Any architects on here? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

speede5 · 06-07-2012, 11:33 PM

My son is going to university next year and wants to be an architect. We are just getting set to register and get his classes picked for his first year and I was wondering if there are any architects on here with some good advice? He wants to do his first year at a smaller university then transfer into UBC. I can get more details if there are any guys/gals on here that can help.

Thanks

MrMastodonFarm · 06-08-2012, 12:13 AM

Just one.

Spoiler!

hmmhmmcamo · 06-08-2012, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speede5

My son is going to university next year and wants to be an architect. We are just getting set to register and get his classes picked for his first year and I was wondering if there are any architects on here with some good advice? He wants to do his first year at a smaller university then transfer into UBC. I can get more details if there are any guys/gals on here that can help.

Thanks

I believe UBC only has a masters degree program for architecture. I know some schools back east (ie Waterloo) have a bachelor's program.

opendoor · 06-08-2012, 01:48 AM

If he's going to UBC to do architecture he should consider a Bachelor in Environmental Design from there. It's a 3rd year entry program so as long as he gets the prerequisites (English and Geography IIRC) he can study whatever he wants in the first 2 years and then do the Environmental Design in his 3rd and 4th years. Doing that will allow him advanced standing in the M. Arch program which will make it a little shorter than the 7.5 years it'd take with an unrelated bachelors degree.

As mentioned above there are a few schools in Ontario and Quebec with Bachelor of Architecture programs, but unless I'm mistaken they are non-professional programs and a M. Arch is still required on top of that in order to become accredited.

SHOGUN · 06-08-2012, 02:07 AM

My friend is one... the portfolio and interview matter more than grades.

afc wimbledon · 06-08-2012, 02:47 AM

I was tempted by architechture in high school, went to a RIBA lecture where 6 architechts in various feilds essentially told us their jobs sucked, it was the weirdest but most honest presentation I have ever been to, the coles notes was

'you will study as hard and as long as a doctor but earn about as much as a nurse, you will probably end up doing little more than surveying or figuring out parts of someone elses design'.

normtwofinger · 06-08-2012, 08:43 AM

Get him some onsite construction experience, specifically with someone who does layout. You wouldn't believe the amount of times architects omit measurements, causing us to search the drawings for an hour and do 100 calculations to find one measurement. I think it should be a mandatory part of architecture education.

speede5 · 06-08-2012, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmmhmmcamo

I believe UBC only has a masters degree program for architecture. I know some schools back east (ie Waterloo) have a bachelor's program.

This is correct, he would start at Kwantlen(?) and then transfer. UBC is the best option right now as his dad (I'm the stepdad) is in Van and he can live there and work for him in summer to pay tuition.

Quote:

Originally Posted by opendoor

If he's going to UBC to do architecture he should consider a Bachelor in Environmental Design from there. It's a 3rd year entry program so as long as he gets the prerequisites (English and Geography IIRC) he can study whatever he wants in the first 2 years and then do the Environmental Design in his 3rd and 4th years. Doing that will allow him advanced standing in the M. Arch program which will make it a little shorter than the 7.5 years it'd take with an unrelated bachelors degree.

As mentioned above there are a few schools in Ontario and Quebec with Bachelor of Architecture programs, but unless I'm mistaken they are non-professional programs and a M. Arch is still required on top of that in order to become accredited.

This is what he's trying to figure out. I'll get him to read this and then maybe we'll have more questions.

Thanks all!

He loves the design/art aspect of the field, and he's extremely talented/smart so I know he can do it if he wants it. We'll see how he likes all the technical aspects.

Notorious Honey Badger · 06-08-2012, 09:00 AM

Did you see the addition to the Guggenheim?

Bigtime · 06-08-2012, 09:12 AM

I'm no architect but did you tell him to expect a lifetime of his ambitious and beautiful designs being hacked and slashed away by the developers and their bean counters?

speede5 · 06-08-2012, 09:14 AM

Ha, I'll pass that on.

cDnStealth · 06-08-2012, 09:34 AM

I was actually very serious about getting my masters in Architecture and my last application was this past fall. It's very tough to get in because most schools only accept about 50 students from 300+ applications. There are 11 accredited universities in Canada that offer the Masters of Architecture programs. Take a look here for the full list:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_...tecture#Canada

When I was doing some research on what schools to apply to (after I had already earned my BA) I found that the Univiersity of Waterloo offered a pretty interesting program for undergrads. Basically you enter straight out of high school into a 3 year undergrad program which will get you a bachelors. You can then use this to help spring board into the masters program which is another 2 years. The UofC has a similar program except it's a pre-professional degree which is basically a minor.

If I can suggest two things that I have found to be important through the application process it's the following.

1. Your son needs to get good grades. I am talking 3.5 GPA and up. Universities are looking for at minimum a 3.0. I had a 3.5 and I don't think it was enough. Schools aren't going to pick your son soley on his grades but having a high GPA could be the difference maker.

2. He needs to put together a really good portfolio and he needs to start now. I am not saying anything he creates today is something he should include in his portfolio 3 years from now but it's a good idea to start producing work now. That way when it comes time to assemble his portfolio he'll have plenty of pieces to choose from. Tell him to produce a lot of different types of work and tell him to be creative. They aren't looking for him to be an architect before he even sets foot in a class room.

If he's serious I'd suggest he call up some architects in the city and see if they'd be willing to talk to him and show him some of their work.

Ozy_Flame · 06-08-2012, 09:50 AM

I recommend the Architecture program at Dalhousie. I'm connected to the industry, and many young aspiring architects head east for that specific program. Highly recommended.

Sliver · 06-08-2012, 10:01 AM

Don't most architects works their nutsacks off with long hours for low pay? Seems like one of those jobs that sounds awesome, but the reality blows for 99.9% of them. Even if I'm right, I doubt that fact would mean much to an idealistic late-teen, but it could help. I remember wanting to be a mechanic because I liked cars so much. Sooooo glad I went with a degree instead. I can't imagine changing oils on Honda Accords for my career.

Also, I once heard somebody describe architects as engineers with artitude haha.

Bigtime · 06-08-2012, 10:11 AM

Also this guy is doing architects no favours in how they are perceived:

topfiverecords · 06-08-2012, 10:34 AM

Wanted to be an Architect.
Studied Architectural Technology first.
Worked for 2.5 years at an architecture firm.
Changed my mind.

RogerWilco · 06-08-2012, 10:40 AM

Sent this in private message but I guess it wouldn't hurt to post it here.

Hello speede5, I am a licenced Architect. I graduated from SAIT in 93 with a deploma in architectural tech, and then when to Montana State University and graduated with a Bach. Arts in Environmental Design, and a Masters Degree In Architecture. I run my own small firm here in Calgary now. Ask me any questions you want.

hmmhmmcamo · 06-08-2012, 10:46 AM

moncton golden flames · 06-08-2012, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Wanted to be an Architect.
Studied Architectural Technology first.
Worked for 2.5 years at an architecture firm.
Changed my mind.

i wanted to be an architect
did a work term at an architect
no longer wanted to be an architect

blankall · 06-08-2012, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

'you will study as hard and as long as a doctor but earn about as much as a nurse, you will probably end up doing little more than surveying or figuring out parts of someone elses design'.

Know a couple of architects and the pay sucks, unless you become established, but they don't go to school for anywhere near as long as doctors.