Among the jobs that are secure, lucrative, and in demand are jobs in architecture and design. As a modern society, we will always need buildings of all sorts to house us, and we will always need individuals who have a different perspective and push the architectural design envelop to new heights. Architecture is about advancing ideas from the past and building off them to create something innovative. The architectural field is constantly changing and adapting to the rest of this growing world. Not only does architectural design involve the aesthetic look of a building, it also involves what materials are used to build it, whether the structure safe against natural disasters, and whether or not it is economically feasible. All these questions must be answered.
So, how do you obtain and maintain a career in architectural design? Let me shed some light on that subject for you. First off, you will need to follow several steps in order to pursue your new career. You will need to receive a degree in architecture, preferably a bachelor's at the very least. Your degree should also be accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. Working in an internship would be the next step, followed by passing the Architect Registration Board. If you do not have any experience, a five-year architectural degree would be most suitable for you. It can be a daunting task to complete, and the architecture and design field is highly competitive to begin with, but that doesn't mean you can't succeed.
What are some of the more famous architectural designs which are commonly requested by employers? That depends on which city you are working in; different cities have different styles. Even the residential houses in the suburbs of particular cities have a certain look and style that has defined the region. In New England, for example, there are many colonial houses that were built hundreds of years ago that still stand to this day. In New Mexico and Arizona, adobe houses are a part of the residents' lifestyle that dates back to the Native Americans.
Another form of architecture is Gothic architecture, which is a very old form dating all the way back to the 12th century. This form was started basically for the construction of churches. Before Gothic architecture, churches had round arches. Gothic architecture turned the round arches into pointed arches. Also Gothic architecture has bigger windows and is quite massive in design. Gothic architecture is not only was pleasing to the eye but safer because most Gothic buildings were made mostly of stone.
One type of architecture that will be on the rise is green architecture. Companies that are looking to move in the 21st century and beyond will need architects who understand how to build energy-efficient structures and reduce waste. Ideally, green architecture blends in with the surrounding environment without causing any disturbances in nature. Some of the practices of green architecture include the use of solar energy, green roofs, and gardens. The main goal is to reduce the impact that the building will have on the environment over the coarse of its existence. Typically “green” building materials are found and produced locally to limit transportation impacts and will have less negative effects on the surrounding environment. This field will be extremely popular in the coming years as more and more studies and experiments are done to maximize the potential of green architecture. This might be a slow process, but it is a slow process worth undertaking.
Jobs are expected to rise within the next decade in architecture and design, but the competition will be fierce. With the downfall of the residential housing market in the past few years, residential architecture has also declined. Therefore, the competition for non-residential buildings will be high. Population increases also effect architecture, though, and the baby boomers are getting older and will need more healthcare facilities and nursing homes.
Architectural design is one of those jobs that, while not completely immune to the struggling economy, still supplies lots of great job opportunities. If you have a vast amount of knowledge in green architecture, for example, you will have a great chance of landing a job. No job is bullet proof, and no job in 100% safe from being cut, but what you can do is make yourself indispensable to a company. You can do that by gaining as much knowledge as possible in your architect career.
