Architecture Alternative

dkelly95

I have just started a carpentry apprenticeship but I feel that my real interest is in design/architecture.
Has anybody got any advice on some part time courses or evening courses I could take that would be suitable if I were to go into architecture later on? Or an advice would be appreciated, thanks.

con1982

Architecture is difficult to get into unless you do a full-time degree. The points requirements are very high but you might be able to apply as a mature student.

Architectural technologist is a possible route. Usually a three year full-time course. Pearse College in Dublin have a one year full-time course. I don't know if the qualification is recognised by the industry or how comprehensive the course is.

What is it you like about architecture? I ask this because what people sometimes think is an architectural role isn't always one.

dkelly95

con1982 wrote: »

Architecture is difficult to get into unless you do a full-time degree. The points requirements are very high but you might be able to apply as a mature student.

Architectural technologist is a possible route. Usually a three year full-time course. Pearse College in Dublin have a one year full-time course. I don't know if the qualification is recognised by the industry or how comprehensive the course is.

What is it you like about architecture? I ask this because what people sometimes think is an architectural role isn't always one.

Hi Con, thanks for your reply.
As regards my interests, I enjoy taking ideas and bringing them into reality e.g. Using 3D software to create a visualisation of an idea, as an example, I have used a free version of googles Sketchup, a free 3D modelling software, just as a hobbie in my spare time which I enjoyed using. I also feel that I would enjoy solving problems that may arise when designing/ drafting a building. I feel I have always had an interest in the area but was afraid to commit for fear of wasting so many years and end up not enjoying the job.
Thanks again for your reply.

con1982

Sounds more like an Architectural technologist role.

There is a demand for graduates at the moment. If you do a beginner's course, you might find a practice that will take you on while you complete your studies.

PaperArchitect

Hi dkelly,

There are a variety of reasons why you might want to become an architect so you should feel confident enough to explore your interest further. The path to becoming an architect is very long in Ireland, so you would have to be certain. There are 8 architecture courses in Ireland (two of which are in N.Ireland, QUB and UU). All of the courses are at least 5 years long, and those that are shorter - Siigo IT does a 4 year BA.Architecture degree, you would be required to do a further 2 years elsewhere if you wanted to continue the path to becoming a registered architect. DIT, UCD, WIT, UCC/CIT and WIT will all provide you with a full 5 year degree, and to become a registered architect you will have to subsequently do your professional diploma in DIT or UCD after 2 years work experiene to qualify to register with the Royal Institute of Architect in Ireland. That's a minimum of 7 years, and in the North you are required to take a year out after 3rd year, which would mean at least 8 years. You may however, be eligible to enter into 2nd year architecture depending on previous experience, but the schools are quite strict about this, and even students who have studied in the school previously for 3 or 4 years with architectural technology, are not always eligible.

Alternatively, architectural technology might be of more interest to you. It is much more technical, focusing on the design of buildings for use and performance, as opposed to the concerns of the architect - which are more concerned with the art of architecture - spatial, compositional, construction etc. You'd get a proper understanding of this by going to a final year exhibition of a school which teaches both disciplines - DIT, WIT or UCC/CIT.

On another note, there are famous architects who studied carpentry before architecture - like Peter Zumthor. Studying carpentry as well as architecture is also considered quite desirable by a lot of high-end firms because it suggests a strong understanding of craft. There are lots of architects who are famous for their chair designs - Alvar Aalto, Mies van der Rohe, Gerritt Rietveld, Finn Juhl, Frank Lloyd Wright, the list goes on and on. You'd be surprised by the crossover with the concerns of carpentry and architecture.

I went to school with many people who were much further into their life than recent school leavers, so if you really want it, then you should at least look into it further. Hope that helps!

dkelly95

PaperArchitect wrote: »

Hi dkelly,

There are a variety of reasons why you might want to become an architect so you should feel confident enough to explore your interest further. The path to becoming an architect is very long in Ireland, so you would have to be certain. There are 8 architecture courses in Ireland (two of which are in N.Ireland, QUB and UU). All of the courses are at least 5 years long, and those that are shorter - Siigo IT does a 4 year BA.Architecture degree, you would be required to do a further 2 years elsewhere if you wanted to continue the path to becoming a registered architect. DIT, UCD, WIT, UCC/CIT and WIT will all provide you with a full 5 year degree, and to become a registered architect you will have to subsequently do your professional diploma in DIT or UCD after 2 years work experiene to qualify to register with the Royal Institute of Architect in Ireland. That's a minimum of 7 years, and in the North you are required to take a year out after 3rd year, which would mean at least 8 years. You may however, be eligible to enter into 2nd year architecture depending on previous experience, but the schools are quite strict about this, and even students who have studied in the school previously for 3 or 4 years with architectural technology, are not always eligible.

Alternatively, architectural technology might be of more interest to you. It is much more technical, focusing on the design of buildings for use and performance, as opposed to the concerns of the architect - which are more concerned with the art of architecture - spatial, compositional, construction etc. You'd get a proper understanding of this by going to a final year exhibition of a school which teaches both disciplines - DIT, WIT or UCC/CIT.

On another note, there are famous architects who studied carpentry before architecture - like Peter Zumthor. Studying carpentry as well as architecture is also considered quite desirable by a lot of high-end firms because it suggests a strong understanding of craft. There are lots of architects who are famous for their chair designs - Alvar Aalto, Mies van der Rohe, Gerritt Rietveld, Finn Juhl, Frank Lloyd Wright, the list goes on and on. You'd be surprised by the crossover with the concerns of carpentry and architecture.

I went to school with many people who were much further into their life than recent school leavers, so if you really want it, then you should at least look into it further. Hope that helps!

Thanks for your fantastic reply and insight PaperArchitect, as regards to architectural technology, is it possible to practise privately and sign off on drawings etc or would an architectural technologist always need to be overseen by an architect?
Thanks again for your response.

Gumbo

dkelly95 wrote: »

Thanks for your fantastic reply and insight PaperArchitect, as regards to architectural technology, is it possible to practise privately and sign off on drawings etc or would an architectural technologist always need to be overseen by an architect?
Thanks again for your response.

With the relevant PI insurance you can sign off on domestic extensions, certificates of exemptions, compliance and possibly one off new builds once they opt out of statutory certification. There may be a other areas also that some of the current technologists on here can answer.

It can also depend on if the client is going through the bank as each bank has their own criteria as to who can sign off when they are lending etc