex of movie theaters on the highway out of a small town, to a Mall of America in Minneapolis containing every retail store imaginable, to the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles that has been over years in the making – commercial architects and developers have been filling out practical needs and pleasing our visual senses for more than a century. Wherever you walk in your city or town, you will see buildings designed by architects and built by developers and construction companies. The style of their designs can range from the Renaissance to the ridiculous. They come in all shapes and sizes, colors and materials. They elicit extremes from high praise to raucous criticism. They do more than fill a space, they make an artistic statement. They are the creations of men and women whose profession ideally blends the best of art, science and commerce – the commercial architect. In this report you will explore the commercial and institutional structures that surround and impact our lives when we are away from home. Many of the examples of architectural trends and traditions come from Chicago, which boasts some of the finest architecture to be found anywhere in the country.

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ARCHITECTURE: THE PROFESSION WHAT MAKES A BUILDING DESIGN SPECIAL TO THE INDIVIDUAL WHO LOOKS AT IT

from a purely aesthetic viewpoint? Can you think of a building in your area that is appealing to your sense of form and function and gives you pleasure every time you see it. Can you describe it now from memory. One popular building in downtown Chicago is at 333 West Wacker Drive right at the junction where the north and south branches of the Chicago River divide. It is a 36-story, curving green glass wedge that reflects surrounding buildings as well as clouds and shadows. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox with Perkins & Will about 20 years ago, this internationally acclaimed building is a visual wonder of grace and form. Pedestrian eyes are automatically drawn to its ever-changing reflections. This is what the architect hopes to elicit from the design; a structure that will be important to the area it is serving, graceful and functional to those who must use it, and always pleasing to those who must pass it every day. And while beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, the architect strives to create a structure that will cause more smiles than frowns. Architecture combines the art and science of constructing buildings. Architects are the professionals who are in the business of dreaming up new structures, but they must know and understand the science behind the artistic design. Many consider architecture a high-status profession where achievements have a respected place in society. In truth, only a small number of architects ever reach the elevated pinnacle of national and international success. For every Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, I. M. Pei, or Philip Johnson, to name a few of the internationally famous architects, there are thousands of successful architects who will never design monumental structures for important clients, but who will make their mark at a local level with functional building designs for numerous practical purposes in cities and towns throughout America. Fame is fleeting. Even famous architects are only as famous as their last building design. Most architects are known for their steady and ongoing work over a long period of time and eventually may achieve some recognition for their innovative and excellent designs. Whether it’s a new bank or a new school, most architects just want their designs to be appreciated by those who will use their buildings. If in this process they can come up with a new direction in form and style, technology or 4

methods of design, then they will have achieved a professional enrichment while contributing to the architectural culture of the community. Computer technology helped change architecture and the work of the architect in the 20th century. And virtual-reality architecture is the latest technological innovation in the 21st. Donning high-tech goggles and using three-dimensional projections, virtual-reality architects and their clients and co-workers can explore and envision an unbuilt structure right down to the lighting and shadows it casts on the neighborhood.

New Trends in Architecture Many in the profession would like to see architects take a more responsible role in designing structures that address the social and environmental needs of today. They believe that schools of architecture are not providing an adequate or appropriate education for their students. In recent years this viewpoint has spawned alternative educational resources. Two professionals, a well-known architect and a designer, teamed up several years ago to found Archeworks, an alternative design school, in Chicago. This accredited program accepts applications from 30 qualifying interns each year, who, after the successful completion of the full academic year, will earn the equivalent of a one-year professional degree which can be transferred to an affiliated institution. It also has a Continuing Education accredited program for working professionals. This program is supported financially by corporations, foundations and the design industry. This school’s philosophy “is radically constructed around the networking of design disciplines, one reinforcing another. This academic structure is purposefully presented with the conviction that no one discipline can adequately address all the issues that are involved in finding a solution for the multiplicity of challenges in urban society today.” To learn more about this architectural viewpoint, visit the Archeworks Web site www.archeworks.org. Down through the ages, civilization and architecture have been inseparable. We associate a period in history with its architecture. The Greek and Roman temples, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Pavilions of Asia, Gothic cathedrals and Renaissance churches. Architecture expresses the culture and social conditions of a time and place. The architect contributes to culture’s inventory of ideas and artifacts, no matter how large or small, and this is an important motivation for cultural enrichment.

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ARCHITECTURE: THE FIELD THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE IN THIS COUNTRY AS A DISTINCT FORMALIZED CAREER IS A

little more than a century old. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) was founded in 1857, and the first degree program in architecture was started at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1868, followed by Cornell University in 1871. In other parts of the world, builders and architects were usually the same person, with some having more artistic and technical schooling than others. The first architects on our shores were immigrants who brought their knowledge, ideas and tools with them to the New World. As America spread across the continent and grew in population, architecture became important to our way of life as buildings were designed and constructed to be used as offices, banks, shops, schools, houses of worship, hospitals, restaurants and inns, entertainment and recreation centers. The skyscraper was born as was the multi-use or mixed-use structure. America pioneered many concepts in architecture, including the first use of a steel skeleton frame to support an exterior wall. The Manhattan Building in Chicago’s South Loop was designed in the 1880s by William Le Baron Jenney, whose many innovations became the early commercial high-rise model for today’s urban skyscrapers. Jenney’s office was the center for young architects who came to Chicago to help rebuild the city after the Great Fire of 1871. They included Louis Sullivan, William Holabird, Daniel Burnham and Martin Roche. Their impact on the city can be seen even today as Chicago strives to protect its beautiful lakefront and park system designed by Daniel Burnham. Holabird and Roche designed the Stevens Hotel, which is now the Chicago Hilton and Towers. When this massive, 25-story hotel was completed in the 1920s, it was the largest in the world, with 3,000 guest rooms, an 18-hole rooftop golf course, and its own hospital. A renovation in 1986 restored it to prominence again. There are thousands of such examples in cities and towns across the country. From an art gallery below with lofts above in New York City’s Soho, to a renovated 19th-century commercial block in Denver; from an urban complex complete with shopping mall, hotel and office building in Center City Philadelphia, to an upscale department store in St. Louis; and from an award-winning bank design in Dallas to a corporate headquarters in San Francisco – architects continue to design structures of all shapes and sizes to compliment our landscape, and define and refine our culture.

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THE BUILDING PROCESS COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS GET BUILT BECAUSE OF SPECIFIC NEEDS, WHETHER

currently existing or potentially for the future. Once the need to build is recognized, then the process begins in earnest. The needs, like problems, will be solved if something is built in this space. There are established objectives and requirements for a new structure. The architect must be involved with most, if not all stages, of any building project.

Site Once the need has been established, the first order of business is to locate a place that meets that need. The site comes into play. A piece of property that is either owned by the developer or leased from someone else must be secured. Most building projects rarely get considered without the all-important site that will eventually hold the structure.

Resources After the need and site have been identified, the developer has to gather the resources and expertise necessary to turn ideas into reality. The most essential resource is money to pay for all the costs in developing the project. These include costs for the acquisition of the site, all architectural and engineering fees, legal and accounting fees, administration and market analysis costs, financing fees and interest on debt, the costs of advertising and public relations, selling and leasing costs, insurance premiums, permits for zoning and building, and all the construction costs for labor, equipment and material.

Financing Probably the most important part of a building development is the financing. Without adequate financing, nothing can be built. There are several major types of financing: Equity funding are at-risk monies, including the developer’s own money or money from other investors such as partners, stockholders and/or contributors. Should this income-producing building project fail, the equity invested in it may never be recovered. Debt funding which are borrowed monies where the developer enters into a legal obligation to repay these monies, with interest, and in a specified time period. Public monies where bonds are issued as IOUs to finance public building projects such as schools, hospitals, transportation facilities, etc. In addition, many nonprofits such as museums, performing arts centers, religious structures, and schools are built from capital campaigns

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that raise funds through donations, grants, the sale of any marketable assets, and/or budgetary appropriations.

Design As the developer solidifies financing, the architect is working on basic design strategies with the engineer. There are literally hundreds of potentially conflicting factors in developing the basic design, including budgetary constraints and site conditions. Zoning ordinances, building codes, environmental regulations, density regulations, building configurations, construction permits and more must have their own review and/or hearings before a go-ahead is given. In addition there are citizens groups, government agencies, and local and state laws that must approve development proposals before construction begins. Each interested party could have its own design criteria which makes for many potential conflicts. All this requires the architect to have a great deal of time, patience, ongoing dialogue, persuasion, and sensitivity to eventually get approval and keep the design and projected budget as close to the original concept as possible.

Engineering Structural, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers all play an important and critical role in the building of a large commercial structure. They take the architect’s approved design and, working closely with the architect, determine whether the structure as planned will work. Structural engineers are concerned with the load-bearing portions of the structure such as the sizes and dimensions of the frame, floors, roof, walls, as well as types of materials to be used. In addition, they lay out the details for connecting the heating, air-conditioning, ventilating, plumbing and electrical systems that will precede the work of the mechanical and electrical engineers. Civil engineers take the architect’s preliminary site plan showing the position and shape of the proposed structure and then design site grading, roads, storm water systems, water supply and sanitary sewer systems, bridges and other needed utilities.

Specialization Many building projects such as theaters, religious sanctuaries, schools, hotels, museums, hospitals and others can have unique problems from lighting to acoustics to security to food service operations, that are handled by specialized engineers or consultants. A good example would be a lighting consultant whose concern is illuminating the interior and exterior of the structure, using both daylight and electric lighting. Another would be the acoustical engineers whose job is to get the right amount of sound through transmission, reflection and absorption. 8

There are also theater consultants, kitchen consultants, healthcare design consultants, security consultants, and exhibition and graphics consultants. It is the responsibility of the architect to select all these various professionals and coordinate each effort so that the completed structure is as perfect as possible.

Construction Properly executing an architect’s design is the responsibility of the construction contractor. This is the most costly part of financing the building process. Architects are very concerned about construction because it is the realization of their design, and the developer’s satisfaction depends on how well the construction contractor builds the structure. The general contractor usually depends on a variety of subcontractors to complete specific parts or phases of the construction, as well as separate suppliers to furnish the myriad of materials and equipment needed. The architect spends a lot of time at the construction site to ensure that the quality of the construction does justice to the design.

Exterior Another important element in the building process is the landscape. Architects select and work with landscape architects and designers to specify, lay out, install and maintain trees, shrubs, ground cover and other plant materials. This could apply to anything from the lawns in front of an office building to a park system, from a suburban subdivision to an urban master plan.

Interior Even though some architects consider themselves also to be interior designers, it is usually the decision of the developer to hire professional designers and decorators to complete the interior of a structure. The line is sometimes fuzzy between where the building architect’s design stops and where the decorator’s begins, because the interior design must be an integral coordinated part of the architecture of the structure. There are also lawyers, insurers, administration types and more to have their say in the building process. The building process of a major structure is long-term and complex and requires the architect’s complete attention for a considerable period.

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THE FIRST FOUNDATIONS ARCHITECTURE IS AS OLD AS HUMAN CIVILIZATION. THE FIRST STRUCTURES WERE THE

caves where earth’s inhabitants found shelter and safety. The first recorded human-built structures were those of Babylonians and Assyrians more than six thousand years ago. The ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians created massive structures, whole cities, and pyramids, many still standing today. The word architect comes from the Greek meaning builder, craftsman. When the first European settlers arrived in the New World, there were about two hundred nations of Native Americans who had their own brand of architectural traditions from single dwellings to multi-purpose structures. Europeans brought their traditional ideas and tools to our shores. Everyone became a builder of sorts. Western pioneers built log cabins on property they had claimed in the wilderness. The construction of a major structure such as a church, school or meeting place became a project for everyone in the community and involved considerable time and effort on the part of many citizens. By the time of the American Revolution, journeymen carpenters were designing and building most structures following English tradition and using English architectural books and builders’ guides for counsel. It was Thomas Jefferson who hoped to set the tone for the new nation through his major architectural works of Monticello, the Virginia State Capitol, and the University of Virginia, all completed between 1772 and 1826. Jefferson held to the belief that “the right environment could uplift minds and promote civic virtue.” The new nation’s first professional architect was English émigré Benjamin Latrobe who shared Jefferson’s thinking and designed the Bank of Pennsylvania and the Baltimore Cathedral between 1798 and 1821. But his engineering feats were even more appreciated when he designed the Philadelphia water system between 1798 and 1801. Urbanization came to America in the 1800s with the building of banks, exchanges, commercial structures and public markets. There was also great need for asylums such as prisons, orphanages, almshouses and mental hospitals, that were kept on the outskirts of cities. The first instance of American architecture influencing European design came in 1823 when the English architect, John Haviland, designed Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, “with its radical arrangement of cell blocks around a central control station.” The same belief in civic improvement through the environment fueled the first park system in the 1830s and culminated in landscape architect 10

Frederick Law Olmsted’s majestic Central Park in New York City, created between 1857 and 1880. American architecture began emerging as distinctive and original with native building materials, ornaments, patterns and more, that resulted in factories, museums, libraries and magnificent homes in the manner of European castles, but with American style. Business districts would soon be transformed by another architectural innovation called the skyscraper. By the 1880s, architects and engineers in Chicago and New York were experimenting with new framing systems to achieve greater height in buildings. The prototypes were 10 stories, then 20, and as they say – the rest is history. By the turn of the 20th century, private business interests encouraged municipalities to build majestic civic centers. Washington, DC underwent such a change in 1902 and was soon joined by cities across the country. A “City Beautiful” movement in urban areas like San Francisco, Chicago, Denver and dozens of other cities commissioned Beaux-Arts museums and libraries alongside city halls. In Detroit, architect Albert Kahn, transformed the American factory into a sprawling industrial plant for automobile assembly lines. Architects John Nolen and Ernest Flagg experimented with planned industrial towns. Architects Rapp & Rapp, Thomas Lamb and Joseph Urban transformed movie houses and theaters into flights of fantasy. Art Deco detailing enriched department stores and other buildings. There was architectural competition for every major building that was proposed. The 1922 competition for the Tribune Tower in Chicago attracted more than 250 entries, with the winning design a Gothic fantasy by Howells & Hood. New York City’s zoning regulations of 1916 stated the need to control the height and use of buildings in order to protect the public interest and assure investors of future stability. The result was a new skyscraper style that combined set-backs, maximized light and air. This process culminated between 1927 and 1935 with the building of Rockefeller Center by the architectural firm of Reinhard & Hofmeister, with Harvey Wiley Corbett and Raymond Hood. By the end of World War II, the “glass box” look of modernist aesthetic architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe characterized the American skyscraper design. The internationally-known architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill produced this type of design with their Lever House in New York City (1952), the Crown Zellerbach Building in San Francisco (1959), and the John Hancock Center (1970) and 104-story Sears Tower (1974) both in Chicago. The “expressionistic architects” included 11

Frank Lloyd Wright who, in addition to his homes in the Midwest, also was famous for his structures such as the Guggenheim Museum in New York City (1956-1959). The 21st century is waiting for its new brand of architects to make structures more relevant to the times and to take building in new directions. Could that architect be you?

ARCHITECTURAL CAREER TRACKS COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTS ARE GENERALLY INVOLVED IN ALL PHASES OF DESIGN AND

construction. The phases break down as conceptual (the general idea or understanding), schematic (systemic plan or design), design development (details of the arrangement of the parts), and construction documentation (the concept becomes reality). All architects must be proficient in the use of computers. More and more the hand drawing and blueprint are being replaced by computer renderings. New advances in technology and software programs are making the architect’s work easier and more complex at the same time. Easier because a design can be manipulated in many ways, but more complex because of what can be anticipated and projected. Design Architects create the overall aesthetic presentation of a structure. Normally, with years of experience, the design architect works on both the conceptual and schematic phases of a building process. Project Architects work with the engineers to make sure that the design is workable and the building can indeed be built. They design development documents which are far more detailed than the original plans. Project Managers ensure that the building process stays on target, on time and on budget. Many of these professionals are architects. Project managers see that the team meets regularly and is able to meet the already established deadlines. Construction Administrators oversee the actual construction of the building. They must know every last detail of a design plan and work with the architects and engineers to ensure that plans and documents are in order and followed. Draftspersons can help create design documents, but their major responsibility is the creation of construction documents, which is the laying out of every detail of a building from every support beam to the placement of every sink. Many architects just starting out or completing an internship will get work as a draftsperson to gain more experience. 12

WHERE WORK CAN BE FOUND WHILE THE LEVEL OF NEW CONSTRUCTION TENDS TO RISE AND FALL SOMEWHAT,

people will always need new places in which to live, work, play, learn, worship, govern, meet, shop and eat. Professional architects must be trained in the art and science of design to help protect public health, safety and welfare. They transform these needs into concepts and then develop the concepts into building images that can be constructed. Architects, design architects, project architects, project managers, construction administrators and draftspersons work for large and small architectural firms; city, state and federal government agencies; corporations; nonprofits; associations; and developers. Many are in private practice. Architects are also journalists for newspapers and periodicals, as well as teachers and professors in colleges and universities. Opportunities for work can be found in every city and town across the country and even around the world. It may be a one-story bank building in a small town, or a multi-purpose shopping mall in a suburban area, or a 70-story office skyscraper in a city’s financial district, or an art and education center in a neighborhood, or a church in a new subdivision – structures are always being designed and built for people. Here are some other options to consider:

Communications This is a growing area of architecture, as writers, editors and critics bring a special insight into the workings of the profession. Work can include writing, editing, or photography for a professional journal, newspaper, book publisher or magazine, and editorial assignments for public agencies, corporations, foundations, and professional and trade associations.

Corporate Architects can work in the real estate, design, construction, and facilities management divisions of commercial and industrial enterprises, schools, universities, healthcare facilities, and other institutions. Here an architect can provide a full range of professional services or select other architects and consultants while coordinating and approving their services, as the client’s representative.

Government Many architects are attracted to government service at all levels as the best way to contribute to public planning, design and construction policy. Jobs include staff designers and construction contract administrators, managers of design and construction programs, program 13

planners, application processors, site evaluators, facilities specialists, researchers and standards developers.

Teaching The American Institute of Architects estimates that there are about three thousand architects teaching in a professional degree program in a college or university, or in a technical or vocational school. Many educators maintain individual practices, or are active in research covering a wide range of areas such as architectural history, energy conservation, preservation, building technology and computer applications.

COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTS TALK ABOUT THEIR CAREERS I’m an Architect Specializing in Malls & Shopping Centers “I became an architect to design soaring structures that make statements and contribute to the culture of the area and city. My first job out of college was with an architectural firm that designed and developed office buildings, 40-stories or less. I soon discovered that my lofty goals were unrealistic. There are many designs for soaring structures, but only a handful that ever get built. So I settled down to learn about the architecture of my city and to soak up all the knowledge I could from my colleagues. During the almost 10 years I spent with this firm, I learned how to be a responsible architect by helping design office structures that enhance the work day for those who use the building and contribute to the value of the area. I worked on numerous designs and saw three become reality. It was a very good feeling to know that I had a small part in the design of a particular edifice. Even today, when I walk past those buildings, I still feel an exhilaration of accomplishment.

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I liked what I was doing, but I wanted to broaden my vistas and create different types of structures. Fourteen years ago, I moved my young family into a suburban area that was expanding. A new shopping mall was being constructed, and I used to drive by and watch the progress. One day I stopped to talk to the construction boss, but the architect was also there. We talked and my life changed. Six months later I became part of the firm that specializes in designing and developing malls and shopping centers. I could not be happier. My work is creatively challenging. Those who think that designing these structures isn’t serious architecture have no idea of what it takes to put together a mall. I am not talking about a few stores along the highway. I am talking about the structures that are mini-cities with shops, restaurants, offices, movie theaters and more. They are either all enclosed or partially enclosed, with walkways, grouped seating areas, landscaping with flowers, trees and shrubs, and so much more. You have a client who owns a piece of land and wants to build a shopping center on that land. My work is to see that the developer’s goal gets realized. After many conversations about zoning codes, traffic patterns, size and shape of the structure, possible tenants, parking, and other concerns, I am ready, along with my colleagues, to make some design suggestions. This is a long and laborious process as it is important to satisfy the client while keeping the design workable and aesthetically attractive. During my years here, I have been the lead architect on two major shopping centers as well as a contributor for two more. I am a partner in a thriving firm. We have a good reputation for design and development. I really love what I do and feel that I am contributing to the enrichment of the areas we build in. I hope to be able to be a practicing architect for as long as my legs can take me places.”

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I Am a Construction Administrator “I am the point person in the construction of a building. I work with architects, clients and contractors to make sure that the construction goes according to the plans. I help resolve conflicts and see that contractors are correct in assembling every last detail of the structure as specified in the plans and documents. My father was a building contractor for a home builder, and I learned to read his blueprints when I was young. I thought I wanted to be an architect, but after a year’s study in college, I changed my program to computers. I somehow felt architecture would be too confining for me. I wanted more that being in an office. During my summer breaks from college I worked in construction. Tough physical work, but the pay is great. I watched construction administrators on a number of jobs I worked and thought I could do that. In my last year of college I started writing to architectural firms in my area and elsewhere who were also big developers and asked about training to become a construction administrator. I had absorbed enough architecture study and was proficient in computers, to be considered by two firms. One was a large international firm with hundreds of people. The other, a smaller 16

one is where I went, and where I am eight years later. I made the right decision. I would have been lost in the larger firm and never have had the kinds of opportunities I got and enjoy now. When you drive by a construction site and see those trailers parked on the side, one of them is my on-site office. I am on-site all day long, and generally at least once a day, so are the architect and the client. It is important to keep all communication lines open and resolve minor differences before they become major problems. My biggest challenges on the site are with the contractors and subcontractors – workers who do not show up for the day, bad weather that delays certain work, conflicts between who does what, and so on. I am responsible for ensuring that whatever else happens, the project moves forward with as little delay as possible. I am very happy in my work. When I see one of my structures completed, I may not have designed it, but I sure had a hand in building it. That is a good feeling.”

I’m An Architect With the City “I became an architect because I love to draw and am good at it. My father owned a print shop before he retired and sold the business, and my sister is a graphic art designer for an advertising agency. Drawing, designing, and planning are in my blood. My interest in architecture began in my junior year in high school. Due to overcrowding, a new high school was being proposed and, as a member of the student council, I attended several of the meetings to listen to the plans. I was fascinated by the two architects who were charged with presenting a viable rendition for a new school building. After the third meeting I talked to one of the architects about the profession and was steered to several books and periodicals in the public library. I began researching the field and the more I learned the more I liked architecture. By the time I was ready to apply to college, I was only considering those schools that had an accredited degree program in architecture.

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I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1997 as cities across the nation were gearing up for the new millennium. I decided to start my career in government and, after an intensive three-month search, I was hired in the planning department of the city where I was born, raised and still reside. They had a number of projects on the drawing boards in various stages of planning, design and development, and were expanding the department to meet the needs of a new century. It was very exciting to hear about, and the realization is living up to my expectations. There are a number of major projects the city has undertaken to begin the new century and they are moving ahead. I am mainly involved in the expansion and renovation of the parks system. I really like working on this project because it involves buildings, landscapes, beach and recreational areas, energy, and conservation. These are the places that help make a city livable. Our parks system is vast and in need of attention, and these current and projected expansions and renovations will keep the system viable and growing for the foreseeable future. Because I am still in the early learning stages, I do whatever is asked of me. Actually, this is my internship time. Next year I will be eligible to take the architect’s registration exam and hopefully pass and become a fully professional architect. Now, I attend in-house meetings as well as neighborhood meetings for community input. I take notes at the meetings and send the highlights to my colleagues. I answer correspondence regarding the work on the parks system. I help write news releases and other communications, and I listen and learn. This is a great way for me to start my career in architecture. I am involved in some small way in every phase of this project, which will take some years to fully complete. But as each segment is finished and we take a moment to celebrate, there is a wonderful sense of accomplishment and the reward of seeing more families using the park’s facilities.”

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WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME AN ARCHITECT IF YOU ARE ARTISTICALLY-INCLINED, LIKE TO DRAW – ESPECIALLY ON COMPUTERS – ARE

good at mathematics, enjoy walking in any area and looking at buildings, then architecture may be for you. Chicago architect, Stanley Tigerman, believes that young people should think long and hard about their career choices because it could mean your whole life. “For those who think they want to go into a career like architecture and really want to sustain themselves, there has to be some resonance in that field of discipline that would cause them to stay. Most architects know, whether they practice it or not, that architecture is an ethical pursuit. Architecture is not about aesthetics alone, and it is not about remunerative rewards. It is about something that you are absolutely passionate about. I haven’t worked a day in my life, even though I put in long hours every day. Because I love what I do, it just isn’t work for me.” The prospective architect must have a talent for expression through ideas and designs. Drawing, mathematics, science, language, computers, social studies, history and more come together in the ideas and designs. No matter how large or small the design, the opportunity to make a contribution to the culture of an area, a city, a state or the world, is what the professional strives for. Personal characteristics such as self-confidence, ambition, dedication, persistence, empathy, patience, leadership, courage and passion are important to achieving architectural goals. This is a discipline where criticism and negative judgments run rampant, and the professional who lacks confidence, persistence and resilience will find the going tough and even devastating. The love of drawing, of form, is all-important. All kinds of structures, spaces in these structures, urban spaces, and landscapes must be as natural to an architect as writing is for a journalist. The drawing techniques that architects develop and master are unique to this profession. This is creativity and intellectual fulfillment at its best. Drawing is personal, and that’s what makes the architect’s work so unique. In addition, architects need technical aptitude, graphic and visual skills, communication skills, organizational skills, and a good memory to store and recall information, images and ideas. All of these qualities reflect the multi-disciplinary nature of this profession. In essence, architects are artists, craftspersons, technologists, social scientists, historians, managers, theoreticians, philosophers and gamblers all rolled into one. 19

THE PLUSES OF THE CAREER THIS IS A CAREER THAT AFFORDS RESPECT AND EVEN SOME SOCIAL STATUS.

Designing and developing buildings can be fulfilling and a great boost for the ego. For some, architecture can bring fame and recognition along with wealth. For most, it is a good, solid career that brings with it a comfortable income. Whether the design is very small or very large, architectural structures add to the cultural enrichment of an area. Structures like Rockefeller Center and the Sears Tower become world renowned and bring fame to their designers and developers. Architecture is creativity at its best. It is very rewarding to think and imagine, and then create a structure that will be used by others. In many instances, the architect is not merely designing a piece of public art but also rendering a public service. Architects like to think of themselves as humanists and humanitarians. There is excitement in the design and then seeing that design become a structure. This means that the architect has overcome the many obstacles associated with bringing a concept to reality. There can be intellectual and emotional fulfillment in architecture when the art and the science come together in reality. Skills, talents and the desire to succeed commercially all shape the career of the architect.

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THE NEGATIVES BECOMING AN ARCHITECT IS LESS THAN WONDERFUL FOR MANY. FIRST, THE ODDS ARE

that many who try will never become a licensed architect because statistics reveal that almost half of those starting out never make it to the finish line. Study is long and hard, and so is the licensing process. The lack of work sends many architects into related fields. Work for firms and employment for individuals are tied to the economy. When it is good, many buildings are built. When it is in recession then the field suffers. Plus, the handful of large, international, well-connected firms get the plum assignments while the rest of the field must be happy with the pits. The competition is fierce as sometimes dozens of firms are competing for the same job. To win, architects must be aggressive, and even ruthless, in their pursuit of a client. Competition today involves marketing and public relations campaigns that cost more money than many architects make in a year. The big money you make is largely a myth. Everyone reads about the prominence and wealth of some architects. But, for every one of those, there are thousands who are earning moderate incomes. And incomes fluctuate greatly depending upon the economy, which means that for every year of feast, there may be at least one year of famine. Most architects lack power and control over their work and rarely experience public recognition. There is frequent criticism, rejection and judgment of the work. Architecture means taking risks along with the investment of time, effort, and emotional and physical energy. The roadblocks, financial insecurities and other uncertainties make architecture a very difficult field to enter and to succeed in.

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EDUCATION AND TRAINING LIKE MANY PROFESSIONAL CAREERS, ARCHITECTURE REQUIRES A SOLID EDUCATION

and ongoing training to keep up with the latest developments. In the United States, you cannot practice architecture unless you have a license, and you can’t get a license unless you have a degree in architecture from an accredited school of architecture. Admission to most schools of architecture is very competitive and acceptance is strongly influenced by high school grades, class rank, aptitude and achievement scores. The candidate should plan a college preparatory program that emphasizes English, history, social studies, mathematics, physics, foreign languages and computers. There are over 100 accredited schools of architecture throughout the US, and the best way to identify them is through directories at your school and/or public library. Some of these school offer summer programs for high school students. There are a number of options you can follow in obtaining a degree in architecture: An undergraduate, four-year program leading to a BS (Bachelor of Science) or a BA (Bachelor of Arts) degree. This is not an accredited professional degree program, and you will have two-to-three years more in a graduate degree program to earn an accredited professional degree. An undergraduate, five-year program leading to the B.Arch. (Bachelor of Architecture) degree. This is an accredited professional degree. This is a preferred route because a five-year program is less costly than a six -or seven-year program. Plus there is a continuity from first year through fifth as the program immerses the student in architectural techniques. A graduate, professional degree program leading to the M.Arch (Master of Architecture) designation. This is the degree for those who graduate with a BA or BS degree and continue to graduate school. These programs require two- to three-years. Students can take both their undergraduate and graduate programs at the same university. For students having an undergraduate degree in a major other than architecture, there is a graduate degree program that leads to the first accredited degree in architecture, and that is usually the M.Arch degree.

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These are usually sought by older students or those returning to school after working for a few years. Degrees in the arts and humanities, engineering, science, business, or the social sciences would be good matches for architecture. While almost all post professional degree programs are at the master’s level, there are some PhD degree programs with specific topics or areas of study specified.

Licensed To Be an Architect Every state licenses architects and requires applicants to pass a rigorous, four-day architect registration examination. It is necessary to be licensed in the state in which you will work. Most states will require you to have a first-professional degree from a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) school of architecture. In addition, you must have completed at least a three-year internship period in an architectural firm to be eligible to take the examination. Once licensed, architects need to continue their education and training. Many schools offer continuing education classes because the need to keep up with new building technology, human behavior research, and environmental and code requirements is a must for architects. Architects also attend conferences, serve on panels, write and deliver papers, pen articles for newspapers and association journals and more.

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WHAT ARCHITECTS CAN EARN ANYONE CONTEMPLATING A CAREER CHOICE WANTS TO KNOW IF THEY CAN MAKE

money. Earning a comfortable income is necessary, but the money should never be the sole reason you enter a career. Every field of endeavor has its stars – the handful of men and women who become rich and famous – while the rest make a good living. In the final analysis, what you accomplish and how satisfied you are is priceless. Having said that, it is important for you to know that the majority of architects in the country are in the middle income range. A few are at the top and a few are barely making it. Here are some recent earnings estimates:

Draftsperson or Intern Architect $30,000 - $50,000 Design Architect $50,000 - $70,000 Project Architect $60,000 - $80,000 Project Manager $75,000 - $150,000 Principal/Partner of a firm $200,000-$500,000 and more Construction administrators’ earnings depend upon the size of the job and the responsibility. Incomes can start at $50,000 and go up from there. These are all median income figures and can go up or down depending upon the expertise and experience of the individual, the part of the country they work in, the scope of the project and more. How much you eventually earn can depend upon your talent, experience, dedication, drive, opportunities and the economy.

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MAKE YOUR OWN OPPORTUNITIES YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE.

It is important that you start your thought process and research early so that you have all the information available to make a choice compatible with your talents and interests. If commercial architecture is in your future then there are some things you should be doing. Blair Kamin, Architecture Critic for the Chicago Tribune, suggests that anyone interested in going into architecture needs to have “a love of buildings in cities because architecture is all about making spaces for people that serve their everyday uses. Something that just isn’t functional, but also uplifting and beautiful.” So, if you are not already thinking about your career now is definitely the time to start. Here are a few suggestions to help you start: Read at least one introductory book on the career or careers that interest you. Talk to school guidance counselors, family and friends for their input. Visit appropriate companies and firms in your area and talk with professionals. Try to get a summer job in one of these companies or firms. Contact the colleges, universities and technical schools you want to attend. Contact your state employment agency office for career planning literature. Read employment news in the daily newspapers, magazines and other publications. Use the library and the Internet for resources. The 21st century will hold a myriad of opportunities for those who make things happen. If you sit on the sidelines you will not be able to participate. A new century means new challenges and new innovations. One hundred years ago America was building one-story buildings. Today, one hundred-plus-story buildings are not uncommon. What type of structure will adorn the cities at the turn of the next century? You can be part of this march into the future. You can make your own opportunities by taking nothing for granted and keeping on top of situations. Be aware of the world around you. Architecture is an expression of the times and you can be a part of it. Your future success depends upon you – make the most of it. 25

ASSOCIATIONS n

American Association of Engineering Societies www.aaes.org

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American Institute of Architects www.aia.org

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American Society of Interior Designers www.asid.org

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American Society of Landscape Architects www.asla.org

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Associated General Contractors of America www.agc.org

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National Architectural Accrediting Board www.naab.org

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National Society of Professional Engineers www.nspe.org

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Society of Architectural Historians www.sah.org

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PERIODICALS n

AIA Journal/Architecture www.aia.org

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Architectural Digest www.archdigest.com

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Architectural Record www.archrecord.com

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Contract Design www.contractmagazine.com

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Journal of Architectural Education www.mitpress.mit.edu

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Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians www.sah.org

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Real Estate sections of your local newspapers

COPYRIGHT 2005 Institute For Career Research CHICAGO CAREERS INTERNET DATABASE www.careers-internet.org

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