To study architecture is to study all things -‐-‐ John Ruskin
Lee W. Waldrep, Ph.D. @DocArchitecture ACSA Crea0ve Futures April 25, 2015
Over 20 years of experience in higher educa6on with an emphasis in academic affairs and career development of architecture students. Author of Becoming an Architect: A Guide to Careers in Design, 3rd Edi6on (2014) published by J. Wiley and Sons, and Chapter 3.3 Career Paths of Architects, a chapter in the 15th edi6on of the AIA Handbook for Professional Prac0ce. Served in three different architecture programs (IIT, University of Maryland and University of Illinois). Ph.D. The American University M.Arch Arizona State University BS University of Michigan
PROFESSION Architects: 107,581 Architects NCARB (October 2014) Students: 24,989 Accredited Programs 2,265 Candidates Programs 15,507 Pre-Professional Programs 42,761 Total Students 9,433 Total Degrees - NAAB (2013-2014) Labor Projections: DOL predicts 17% (14% all) (18,600) growth (‘12-’22) – 2014-2015
Architects • According to AIA’s membership, 74% of architects prac6ce in architecture firms. • Small percentages work in universi6es (1%), government (1%), corpora6ons (2%), and construc6on (1%). Firm Size • Sole prac66oners make up about 25% of firms. • Three quarters of firms have 2-‐49 staff • Firms with 50-‐99 make up 2% of firms 2012 AIA Firm Survey Report
AIA DEFINITION OF ARCHITECT POSITIONS Architect Posi6ons • Senior Principal / Partner • Mid-‐Level Principal / Partner • Junior Principal / Partner • Department Head / Senior Manager • Project Manager • Senior Architect / Designer • Architect / Designer III • Architect / Designer II • Architect / Designer I • Third-‐Year Intern • Second-‐Year Intern • Entry-‐Level Intern • Student
ARCHITECT’S STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT (Cuff, 1993 – The Story of Practice) Student Entry Level Middle Years Full-‐Fledged
None Intern Dracsmen Junior Designer Junior Designer Job Captain Senior Designer Project Architect Associate Associate Partner Principal Owner
Gather Knowledge Gather Preliminary skills Gather experience Display experience Demonstrate competence Gather responsibility Gain autonomy, management tasks Gain fiscal responsibility Oversee widening sphere of influence
10+ CAREER PATHS IN PRACTICE Blogger: John Gresko, @JohnGresko | Architect | Chicago, IL | July 2012
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Designers – Their work encompasses a huge spectrum of work. These folks come up with the vision for a project. Planners – These folks are typically looking downwards…in plan that is. They have specialized in a type of building design (like health care, laboratories, toilet rooms) and have mastered all the adjacencies and func6onal space requirements for these types of buildings and their spaces. Technical – They take the baton ocen started in early design and see it through construc6on documents. They can specialize in any of the above and s6ll specialize in produc6on work. BIM Modelers – These folks manage the BIM model to ensure that what is being modeled is appropriate and basically prevent file melt downs. Life Safety/Code/Accessibility – These folks know the codes. Specifica6ons – These folks manage company and/or project specifica6ons. They are responsible for the quality of all that goes into the design. They meet with product sales reps and have really good construc6on knowledge. CCA – Construc6on Contract Administra6on folks visit the construc6on site to verify that all is going as intended. They process submiials, write field observa6on reports, and generally give contractors heartburn.
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Graphics – These folks build models, render, and assist in marke6ng efforts. They are quick on the PC and don’t mind missing out on some sleep once in a while. Programmers – Specialize in a par6cular building type. They count up all the new spaces for a new building and work with the client to designate the proper amount of square footage for each space. They also specialize in process improvements. Interiors – They can do anything and everything interiors… Enclosure – The folks that specialize in designing and produc6on work for all types of facades and roofs. They specialize in how to make building enclosures perform as intended. No leaks mean they have done a good job. Es6ma6ng – Es6mators have a good read on the economy and the supply and demand for materials. They help validate that the budget is on track Management – Timesheets, staffing, yawn, project budgets, project schedules, contracts, heavy client interac6on, authorita6ve. I hope I got this right… don’t want to get fired. Sustainability – LEED AP ocen comes acer their name. They specialize in everything green. Marke6ng – No marke6ng, no work. Know marke6ng, know work. These folks like pressure and sleuthing. They tend to golf real well.
AIA SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES hLp://www.aia.org/prac6cing/akr/AIAB089194
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Code Compliance Commissioning Contract Administra6on / Construc6on Defect Analysis Construc6on Documenta6on -‐ Drawings Construc6on Documenta6on -‐ Specifica6ons Construc6on Management Construc6on Procurement Demoli6on Planning Services Detailed Cost Es6ma6ng Digital Architecture Survey Technologies Energy Analysis and Design Energy Monitoring Environmental Graphic Design Expert Witness Services Facility Evalua6on Services Facility Management / Facility Support Furniture, Furnishings and Equipment Services / FFE Design Geotechnical Services Historic Preserva6on
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Indoor Air Quality Consul6ng Interior Design / Architectural Interior Design Land Surveying Services Ligh6ng Design Model Construc6on Move Management On-‐Site Project Representa6on Programming Project Financing and Development Services Record Drawing Regional or Urban Planning Renderings Research Services Security Evalua6on and Planning Services Seismic Analysis and Design Site Analysis / Site Evalua6on and Planning Space Planning Strategic Facility Planning Sustainable Building Design Urban Design Services Value Analysis Zoning Process Assistance
The great poten0al for the profession is outside of the box, outside of tradi0onal prac0ce – Richard Hobbs
• Corpora6ons & Ins6tu6ons • Government & Public Agencies • Educa6on & Research
As a profession, architecture offers a myriad of possibili6es for rewarding careers
• Related Design Professionals • (architecture, interior design, urban design) • Engineers & Technical • Construc6on • Art & Design • Architectural Products & Services • Other
Architects Branch Out (Architect’s Newspaper, May 2012)
The Coolhaus ice-‐cream sandwich truck in Los Angeles was started by architectural graduate Natasha Case. -‐ hip://eatcoolhaus.com/
“Students entering architecture do not think about being a planner or a cartographer or a writer. Challenge yourself to beier sell your considerable skill sets, and to “design yourself,” and your career, just as you would an architecture project. You know about the design process, so why not apply it to yourself?” – Lee W. Waldrep, Ph.D.
…architectural graduates who are in command of the powerful problem-‐ defining and problem-‐solving skills of the designer will be fully capable of designing their own imagina6ve careers by crea6ng new defini6ons of meaningful work for architects that are embedded in the social landscape of human ac6vity and life’s events. -‐-‐Leslie Kanes Weisman
For those willing to take up the challenge, there has never been a more exci6ng 6me to be an architect. We have the talent, tools and processes to make an enormous difference, if only we are willing to use them. This is a leadership opportunity. -‐-‐ ScoL Simpson, Sr. Fellow Design Futures Council
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Sustainability / Green Design New Technologies / Social Media Building Informa6on Modeling (BIM) New Prac6ces Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) Collabora6on Public Interest Design Distance Educa6on / Learning
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Tradi6onal Prac6ce Adver6sing Art Automo6ve Book Publishing Clothing Design Energy Conserva6on Environmental and Codes Environmental Scien6st Ethics and Sustainability Ethnoarchitect Fabric Structures Fashion Design Fes6val Architecture Financial Services Floral Arrangements Furniture Design
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Gaming Environment Design Graphic Design Historic Preserva6on Magazine Publishing Media and E-‐Commerce Poli6cs – Ci6zen Architect Product Analysis Produc6on Designer Public Interest Design (Social Engagement) Real Estate Sales and Marke6ng Management Set Design Social Media Space Architecture User Experience
Courtesy: Phil Bernstein, Autodesk
RESOURCES People | Social Media (LinkedIn) Becoming an Architect, 3rd ed. (2014) Down Detour Rd: An Architect in Search of Prac0ce The Eco Guide to Careers that Make a Difference Career Op0ons for Architects (AIA, 2003) hip://architectsofotherthings.tumblr.com hip://www.archinect.com (Working out of the Box)
THE BUILDER Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity. The plaque on the wall says, “life is a do-ityourself project.�
LEE W. WALDREP, PH.D. Dr. Architecture Twiier: @DocArchitecture hip://archcareers.blogspot.com/ lwaldrep@gmail.com