Well, couldnt find at the time a better title for the thread, I might extend a little before getting into topic, this is only to really express the point....and a little of language issues.....anyways, here it is.

The bottom line of my question is : "Am I an architect anywhere in the world?"

Im from Venezuela, I hold a professional degree in Architecture from the University, its a 5 years period in here, so Im legally an architect and work as so in my country.

However, I recently moved to the US (Philadelphia), for work reasons (my wifes, not me), and I will be living in here for some years, might even move forever in here, who knows, eventually Ill look for job in my field, but for now Im handling some projects from back home.

Anyhoooo, of course, I cant be an architect in here, I mean, I cant legally open my "office" , bring clients, make them projects, charge them, build the prjects, etc, etc...because im not legally an architect in the US, I would have to do what I think its called "level" studies, which means, I have to go to a University, they'll review my diploma and all the clases and programs I took during those 5 years, so they'll put me in some level in here, finish regular studies and graduate as an arhcitect in the US.

Then I guess I would be an architect in here, and could work as so. (please notice that when I say I could "work as so" or "legally" I mean to be able to "sign and be responsible" for plan drawings on projects, etc....)

So far so good right?, thats the standard procedure around the world I guess, to protect the professions within each country.

Well, here comes my dilema.

For the time being, I gonna live in here for 3 or 4 years only, so my first plan was to do a 1 year "masters" ( post professional degree) since a Phd is about 5 years long....and helluva expensive.

But then I thought; "Even if I get my masters degree I still wont be able to work as an architect here" (remember what I meant by "work as")

Will this be the same if I decide to get a PhD ? or once I get my PhD I automatically become legally an architect in here? or even with a PhD Ill have to level my studies?

So, "economically", the masters will only benefit me back in my country, but not in here.

Now, my question is:

WHats better now, to do a Masters or to try to level my studies ?

On a side note, how do all architects around the world, who win competitions outside their countries build them ? I mean, take Jean Nouvel, or Koolhaas, or Ghery, or Isosaki, or whatever, for instance, they have offices around the globe and are comissioned everywhere, but theyre "legally" architects only in their home countries (or wherever they graduated from) so how they do it?

And even more, how come Tadao Ando (who I admire by the way) builds, if hes not even an architect (last time I checked he never officially graduated from any university so he doesnt holds a degree), and he even won the Pritsker!....and if we go back in time, Le Corbusier wasnt neither an architect (well .....he was, I mean never graduated, you get the point)

The last 2 points are just to open the discussion, but please, what would be your advice to me?

thanks.

I think on the question of how those guys build around the globe, they will appoint project architects from that country who would handle all that stuff.

I can't strictly answer for around the world, but I can for in the United States.

If you are only going to be in the USA for 3 to 4 years you will very likely never become an architect here. By "graduating" you do not become an architect, you also need qualifying practice (which the registration board may need to review your previous experience to decide how qualified you are by US standards, it's very likely they will require you to work for two years on top of your studies as others with Master's must do). Plus you'll need to pass the Exam. As a result of this, by the time you'll get to become an "architect" you'll also be about ready to leave the country.

A PHD is not needed to become an architect in the States, even if you could find such a course at a university (It would likely be in another field, not architecture).

In the end, going back to school may get you a better job but it may not allow you to become an architect unless you plan to stay here for a while longer. Of course, you may be able to become an architect in a different country depending on their education requirements.

A PHD is not needed to become an architect in the States, even if you could find such a course at a university (It would likely be in another field, not architecture).



Theyre are PhDs for architecture.

I was reading that after you graduate you have to do some "intership" for some years in order to then take a Test that will finally "License" you as architect in here, I think it has its pros and cons, but Im not from here so I wont argue that.

The question about the Phd wasnt really a question, its more something that I find kinda hard to "chew on"

Heres the thing, take this example (not using any particular country to avoid missing the point):

"PERSON A" graduated from architecture in the NORTH POLE after 5 years, straight outta university and he goes to the SOUTH POLE, there he wishes to stay so he goes to the local university and do his leveling studies, and take the exmans or interships or anything is requiered in there to let him be an architect in there, that takes him 3 more years.

PERSON A= 5 years + 3 years = 8 years (licensed in 2 countries)

Now, theres PERSON B

Also from the NORTH POLE, also an architect after 5 years, but he stayed in holland for 4 years working, had several projects built, of all sizes and types, then he moves to the SOUTH POLE, at first he just wants to get a postgrade studies, so he first aims for a 1 year Masters (Masters as in postprofessional degree, do not confuse with some professional titles in some countries) then, after completing that, he actually likes to study even more, so he looks for the higher title of them all, a PhD, that takes him 5 more years, btw, all this time he still handling projects back home overseas, after graduating, he decides he wishes to stay in there so he wants to get licensed, goes to the university and they requiered him to level his studies and do interships and take exams, etc for teh same 3 years as person A.

PERSON B= 5 years + 1 year + 5 years + 3 years= 14 years (Licensed in 2 countries) and he also had the same 14 years of professional experience in the field

BTW, lets add that person B after getting his masters starting lecturing at some universities in the SOUTH POLE, so he actually "teachs" before getting his license in that country.

DOes it works this way?...because it sounds weird.

I thought you might find this site interesting:
http://www.gradschools.com/programs/architecture.html

You'll see that while you are correct, there are PHD's in architecture, you'll need to choose carefully where you would want to go because the vast majority of Universities don't have them.

As far as how things work: it's over simplified the way you are stating it. In the US for example its not just a "country" thing, each State has their own rules and an Architect in one state may or may not be able to practice in another state unless he meets the requirements for that state as well. You should focus on what area/country you are interested in and then dive deeper into that particular area's regulations. A broad statement such as "how does architecture across the world work?" is like asking "how does politics across the world work?". We can make some very broad generalizations, but no correct answer. The same is true for what you ask. Narrow down your scope of focus and we'll be able to better direct you.

But to answer your "A-B" question: It's ultimately about design standards, material selections, and in the end... Public safety. You'll need to learn such things as Imperial units and codes for Earthquakes or perhaps hurricanes. Depths of frost line and local materials. Your experiences in other parts of the world are wonderful, but title of architect is about one important thing: Professional Liability. Each area will want you to be an expert on their rules and laws. That's why you would be expected to get the professional experience in that area... it's about more than a test or design ability, it's about understanding what keeps the public safe and putting the liability on your shoulders should the need come to that.

Thanks for the link...that woulda come in handy some months ago...hehehe

I Hear you, and I agree 100% with you, im not debating or arguing that fact, doenst matter where you studied, the requierements of any particular country, or how long it takes to graduate from anything in anywhere part of the world, as soon as you try to excercise that profession outside your home country (or where you graduated) you will have to level yourself (your studies) with that country requierements.

Thats the way it is, and it should be that way to protect each nation professions.

Ok, Im not ranting either, im just overthinking, you know?...

My example was exagerated, and maybe oversimple, but thats just to express a point, im interested in the "what if?", if everything should be that way, if the leveling your studies is written on stone, or it could be "adapted" depending the case.

For instance, now Im gonna use you as an example...hehe...sorry, is just that I need an architect from the US for this example, and youre the only one in this thread for now.

Lets say you and Richard Meier, both travel to Estonia, both decided to be licensed architects in there since you'll spend the rest of your life there.

Now, do you imagine yourself sitted in a classroom next to 100 more students (straight outta highschool) leveling studies? and even more, Riuchard Meier is also in there studying like the others. Thats a little surreal.

Or each of you will be treated differently?, maybe they'll ask Meier to just learn their building codes and thats it, and maybe in your case, besides the building codes you will have to take some classes on certain topics and thats it.

You know what I mean?

Depending on how long you practiced as an architect in Venezuela, you might not have to take an exam or go back to school.

http://www.ncarb.org/certification/befacert.html

NCARB could grant you a certificate and then any member board could grant you a license without having to study further or take the Architecture Registration Exam (ARE).

Otherwise, see these requirements:

http://www.ncarb.org/reciprocity/foreign.html

http://www.ncarb.org/reciprocity/intlfaq.html

Especially look at #10 and #11 in the FAQ. If you were a licensed architect in your country, and the NAAB decided your education was roughly equivalent, it seems to me you would just need to study up and take the ARE. That might only take you a few months. You should contact the state registration board for the state you live in and explain your situation. They will probably have a better idea of what you should do and where to start.

Good luck and don't hesitate to ask more questions. :cheers: