Definition: Architect Job Description

What are the architect’s missions? What training to follow to exercise this profession? What are his outlets and his salary? The answers are provided to you by this Architect’s job description.

Day-to-day architectural profession

A creative and rigorous profession, the architect is involved in all stages of the design of a building. Discover this fascinating profession.

What is an architect?

Professional support to project management, that is to say the design, monitoring and implementation of a construction, renovation or expansion project, the architect exercises a complex profession. Both technician and creative, he knows how to design and imagine buildings from A to Z for a diverse clientele: individuals, real estate construction companies or even local authorities.

But the architect can also be called upon to carry out renovations, extensions, work likely to modify the landscape or even the interior layout (profession of interior designer). It is therefore a profession involving a very wide range of skills.

To become an architect, you must first and foremost have a perfect mastery of both artistic and technical drawing since the work also takes place on the computer with computer-aided design and drawing software (CAD and CAD). An excellent knowledge of the architectural history as well as the architectural style of the region is required to create buildings that will fully adapt to their environment. Real estate law should hold no secrets for the architect.

Missions of the architect

From the study of the land to be built until the construction and completion of the site, including the selection of professionals who will intervene on this construction, the architect is present at all stages.

The architect’s missions are therefore very diverse:

• Analysis of the customer’s request in order to take into account all of their requirements.
• Carrying out a feasibility study taking into account the requirements
• Development of a preliminary draft
• Estimate of the cost of the site, as well as the completion deadlines.
• Drawing of execution plans using CAD/CAD tools
• Production of the technical file for the works supervisor.
• Selection of construction companies
• Negotiation of tariffs
• Site visits and reports
• Coordination of the work until the site is delivered
• Technological watch on innovations
• Administrative procedures

Qualifications required to become an architect

Creativity

The architect has boundless creativity and an excellent pencil stroke to be able to draw all the plans of a building (ground plan, ground plan, elevation, sections, perspectives) but he also knows how to master drawing software ( CAD and CAD) used to produce the plans.

Knowledge of art history

In order to be able to reproduce architectural elements belonging to a particular style, a good knowledge of art history is essential.

Rigor

The architect shows great thoroughness in his work and a perfectionism pushed to the smallest details. He must also respect deadlines and know how to adapt to unforeseen events and last-minute changes.

Contact direction

The architect works in a team and must therefore adapt to the collaborators who participate in his projects. He also has a great ability to listen to understand customer needs or site feedback.

Training courses to become an architect

Initial training

Training in the profession of architect in 5 or 6 years after the bac, the graduate S being the most suitable.

Only holders of the State Architectural Diploma (DEA) can exercise this profession. This is issued by 20 national higher schools of architecture scattered throughout France,

by the Special Architectural School (ESA) of Paris or the National Institute of Applied Sciences (INSA) of Strasbourg.

The course of the training is as follows:

• 3 years to obtain a diploma of studies in architecture,
• 2 years to validate the state architect diploma
• 1 year to hold the HMONP (authorization to exercise project management in their own name) if you want to open your agency

For those who wish to specialize and obtain a bac+8, it is possible to go to:

• The Diploma specific to Schools of Architecture (DPEA) for specializations in design, naval architecture or scenography
• The Diploma of Specialization and Deepening in Architecture (DSA) for specializations in heritage, urban projects, project management or major risks

Continuing education

As part of a retraining, it is possible to prepare for the title of qualified interior designer through continuing education (for example, at ESAM Design in Paris). Schools recognized by the CFAI also offer a diploma through the validation of prior experience (VAE).

Salary of an architect

As a beginner, you can claim a salary of around $ 2,000 gross per month. Depending on your position and your responsibilities, you can expect up to $ 6,000 at the end of your career.

Opportunities, evolutions

Architects who have graduated tend to find employment quickly. Almost 40% find a job even before graduating, 1/3 within three months of obtaining their diploma and finally, 85% have a job 6 months after completing their studies. In terms of development prospects, an architect can specialize or choose to practice in the conservation of historical monuments, as an expert before the courts or as a teacher.