I love architecture. It is all around us and it has the ability to shape the way we live and go about our day and our lives. It always fascinates me how in an empty lot kids can play ball and run around. The same lot can also be developed and house hundreds of people - hopefully this development would be designed and executed to bring value to their inhabitants by allocating space for green areas and for kids to run around.
I think that most people understand architecture in general, but in this post I would like to start a conversation on what exactly an architect does.
We innately understand what a doctor, lawyer, nurse, or even a general contractor does, but what exactly does an architect do? Pretty drawings and renderings? Spatial design? Materials selection? Permits and building clearances? Yes to all of that and more!
All of the aforementioned activities are just tools in the Architect’s toolbox. Some of them are required, as in the case of permits. Others help to convey ideas and to represent the designed space in ways that make it easier for the client to visualize themselves living and thriving in their beautifully designed spaces.
First and foremost an architect is a licensed professional that plans, designs and oversees the construction of buildings. Architects protect the health and welfare of the public. In order to able to call themselves “architects” they need to fulfill the requirements for each state board which in California includes all of the following:
5 years of education and/or professional work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed architect
Three years of experience practicing under the direct supervision of a licensed architect
Successful completion of the Architect Registration Examination comprising 6 exams. These exams evaluate the minimum skills and knowledge that an architect should possess in the areas of design, project management and administration, construction evaluation, structures, materials, engineering systems, and more.
Successful completion of the California Supplemental Examination, which evaluates the architect's competence to practice in the state of California.
Architects are trained problem solvers and good ones would see opportunities where other people see roadblocks. No two buildings are the same, as location, occupants, orientation, soil characteristics, topography, climate, and codes and regulations vary so much even within the same block.
An architect would analyze all the individual characteristics of the site and the occupants to develop a plan and a design that not only would help to streamline the process to achieve habitational goals, but also would save the client headaches and money in the process.
How can an Architect do all of that? Some people relate the role of an Architect with big projects. Is there an advantage to involving an architect in a project of any size?
Of course I am going to say that there is an advantage! But this is something that I deeply believe to be true. An architect is an investment towards the success of your project. The more decisions you make at the beginning, the easier and less costly the further phases will be. Frank Lloyd Wright said: “You can use an eraser on the drafting table or a sledge hammer on the construction site”. The only inaccurate aspect of this quote today is that we don't use the drafting tables much anymore.
We will continue exploring this subject in further blog posts. In the meantime, if you have a specific question that you would like me to address, please send me your request and I will answer it either directly or with a blog post.
At Unfolding Lines, we love helping people program, design and detail their dream spaces. Small projects only need to adjust the scope of services required from an architect, but we can still add value and help you! Don’t hesitate to call us.
In the meantime, I will leave you with an interesting piece of history:
Who was the first Architect known by name?
Imhotep (27th Century B.C.) is known to be
the first Architect known by name in history.
He designed the pyramid of Djoser, also known
as the Step Pyramid at Saqqara in Egypt
in 2630-2611 BC.
And in case you are wondering, yes, he is
the same Imhotep portrayed in the movie
“The Mummy”, but that is beyond our scope!
Please comment, like on instagram or facebook and share with your friends, family and colleagues!
Gracias!
Citlalli
“Our opportunity, as designers, is to learn how to handle the complexity, rather than shy away from it, and to realize that the big art of design is to make complicated things simple.”
- Tim Parsey
References:
Worthington American made architectural products: https://blog.worthingtonmillwork.com/bid/245850/the-first-known-architect-in-history#:~:text=first%20architect%20in%20history%20was,use%20of%20columns%20in%20architecture.
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Special thanks to my editor, Ilya Godes!
Citlalli is an architect and a mom who enjoys
finding the extraordinary around us and
understanding what makes each person thrive.
She believes that art, and good design should
be accessible, and her motivation is to help build
a better world for the next generations.
She has worked on residential and commercial
projects for 15 years, and decided to open her own
studio in Los Angeles, California, aimed to make
great architecture accessible and affordable to more people.
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