General Chat / The Future Architects' Thread

For the past couple of years I was thinking I was gonna go into Architecture but the closer I get to college it keeps getting less and less appealing to me.
I'm most likely gonna Minor in something like Architectural Studies but not a full blown major in Architecture.

For those of you who have been involved with the course, what would you say the major assets necessary to succeed are?

@Comet - ironically i was completely the opposite. i used to hate it but as i get closer it gets more and more interesting for me.

Don't know the answer to your question Gwazi, but have you tried contacting the design school at your college? They may be able to answer your question. Also there are probably statistics online about what types of laptops students use based on each major...at least there are for my school.

So next fall I'll be going into my sophomore year in civil engineering, and I'm really considering doing a structural emphasis for undergrad and then doing architectural engineering in grad school. I don't know much about architectural engineering so it's just a thought right now. Obviously I have a few years to sort that out.

^^I'm kind of like you. I liked it before, but the prospect of studio work excites me even more. This next year and a half are going to be painful

i used to loveeee it but now since im in cad & last year i took res. architecture i don't like it as much.

I'm thinking I want to be an architect... any advice?

@gir - i haven't yet actually; i still have about 5 schools i'm looking into for architecture (i'm still in high school). i have looked around a bit for statistics on the types of laptops used, but haven't had much luck. i'll keep searching though, thanks.

I use an Apple. I only know how to use AutoCAD, so I use Boot Camp to run it on a Window's partition. It works fine. In my class of 18, four use Apple computers (Plus two of my instructors). Some use Parallel's without issue, but neither have done any renderings with it. You could use Vectorworks on an Apple. It's a parametric modeling program. Sketch-Up also exists for Apple. I really like Apple's operating system, their computers, and the fact that they never crash. I use the Apple portion of my computer for everything else, including Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign. I must say though, I have an Intel MacBook Pro, and it's been acting a little slow when editing big images in Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign. Because you'll need to print large drawings (for my recent presentation, I was printing 30 x 48") you need to work in high resolution (300 dpi). It slows things down. Also I find that I'm running all three Adobe programs at the same time, plus iTunes and Safari. So consider lots of RAM.

My school didn't care what computer you used. Just be able to do the work.

awesome, that helped a lot. thanks a ton nate.

where are you considering?

a few different right now; Miami State, Clemson, Washington University in St. Louis, Iowa State are the big ones.

Ball State, Rice, Columbia, and a couple others are on my mind as well.

this is all based on research, however. i will start visiting colleges over the summer (already have plans for Washington University since its so close, as well as Clemson).

I also use an apple laptop, though I also have a PC desktop.
You should first see what the specific school suggests or requires. I went to the University of Cincinnati and they required all architecture majors to buy an apple laptop. From what I have experienced, apple is much better for running the adobe suite and good for most of the general design work that you'll need to do. Like Nate mentioned, you can run vectorworks and sketchup on a mac...although I wouldn't actually recommend using either.

For my PC I bought a student edition of AutoCAD since that is pretty much an essential program for any architect. You can use the computer labs at the university but having your own will definitely help a lot. There are mainly only two cad programs in the work world, autocad and microstation. Both require a PC.

There are some BIM programs which have gained a little bit of the market, though not much, that can be used on MACs...such as ArchiCAD.

As for 3D modeling, we used FormZ for MAC, but most firms use Rhino and 3ds max which are for PC. For modeling I would highly recommend learning Rhino....Max is good for adding lighting to Rhino.

So you can make use of only one of them, but ideally using both is best....and most realistically in the work world it is PC only.

I'll be starting my Masters degree for Architecture in the fall of 2010.

I use an Apple. I only know how to use AutoCAD, so I use Boot Camp to run it on a Window's partition. It works fine. In my class of 18, four use Apple computers (Plus two of my instructors). Some use Parallel's without issue, but neither have done any renderings with it. You could use Vectorworks on an Apple. It's a parametric modeling program. Sketch-Up also exists for Apple. I really like Apple's operating system, their computers, and the fact that they never crash. I use the Apple portion of my computer for everything else, including Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign. I must say though, I have an Intel MacBook Pro, and it's been acting a little slow when editing big images in Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign. Because you'll need to print large drawings (for my recent presentation, I was printing 30 x 48") you need to work in high resolution (300 dpi). It slows things down. Also I find that I'm running all three Adobe programs at the same time, plus iTunes and Safari. So consider lots of RAM.

My school didn't care what computer you used. Just be able to do the work.

Your knowledge of computer programs is much greater than mine, but I would like to add a few things. First, there is nothing wrong with either Vectorworks or Sketchup. Both have their place, their advantages and disadvantages. Many firms use exclusively Vectorworks for their projects, and one student at my school did his final presentation drawings in Sketchup (It was very effective). Revit is gaining very quickly in the workplace. All the firms I've been considering for a job use it. Many of my peers who worked through the school year learned Revit on the job. It's becoming very popular.

Yes, I knew I was forgetting one but couldnt remember the name of it.
Revit is definitely an important program for any architect. I'd say if you could learn any two 3d programs it would be Rhino and Revit.

Vectorworks is alright...I don't really have any big issues with it actually. But Sketchup is another deal. Yes it has its benefits...but I think I would say that Sketchup is to MS Paint what Rhino is to Photoshop CS3. Sketchup is easy, cheap, and generally fast. This is why it is mostly popular among smaller firms and especially in older firms that dont have any younger 3d modeling staff. It has a unique look that fits its name, but if you want something really polished for a high end design from a high end firm, you would never find a sketchup model.

I'm mad that my school taught us FormZ since no one uses that, and now I have never used Rhino or Revit so I am far behind when it comes to 3D tech. I might actually get the trial versions soon so I can at least start to learn it a bit.

But in my opinion, 3d is of lower value to an architect really. It is 100% what you need for presentations and its nice to show other people...but for the architect, you need to know how the plans work...how the sections work...etc. Models can be very deceptive of reality anyway, which a lot of architects forget.

WOOHOO!! I finally took my LEED test and passed! I'm now officially LEED Accredited!!!

For those of you who've never even heard of LEED (and if you're in architecture in the U.S. or even Canada, it's hard to imagine how), you can find out more information at:
http://www.usgbc.org/leed

I've posted a Brain Dump and tips at ARE Forums, which you can view here:
http://www.areforum....um12/47221.html

If that makes me the first NE member to be LEED accredited, cool. If not, oh well.

You're not the only one anymore Al! I passed my LEED test this morning!
I'm not just AP anymore, I'm LEED AP!
lame I know, but thought it was kinda funny anyway.

Anyone else thinking about taking the LEED Exam?

For the past couple of years I was thinking I was gonna go into Architecture but the closer I get to college it keeps getting less and less appealing to me.
I'm most likely gonna Minor in something like Architectural Studies but not a full blown major in Architecture.

For those of you who have been involved with the course, what would you say the major assets necessary to succeed are?

concept of space and form. it can be learned, but some people have a knack for it.
also time management and a good work ethic.

Don't know the answer to your question Gwazi, but have you tried contacting the design school at your college? They may be able to answer your question. Also there are probably statistics online about what types of laptops students use based on each major...at least there are for my school.

So next fall I'll be going into my sophomore year in civil engineering, and I'm really considering doing a structural emphasis for undergrad and then doing architectural engineering in grad school. I don't know much about architectural engineering so it's just a thought right now. Obviously I have a few years to sort that out.

from what i understand, architectural engineering programs will emphasize in one of two areas: hvac and other building systems or structures. the biggest difference between a structural emphasis in civil engineering vs one in architectural engineering at my school is the architectural students go through two design courses, a lighting course and have to take circuits and thermo instead of building systems, a geology class, and a transportation class. you can tailor your civil course load to almost be architectural without taking the design... take structures, foundations, steel, and concrete and you've about got it. (an advanced one of those would be nice tho). seriously that's it.

so my summer plans have changed. i got offered a 7 month paid internship with a company in kansas city that makes air flow and noise control products for hvac systems. i'll be doing structural calculations for the aesthetically pleasing air intakes for hvac systems.

anyone know how to use mathcad? or use it so that you can set a few imputs, it runs through calculations and gives you some outputs, similar to excel?

Wow, I haven't been here in a while. Congrats on becoming LEED AP, Eric! Now the question is are you going to retain the title for LEED 3.0? lol

Also, Revit > ArchiCAD. Just sayin'...

--

Reading back on the licensing part, AP, at least you don't have to take orals. As if the ARE wasn't enough. Does Ohio require CIDP in addition to IDP?

Interesting question Al, I'm not really sure what the new scam is from the USGBC. Do you know the particulars for people that are already LEED APs from v2.2 and before? How does v3.0 affect us?
I know there are now tiered levels of people and multiple tests...and I've read a bit about continued education...but I don't know the details really.

I agree completely...I wish I knew Revit

I am a bit lucky I guess. No orals and no CIDP....I think California is the only state that does CIDP.
I just signed up for my IDP record actually. And just sent a transcript request to my school to be sent to NCARB. I've got to sneak in before the new 6 month rule takes effect...I don't want to lose all of my hours.
I've got a years worth of KPF experience I need to log.

And I'm starting to narrow down my grad school prospects. I want to get it down to like 5-6 schools. Any recommendations? How did you enjoy the grad school at USC?

I didn't go to the grad school at USC, but I hear it's got a lot of Chinese people in it. lol That means nothing, but that's what I can offer. Dean Qing Yun Ma has really nurtured the program.

I think Cali is one of three states to do Orals (Texas and NY are the others). I think more than a few states do CIDP, but it's a pain. Mostly because of the preparing the material for the random audits that they will do.


OK, so I belive (if memory serves me correctly) LEED 3.0 is like this for already-accreditted LEED AP's:

Path ONE
You do nothing. Absolutely nothing. You are then labeled a "Legacy LEED AP," which will basically just be an honorific and hold no real value, other than signify that you, at one time, passed the LEED exam. But better than having zero title at all.

Path TWO
You want to stay connected to LEED, but don't want to put in a ton of work. You can become a LEED Green Associate by paying the biannual member fee.

Path THREE
You want to remain LEED AP. Pay the biannual fee and take continuing education courses to "prove you're staying up to date on sustainability." You also are supposed to demonstrate exposure to LEED projects by working on LEED projects, but the proof on this appears fuzzy.

Path FOUR
You want to be a LEED UberNerd. Become a LEED Fellow by taking a special test after two other tests, then basically write a dissertation and you'll be judged by a group of "peers" and inducted into their special club. I don't think anyone knows what the hell that's about; seems most scammy out of all of it. lol

What I remember is that if you're LEED AP by June 30th, you will not have to take a new test to remain LEED AP, but you will have to pay the renewal fee every two years and have CE credits, like AIA membership requires. Whether AIA CEU's and LEED CEU's will overlap remains uncertain, but they'd be crazy to not have at least a few of them count toward both.

Ideally, you find an employer who will support your continued LEED accreditation and will pay the fees for you and help get you CEU's as long as you work for them. My firm, being very green minded, has pledged to do this for us. They want all architects to be LEED AP, and would like everyone else to be at least LEED Green Associate.