Hey everybody

I've been wanting to become an architect during all my life. I dont want to go into the engineering aspect tho. I dont like math and would prefer to stay away from it. I am currently a high school junior and am curious which paricular career you would suggest. I would like a well-paying career though. I'm willing to involve some stuff like business and/or law in this career. It's not that I definitely want to involve that but at least I am not against those things, like math. I actually want to minor in prelaw.
Also, which courses should I take? Which SAT 2s? Any other suggestions? How's the workload in college?
thanks a lot everybody
LeCom aka Vitali

Haven't we gone through this already?

If you want to become an architect that much, why let maths stand in your way? That's beyong me. Trust me, when you do become an architect, maths would be the least of your worries. If you know your maths to survive day to day, I don't see why you can't suvive architecture school.

LeCom,
there isn't a lot of math in architecture, trust me. You need math only to pass the structure classes, and it ain't heavy math either. If you have even basic knowledge on arithmetic (plus, minus), geometry (area of triangle), and trigonometry (sine, cosine), you're in good shape. If you go to a US school, you may have to take one or two math classes during your freshman year just to fulfill the general education credits. In architectural practice, all math is left to consultants/engineers. I tell you what you need to have though, drawing abilities and imagination. They serve you much much more than math in architecture school. Plus, you can't be allergic to coffee either, I hope you know what I mean.

What art courses do you suggest I take? How proeficient should I be in drawing? I don't have to have a portfolio, do I?

1. Any art course will benefit you in architecture, but some may be more useful than others. In general, art classes will help you master the media that you will need to pour your ideas out and convey them in a presentable manner, not to mention exercising creativity itself. In architecture everything goes, you see, the spectrum is wide, from pencil to paper collage to 3-D rendering.
When you enroll in an architecture school, you will be offered the classes that are neccessary, the curriculum will list a number of courses you can choose from. They typically fall under the category of "design communication" series. In general, this category has 2 species: manual and computer. Some of the most common types are: pencil, ink, water color, AD marker, color pencil (the manual species), and CAD, 3-D, photoshop (the computer species).
2. You don't have to be Michelangelo to enroll in architecture. But the better you are, the better it is, it just kinda goes without saying.
3. Most schools that I know of do not require a portfolio prior to enrolling. After a year or two, you will have to submit a portfolio in order to advance, this time around students will compete with other students to grab the available seats in the higher divisions.

Thanks a lot, that helped. If you got anything to add I'll be glad to accept any comments.

LeCom, check this out:

http://www.nycareerzone.org/graphic/profile.jsp;jsessionid=2748811102784145680?onetsoc=17-1011.00

It also provides for a list of colleges around the NY area which offer architecture as a major. You might want to then go to the college websites themselves and look up their architecture programs/requirements.

BTW, I find college to be easier than high school, so don't worry too much.

you cant stay away from math coz math is very important in architecture...u must try 2 love math and make ur math tougher..in malaysia and singapore, the secondary studens have 2 learn two subjects of math, modern math and additonal math, it is more difficult, but many malaysian can get a good results in both, then they become a great architect n engineer in da world..want a proof?...the biggest dome in the world was built by malaysian company (architects n engineers)..it is because they love math very much..with math, we can build and draw anything...i know u can do it..good luck..:) ;) :hi:

Russians love math too... but I dont for some reason... I'm more into the humanitarian artistic aspect...

You didn't go to school today Lecom? :)

[QUOTE=i-mean]you cant stay away from math coz math is very important in architecture...u must try 2 love math and make ur math tougher..in malaysia and singapore, the secondary studens have 2 learn two subjects of math, modern math and additonal math, it is more difficult, but many malaysian can get a good results in both, then they become a great architect n engineer in da world..want a proof?...the biggest dome in the world was built by malaysian company (architects n engineers)..it is because they love math very much..with math, we can build and draw anything...i know u can do it..good luck..:) ;) :hi:

Which dome is it?
I'm under the impression that while the architects came up with the concept and the design for the dome, it's the engineers that ultimately hammered out the numbers. At least that's how it works in the states. Not sure bout Mal and Sing.

Unfortunately math is an important part of Architectural academics.

As a student in Civil engineering, i work with alot of architecture students on different projects. Their lack of knowledge on construction mechanics sometimes amazes me. Obviously, its not their job to thoroughly calculate the contraptions they produce on paper, but basic skills in construction (and therefore - basic skills in higher maths) should at least be present. Not knowing which dimensions to give a pillar is one thing, but completely omitting it from your design is just nonsense.

Maybe i got the bad ones in my projects, but my general idea of Architecture is that the emphasis is just too much on the spacy-design part, and not enough on reality.

On the other hand, thats just the fact that's gonna get me a job in the future... :)

Back ontopic: i dont know how it works abroad, but here in Holland, if you've graduated in the right courses during high school, you're set. Just put some effort into it, which shouldn't be too hard if you've wanted to be an architect all your life. Good luck!

As a student in Civil engineering, i work with alot of architecture students on different projects. Their lack of knowledge on construction mechanics sometimes amazes me. Obviously, its not their job to thoroughly calculate the contraptions they produce on paper, but basic skills in construction (and therefore - basic skills in higher maths) should at least be present. Not knowing which dimensions to give a pillar is one thing, but completely omitting it from your design is just nonsense.

Maybe i got the bad ones in my projects, but my general idea of Architecture is that the emphasis is just too much on the spacy-design part, and not enough on reality.

On the other hand, thats just the fact that's gonna get me a job in the future... :)

Back ontopic: i dont know how it works abroad, but here in Holland, if you've graduated in the right courses during high school, you're set. Just put some effort into it, which shouldn't be too hard if you've wanted to be an architect all your life. Good luck!
Thanks. You know, I'm one of those guys who would rather space out the columns, aestethics- and use-wise, not calculate their widths and stuff. It would be people like me whom you'll despise for putting up impossible or plain stupid designs engineering-wise, and it will be you guys whom we will make fun of for thickening those pillars too much or just putting them in the most inappropriate places. Well, you probably know better about that stuff anyway.

maybe its a myth, but i heard the architect who designed the erasmusbridge originally wanted to leave out the two counter-cables, and have just the "strings" on one side. In the name of aestethics. I can only imagine the discussion with the structural engineer.... haha.

http://www.millhouse.nl/graphics/rotterdam02.JPG

Well LeCom you remind me alot of me. I always loved designing cities, skyscrapers, airports, highway interchanges, etc..etc... However like you I found arithmatic clases to be painful. Maybe urban-design might be of interest to you. To me it seems as if architecture is an interesting but also a very hard courier to make a lot of money in. It all depends which projects your hired to do and the architect you work and study under. Go to an architectural office and see what the day in day out job of an architect involves. That is how you know if you'll be happy with that job. Let me recommend the works of Paolo Soleri he has very interesting and possibly world changing ideas and concepts of the city. His ideas may be a bit extreme but they generate lots of good thought, controversy, and dicussion. Regardless PRAY about it. God will give you direction.

Don't hold your breath. Think it through for yourself and when all else fails, make a decision and follow through. It will either work, or it won't.

Very true but don't leave out the guidance of the Divine.

Mathematics are very useful in arcitecture. Often people who are good in Maths can imagen the houses they want to build faster and they have a very good 3-dimensional imagination. On most universitys in europe the profesors would laught if you would say you just need a little bit of plus an minus triangles and sinuses. It was always my dream to study arcitecture since i was 2,5 years old. The first thing i drawed was a house with balconys a big entrance hall and so on. The second was already 3-dimensional when i was 3 years old. If you aren't good in mathematics you are maybe good in physics. This is an often used by students who are not god in maths as an alternative.
If you are good in art please post some of your work. If you want.

ok im in yr 8 (13 yrs old going into yr 9 next year)yr 12 is the last year in high school, i also want to become a architect or to follow urban planning or something similar, i picked technical graphics in one of my subjects next yr (draw with t squares, houses planes etc and use CAD on the computer) to improve my ability in that area. what do you guys think i should do (we chose start deciding careers in yr 10)

:D

I love geometrical drawing but not drawing like "monalisa.....". Architecture is more to gemoetrica drawing or??

Perth4life3, it is very similar in Scotland I'm 14 and in 3rd year at high school and I chose Graphic communication which is drawing by hand and CAD.

perth 4 life if u have any major questions that u cant figure out pm me...

ok im in yr 8 (13 yrs old going into yr 9 next year)yr 12 is the last year in high school, i also want to become a architect or to follow urban planning or something similar, i picked technical graphics in one of my subjects next yr (draw with t squares, houses planes etc and use CAD on the computer) to improve my ability in that area. what do you guys think i should do (we chose start deciding careers in yr 10)

:D

i am currently in year 12, and intending to be an architect. I am taking Math, Physics, English, Spanish, Chemistry,double block of Drafting (what you call graphic communication) and French.

In hindsights, i should have probably dropped Spanish for Art, but whatever. Art is something that you can do in your own time, and universities (here at least) wont look at what mark you got in art, because it is not an "academic" course. As long as you have some stuff to stick on your portfolio its all you need. The best thing to do is check with universities or colleges what courses to take. Here for example, architecture is a masters level program, so you have to do an undergrad first. They have one meant to lead into architecture, called Environmental Design. In order to get into this, you need 1 yeer of general studies and you must take English and Geography during this year. I emailed them and they also recomended taking math and physics. I didnt take Georgraphy 12 this year (in high school), so i may have to take it in summer school if it is required to do geography at college. Drafting/CAD is very useful, but it will not count when universities are looking at your marks. But it will help you with your portfolio


Kevinkhoo1986, all plans and stuff are technical, but it is good to be able to do freehand sketches to communicate your ideas to people

I don't think I took any architecture or engineering classes, but hell, I'm an Emporis employee since the age of 15, would that give me an advantage?

LeCom why don't you try to get internship in SOM or some other nyc-based architectural firms for your wednesdays next year?

Hey everybody

I've been wanting to become an architect during all my life. I dont want to go into the engineering aspect tho. I dont like math and would prefer to stay away from it. I am currently a high school junior and am curious which paricular career you would suggest. I would like a well-paying career though. I'm willing to involve some stuff like business and/or law in this career. It's not that I definitely want to involve that but at least I am not against those things, like math. I actually want to minor in prelaw.
Also, which courses should I take? Which SAT 2s? Any other suggestions? How's the workload in college?
thanks a lot everybody
LeCom aka Vitali

You'll be fine. Good luck. :)

do u learn the same things in architecture if want to be a comercial architect than a residential or industrial one different or do u have to do a extra degree where u specialize like a doctor?

in the US, you go through the same undergrad education to become any kind of architect. then upon graduation you just kinda follow your heart, if you like residential, you work for firms that do residentials. when you obtain you license, it works for different kinds of projects: residential, commercial, industrial, etc.
then of course, you can delve more deeply into your interest by pursuing a graduate degree.

maybe its a myth, but i heard the architect who designed the erasmusbridge originally wanted to leave out the two counter-cables, and have just the "strings" on one side. In the name of aestethics. I can only imagine the discussion with the structural engineer.... haha.

http://www.millhouse.nl/graphics/rotterdam02.JPG
Santiago Calatrava already did it, the Alamillo Bridge in Seville, Spain:

http://www.edilbase.com/public/archivio/alamillo.jpg

Everyone who knows some basic concepts of structural engineering realizes that something's wrong with this bridge (all its weight falls in one border of the river, and has problems of deformation)