I Wanna Be an Architect · A Day In The Life Of An Architect

Jesse goes behind the scenes with Sophie Giles to find out what being an Architect is all about.
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What does it take to become an Architect?
Architects use creativity and a practical understanding of structures and materials to develop concepts, plans, specifications and detailed drawings for buildings and other structures. They negotiate with builders and planning authorities, administer building contracts and inspect work that has been carried out.
Sophie reveals how Architects do so much more than just design houses, and describes the steps required to become an Architect.
Transcript
Architecture is used for more things than just building a house. It's in this building, in your phone, even down at the park.
Did you know that the Sims video game was initially designed as an architecture simulator? Why have i told you this unnecessary fact? Because today we're talking to an architect and if you've ever played Lego or The Sims then maybe you have the artistic design and flair to be an architect and today we're gonna find out.
Today we've come to the University of Western Australia to talk to Sophie Giles and architecture lecture to get the lowdown on what it's like to be an architect.
Jesse what would you like to know?
Well I want to know what's involved with being an architect. I am an architect I'm a registered architect and I practice, but i'm also teach architecture associate dean in the Faculty of architecture landscape and visual arts at UWA so I have a number of roles and that but i'm not a typical architect. You're a busy person.
So can you take me through a typical day for you and also what it would be like for an architect?
For me a normal day would be teaching students, the typical architect who doesn't take would be involved in probably a number of scales of project so small scale projects, possibly drawing designing details, working on-site fielding calls from contractors on site working in large teams, large projects either likely or around the world.
So it's not just sitting down and designing houses it's a lot more involved? I think sometimes architects wish they could just sit down in one spot and design all day architects are generally covering a whole lot of different scales of project at the same time. Sitting down to draw would be a luxury.
Is that why you became an architect?
I particularly was engaged by the sort of sense of being out to make spaces that people could be in, hang out in but when I was wanting to be an architect I didn't know all of the kind of richness that actually involves now and wonderful first year students come in thinking they're going to kind of come out be able to design a house and then when they come out they can design so many things. They can design cars and can design objects they can think about whole master planning and urban planning. Is that the best thing about being an architect?
What's the hardest thing about being an architect?
The hardest part is reconciling your client expectations and also your own expectations about time and budget. Trying to produce a really quality piece of work for yourself but also for your clients.
I mean is there much work out there for architecture the moment? I think there's it's a really varying wave and particularly in this boom state it seems really connected to the amount of money that the state has. Here there's less work currently for architecture compared to European nations at the moment but there's always working in the realm of design.
And so someone wanted to become an architect what is the one piece of advice you would give?
I think it's really about kind of immersing themselves within the realm of design and so it's not just the design of buildings but very much the design of kind of environments and furniture, clothes products, yeah just immersing oneself within that in that realm.
First question, what characteristics does someone need to be and architect?
I think very much the creativity and also the kind of science base the ability to hold a number of different aspects in their head at once.
Whether their pragmatic and creative aspects of being able to put a deal with them at the same time. And if you could end up where you are today but do one thing differently, that would that be? Probably spend more time communicating with clients throughout the building process.
And from school to today what are the steps you need to take to become an architect?
You need to go to a university which teaches architecture and you need to do a three year undergraduate degree, then you move into your master of architecture then you work in an office for a number of years, then when you feel you have enough experience and scale of contracts to then take your architecture accreditation exams which actually very difficult exams but once passing that then you become a registered architect.

[@sandman5071]

To all who have comment wanting to be Architect or anything you have interest in and passion for, you can do it. Thats what makes you achieve your goals in life. Never give up on your hope and dreams that something you enjoy doing. When I was kid I wanted to be and Architect. I am Architectural Designer today.

[@yo-bn9hw]

How is the salary and how hard is it to find a job right after college? Were the classes hard?

[@hamdantariq3751]

Please answer her question!!!!

[@re7dev]

I'm an architectural engineer. currently and for the past 5-6 years the market has been horrible. don't do it! lol, I've advised so many to abandon the Arch. school but no one listened, now they are all working other jobs not related to design in any way. I do photography and lowkey management in a firm unrelated to architecture whatsoever. right now is the worst time to do it... just don't, lol

[@HarryMolly_Ned]

Thanks

[@MitchellBPYao]

Yea I created my own building, love SketchUp and working on cad was going to study last year and applied to online, dreams of open my own firm

[@rachelg6413]

She's 💯 on the hardest part of being an architect. I wish they would incorporate a class to help ppl manage clients and business, when I was in architecture school. Its a very challenging and rewarding field.

[@Rakuzou]

I play a lot of Sims! I knew building and designing was my passion ❤

[@alphantym3267]

Rax Milan Same, I play a lot of those 'build your own house' and 'build a city' type of games. I really want to be an architect! 😄

[@taydoanpu2164]

cool

[@ricecake5389]

Me too!

[@teepark7774]

Me tooo

[@arunreakpichek4580]

I play Minecraft

[@thearchitect1601]

Games I play when I was kid, that pushed me to become a architecture design engineer, where sims, Minecraft, zoo tycoon 2, and this off-brand legos that mom, got me when I was young. Love the all. And love architecture.

[@vangievc]

I'm good at designing and drawing and creating smart ideas and I also always make outstanding projects in my school

[@shahzebkhan9416]

that background music is killing me....

[@mohitaryal8976]

If you are watching this video. Trust me, you are already an architect, just needing some system.

[@epoch_ae2128]

I love minecraft nd i do alot of houses in the game

[@miaespinoza8631]

I love architecture but I’m scared i won’t become successful 😣

[@pwmtb9115]

Same 😖

[@anekleynhans1991]

Me toooo.. I'm stressed about my future... What if I can't make it😬

[@liz.gracee_]

This was really helpful thank you

[@animalloverjulian8243]

I’m 14 and knowing that I only have 4 years left until I’m an adult, I’m very terrified and I’ve realized I need to think about my life and future. This video really helped me

[@evelynr5948]

same, i'm 16 and I suck at drawing and terrified if i'll make it or not

[@dnndnxn8338]

Im 15 and i am in architecture school rn i been there for less than a year and mostly we didint draw free hand we mostly do it wirh rulers

[@suubane30pp39]

I was looking for information about artichecture and I get that information from this video. Thanks

[@ebiyewilson4774]

Immerse yourself in the realm of design 👍

[@anjanaroy3250]

Architecture architecture. ... that's killing Oooh I really really really want to become a architect

[@MariaAdele]

you mentioned the sims i play that game like all day and also sims inspired me to be an architect and im only ten

[@kelsey3824]

Great questions Jesse! So funny I am applying to M.Arch in the states - first time actually going for arch and I mentioned the sims in my statement of purpose essay just organically without knowing that background on it! So I found that to be pretty kismet. Also funny because I tended to focus more on the house design and what cheat code I could use to get better furniture over actually playing the game. Thanks!

[@juliemendes6146]

Right Sarah Lynn? Sarah Lynn... Sarah Lynn?

[@Larsbor]

My adwise (listening to the tell of opportunities.. and where she get the jobs from) study economy and marketing.

[@teepark7774]

LaArs hos LajoD thanks

[@tatendamanzungu1140]

Is it possible to do civil engineering degree then do Archirtectural in your Masters

[@muneefashinku6575]

I am a senior now in high school and I want to take architecture as my bachelor degree....can anyone suggest some uni in canada and which is kind of cheap cuz I am kind of broke...lol..

[@odys__4763]

Since young I only ever used cassettes to build what I desire, lego was too expensive for me, now I model stuff with hot glue and ice cream sticks and sometimes boxes. I would like to use a sort of software to get the real architect experience, any recommendations?

[@eternalexperience2489]

JayCoMilo Productions Autocad! :)

[@storiesakash]

Do you want the Software an Architecture use then I'll suggest Revit, AutoCad and we also do use Photshop too.

[@Noor-ib5hf]

Planner 5D

[@yonwabanongogo9086]

@@storiesakash I'll try these too, thanks 🤗

[@armymoo9334]

I play a lot sims but I don't sure if this is my career because all of the people said me that I can't choose architecture for that:/

[@zaireese3569]

Candin Hope Maybe you should consider taking Interior Design?

[@emojipurvis3166]

I’d love to be one coz rn I’m 14 but the only thing that makes me have second thoughts about the jobs :( is I’m not good at maths and I’m not so good at art :(

[@bunbunella]

You dont have to be good at math or drawing to be an architect, yes it helps. But you will learn all you need to in Architecture school. For math dont worry too much Architects dont usually do a lot of math on daily basis, most of the math comes from college. As for drawing, you are still young just start practicing and even if you are not good it doesn't necessarily matter because everthing in architecture is translated into a 3D model in the compture.

[@LukeDoesMusicThings]

Sarah Lynn brought me here :(

[@Jenna-zl9su]

Why did u put a sad face

[@doctorwhouse3881]

That's too much, man.

[@marykatherineschmitz3007]

I don't know if I want to go for digital media or architecture

[@hamdantariq3751]

Mary Katherine schmitz what did you choose now

[@BernardoPatino]

THAT'S TOO MUCH, MAN!

[@z3itslay]

Finally, a Bojack Reference.

[@bheearegamingvlog9328]

im also 11 and i want to become architeck thars my dream

[@chrisc.73]

I was your age when I discovered I wanted to be an architect, don’t stop believing in yourself and become what you know you want to be

[@ferdiefigueroa5642]

Can minecraft be one?

[@liz.gracee_]

My dream was to become an architect and I'm still 11 yrs old!🙂

[@alphantym3267]

Kaitlin Julian Wow, same

[@anjanaroy3250]

Best of luck

[@kyrafarrugia1191]

Same but I'm 12

[@onealthefamilyman4930]

You probably want to be an astronaut next week

[@SimPilotMika]

Me too. When I was your age I was designing houses in Minecraft. I’m 16 now, over a year ago I started designing houses in SketchUp Make 2017 (its free!) and I grew my knowledge and experience with building design, I decided to leave school early and enrol in Diploma of Building Design at TAFE, I’m doing the course now, I love it. All architects have a passion with design and construction from an early age such as LEGO, minecraft and sims. My advice would be to start to learn SketchUp. Your first model won’t be a masterpiece (like my first model) but with gaining more knowledge about design and modelling techniques you will get better at it and one day enrol into architecture at Uni or building design at tafe. You are only 12 so don’t think you be designing masterpieces early, slowly build up your knowledge.

[@anotheralex1360]

I mean minecraft

[@munchyaj7841]

i want to be architect but is so hard :(

[@kendallgeiger7212]

with a strong mind your dreams will come true just believe that you can do it just believe I have a strong mind to be one guess what I'm don't have the guidance to get to the goal those who think they can't get unleash there true potential u can

[@taydoanpu2164]

what is so hard

[@anotheralex1360]

You can do it :)

[@karenctran]

I’m an architecture student at Georgia Tech. It’s so hard but totally worth it. Architects don’t just make buildings, we make memories for people. :)

[@shouryaseth5715]

@@karenctran Hey man I want to become an architect I am a student in Fulton Country are there any AP courses you would recommend for me? Thx

[@anotheralex1360]

Also minecrfat

[@elkay7740]

AnotherAlex Yes minecraft

[@lucaswilson7132]

hey x

[@kayden5238]

welp I'm nearing 40 years of age ill give that a hard pass time I would be a registered architect I would be nearing the retiring bracket

[@OrenOzer]

Welcome into machine

[@taydoanpu2164]

gget you gay self outta here

[@annieletics_4683]

i play bloxburg

[@cobbleking1053]

Why is the pay so bad and why do you have to study for so long

[@sooezzmatezp4283]

CobbleKing lol you will get 1.2mil per year Is it bad money Maybe 1 year you will earn more than 1 maybe 3mil 10 years 23 mil Is it bad money

[@cobbleking1053]

SooEzzMAte Zp:; well I really want to be one but I have researched and it said 60 000 per year but hopefully that's wrong that's what it said online

[@sooezzmatezp4283]

CobbleKing it means the least money you will earn a year Look at being a doctor you will get much money isn't it but it says online 80,000 mhmm

[@georgebattersby7638]

SooEzzMAte Zp:; you will definitely not earn 1.2mil annually, unless you own a successful business, as a beginner you will earn a minimum of 20k and a maximum of 40k and as you become more experienced, you will earn more. And 60,000 per year is a lot of money, you must be very young to not understand how much that actually is.

[@northst]

CobbleKing 60 000 is actually pretty good

[@ChronicWonder117]

i played halo reach forge.....

[@lambgoat3339]

I’m very young below 10 but already built a 4000 piece Lego and it was fun but hard and took 10 days

[@MeMyselfI__]

Am I the Only one who has to watch this in ART class .__.

[@tdsmtdsm]

You will get a job but probably not in architecture. It is a great undergrad because open your mind to the world but design work won't be it.

[@elsicariomatandomota8680]

the only thing I don't like about architecture and thus is just me, I hate the whole feel the mountain feel the colors bullshit. what I need to know is how to let the carpenters how the exterior walls will be decided and drawn. how the interior walls will be decided and drawn. each window and door is not the same so how are they thought out. hold weight no weight. then comes setting joists or floor trusses. why the differences. then comes beams of different sizes. how's that decided. then when that is all set then comes osb or regular sheathing on floors ready to start the next floor or ready to put on trusses with or without a pitch. I'm a carpenter and I build apartments and million dollar homes. I get the building part, how it was thought up is what I'd like to know. the physics behind it all. not this feel the colors crackhead art teacher bullshit.

[@gravisan]

filmed using a potato

[@toyebteli7475]

Architect with out Structural engineer is nothing.