Architect (Architect)
Information on this skill...
An architect is a designer who designs buildings and visualizes them in design and construction drawings. In addition, an architect can be involved in renovations and renovation projects. The ideas that an architect has, he or she puts on paper in the form of a drawing. Usually a lot of ideas and concept drawings precede a final design. If a design is implemented, an architect will continue to follow the project and regularly consult with the parties involved, such as contractors, the municipality and the client. As an architect you are a creative person who knows how to convert ideas into buildings, which must also be functional for the final users. The profession of architect is a beautiful profession in which design, ease of use and sustainability usually play an important role. Despite the fact that an architect has many freedoms within his profession, an architect generally does not work alone. The design of buildings is an interplay between different professionals. An architect may also have to deal with urban planners who are responsible for the spatial planning of residential areas or other locations. An architect can design homes, factories, offices, churches and solid ones. In the past, an architect was also called a master builder. In short, architecture is best described as the art and science of designing the built environment. If a home is designed by an architect, you often see that reflected in the sale. In the brochure is then built under architecture. The profession of architect is a protected profession within the Netherlands, so not everyone can just pretend to be an architect. There are different specializations possible nowadays when it comes to working as an architect. There are quite a lot of architects working as independent entrepreneurs.
Not everyone can just call themselves an architect in the Netherlands. To be able to call yourself an architect, the architect must be registered in the architects' register. If someone is not registered here, you may not use the title architect in the Netherlands. Many architects in the Netherlands are affiliated with the professional organization BNA, this is the Association of Dutch Architects. Many clients look to the professional organization as a quality mark when they want to engage an architect. An architect will have to consult a lot with his client. Often the architect first makes a rough sketch of his ideas on paper. With this sketch, the architect can go to his client to discuss whether his idea is feasible. Here we look at all aspects such as costs, feasibility and design. If the idea has been approved by the client, they can take the rough sketch to the municipality to ask if they can agree with the design and the thoughts behind the design. To realize an architectural design, you sometimes also have to influence stakeholders and the architectural plans also have to comply with various factors and the technical regulations.
WORKING AS AN ARCHITECT
In the past, drawing was still really drawing with pencil on paper. This is still done but not with the final drawings. For this, the architect now uses the program CAD (Computer Aided Design). When all drawings are ready, any difficult technical calculations go to the constructor. The constructor will then apply his calculations to any columns, load-bearing capacity of walls, etc. When everything is ready, an architect will also have the specifications written. Within the specifications it is described exactly which materials should be used and how the materials should be used exactly. A contractor needs these specifications to be able to see how an architect intended something. The specifications actually describe everything a contractor needs to know. From material type to the colours that the contractor must use. A contractor does not only have to deal with construction drawings because not all relevant information about building materials can be found on construction drawings.
SPECIALIZATIONS AS AN ARCHITECT
It is not the case that architects can only work as designers of buildings. Think, for example, of landscape architects and interior architects. In addition, an architect can be active as an urban planner. An urban planner, on the other hand, specializes in the development of new neighborhoods and redeveloped locations. There are also quite a lot of private individuals who use an architect. In that case, we are usually talking about a renovation or people who have a house designed. Depending on the assignment, an architect may also have to deal with an acoustician and building physicist. An acoustician specializes in the correct application of materials to create the best sound. A building physicist, on the other hand, looks at the sustainability and user-friendliness of buildings by applying the right materials in the right way. In that case, we are usually talking about large public buildings, such as a library.
HOW DO YOU BECOME A GOOD ARCHITECT?
You need imagination to come up with new ideas, and you need technical skills to be able to make them. You need communication skills to sell your ideas or convince others that they are good. But the most important skill for an architect is understanding people.
WHO CAN CALL THEMSELVES AN ARCHITECT?
The title architect is a legally protected title. This is also the case when we speak of urban planner, garden and landscape architect and interior architect. The law stipulates that you may not call yourself an architect or use the word in your company name without having registration. The title is protected so that the general public knows who it is dealing with when it comes to their future home, office building, school or hospital.
SO YOU WANT TO BE AN ARCHITECT?
Becoming an architect is only possible by following the university course in architecture. The profession of architect will really have to come to you to make it in this four-year course. Architecture is not only about designing attractive buildings, but also about solving social problems and building environmentally friendly structures.
You can already recognize many future architects by their drawing board, pencils and ever-present ruler at school. You are probably an architect if you see beauty all around you, or think about how things can be better or different.
ACTIVITIES OF AN ARCHITECT:
- Consulting with the client;
- Devising and visualizing designs;
- The development of concept drawings;
- Having construction drawings made ;
- Having detailed drawings made Applying for permits;
- Supervising work.
WHAT DOES AN ARCHITECT DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME AN ARCHITECT
There are various ways to follow an architect training. There are no opportunities to follow a direct training to become an architect in secondary vocational education and through a higher professional education programme. However, the chosen directions can help if one wants to continue learning for the title of architect. The title of architect can only be obtained by following a university education. This can also be at a technical university. At a technical university, it is also about architecture. A preliminary education can be the Bachelor's degree in Architecture. Direct entry is only possible with the right prior education. The title architect is a protected title, and may not be used just like that. As an architect, you must be registered in the register of architects. Accounting is also important as an independent architect.
COMPANIES WHERE AN ARCHITECT CAN WORK
An architect generally works for an architectural firm, municipality, project developer or for a province. If an architect works for an architectural firm, it is conceivable that an architect is active as a consultant for various clients. In addition, an architect can work as an entrepreneur within his own architectural firm.
COMPETENCES ARCHITECT
As an architect, the most important competence is the passion for buildings and their design. Constructing a beautiful building or transforming an existing building must be in the blood of an architect, as it were. The aesthetic requirements also play an important role in this. Another important competence as an architect is communication, because as an architect you will have to deal with many different parties within your work. Being able to consult and negotiate with different parties has everything to do with good communication. In that respect, cooperation can also be regarded as an important competence. If you work as an entrepreneur, networking can also be regarded as an important competence. Finally, it is also important that an architect can be seen as a motivator and inspirator, so that ideas become reality. Generally important words are professionalism, vision, creativity, planned, structured, planning, organizing and professional. Obviously, an architect has to deal with fixed professional competences that are learned during the study.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS AN ARCHITECT
The job market perspective as an architect is generally reasonable if you have the right studies. Within the larger architectural firms it is usually possible to get a job sooner or later. The career opportunities as an architect can be seen in building a good brand awareness, so that you will obtain more and more beautiful assignments. Starting your own architectural firm can also be seen as growing within your career.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY ARCHITECT
As an architect you have a special profession, and you can become world famous with a unique design. Depending on age and experience, the salary of an architect in paid employment will be somewhere between 3500 and 4500 euros gross per month. If you work as an independent architect, the income can be many times higher. However, it is important that enough assignments are won, which is not always easy as an architect. There is a lot of competition among architects and architectural firms.
The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.
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