Architects make designs for buildings, which they illustrate in detailed drawings. They also talk with builders about the building being constructed.

Architects have a varied job which combines:

• preparing drawings of small buildings or groups of buildings or large building complexes, as well as the spaces in and around them
• designing buildings that are visually pleasing (nice to look at), what people want and are not too expensive
• designing the interior of the building, with their final designs combining structural, mechanical and artistic elements in detailed drawings. These drawings also show where the plumbing and heating units, electrical outlets and air conditioning installations are
• discussing designs with clients and builders, as well as talking with the engineers, quantity surveyors, landscape architects, town planners and other specialists who are involved in the project so that everything goes smoothly.
• obtaining approvals from the government - mostly local government - for the structure to be built
• making up contracts and specifications making sure that the builders understand what materials are to be used when building their structure.
• most of all, they have to observe and inspect the site - be a project manager so that it progresses according to what was agreed

To be an architect you have to have the ability to communicate effectively your ideas on paper and by talking directly with the other people involved in the project. Often an architect has to bring all parts of the project together to make it happen, therefore, they need to have good organisational skills.

Many architects specialise in a type of building they like to design. For example, some architects focus on building new homes while others like to plan a renovation of an existing home. Others focus on the design of factories or shopping centres or large buildings in the city.

To become an architect you need a degree and then some post degree training with another architect.

Architecture: If you cannot view the YouTube Video below - click here to go to YouTube site to view.