Skills that make architects successful in their careers
For some people, becoming an architect may not be an easy choice. You are soon graduating from high school and you might be feeling pressure to choose which university degree to pursue. You might believe that in order to even apply to study architecture, you must possess exceptional drawing skills. But that is not true. Choosing to work as an architect is a great career choice. There are many reasons to fall in love with the field of architecture but to be a successful architect you need a special set of skills.
Numerical skills
People may see an architect’s finished product and think it is all about design. A part of architecture does involve design but it also relies substantially on the knowledge of geometry, algebra, physics, engineering, and computer programming. Understanding how and why particular designs and ideas may or may not work before they are implemented is essential for a successful career in architecture. After all, your calculations could make or break a project.
Analytical and problem-solving skills
When it comes to architecture, numerical skills are not enough. You must understand how your calculations will perform when put to the test. Along with being able to identify the problem and provide a solution for it, you also need to be able to understand why your calculations led to the problem in question. In the history of architectural plans, only a few have been executed successfully without any obstacles along the way. When a problem occurs, you need to be adaptable and flexible in order to provide a quick and efficient solution.
Design skills
The feeling when you make something that looks good is great. However, your designs must also be practical, viable and suitable to your client’s requirements. Because of this, it is crucial to have a solid grasp of design principles, such as understanding how to combine aesthetically pleasing design with functionality. A skilled architect will always be able to strike a balance between the two.
Creative skills
You must be both creative and innovative if you want to work in a field where modern architecture pushes the boundaries of aesthetics. Any architect’s mission statement includes the ability to be creative and to bring bold new ideas to life. If you want your work to be memorable, you will need to be innovative.
Teamwork
The ability to collaborate effectively with others is crucial for architects. Even if you might be the only one working on a design, the project will still require teamwork to succeed. Being a team player is really important whether you are working with the construction crew, suppliers, clients, or surveyors and planning officials.
Communication skills
Knowing how to effectively communicate with each of the many different types of people you will be working with is an essential skill. In order for everyone to understand your project, you need to be able to explain your ideas. Communication skills are another set of skills that architects need to be successful.
Attention to detail
In order to avoid errors, preserve efficiency and analyse information, paying attention to details is essential. Architectural drawings, whether hand-drawn or digital, are intricate works of art that construction workers use as a reference. Therefore, a single improperly placed window or plumbing design can result in problems. These problems will subsequently result in delays and fixing them could be expensive which is why paying close attention to detail is crucial as you cannot leave anything to chance.
Knowledge of building laws and local codes
Laws and local codes have much to say about what you can build, where, and how. Some of these rules have a direct bearing on the job of the architect, such as those that regulate the number and size of windows as part of fire safety, for example. Some rules forbid construction on specific sites, such as marshes or floodplains. These may not directly affect you as the architect because a certified surveyor will be in charge of this portion of the job. But if you do not identify and fix these issues, all your efforts could be for nothing.
Thank you for taking the time to read our article on the skills that make architects successful in their careers. If you are interested in studying the field of architecture in Berlin, take a look at our BA program in Architecture. Feel free to reach out to our Student Affairs team at any time via application@berlin-international.de.