Architect

Key skills/talents

Embarking on the architectural journey demands a multifaceted skill set that extends beyond the realms of design. From a solid foundation in construction knowledge to effective communication and analytical thinking, The key attributes essential for architects to navigate the complexities of creating inspiring and functional spaces, are...

 

• Creativity. Lots of it!: Please don’t even consider this role if you’re not naturally creative and enjoy being so, because it is a BIG part of the job. Being able to bring someone’s ‘dream home’ or indeed ‘dream office’ vision to life and fruition is key, so lots of creative, 'out of the box' thinking is required. If creativity doesn’t come easily to you, then as Helen mentions at the start, perhaps consider the more structural/engineering side of architecture.

• Proficiency in building and construction knowledge: Possessing a comprehensive understanding of building materials, construction techniques, and industry regulations, ensuring a solid foundation for informed design decisions.

• Meticulous attention to detail: Demonstrating a meticulous approach to design, with an acute focus on precision and thoroughness, to create plans that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functionally sound.

• Sharp thinking and reasoning skills: Applying critical thinking and logical reasoning in the design process to address challenges, solve problems, and optimise spatial configurations for both efficiency and visual appeal.

• Organisation skills: Which Helen discusses in the chat; being able to juggle multiple projects, at multiple different levels of completion; all with multiple layers of complexity will not work for everyone’s skill sets. BUT, if you’re naturally good at multitasking (aren’t all women?!), then this role could work really well for you.

• Customer service skills: Again Helen discusses this in the chat… Cultivating effective communication and interpersonal skills to understand clients' needs, preferences, and budget constraints, fostering positive relationships and ensuring client satisfaction throughout the design process.

• Excellent verbal communication skills: Articulating design concepts, ideas, and solutions clearly and persuasively to clients, colleagues, and construction teams, facilitating smooth collaboration and successful project outcomes.

• Analytical thinking skills: Employing analytical skills to evaluate design alternatives, foresee potential issues, and make data-informed decisions that contribute to the overall functionality and feasibility of the architectural project.

• Initiative and proactive approach: Exhibiting the ability to take initiative and proactively address challenges, demonstrating a self-driven attitude to navigate the complexities of the design and construction process effectively.

• Proficiency in computer and software usage: Being adept at confidently utilising computer systems and key software packages relevant to architectural design, enhancing efficiency in drafting, modelling, and presenting design concepts.

• Resilience under pressure: Stuff goes wrong A LOT with building and construction, literally ‘on the job’ and potentially with changing clients needs; so being able to stay calm, not take things too personally and keep moving forward, is key to success in this field.

 

… Plus constant, on the job training and learning… The construction world is changing all the time, as are rules and regs, so it’s vital to stay knowledgeable, up-to-date and relevant, so that you can always service your client’s needs to the highest possible standard.

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​Qualifications required

As you can imagine the route to becoming an architect is filled with study & qualifications and takes MANY years to achieve, generally split into 3 chunks…

 

1. In the UK you will need to study an undergraduate degree from a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) validated course (see below). These courses last between 3 or 4 years. Once your undergraduate degree is complete you will now need to gain some practical experience before moving forward. This ‘work placement’ step usually takes about a year, and students need to record their experience as a Professional Experience Development Record (PEDR) and log this on the PEDR website. This record is then monitored by both a Professional Studies Advisor (PSA) affiliated with your university, and a mentor from the organisation where you undertake your work placement.

2. Your next step will be a Postgraduate Degree, which takes approximately 2 years. Once completed, you must again work under the direct supervision of a fully qualified architect for at least 12 months, and as before, record this on the PEDR website.

3. The third and final step is to complete the Advanced Diploma in Professional Practice in Architecture (ADPPA). To reach this point you must have completed a minimum of 24 months of work experience. This last step is undertaken online and once all exams are passed. Then… finally… you can call yourself an architect.

 

https://www.architecture.com/education-cpd-and-careers/how-to-become-an-architect

 

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/architect

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Rules and regs

As you would expect, there are A LOT of rules and building regulations to be fully aware of, and an architect has several areas of regulation that are specific to their actual role. 

 

The RIBA, of course, publishes guidance and codes of practice (although you need to be registered to access this information): https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/resources-landing-page/chartered-practice-toolbox. It also runs various programs and initiatives from its London headquarters. The ARB, on the other hand, is the regulatory body for architects in the UK and details its codes of practice here: https://arb.org.uk/architect-information/architects-code-standards-of-conduct-and-practice/, plus a pretty good overview of key rules and regs in the industry: https://arb.org.uk/architect-information/guidance-notes

In the UK, to be called an architect, you must be added to the Architects Register. As they state on their website “The Architects Register is the definitive record of all UK architects. If someone is not on the Register, they are not an architect – it’s as simple as that”: https://architects-register.org.uk

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Insurance is, of course, VITAL! And here's everything you need to know about that, from the horses mouth: https://arb.org.uk/architect-information/professional-indemnity-insurance

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Remuneration framework

Your salary as a Part I architectural assistant (while you are still studying), is likely to be in the range of £15,000 to £25,000, rising up to £30,000 to £35,000 as a Part II architectural assistant, once you've got enough experience.

 

As a fully qualified (Part III) architect, depending on your experience you could earn between £35,000 and £45,000.

 

At senior associate, partner or director level you'll typically earn £60,000 to £80,000.

 

Your salary will always vary according to the location, sector and the size of your organisation. Obtaining chartered status and gaining experience usually results in higher pay.

 

https://jobs.architecture.com/staticpages/10290/architects-salary-report

 

https://uk.indeed.com/career/architect/salaries

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How to get started

The route is pretty straight forward - if not LONG - as we have detailed above under qualifications; so, first-things-first, you will need to choose a course from an affiliated RIBA school or course provider in the UK: 

https://www.architecture.com/education-cpd-and-careers/riba-validation/riba-validated-schools-uk.

 

As always, head to the UCAS website for a definitive list of universities & colleges throughout the UK that offer associated courses: https://www.ucas.com/explore/search/all?query=architect

 

Helen studied at Leicester De Montfort: https://www.dmu.ac.uk/Search/search-results.aspx?collection=dmu-web-course&f.Level+of+Study%7CZ=&query=architect

 

Helen also discusses the fact that whilst she was still at college (16-17 years old),  she started work experience in a local architect firm, and we would wholeheartedly advise this! Not least because it made her later placement years easy (they always had/wanted her back), but it meant that she got a clear feel for the role and the industry before she actually made a degree decision and committed to this field one way or another.

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Associations or official bodies to register with

As previously stated, to be an architect in the UK you must be on the Architect Register: https://www.arb.org.uk. The ARB also lists the expectations of all architects (albeit written for customers/clients when selecting an architect): https://arb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/ARB-What-you-can-expect-from-an-architect.pdf

 

Most UK architects will automatically become a member of the RIBA: https://www.architecture.com/join-riba

The Association of Consultant Architects (ACA) is the UK professional body representing architects in private practice, which Helen is a member of now that she runs her own practice: https://acarchitects.co.uk

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Job site links

As you would expect, the RIBA has a great jobs page on their website: https://jobs.architecture.com/jobs/architect

Archjobs specialise in UK based architect jobs: https://www.archjobs.co.uk, but  listings can be found on sites like Indeed: https://uk.indeed.com/jobs?q=architect&l=&vjk=79012786a9d2b466, Reed:  https://www.reed.co.uk/jobs/architect-jobs, and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/search/?currentJobId=3838224035&geoId=102257491&keywords=architect&location=London%2C%20England%2C%20United%20Kingdom&origin=JOB_SEARCH_PAGE_SEARCH_BUTTON&originalSubdomain=uk&refresh=true

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Progression pathway​

The progression route of an architect is pretty straight forward, in so far as the more experienced you have, the more money you should naturally earn - and the higher your job title ‘should’ get. Progressing to become a department head, assistant head, or indeed as the manager of a practice, as Helen was before she went it alone. 

 

Naturally, the larger the practice, or indeed the larger the combined group of practices, the more career ladder opportunities there will be;  so understanding how important progression is to you, will be key in choosing which practice(s) you work for/at. For some, the tightness of a smaller practice fits the bill, however, progression options may be limited as a result.

 

You could also choose to specialise in a particular field, or with a particular focus, and again, like Helen did, you could become a ‘Head of Sustainability’ for a larger practice.

 

And of course, as Helen has done (after her second child), you can set-up and run your own practice, either solo (like Helen), or with known and trusted ‘partner’ colleagues.

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Additional links/FYIs

The Complete University Guide has a great blog about the routes into the world of architecture: https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/careers/how-to-become-an-architect

A lot of useful information can also be found on the Halliday Clark Architects website: https://www.hallidayclark.co.uk/how-to-become-an-architect