Wherever you look, you are bound to see some form of architecture. Architecture is a form of civil engineering that is used to design and interpret buildings. Architects design and build structures like houses, bridges, buildings, skyscrapers, and even the benches or chairs you sit on daily. There is a wide variety of different types of architects, such as industrial architects, classical architects, sustainable architects, interior architects, etc. From the way buildings look on the outside and the inside to the way it is styled, everything is done by architects. One of the most famous architects, Frank Lloyd Wright, had a favorite saying: “Form follows function”. Whenever he designed something, even if it was a wall, he never pictured it as just a wall. He would look at the form of the wall, the function of the wall, and what that wall could do.
How to be an architect
The first step to get into this type of work is to go to a school that has an architecture program. Getting at least a Bachelor’s Degree in architecture is imperative. Relevant work experience, such as an apprenticeship under someone experienced, is also a must. You will also need a passing score on the Architect Registration Exam (ARE for short). A passing score ranges between 59% to 71%. To get into a good architectural school, you will have to have a strong academic profile and good test scores with a high GPA.
What is it like to be an architect?
“An Architect is like being an artist. You envision shapes, lighting, emotions, and views. You design and create artworks for people to see and live in,” according to my dad, Hector Molina, who used to do work as an architect. Because of the Chicago Fire, many opportunities came about as architectural work was needed. Architects teamed up with engineers and they were able to interpret and design new building structures to rebuild Chicago. They changed the way buildings were built and the materials that were used for building. These materials are still used today. Architects play a big role in today’s society – building houses, towers, streets, schools, bridges, etc. Everywhere you look you will see what an architect helped design and build.
