Architect Job Description & Roles and Responsibilities

An architect is a professional who designs and builds structures and spaces. An architect plays an important role during construction as he or she maps the design of the building being constructed. An architect uses skills like creativity and technical knowledge to develop a safe and pleasing place to live in. An architect works closely with clients to develop designs that satisfy their needs and preferences.

What is the Job Description of an Architect?

The primary job of an architect is to design and build structures based on client preferences using expert skills. An architect takes care of clients’ budgets and desires and oversees the project to ensure efficiency and accuracy. He or she coordinates with other team members like painters, labourers, technicians, and even plumbers during construction.

An architect keeps an eye on site conditions and surrounding environmental factors to ensure that the construction is safe and complies with the rules and regulations of the legal authorities. He or she secures project approval and permits from regulatory authorities. An architect job description includes preparing construction documents with detailed information about several elements for legalities. An architect controls projects from beginning to completion to deliver high-quality and accurate work.

What are the roles and responsibilities of an Architect?

The roles and responsibilities of an architect are diverse. An architect role and responsibility includes mapping detailed plans and developing final structures of the space with the help of other teammates like electricians, plumbers, and labourers. The architect is responsible for delivering work that satisfies the client's needs and preferences. Here is a list of some major architect roles and responsibilities fulfilled by an architect:

• Client Management: An architect works closely with clients to understand their needs, preferences, and desires regarding the space. He or she develops a design considering all the wishes of the client and ensures that the outcome satisfies the client. An architect should also refer to factors like client budget and site conditions.
• Project Management: An architect does not only design spaces but also manages the project of its construction to ensure that the design is effectively implemented. He or she works in coordination with many other professionals like mechanics, electricians, and even labourers. The architect oversees that the work is done efficiently and is delivered on time.
• Documentation: An architect is responsible for developing designs and checking their feasibility through various softwares. The final blueprints and safety certificates are important for builders and contractors for construction. These documents may also be required for legal registrations and approvals.
• Application of Technology: Individuals in the architecture career must be trained and familiar with computer-aided drafting systems, building modelling, and other relevant technologies. Architects must conceptualise and experiment with different construction approaches through software and must also be familiar with basic office software, such as word processing, spreadsheets, and accounting.

What is the career path progression of an Architect?

The career path progression of an architect begins with positions like interns and gradually advances to positions of principal architects and specialised architects. The progression is based on various factors like skills, experience, and market trends. Here is a list of some major positions in the career of an architect:

• Entry-level Positions: Freshly graduated candidates are generally hired at entry-level positions like interns. They are responsible for assisting senior architects and learning relevant skills like designing, client management, and site analysis. They work as staff under architectural firms or individual architects.
• Architect: An architect roles and responsibility includes designing, drafting, project management, and client management. He or she may also oversee small projects as a beginner architect and handle small teams.
• Senior Architect: An architect advances to the position of a senior architect after he or she possesses excellent leadership skills apart from basic architectural skills like designing and client management. A senior architect manages teams and develops design strategies, business development activities, and client relationship management.
• Specialised Architect: An architect may further advance to the position of a specialised architect after gaining experience and skills under one specialisation or a particular industry. This specialisation can be as a heritage conservation architect, interior designer, urban planner, landscape architect, and healthcare architect. This may need further education and certification.

What are the qualifications of an Architect?

A candidate planning to pursue a career as an architect must complete 10+2 in chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics from a recognised board of education in India. The candidate then needs to opt for a bachelor’s degree which can be followed either by master’s degree or a job. Here is a list of some entrance exams, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees a candidate may consider:

Entrance Examinations:

• JEE Main

• GAT

• AMUEE

• NATA

Bachelor’s Degree Programmes:

• B.Arch. (Bachelor of Architecture)

• B.Plan. (Bachelor of Planning)

• B.Tech. (Bachelor of Technology) Architecture Engineering

• B.Tech. (Bachelor of Technology) Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering

Master’s Degree Programmes:

• M.Arch. (Master of Architecture)

• M.Plan. (Master of Planning)

• M.Plan. (Master of Planning) Urban and Rural Planning

• M.Tech. (Master of Technology) Architecture Engineering)

What are the skills of an Architect?

The skills of an architect vary from basic communication skills to complex technical and analytical skills. An architect should have great attention to detail to ensure accurate designs to clients. We have listed below the architectural skill set that may help you establish a successful career in architecture:

• Project Management Skills

• Communication Skills

• Creativity

• Client Management

• Technical Skills

• Visualisation Skills

Who are the top recruiters of an Architect?

Recruitment of an architect is generally based on factors like skills, experience, talent, market trends, or the size of operations of an organisation. Architects are majorly recruited by construction firms but are also referred by interior design firms, the healthcare sector, academic institutions and real estate developers. Here is a list of some top recruiters in India:

• Ericsson

• Accenture

• Gensler

• Aecom

• Larsen and Turbo

You may also check - Top Architecture Engineering Colleges in India

Salary of an Architect?

The average salary of an architect in India ranges from Rs. 2.5 Lakhs to Rs. 41 Lakhs after gaining relevant years of experience with an average pay of Rs. 21 Lakhs. Here is a list of salaries paid by some top recruiters in India:

Source: AmbitionBox, Glassdoor

Conclusion

An architect is a professional who designs, develops, and implements creative and innovative ideas for constructing interior spaces. He or she uses multiple computer softwares to check the feasibility of the design and maintain all the documentation. An architect job description includes working closely with clients to analyse and understand their needs and preferences. Recruitment in the career of an architect is available under various industries and a decent salary is paid to an architect.