Architects: What Do They Do?
Because of the various topics that fall under its domain, architecture is one of those fields that offers a wide range of career options. Architects work on a variety of scales, from a single room in a house to a whole city. They plan, develop, present, and oversee a wide range of projects. Their knowledge, design skills, and artistic sense enable them to pursue other careers such as graphic design, product design, and game design.
Architect for the Home
The standardisation that followed the industrial revolution in the previous century has resulted in residential buildings that appear to be identical. Some neighbourhoods, however, continue to value the benefits of beautifully customised homes, which is where Residential Architects come in. They work with clients who want their own homes designed specifically for them. They make a list of their spatial and functional needs before beginning to design the floor plans, layouts, and elevations. They calculate material and service costs, as well as the time it will take to complete the construction and finishing.
Architect, Commercial
A well-designed building is both aesthetically pleasing and functional, with the latter varying depending on the type of space being designed. A successful commercial or public building design relies heavily on a free-flowing, self-guiding circulation system that enhances the user experience. A well-designed shopping mall, for example, makes it easy for customers to find their way and get what they need without getting lost or walking longer than necessary. That is what commercial architects are expected to do. They specialise on non-residential structures, which necessitates engineering, construction, and aesthetic abilities. It also necessitates a thorough understanding of construction laws, safety requirements, and expenses.
Designer of Interiors
Interior design and styling for an apartment, an office, or a restaurant necessitates creative sensibility as well as technical competence. Interior designers are well-versed in materials, fabrics, colours, and furniture design fundamentals. Some architects prefer to work on a large scale and avoid such details, while others, such as the pioneer Frank Lloyd Wright, prefer to do their own interior design.
Architect for Environmental Design
The work of Green Design Architects has grown increasingly important as a result of recent climatic changes and the dramatic drop in non-renewable energy resources.
Green Design Architects are in charge of creating environmentally friendly and energy-saving architectural designs. They are constantly working to develop effective green design solutions that have a low environmental impact. These architects should be well-versed in topics like as aerodynamics, sunlight, and shade, as well as material attributes.
Architect for the Environment
Outdoor spaces such as parks, gardens, neighbourhoods, campuses, and public spaces are the focus of landscape architecture. Landscape architects create these environments to be functional, interesting, and environmentally friendly. Buildings, walkways, plants, and other hardscape features are all placed correctly. Landscape architects must have a background in the science of urban horticulture in order to determine the materials for walkways and the types of trees and shrubs for green areas. They should be aware of the appropriate materials and plants for various climates and applications.
Designer of Cities
Building architecture, landscape design, and green design are just a few of the specialisations used in urban design. It is concerned with neighbourhood, district, and city scales. Buildings are grouped together by urban designers, who also design nodes, paths, and street networks. As a result, they provide the city its shape and order. They might create new cities or improve old ones. In addition, urban designers must deal with a broader range of challenges relating to the economics, politics, and culture. They must also maintain contact with the communities they serve, as these are their genuine customers.
Industrial Designer
An industrial facility’s architecture can have a big impact on how well it works. Industrial Architects specialise in creating a suitable envelope that aids the flow of the industrial process taking place inside. They have a thorough understanding of the various industrial processes and, as a result, design buildings that are both efficient and practical.
Getting to Know Yourself
Studying architecture offers the door to a variety of career options, all of which necessitate hard work, dedication, and a dash of imagination. Choosing one of them may be difficult. You can do it through trial and error or by consulting with teachers and practitioners. Consider yourself fortunate if you have always known exactly what you want.