Architecture is a profession that is ever changing and evolving, and as a career, it has immense scope in India. An architect spearheads the process of construction of complexes, commercial buildings, malls, highways construction and civil construction by applying their innovative ideas and analytical skills.
The job of an architect requires meeting with clients to determine objectives and requirements for structures, direct workers, prepare drawings and documents, prepare structural specifications, manage construction contracts and prepare scaled drawings, either with computer software or by hand.
In some cases, architects provide predesign services, such as feasibility and environmental impact studies, site selection, cost analysis, and design requirements.
In developing designs, architects follow state and local building codes, zoning laws, fire regulations, and other ordinances, such as those requiring reasonable access for people with disabilities.
Salary of an Architect in India
Starting salary ~ 35,000 rupees per month. The monetary growth is slow, but steady. If you play your cards right, you can get to the 50k mark in just 3-4 years.
Job Profile (A Day in the life of an Architect)
The job is mostly 9-5, but a lot depends on the workload of the day. The actual work that architects do is designing/executing interior design works, architectural works and furniture designs.
Basic technical skills are learnt in college (You need a degree for this), and apart from that computer skills are required to make drawings and 3D models for various different projects. Responsibilities of an architect are designing, making drawings, dealing with the clients and going to site to oversee the execution of the project.
Since the range of work is quite a lot, the work is usually done in a team and the workload is divided accordingly. But in certain smaller projects, you may have to handle them individually.
Growth opportunities depends on the scale of the office you work in, smaller the office quicker you will learn; but overall growth would be less. Bigger the office, higher the growth opportunity, but actual learning will take time. Work-life balance again depends on the office you work in. But in the end, you personally need to draw a line to ensure that a health balance is maintained.
Degree
Yes, a bachelor’s degree in architecture is required. Bachelor’s in architecture is a five-year course. Students seeking admission to this can take NATA. NATA scores are used for giving and restricting admission.
One thing to love about being an Architect
“Creative field, changes your outlook towards everything.”
One thing to hate about being an Architect
“Salary is not that great. Those whose only aim is to earn should stay away. Big money will only come after you do big projects, which no one will give you unless you have a lot of experience.”
Recommended Colleges
Balwant Sheth School of Architecture (NMIMS), NITs, CEPT, JJ School of architecture are some recommendations form our side.
Resources and Tips
- Read the books written by Francis Ching.
- Follow @next_top_architects and @archi_press on Instagram for some interesting, avant-garde ideas and projects.
- 30X40 Design Workshop is a great YouTube channel for architects and architecture students.
Step-by-step guide to become an Architect
- Take the PCM stream in class 11th.
- Give NATA and get a good score for admission in Bachelors of Architecture.
- For admission in NITs, School of planning and architecture, and IIT Kharagpur, you would also have to give JEE Mains and Advanced.
- Do as much networking as you can in college.
- Start doing internships as early as possible. Look for them on websites such as Internshala.
- Sit for campus placements, and if that doesn’t work out, LinkedIn is your best friend.
Similar Occupations
Civil engineer, Industrial designer, Construction managers, Production engineer