What Education is Required to be a Commercial Architect?

What Education is Required to be a Commercial Architect?
What Education is Required to be a Commercial Architect?

What Education is Required to be a Commercial Architect? – It’s not surprising that the first thing most people think about when considering a career in architecture is what education is required. It’s easy to see why, because sometimes it can feel like a marketing ploy to woo students into enrolling in expensive programs at prestigious universities. Actually, architects are just like any other profession and have very few requirements for entry-level positions.

A commercial architect will generally require at least three to five years of experience as an architectural intern, draftsman, or designer. Although it is not a requirement for employment, most architects choose to attend college and graduate school for their training; some even complete their degrees before advancing their design careers.

What Education is Required to be a Commercial Architect

To be a commercial architect, one needs the following subjects:

  1. Mathematics
  2. Physics
  3. Chemistry
  4. English Language and Literature and at least one of:
  5. Geography OR 
  6. Biology or 
  7. Any other subject not mentioned above but acceptable for admission into a university of technology or technological institute in Nigeria, with a minimum pass grade of C+ (credit), to include mathematics and physics, which should be passed at the same sitting as any other mandatory subjects taken; and the applicant must have obtained at least two general passes in OLevels, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, and English language, with an aggregate score of 20 points, including 4 points for mathematics, 2 points for physics, and 4 points for chemistry, respectively.

Skills Required to Be a Commercial Architect

The necessary skills are:

Creative skills:

  • 3D design
  • 2D design
  • Sketching and drawing skills

Application skills:

  • AutoCAD, Revit, JIRA, and Microsoft Office Specialist in Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)

Marketing skills:  

  • Public speaking capabilities
  • Networking ability with professionals across a variety of industries and disciplines, including architects, contractors, engineers, developers, interior designers, and others
  • Writing in technical manuals or other documentation As such, the commercial architect must have an understanding of architecture as well as be able to work with the architectural profession.

Management and organizational skills:

  • Time management skills
  • Work in the field with minimal supervision for periods of 2 or more months.

Technical skills: 

  • Building Structures: The ability to design structures that are dependable, sustainable, and visually pleasing
  • Electrical systems and low-voltage systems: the ability to coordinate the electrical and low-voltage systems with other technical disciplines such as mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, security, and life safety
  • Mechanical systems: the ability to coordinate the mechanical systems with other technical disciplines such as electrical and plumbing These disciplines need to be coordinated so that they are compatible as well as reliable so that all loads are accounted for when designing a complex building system.

Benefits of Being a Commercial Architect

The benefits of being a commercial architect are:

  • Architectural work is diverse. There are a wide variety of projects in architecture, each one presenting different challenges and opportunities.
  • It offers a high degree of creativity: architects design unique buildings or spaces that meet the needs and goals of different clients.
  • Architects work with other professionals: Architects often work alongside engineers, surveyors, interior designers, and construction managers to create beautiful buildings and modern spaces.
  • Architectural work is challenging: It takes analytical skills to design well-balanced structures that also meet code requirements from governing bodies like the International Code Council (ICC).
  • Architecture offers an excellent career path. A bachelor’s degree in architecture opens many exciting doorways for the future.
  • Architects have excellent opportunities for management. Successful architects are often promoted to management roles and win many awards from their peers and clients. Many also work in corporate design fields like interior design and landscape architecture, where they help create buildings for companies and organizations.
  • The income potential is great: architects at the top of their field can earn millions of dollars a year designing buildings and spaces that meet the needs of many different people.
  • There is a wide range of job opportunities: In addition to being an architect, architects can work in many different industries and companies, including residential and commercial planning, architecture education, building construction and development, interior and retail design, project management, real estate development, and government.
  • Working with people is rewarding. Products of the architect’s skill, like buildings people can use or admire, become community treasures and monuments.
  • Working creatively is satisfying. Many architects take satisfaction in seeing the finished product of their hard work for years to come.
  • It’s an excellent way to learn: architects learn by doing, and much of their training comes through practical experience.
  • It’s a highly challenging career: successful architects are in high demand and must be adaptable to changes in the industry as well as business and community needs.
  • Architecture is a noble profession. Architects work with other designers to create modern buildings that reflect the values of their community, culture, and time period.
  • There are ample opportunities for advancement. In addition to architectural design and building construction, many architects work on projects related to real estate development, design or architecture education, project management, or government contracts.

Conclusion

The commercial architect is responsible for creating and updating designs and specifications for various projects. The commercial architect’s design services may range from the drafting of a detailed engineering drawing to the creation of an interior sketch to the development and documentation of a marketing plan for a new project.

The professional commercial architect must understand the limitations of each method, become familiar with the technology involved, and use it as appropriate. In addition, they must understand architectural toolkits and related software, such as AutoCAD and Civil 3D. Like other professionals, they must have excellent communication skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are examples of commercial architecture?

Other examples of commercial buildings are schools, hospitals, police stations, and government buildings. Each of these would require different architecture to accommodate the building’s needs. For example, hospitals would need operating rooms, while schools would need a gymnasium.

What are the 8 types of commercial?

Multifamily.
Office.
Industrial.
Retail.
Hotels.
Mixed Use.
Land.
Special Purpose.

What is the difference between industrial and commercial architecture?

Examples of commercial construction include offices, restaurants, hotels, stores, gyms, and hospitals. Industrial construction, on the other hand, focuses on business operations and often refers to factories, manufacturing facilities, power plants, refineries, and more.

What is the importance of commercial architecture?

Commercial architecture plays an essential role in shaping the urban landscape and creating functional and aesthetically pleasing buildings. Commercial architects must work closely with their clients to understand their requirements and create a building that meets their needs while staying within the project’s budget!

Can architects do product design?

Product design extends an architect’s ability to use their creative skills and eye for planning & artistic interpretation to respond to an environmental necessity. Many of the same principles explored and addressed through architecture can be applied to the design of products.

References

  • Degreequery.com – What Degree Do I Need To become a Commercial Architect
  • Indeed.com – What is a Commercial Architect
  • Newschoolscholarch.com – What Degree Do you need to become and Architect

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