Architecture Courses overview
Architecture is the art of designing, planning and constructing a building. Architects shape the world around them by creating spaces for people to exist. It involves consideration, creativity, and watching an idea transform from a drawing on a page to a real bricks and mortar construction. As well as designing buildings, architects also research new building techniques and technologies, and increasingly strive to make buildings as environmentally sustainable as possible.
Is architecture for me?
You will be suited to a degree in architecture if you have an eye for aesthetics and the anatomical bones of a building. Those who pursue a career in architecture encompass that well-rounded type of person who can combine style with substance. Your creativity needs to be complimented by a solid work ethic, as well as practicality. Students of architecture will need to complete units in both artistic subjects and scientific subjects.
Study pathway
Those who want to study architecture can take a Bachelor of Architecture or a Bachelor of Architectural Design. Other specialised undergraduate degrees in the field of architecture include Bachelors of Applied Science with a major in architectural science, or a Bachelor of Architectural Computing.
To work as a registered architect you need to complete a master’s qualification. While the road of studies that leads to to becoming an architect is long, the complex nature of the profession requires mastery of many areas.
Upon completion of your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture, you will need to pass an Architectural Practice examination before you can become registered to legally practice architecture in Australia. You will then need to register with the architect’s board in the state or territory in which you wish to work. Each board complies with the National Standard of Competency for Architects in order to ensure safe and professional standards for the built structures in Australia. You can read more about the pathway to registration on the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) website.
Once you have completed an undergraduate degree in architecture it is possible to further your studies. Graduate certificates, diplomas and master of Architecture offer the skills you need to deepen your practice or focus on a specific area of architecture in depth. Most postgraduate degrees in architecture will last between one and two years studied full time.
You can further cement skills in specific branches of architecture with your postgraduate qualification in fields such as sustainable design, heritage conservation, and more. Most postgrad architecture degrees will combine coursework, research and practical assessments.
Students who wish to go further into academia can pursue a Doctor of Architecture degree.
Employment options
Those with architecture degrees have a wide range of employment options available to them. Qualified architects can work in many different fields of construction, design, property affairs, and more.
Additionally, because architecture degrees combine such diverse branches of learning, those who complete their studies will find that employment in non-architecture fields is also a possibility.
Typical jobs for those with a degree in architecture include:
Architect
Obviously, many people with architecture degrees will be employed in the design, construction and execution of creating buildings (read more).
Sustainable architect
Sustainable architects specialise in creating green and environmentally friendly structures that minimise both their energy output and their impact on the surrounding environment. To achieve this, sustainable architects use energy efficient materials and techniques, and create spaces that work with the ecosystem (read more).
Urban planner
An urban planner considers all the historical, social and spatial factors that influence the interactions that take place between people and their environments. Urban planners consider population sprawl, and how to both manage this and make cities places that allow their inhabitants to flourish (read more).
Conservationist
Those interested in preserving and protecting cultural heritage can work in this field. Research, lobbying, education and prevention conservation are some of the ways people can protect architectural gems for future generations (read more).
Property developer
Also known as real estate development, this broad field involves everything from land sales to renovating and re-leasing existing properties (read more).
Industrial designer
Architectural skills are useful in the process of designing and manufacturing products on a large scale (read more).
Interior designer
Architects are often adept at improving the interior aesthetic of a building (read more).
Specialisations
Technical writer
A technical writer will use their architectural knowledge to communicate instructions of specialised techniques so that anyone can understand them. This job assists in the realisation of architectural visions (read more).
Urban community social development
This specialisation assists growing urban communities in making spaces comfortable and conducive to a pleasant life. There is a specific focus on the social fabrics, cultures and identities within the community.
Theatre design
Achieving the ideal audio and acoustics within a performance space require specialised skills from the architect involved (read more).