Architects
Overview
Architects design and plan buildings like houses, offices, and factories by working closely with clients to understand their needs and create detailed blueprints. They use computer software and hand-drawing skills to create scaled designs, estimate costs, and manage construction projects from start to finish. This career combines creativity with technical skills, requiring strong math and science knowledge, and often involves collaborating with engineers, contractors, and clients in both office and construction site environments. Many architects today work in hybrid settings, splitting time between design studios and project sites.
Did you know?
Architects in the United States must obtain state licensure through completing an accredited degree program, gaining supervised experience, and passing the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).
At a Glance
$91,743.53 Avg/yr
Median Wage
Fast Growing
Growth
Troubleshooting
Top Skill
Key Responsibilities
- Design environmentally sound structural upgrades to existing buildings, such as natural lighting systems, green roofs, or rainwater collection systems.
- Monitor the work of specialists, such as electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, interior designers, or sound specialists to ensure optimal form or function of designs or final structures.
- Calculate potential energy savings by comparing estimated energy consumption of proposed design to baseline standards.
- Meet with clients to review or discuss architectural drawings.
- Plan layouts of structural architectural projects.
- Prepare operating and maintenance manuals, studies, or reports.
- Direct activities of technicians engaged in preparing drawings or specification documents.
- Prepare scale drawings or architectural designs, using computer-aided design or other tools.
- Administer construction contracts.
- Represent clients in obtaining bids or awarding construction contracts.
- Prepare contract documents for building contractors.
- Create three-dimensional or interactive representations of designs, using computer-assisted design software.
- Design or plan construction of green building projects to minimize adverse environmental impact or conserve energy.
- Prepare information regarding design, structure specifications, materials, color, equipment, estimated costs, or construction time.
- Gather information related to projects' environmental sustainability or operational efficiency.
- Develop final construction plans that include aesthetic representations of the structure or details for its construction.
- Conduct periodic on-site observations of construction work to monitor compliance with plans.
- Integrate engineering elements into unified architectural designs.
- Consult with clients to determine functional or spatial requirements of structures.
- Develop marketing materials, proposals, or presentations to generate new work opportunities.
- Plan or design structures such as residences, office buildings, theatres, factories, or other structural properties in accordance with environmental, safety, or other regulations.
- Design structures that incorporate environmentally friendly building practices or concepts, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
- Inspect proposed building sites to determine suitability for construction.
- Perform predesign services, such as feasibility or environmental impact studies.
Career Considerations
Professional Licensing Requirements
Architects in the United States must obtain state licensure through completing an accredited degree program, gaining supervised experience, and passing the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).
Market Specialization
Success in the competitive American architecture market often requires developing expertise in specific areas such as sustainable design, healthcare facilities, or residential construction.
Economic Sensitivity
Architecture careers are closely tied to construction and real estate cycles, making employment and project availability highly sensitive to economic conditions and interest rates.