The Nature of Architecture Work

Architects design the overall aesthetic and look of buildings and other structures, but the design of a building involves far more than its appearance. Buildings also must be functional, safe, and economical and must suit the needs of the people who use them. Architects consider all these factors when they design buildings and other structures.

Architects provide professional services to individuals and organizations planning a construction project. They may be involved in all phases of development, from the initial discussion with the client through the entire construction process. Their duties require specific skills—designing, engineering, managing, supervising, and communicating with clients and builders. Architects spend a great deal of time explaining their ideas to clients, construction contractors, and others. Successful architects must be able to communicate their unique vision persuasively.

The architect and client discuss the objectives, requirements, and budget of a project. In some cases, architects provide various predesign services—conducting feasibility and environmental impact studies, selecting a site, or specifying the requirements the design must meet. For example, they may determine space requirements by researching the numbers and types of potential users of a building. The architect then prepares drawings and a report presenting ideas for the client to review.

After discussing and agreeing on the initial proposal, architects develop final construction plans that show the building’s appearance and details for its construction. Accompanying these plans are drawings of the structural system; air-conditioning, heating, and ventilating systems; electrical systems; communications systems; plumbing; and, possibly, site and landscape plans. The plans also specify the building materials and, in some cases, the interior furnishings. In developing designs, architects follow building codes, zoning laws, fire regulations, and other ordinances, such as those requiring easy access by disabled persons. Throughout the planning stage, they make necessary changes. Although they have traditionally used pencil and paper to produce design and construction drawings, architects are increasingly turning to computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) technology for these important tasks. Continual revision of plans on the basis of client needs and budget constraints is often necessary.

Architects may also assist clients in obtaining construction bids, selecting contractors, and negotiating construction contracts. As construction proceeds, they may visit building sites to make sure that contractors follow the design, adhere to the schedule, use the specified materials, and meet work quality standards. The job is not complete until all construction is finished, required tests are conducted, and construction costs are paid. Sometimes, architects also provide postconstruction services, such as facilities management. They advise on energy efficiency measures, evaluate how well the building design adapts to the needs of occupants, and make necessary improvements.

Architects design a wide variety of buildings, such as office and apartment buildings, schools, churches, factories, hospitals, houses, and airport terminals. They also design complexes such as urban centers, college campuses, industrial parks, and entire communities. In addition, they may advise on the selection of building sites, prepare cost analysis and land-use studies, and do long-range planning for land development.

Architects sometimes specialize in one phase of work. Some specialize in the design of one type of building—for example, hospitals, schools, or housing. Others focus on planning and predesign services or construction management and do minimal design work. They often work with engineers, urban planners, interior designers, landscape architects, and other professionals. In fact, architects spend a great deal of their time coordinating information from, and the work of, others engaged in the same project. Many architects—particularly at larger firms—use the Internet and e-mail to update designs and communicate changes efficiently. Architects also use the Internet to research product specifications and government regulations.

During the required training period leading up to licensing as architects, entry-level workers are called interns. This training period, which generally lasts 3 years, gives them practical work experience in preparation for the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). Typical duties may include preparing construction drawings on CADD, building models, or assisting in the design of one part of a project.

Alabama Architecture Schools
Herzing College (Birmingham, AL) - Architecture Programs, Public Safety and Law Enforcement, Computer Sciences, Engineering Technologies, Architectual Engineering
ITT Technical Institutes (Birmingham, AL) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Birmingham, AL

Arkansas Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Little Rock, AR) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Little Rock, AR

Arizona Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Tucson, AZ) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Tucson, AZ

California Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Anaheim, CA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Anaheim, CA
ITT Technical Institutes (Lathrop (Modesto-Stockton), CA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Lathrop (Modesto-Stockton), CA
ITT Technical Institutes (San Bernardino, CA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in San Bernardino, CA
ITT Technical Institutes (San Diego, CA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in San Diego, CA
ITT Technical Institutes (West Covina, CA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in West Covina, CA
ITT Technical Institutes (Rancho Cordova, CA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Rancho Cordova, CA
ITT Technical Institutes (Oxnard, CA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Oxnard, CA
ITT Technical Institutes (Sylmar, CA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Sylmar, CA
ITT Technical Institutes (Torrance, CA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Torrance, CA
NewSchool of Architecture - San Diego, CA
Westwood College of Technology (Anaheim, CA; Inland Empire, CA; Long Beach, CA) - Architecture Design, CAD / Architectural Drafting, Computer Programming and Software Technology, CAD, Architectural Drafting
Academy of Art College - San Francisco
Western Career College - (California locations including - Fremont, Emeryville, San Jose, Walnut Creek) - Architectural Design Drafting, Computer-Aided Drafting

Colorado Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institute - CAD Drafting Program, Computer Drafting and Design
IntelliTec Schools - Colorado Springs
Westwood College of Technology - Denver North - Architecture Design, CAD / Architectural Drafting, Computer Programming and Software Technology, CAD, Architectural Drafting
ITT Technical Institutes (Thornton, CO) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Thornton, CO

Connecticut Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institute - CAD Drafting Program, Computer Drafting and Design
Porter and Chester Institute (Enfield, CT, Stratford, CT, Watertown, CT, Wethersfield, CT)

Florida Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Tampa, FL) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Tampa, FL
ITT Technical Institutes (Fort Lauderdale, FL) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Fort Lauderdale, FL
ITT Technical Institutes (Jacksonville, FL) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Jacksonville, FL
ITT Technical Institutes (Lake Mary (Orlando), FL) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Lake Mary (Orlando), FL
ITT Technical Institutes (Miami, FL) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Miami, FL
ATI Career Training Center FtLauderdale - Drafting and Computer-Assisted Design
ATI Career Training Center Miami - Graphic Design
Herzing College - Florida
The Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) - Architecture & CAD, Residential Design
Southwest Florida College - Computer Aided Drafting and Design

Georgia Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Duluth, GA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Duluth, GA

Idaho Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Boise, ID) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Boise, ID

Illinois Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Burr Ridge, IL) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Burr Ridge, IL
ITT Technical Institutes (Matteson, IL) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Matteson, IL
ITT Technical Institutes (Mount Prospect, IL) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Mount Prospect, IL
Harrington College of Design (Chicago, IL) Architectural Firm Consulting, Residential and Commercial Interior Design, Furnishings, Product and Service Marketing, Hotel and Restaurant Design, Adaptive Reuse of Existing Facilities, Corporate Space Planning, Kitchen and Bath Design
ITT Technical Institute - CAD Drafting Program, Computer Drafting and Design
Westwood College of Technology - O'hare - Architecture Design, CAD / Architectural Drafting, Computer Programming and Software Technology, CAD, Architectural Drafting
Westwood College of Technology - River Oaks - Architecture Design, CAD / Architectural Drafting, Computer Programming and Software Technology, CAD, Architectural Drafting

Indiana Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Newburgh, IN) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Newburgh, IN
ITT Technical Institutes (Indianapolis, IN) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Indianapolis, IN
ITT Technical Institutes (Fort Wayne, IN) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Fort Wayne, IN
The Art Institute of Indianapolis (Indianapolis, IN) - Architecture & CAD, Residential Design

Kansas Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institute - CAD Drafting Program, Computer Drafting and Design
Vatterott College (Wichita) - Computer-Aided Drafting & Graphic Arts, Mechanical, Residential & Commercial CAD, AutoCAD application, Illustration, Design, & Layout, 3D Graphics

Kentucky Architecture Schools
Louisville Technical Institute, KY - Computer Aided Design Drafting, (Architectural or Mechanical), Computer Engineering Technology - Repair, Computer Graphic Design, Computer Network Administration, Information Systems Security, Interior Design, Mechanical Engineering Technology - Robotics
ITT Technical Institutes (Louisville, KY) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Louisville, KY

Louisiana Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (StRose, LA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in StRose, LA
Herzing College - Louisiana Architectural Drafting, Computer Aided Drafting/Design

Massachusetts Architecture Schools
Porter and Chester Institute-Chicopee
ITT Technical Institutes (Boston North (Woburn), MA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Boston North (Woburn), MA
ITT Technical Institutes (Boston South (Norwood), MA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Boston South (Norwood), MA

Michigan Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Canton, MI) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Canton, MI
ITT Technical Institutes (Troy, MI) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Troy, MI
ITT Technical Institutes (Grand Rapids, MI) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Grand Rapids, MI

Minnesota Architecture Schools
Herzing College - (Minneapolis, MN) - Architectural Drafting, Computer Aided Drafting/Design
ITT Technical Institutes (Eden Prairie, MN) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Eden Prairie, MN

Missouri Architecture Schools
Vatterott College - (Kansas City) - Computer-Aided Drafting & Graphic Arts, Mechanical, Residential & Commercial CAD, AutoCAD application, Illustration, Design, & Layout, 3D Graphics
Vatterott College - Springfield - Computer-Aided Drafting & Graphic Arts, Mechanical, Residential & Commercial CAD, AutoCAD application, Illustration, Design, & Layout, 3D Graphics
ITT Technical Institutes (Arnold, MO) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Arnold, MO
ITT Technical Institutes (Earth City, MO) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Earth City, MO

Nebraska Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Omaha, NE) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Omaha, NE
ITT Technical Institutes (Omaha, NE) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Omaha, NE

Nevada Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Henderson, NV) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Henderson, NV

New Mexico Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Albuquerque, NM) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Albuquerque, NM

New York Architecture Schools
Island Drafting and Technical Institute - Amityville, NY - Computer Aided Drafting/Design and Electronic and Computer Service Technology
ITT Technical Institutes (Albany, NY) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Albany, NY
ITT Technical Institutes (Liverpool (Syracuse), NY) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Liverpool (Syracuse), NY
ITT Technical Institutes (Getzville (Buffalo), NY) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Getzville (Buffalo), NY

North Carolina Architecture Schools
The Art Institute of Charlotte (Charlotte, NC) - Architecture & CAD, Residential Design

Ohio Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Dayton, OH) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Dayton, OH
ITT Technical Institutes (Youngstown, OH) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Youngstown, OH
ITT Technical Institutes (Strongsville (Cleveland), OH) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Strongsville (Cleveland), OH
ITT Technical Institutes (Norwood (Cincinnati), OH) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Norwood (Cincinnati), OH
ITT Technical Institutes (Hilliard (Columbus), OH) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Hilliard (Columbus), OH

Oregon Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Portland, OR) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Portland, OR

Pennsylvania
* Browse Architecture Schools in Pennsylvania

South Carolina Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Greenville, SC) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Greenville, SC

Tennessee Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Nashville, TN) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Nashville, TN
ITT Technical Institutes (Memphis, TN) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Memphis, TN
ITT Technical Institutes (Knoxville, TN) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Knoxville, TN

Texas Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Houston North (Blue Ash Drive), TX) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Houston North (Blue Ash Drive), TX
ITT Technical Institutes (Houston South (Bay Area Blvd), TX) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Houston South (Bay Area Blvd), TX
ITT Technical Institutes (Houston West (South Gessner), TX) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Houston West (South Gessner), TX
ITT Technical Institutes (Richardson, TX) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Richardson, TX
ITT Technical Institutes (San Antonio, TX) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in San Antonio, TX

Utah Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Murray, UT) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Murray, UT

Virginia Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Chantilly, VA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Chantilly, VA
ITT Technical Institutes (Richmond, VA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Richmond, VA
ITT Technical Institutes (Springfield, VA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Springfield, VA
ITT Technical Institutes (Norfolk, VA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Norfolk, VA

Washington Architecture Schools
ITT Technical Institutes (Bothell (North Seattle), WA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Bothell (North Seattle), WA
ITT Technical Institutes (Seattle, WA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Seattle, WA
ITT Technical Institutes (Spokane, WA) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Spokane, WA

Wisconsin Architecture Schools
Herzing College - Wisconsin - Architectural Drafting, Computer Aided Drafting/Design
ITT Technical Institutes (Green Bay, WI) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Green Bay, WI
ITT Technical Institutes (Greenfield (Milwaukee), WI) - Architectural Drafting Program, Computer Aided Drafting Program in Greenfield (Milwaukee), WI

Architecture Schools In Canada
Herzing College (Montreal, QB) - Computer Aided Drafting and Drafting

Online Drafting & Online Architecture Schools