hello everybody,
I'm an architect from India, with 4 years of experience(working in India) . I have a Bachelor's degree in architecture...I will be in Germany for 6 months atleast (probably will stay in Frankfurt). I have never been to Germany before, but I wish to work while I am in Germany. I am accompanying my spouse, who shall be given a work permit by his company (he is a micro-chip designer). From whatever I have read, I gather that i will also be entitled to a work permit. But as far as architects are concerned, the information is rather vague. Besides Indian languages i can only speak English. Given this background of my story, i wish somebody could answer a few questions i have:

1. will my degree be recognised by german architectural firms?
2. what options of employment do i have in germany? besides joining an architectural practice,could i be a part of some research work related to architecture for instance.
3. What terms and conditions do i have to fulfill to be eligible?

I look at my stay as an opportunity to learn and take back those experiences to my country. :)

Hi Architype,

I hope you won't be here in winter. ;)

1. Are you listed as an architect in India? If so you will probably get a listing here too.
The bachelor degree, depending on duration of studies, does not automaticaly qualify you to use the title of architect. Jobwise that should not be a problem.
2. That depends on your interests. Universities will usualy not employ people for only 6 months. How are your language skills?
3. Eligible for what precisely?

hi sigue,
I am extreeeemely thankful for your reply. I am actually expected to be there in winter (is that too bad?). Exactly when (most probably from October), depends on the time it takes to process my visa. i will be there for anything between six to nine months. Basically I have 2 plans:
plan "a": work for an architectural office. (where & how should i apply?)
plan "b":do a short duration course related to architecture (architectural journalism interests me)
Do i need to know German? to what extent for plan "a" & "b" (if i intend to live in or around Frankfurt). i am fluent with English (have also worked as a journalist for sometime)
Germany to me is the land of ideas. I want to get inspired by it. your opinions are invaluable . Guten tag (i am trying to learn:)).

I don't know about architectural journalism but getting a job in an office should work due to your english skills. Six months is not very long in terms of project duration so I wouldn't know. Some offices may have projects in Asia (China, India) and the Middle East which would give you a definite advantage. I know of an office in Bochum that has a project in India (Banz und Riecks). But it is too far from Frankfurt to be interesting.
Being able to speak german would help, but I can imagine in big offices you'll get by.

You could try these:
AS+P (http://www.as-p.de/content/1-start/index.php)
GMP (http://www.gmp-architekten.de/index.php?id=87&L=0)
KSP (http://www.ksp-architekten.de/)
architektei-mey (http://www.architektei-mey.de/)
dietz-joppien (http://www.dietz-joppien.de/)
Drexler Guinand Jauslin (http://www.dgj.eu/)
schneider-schumacher (http://www.schneider-schumacher.de/index2.html)
MMZ (http://www.mmz-architekten.de/121.121.html)
woerner+partners (http://www.woernerundpartner.de/index_wp.htm)

Best of Luck!