ARCHITECT Although graduate education beyond
Architects are licensed professionals
trained in the art and science of building
design. They provide a wide variety of
professional services to individuals and
organizations planning a construction
project.
Tasks
„ Provide pre-design services -
conducting feasibility and
environmental impact studies,
selecting a site, and specifying the
requirements the design must meet;
„ Prepare drawings and a report
presenting ideas for the client to
review;
„ Develop final construction plans;
„ Prepare cost analysis;
„ May assist client in obtaining
construction bids, selecting a
contractor, and negotiating the
construction contract;
„ Visit construction site to ensure that
the contractor is following the design,
using specified materials and
meeting the specified standards for
the quality of work;
„ Review the progress of the project;
„ Do long-range planning for land
development;
„ May direct activities of workers
engaged in preparing drawings and
specification documents.
Basic Educational Requirement
A professional degree in Architecture (a
5-year program) is the basic educational
requirement. Prior to taking up the licensure
examination for Architects, a period of
practical training and internship is required.
Architecture students who complete
internships in architectural firms while still in
school can count that time toward the
required training period. Graduates of
Architecture have to pass the licensure
examination conducted by the Professional
Regulation Commission before they can
practice the profession or can provide
architectural services.
the professional degree is not essential for
practicing architecture, it is normally
required for research, teaching and other
specialized areas of architectural work.
Skills and Competencies
„ Ability to visually communicate ideas
to clients;
„ Ability to conceptualize and
understand spatial relationships;
„ Artistic and drawing ability;
„ Excellent communication (written &
oral) skills;
„ Computer literacy - knowledge of
computer - aided design and
drafting CADD);
„ Strong Organizational skills with
attention to details;
„ Managerial & supervisory skills.
Physical Attributes and Characteristics
„ Creative;
„ Artistic;
Responsive to client’s needs;
„
„ Ability to work independently or as
part of a team.
Salary/Compensation
Locally, architects receive a monthly
salary ranging from P16,000 - P21,000
depending on the type of employer.
In the Middle East, architects receive a
monthly salary of $1,395 to $2,790, again
depending on the type of employer.
In other foreign countries, pay and
benefits are definitely higher than local
rates.
Prospects for Career Advancement
Architects who have acquired
considerable experience in their work
eventually manage entire projects. In large
establishments, architects may advance to
supervisory or managerial positions. Some
become partners in established firms while
others may set up their own architectural
firms and become an independent
practitioner.
As a career move, architects may also
enter other related fields such as graphic
interior or industrial design; urban planning;
real estate development; civil engineering;
and construction management.
Employment Opportunities
Overall, job opportunities are good
although the demand for architects is
affected by fluctuations in the economy,
particularly the state of the construction
industry. Growth coming from both non-
residential and residential construction will
provide ample job opportunities for
practicing architects.
Demographic trends such as increasing
population also support an increase in
demand for this profession. An increasing
population will require the building of more
houses, schools, health care facilities such
as hospitals, commercial office spaces,
entertainment facilities, shopping centers
and other type of structures.
A recent trend is the outsourcing to
local architectural firms the drafting of
construction plans from foreign countries.
This trend is expected to continue especially
with the unprecedented growth in the
business process outsourcing (BPO) industry
in the Philippines.
Opportunities for overseas employment
is also expanding particularly in the Middle
East countries that are experiencing a
construction boom in their economy. Also,
better opportunities are available to those
who know CADD technology since the use
of computer-aided design and drafting is
now the practice of most architectural
companies.
Cost of Education *
A degree in Architecture costs around
P25,000 to P35,000 per semester.
* Based on tuition fee rates for school year 2007 - 2008