Architectural Interest

[Cipher]

Hi all, I am a high school student who is interested in possibly persuing architecture. Coincidentally, I need to interview architects for a career paper.

So, I was wondering if I could interview anyone through e-mail. It should only take about 15 min.

 

So, if anyone could, it would help a bunch. Thanks.

 

 

 

On more of a side note, through some researching, I have found that architecture is a very broad subject. So, I was wondering, what would or would not be considered as being int he architectural field. Such as, say, computer graphics, I can see how it can and can't be architectural. Can a person who models and draws the polygons for a game map be considered an architect?

 

What about that one guy in the Matrix? jk

[Jorbu]

Hi Cipher,

 

I'll be glad to help you with your interview. I'm an architect with 7 years experience, just recently I've also begun to do more CG visualizations and may do this full time at some point. Feel free to contact me at your convenience.

[Cipher]

Thanks, I sent you a PM. Again, thanks a whole lot.

[kid]

...On more of a side note, through some researching, I have found that architecture is a very broad subject. So, I was wondering, what would or would not be considered as being int he architectural field...

in a strict legal sense an architect is someone registered/licenced by an authoritative institution, such as, RAIA, RIBA, RAI, etc

 

this definition of an architect however has absolutely nothing to do with the theoretical and phylosophical aspects of architecture, ie how the many facets of the built (and recently, the virtual) environment affects, and affected by people and communities.

 

Personally, I think anyone who is exploring these aspects could be said to be working in the architectural field. I'd say Gilles Deleuze was more of an architect than Wierd Al Yankovich, and Wierd Al studied architecture...

 

oh...and i'm not an architect yet, so you can't interview me

[Cipher]

Really, Wierd Al studied architecture? That's something new.

 

I would also say people involved in the design and process of creating a structure would be considered an architect. So, I guess a game designer could be an architect, in a sense. Therefore, the Architect in the Matrix would also be, well, an architect. But then, I can see how he couldn't be one. He built animals and whatnot, I don't know if constructing living organisms would be considered as architecture.

 

I'm allowed to interview students learning to become an architect. But luckily Jorbu was kind enough to answer my questions. Thanks again!

[mbr]

Let me know if you need additional information or questions answered.

 

Be careful about the generalizations you make about what makes an architect. The licensure process, imo, is bs.

There's been an ongoing debate of what an 'architect' is. For example, if an architect designs clothes (or video games), is he still considered an 'architect'? No clear answer, but imo, simply putting up a building does not qualify you as an architect. Anyone can put up a building, but not anyone can design a building.

 

I agree with kid that Delueze is more of an architect than Weird Al (strange piece of trivia there, eh?). This is where the lines get blurry. On one hand, we've got organizations like the AIA, etc., that try to regulate what an architect is. A waste of time, I think, simply because the quality of architects varies so dramatically.

So we end up with horrible architects that put up crap, but are licensed, and then we've got theorists that aren't licensed, but design significantly more substantial works. So who is really the architect?

 

I, personally, don't agree that people that design games are architects. There are many architects designing games, but I dont' think it's a general conclusion to make. The quality of the design is the most important aspect to great architecture, and that, at least from my standpoint, is the single most important aspect to architecture. More important than structure (where you'll have a structural engineer sign off on) or any other aspect (where all the sub contractors come in). Design is the single piece that is left only to the architect (and management), the rest can/is handled by others.

 

Blah, blah...go read through some of the architecture sites, like http://www.archinect.com, to listen to more 'thoughts'.

[monkeysee]

HI Cipher,

 

By training I am a product designer, but have been working in architecture for 5 years now and am training to get my RIBA qualifications.

 

I think the question you need to to affirm first is 'what is architecture'...

Its a debate that could go on an on and on (ad nauseum!). If you're serious about becoming an architect, then I'd suggest you research name's like Le Corbusier, Vitruvius and Palladio (arguably the holy trinity of architecture) to find out what they thought architecture was about. I also suggest speaking to, in your case, the AIA for some more information. Or try the RIBA.

 

On the subject on visualisation, I think that it helps to understand how a building is put together when it comes to making a model of it. I'm not saying that it is necessary, but it can only help. In essence, as well as many other things(!) an architect is a designer - so in answer to your question, no the guy that designs game maps isn't an architect, but he could be thought of as a designer - however - training as an architect could help you to do that sort of thing.

 

Thats only my opinion though. I hope it spurs you on to thinking about it a bit more. It really is an exciting and challenging field and, as you mentioned, extremely diverse.