I'm beginning to walk down the road to becoming an architect but i don't quite know which foot to put forward first. I've designed my first few homes for the California State Fair and have faired well each year, getting 1st and honorable mention my first submission and 2nd my last two times. I have a little experience (all there is to have in high school for a 16 year old anyway) and just need a little guidance and push in a direction to go. If anyone has any ideas, please feel free to throw them out there, and I'll be sure to soak 'em up.

In other words, how does one become an architect? Not only in America, but how does one become in architect in Europe or Asia?

uni course - architecture or similar
or drafting course, then later "convert"
maybe try to get some vacation work/work experience with local firms

i really wish there was such thing as the uni course in America, but they leave us hangin on our own i guess.

i really wish there was such thing as the uni course in America, but they leave use hangin on our own i guess.
You mean they don't teach enough practical stuff in uni?
Can you be more specific?

Well I know in Europe they have track schools, and they guide you along a path best suited for you. In America it seems like any school might or might not have the courses you want or need. Then as if it wasn't hard enough, some might have a BA in architecture, but then not a Master's. I might be nit-picking, but I really don't want to have to play hide-in-seek with classes that will determine my career.

So your real concern is that you are not really sure about becoming an architect? You need somebody else to assess your ability and guide you through?
Is that what you are after?

So your real concern is that you are not really sure about becoming an architect? You need somebody else to assess your ability and guide you through?
Is that what you are after?

It isn't that I'm not sure about becoming an architect, it is more of me dissatisfied with the fact that there aren't many schools specialized or dedicated to a particular field. The colleges are too general. I could study to become an architect at a college that says it "specializes" in medical research. Now if it "specializes" in medical research, why would you have an architecture program there? To confuse those who know what they want to go into? If I wanted a pizza, would i go to a car dealership?

There are US schools that offer solid architectural education starting from freshman year, I know cuz I came from that kind of school but that may not be the real issue here.

A lot of good architects come from different disciplines, e.g. music, journalism, mathematics, philosophy or even kick-boxing...
What is interesting is that those architects didn't really take detours, but those things added something to their architecture and became integral parts of it.

If you are trying to become a technical draftsman, music classes may be a waste of time, but architecture, as I understand, is more like a way of life than a course of a university. So if you are after studying architecture, don't worry too much about how classes are organized but pick the school where your favorite architects teach. You still have to do other things but you know you are getting at least the right main dish, and if you are lucky enough you get a bonus from other classes.

Well I know in Europe they have track schools, and they guide you along a path best suited for you. In America it seems like any school might or might not have the courses you want or need. Then as if it wasn't hard enough, some might have a BA in architecture, but then not a Master's. I might be nit-picking, but I really don't want to have to play hide-in-seek with classes that will determine my career.

If you live in California you also have the option of working for an architect for 8 years and would then be allowed to take the registration exam, all without having to go to school at all. If you're looking for a path to becoming an architect that's not so cut and dried, that might be worth a look. After all, there have been some successful architects that never went to school. (Wright, Goff, Ando....)

Plus, you'll get paid to learn, not pay to learn.

http://www.cab.ca.gov/faqs.htm#faq1

Good luck. You've chosen a tough, but rewarding profession.

gaffaman waht is the lg in the location in your avatar?, i got the rest...

If you live in California you also have the option of working for an architect for 8 years and would then be allowed to take the registration exam, all without having to go to school at all. If you're looking for a path to becoming an architect that's not so cut and dried, that might be worth a look. After all, there have been some successful architects that never went to school. (Wright, Goff, Ando....)

Plus, you'll get paid to learn, not pay to learn.

http://www.cab.ca.gov/faqs.htm#faq1

Good luck. You've chosen a tough, but rewarding profession.

This is a one way, but I worry that they might change the rules before you are done. Also that path makes it very difficult to get licensed in another state.

gaffaman waht is the lg in the location in your avatar?, i got the rest...

Local Group. The group of galaxies that ours is a part of that are all gravitationally bound together.

This is a one way, but I worry that they might change the rules before you are done. Also that path makes it very difficult to get licensed in another state.

True. Those are risks that have to be weighed before making a decision one way or another.

NCARB allows architects to join that haven't followed the traditional path to licensure through school, etc., through the "Broadly Experienced Architect" route. Once you have an NCARB certificate, you could get a license in other states.

https://www.ncarb.org/certification/uscertification.html

If you live in California you also have the option of working for an architect for 8 years and would then be allowed to take the registration exam, all without having to go to school at all. If you're looking for a path to becoming an architect that's not so cut and dried, that might be worth a look. After all, there have been some successful architects that never went to school. (Wright, Goff, Ando....)

Plus, you'll get paid to learn, not pay to learn.


I was pondering that route. I'll have to chose in due time, I just wish that there were more school, say like, SCI ARC, which is a school devoted entirely to architecture and engineering, instead of uni's generalizing education.

I think specialized architecture schools would not fair so well. It would be like creating divisions as the medical field does. Undergraduate school is really meant to teach you design from a broad perspective. Graduate school is where you get somewhat a chance to investigate a specialized field. I think a majority of people find their niches after they graduate and enter the job market.

At this point, find a firm that does what you want to do. That is the best way because no school, at this point, will just teach you design on a specific type. I thought architectural practice was completely different before I entered it as an intern. It really opens your eyes.

There are 3 different degrees that certain schools will give: BA in architecture, BA in architecture and art, and BA in Architectural Studies. There is a small difference, I think, to the program of each degree but I really don't think it is something that will make you inferior to someone who may have another degree.

I think to limit yourself at such an inexperienced stage would be a huge mistake.

It isn't that I'm not sure about becoming an architect, it is more of me dissatisfied with the fact that there aren't many schools specialized or dedicated to a particular field. The colleges are too general. I could study to become an architect at a college that says it "specializes" in medical research. Now if it "specializes" in medical research, why would you have an architecture program there? To confuse those who know what they want to go into? If I wanted a pizza, would i go to a car dealership?

Enyo-
I think you think you know more about the university experience than you really do, ergo, you are worrying about something that you perceive as a problem but is actually a benefit.

You will be much better served by a university's 'generalized' educational approach with a major in 'architecture' than trying to find a specialized school or worrying you will be 'stuck' in a specialized school. Those are for someone who most likely has a BA in Arch or some related field and looking for a specialized program for a MA. And there are very few of those anyway.

Head for a good architecture program at a good university in a part of the county you want to live in. Get a BA and if you still want to study, then choose a masters program at a school or location that interests you. Or work for a while...then go back to school.:)

I would say that is how most of us here on PPB2 did it.

you might be right, ive been looking through california uni's lately and its just stressful. thanks for the help and tips out there everyone.

Enyo-
I think you think you know more about the university experience than you really do, ergo, you are worrying about something that you perceive as a problem but is actually a benefit.

You will be much better served by a university's 'generalized' educational approach with a major in 'architecture' than trying to find a specialized school or worrying you will be 'stuck' in a specialized school. Those are for someone who most likely has a BA in Arch or some related field and looking for a specialized program for a MA. And there are very few of those anyway.

Head for a good architecture program at a good university in a part of the county you want to live in. Get a BA and if you still want to study, then choose a masters program at a school or location that interests you. Or work for a while...then go back to school.:)

I would say that is how most of us here on PPB2 did it.

Wilson is right. I know that the 'general' parts of my education have contributed greatly to the way I approach architecture, and have benefited me in other aspects of my life as well.

Here in South Africa , as I am sure is elsewhere, the university courses these days teach architecture in a kind of hybrid between the old Beaux Arts tradition (studying famous buildings and history, learning to draw and design under tutalage of qualified 'studio masters') and the Bauhaus tradition (mixing exposure to crafts and other design fields together in design exercises through which design skill is learned, often in a group studio environment).
This methodology of teaching has the advantage of being a 'post modern' mix of two great historical traditions of teaching design, history and theory as well as exposing technical issues - without focussing only on one format or style of teaching.

Enyo - if you are unsure or apprehensive about what you are going to be taught, perhaps you should do a little bit of reading up of the Beaux arts and the Bauhaus tradition of teaching architecture, and determine how these have shaped (or not as the case mey be) great architects in the past? This may help you make a qualified decision as to how you want to proceed with your further education?

Thanx all, I'll take these thoughts in and hope for the best that i choose the right decisions.