Why Studying Architecture Improves Your Life
Even if you don't end up becoming a practicing architect, the study of architecture can help shape you and prepare you for the world in more ways than you could ever imagine!
In some of our most recent blogs, we've discussed what it takes to become an architect, what the business is like, and the challenges you could potentially face in the professional world. There is so much a career in or studying architecture can give you, and the amazing life lessons and tools it can prepare and arm you with in return. If you study it and pursue a career or even if you don't, there are so many reasons why studying architecture is so good for you as a person and as a professional.
The creative world is bigger than many people might believe or know. It goes beyond painting, singing, dancing, and acting. There is an art form in teaching, cooking, solving problems, designing and building a structure, and in many other professions. As an architect, you are as much a creative artist as you are a mathematician, project leader, and beyond. It takes a large and diverse amount of skills to become a successful architect and in turn, it gives so much back to you and will continue to teach you. Architecture can help in other parts of your life and even in other careers if you choose to go down a different path.
The Talk
You have to learn how to communicate well with many different people from many different walks of life when you become an architect. A lot of the time you'll be talking to many people at one time. You have to speak and communicate with incredible skill through emails, proposals, on the phone to current clients, future clients, project managers, peers, and sometimes to large groups of people. The industry helps you develop a clear, productive, and professional way of speaking, helps you cultivate a professional tone of voice, and be consistent about it. It prepares you for public speaking, presentations, communicating through multiple platforms, all while sounding confident, clear, and decisive.
Solving the Equation
As an architect, you are faced with an empty plot of land or an old building to create within or to recreate completely. There are so many factors that go into designing a building, and the natural and unnatural elements in the world around this building like codes, safety issues, and wanting to create your client's dream home that could get in the way and cause serious issues and problems. You begin to learn how to deal with these issues quickly, professionally, and without turning anyone away. You learn how to avoid them and how to prevent them from popping up in the most likely and unlikely situations. You become the ultimate problem solver, just by putting the pieces together every day to make every project run smoothly, safely, and on time. This is a huge skill that you can't just pick up anywhere but is a skill that you can use in any situation and in any profession.
On The Map
Becoming an architect could lead you and your career anywhere, literally! After studying and striking out on your own, your career could lead you back to your hometown to help rejuvenate the community, to a city of your dreams, or to somewhere halfway around the world! Architecture is a universal language, art and math are spoken by everyone on this planet. Buildings and structures need to be designed and built for anyone and everyone around the world. This career could be the ticket to some extraordinary places. You might be able to travel, experience new things, and see the world all while you're being paid to do so!
A Different Story
Any form of art will be a calling for people around the world and from all walks of life. Each of these individuals will have their own experiences, tastes, passions, and strengths that will enhance their lives and their work. Many of these things you may have never experienced, lived through or seen. Meeting new architects can help you see new possibilities in your own work. it can add to and influence your style of creation and what inspires you. These experiences become a meeting of two masters. Not many professions allow you to travel the world, let alone meet the amazing people who live in unique and incredible places. Through the eyes of the people you might meet, you can continue to learn about the world around you in so many different ways. There is a form of compassion, understanding, and real artwork that can come from these opportunities.
A Helping Hand
Some of the projects that might come across your desk could really be life-saving opportunities. The trend in refitting old buildings is not only fashionable, but it also rejuvenates communities. It celebrates what a community was and what it could become. It's putting money back into a community and giving back jobs and a purpose. Architects are creating buildings that shape the most important things in our lives. Our homes, our schools, our hospitals, our places to play, eat and enjoy life. Without an architect for these important everyday needs, where would we be? Architects are also starting to really give back by going green in their designs and plans for construction. They are starting to reuse and re-purpose materials. They are building green to help with the energy crisis, creating ways to reuse water in their structures, and are promoting clean energy.
All in all, an architect creates needed, loved, and appreciated places that will be cherished by many people. You are creating and are a part of a form of art this is cherished and appreciated in the here and now. For many artists outside of this industry, their artwork might never be appreciated in their lifetime. You are creating for the reasons why you were inspired to create in the first place. That is one of the most rewarding feelings you'll ever experience.
Keep creating, keep learning, and keep growing. This industry will carry that through your career, and even if you decide to follow your career elsewhere. These tools are imperative to any industry and in your personal life as well. Even if you just study the industry for a short while or only work within it for a little bit, deciding to go down the path of architecture for any length of time won't be a regret. It will give your life so much in return and will give you an opportunity to give back in ways you could only dream of.