How to Become a Architect

About Architect

Architecture is a profession that is ever changing and evolving. A career as an architect has immense scope in India. One can not only work on designing & construction of houses and business establishments, but one can also enter in various fields of designing sites of exhibitions & sports events, creating unique lighting systems, designing landscapes etc. An architect can learn the process of construction of complexes, commercial buildings, malls, highways construction and civil construction by applying their innovative ideas and analytical skills. The job of an architect requires meeting with clients to determine objectives and requirements for structures, direct workers who prepare drawings and documents, prepare structure specifications, manage construction contracts and prepare scaled drawings, either with computer software or by hand.

Eligibility to become Architect

For Diploma Courses:

• After clearing class 10 exams, candidates can apply for engineering diploma.

• 10+2 is the minimum requirement for other diploma courses.

For B.Arch:

• Candidates must have 50% aggregate marks in board exams and must have completed class 12 with Mathematics and English as compulsory subjects.

• Candidates who have completed 3-year diploma after class 10 are eligible to apply for B.Arch course.

• Most of the colleges also require candidates to clear architecture entrance exams such as JEE Main, JEE Advanced and NATA.

For PG and Doctoral Degrees:

• For these courses, candidates must have completed their Bachelor in Architecture.

• Candidates are also required to pass PG entrance exams like GATE and CEED.

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Types of Job Roles Architect

There are a variety of architect job profiles that aspirants can target on the basis of their interest areas. Following are some of the job profiles for architects that one can opt for:

Construction Manager

They are responsible for the planning, development and coordination of construction projects. They may be owners of a company or salaried contractors of a larger firm.

Architectural Engineer

They plan a layout of building's design, by applying knowledge of engineering forms, ventilation, lighting, structural systems and building codes.

Architectural Managers

Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in engineering and architectural companies.

Civil Engineers

They design, conceive, build, operate, supervise, construct, and maintain infrastructure projects and systems in the public and private sector, including roads, airports, buildings, tunnels, bridges, dams etc.

Construction Managers

Construction managers plan, supervise, fix the budget and coordinate construction projects from start to finish.

Construction and Building Inspectors

They ensure that construction meets local and national building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications.

Industrial Designers

They consider the function, aesthetics, production costs, and usability of products when developing new product concepts. They develop the concepts for manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and toys.

Landscape Architects

They design parks and the outdoor spaces of businesses, campuses, recreational facilities, private homes, and other open areas.

Interior Designers

They estimate material requirements and costs, and present design to client for approval. They select or design, and purchase furnishings, art works, and accessories. They make interior spaces functional and beautiful by determining space requirements and selecting decorative items, such as colours, lighting, and materials.

Employment Sector/Industry for Architect

There are a variety of employment opportunities for architects in the different sectors. Some of the top sectors that require architects are mentioned below:

• Corporate businesses

• Teaching

• MNCs

• Consulting Firms

• Engineering firms

• Product Manufacturing

• Building safety

• Architectural Photography

Top Recruiting Companies for an Architect

Few of the leading recruiting companies for architecture where an architect can find employment opportunities are listed below:

• Architect Hafeez Contractor

• Kembhavi Architecture Foundation

• Shilpa Architects

• C.P. Kukreja Associates

• Manchanda Associates

• Oscar & Ponni Architects

• Architecture Brio

• VSA Space Design (P) Ltd.

• Chitra Vishwanath Architects

• DLF

• Edifice Architects Pvt.Ltd

• IMAXE

• Architect Consultants

• Jindals

• Larsen & Toubro

• Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj

• Sahara Group

Pay Scale/Salary of Architect

The salary of an architect usually increases with your experience in this field. One can expect a starting salary ranging from Rs. 4 Lac to Rs. 5 Lacs per annum. However, if one has a work experience of more than 5 years, then, the salary ranges between Rs. 8 Lac to Rs. 10 Lacs per annum. The salary is high in the private sector as compared to the government sector.

Note: The salary range will also depend on one's job profile, company, location & work experience.

Books & Study Material to Become Architect

Aspirants willing to pursue architecture course should have right set of books in order to achieve good results in various entrance exams conducted for architectural course. Below are some of the best books and study material for career in the field of architecture.

• A Complete Self Study Guide for B.Arch. Entrance Examination by P K Mishra.

• Steps to Architecture: B.Arch. (NATA/JEE Main) Exam Guide Paperback by Nimish Madan.

• NATA and B.Arch. Complete Self Study Material by Ar. Shadan Usmani.

• B.Arch Entrance Examination Guide by Surendra Kavimandan

Pros of becoming a Architect

• It is a creative field which requires a great deal of vision and expression. Once you gain more experience in this field, you become more involved in actual design work rather than technical issues and routine construction tasks.

• If you are into this profession, putting your creative footprint on a building, town or even city is extremely fulfilling.

• Throughout the career in the field of architecture, architects come to learn about the different aspects of project development and what it takes to design and construct a building. They understand the process of construction techniques, site and project analysis, controlling budgets and acquiring building permits.

Cons of becoming a Architect

• The field of architecture is subject to the ups and downs of the economy. The jobs of the architects depend on economic growth for their living.

• To be an architect, the educational, training and certification requirements are extensive, which may be cost prohibitive to some individuals.

• The starting salaries or the pay scale of an architect is considered lower than average when compared with other professional careers with similar requirements, such as law and medicine.

Career path for Architect

One must attain the minimum academic benchmark if they are looking at how to become an architect. The academic qualifications required for architectural courses is as follows:

Subject Combination - Candidates must have passed 10+2 in any stream, with mathematics subject, from a recognized board.