Architects design new buildings and suggest alterations to existing buildings.

It takes around seven years of study and training to qualify as an architect.

What does an architect do? Typical employers | qualifications and training | key skills

Architects create designs for new construction projects, alterations and redevelopments. They
use their specialist construction knowledge and high-level drawing skills to design buildings that
are functional, safe, sustainable and aesthetically pleasing.

Architects stay involved throughout the construction process, adapting their plans according to
budget constraints, environmental factors or client needs. As such, they operate as part of an
overall project design team, working closely with a range of construction professionals from
quantity surveyors to building services engineers.

Typical work activities include:

 Creating building designs and highly detailed drawings both by hand and by using
specialist computer-aided design (cad) applications
 Liaising with construction professionals about the feasibility of potential projects
 Working around constraining factors such as town planning legislation, environmental
impact and project budget
 Working closely with a team of other professionals such as building service engineers,
construction managers, quantity surveyors and architectural technologists
 Applying for planning permission and advice from governmental new build and legal
departments
 Writing and presenting reports, proposals, applications and contracts
 Specifying the requirements for the project
 Adapting plans according to circumstances and resolving any problems that may arise
during construction
 Playing a part in project and team management
 Travelling regularly to building sites, proposed locations and client meetings

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8 traits needed to be a great architect

Want to design the world's next iconic building? Check out our guide on the essential traits

needed for an architecture career.

By khairunnisa saprik

16 sep 2020

34.2k

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Keen to pursue a career in architecture? To succeed in this field, it will help to have certain
qualities that will give you an edge over your competition. We’ve outlined some of these
characteristics and personality traits for you below. But before we explain these, it is important
that you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into.
 

What is architecture?

Architecture is the science and art of designing and engineering buildings and large-scale
structures. Someone who studies this field will be interested in both the sciences and arts. In fact,
the admissions requirements for architecture degree programmes often include both an artistic
ability and proficiency in mathematics. A career in architecture is rewarding personally and
financially, which is why it is a highly sought-after profession.
 

Traits that are good to have

Passion
Any architect worth his salt needs to have a strong passion for what they do. A strong drive will
be what helps you get through the tough times in school and at work. If you have the fervour and
the determination to get the job done and done right, you will be more productive and can excel in
this field.
 

Easy going
In a field of work where designs can change and budget influences key fundamentals,
approaching a project with a calm and rational attitude is important. Being easy going is a great
quality to have as an architect, because the nature of your work means that you will encounter
stressful situations. The ability to take criticisms ensures that you stay focused on the project and
see it to completion.
 

Confidence
You’ll encounter clients who may not like your designs and who will criticise your work. This is
simply the way it is. In any job that involves personal preference and taste, you will be able to
appeal to most, but not everyone. It’s essential that you don’t let criticisms and one person’s
opinion of your work get you down. Believe in yourself and the quality of work that you produce.
Always portray your confidence in the way you work and communicate to facilitate interaction with
clients and your project will end on a positive note.
 

Adaptability
Architects need to be ready to adapt their designs and workload when faced with unexpected
issues or situations. All plans and projects are susceptible to change, at any minute and at any
stage, which means that the most successful architects have the ability to adapt to their changing
environment quickly and efficiently. They ensure that any and all problems encountered are
solved and the project can proceed. 
 

Creativity
In the architecture industry, being creative and possessing the ability to look at things differently
will go a long way in helping you get noticed and stand out from the crowd. Don’t be afraid to
challenge traditional values and present an alternative (that are feasible, of course) ensure that
you have a long and successful career.
 

Teamwork
As a fresh graduate, you’ll be at the bottom of the food chain and will most likely be paired with a
more senior architect for a project. You will need to work well with your teammates and have the
ability to communicate clearly and succinctly. As a fresher, you’ll be doing most of the grunt work,
however, you won’t be stuck on the lowest rung of the ladder for long. Work hard and learn as
much as you can from you seniors and soon you’ll be leading a team of your own.
 
 

Leadership
Once you’ve acquired the necessary experience, you’ll have the opportunity to lead your very
own team on a project. Being a leader can be stressful, on top of your own workload, you’ll need
to ensure that everyone else stays on track to prevent any delays. The communication and team
work skills that you’ve developed in your early days as an architect will help. As a leader, you
need to be impartial and be able to anticipate any form of reluctance that might come from your
team members and take suitable steps to mitigate it.
 

Organisation
It doesn’t matter what stage of your architecture career you’re at, it is vital that you stay
organised. There will be lots of things on your to-do list and these will get even longer the higher
up the ladder you go. If you’re not a naturally organised person, it’s time to start cultivating that
habit now. Invest in a notebook or download an app to help keep all the things that you need to
do in order. Be consistent and it will turn into a natural habit before you know it.
 
For my software skills i’m proficient in the use of autocad, autodesk ecotect and autodesk revit,
adobe suites, and i use graphisoft archicad for most of my work. As for rendering programs i am
proficient in lumion & v-ray.

As for my soft skills i am passion, confident person. I am a naturally organized person, with an
eye for details. I have a strong communication skills and a good character that allows me to work
well with my teammates and have the ability to communicate clearly and succinctly.

Freelance | architect

Teaching assistant | university of khartoum (uok), fa. Of architecture

Teaching assistant | university of medical sciences & technology (umst), department of

architecture

Junior architect | teamarch engineering consultancy