Project Architect Job Description

Architectural plans

Architecture, like many other professions, helps to organize the different stages and steps in the profession by having defined roles in the architect's office. A project architect is a role in an architect's office that oversees many of the different stages of the design process and the construction process of a project.

Licensure

A project architect is generally a senior position in an architect's office that is held by a licensed architect. A licensed architect has to pass a series of tests to ensure he understands building codes and construction processes. It is important that a project architect understands the buildings codes that are written to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. It is part of a project architect's job to understand the building codes because it is his responsibility to oversee many stages of the design and construction process that must follow the building codes.

Education

A project architect typically has a professional degree from an accredited university. This can be a five-year bachelor's of architecture program or a two- to four-year master's program. The educational experience is generally a requirement to be able to take the licensure tests, but a person can still be allowed to take the tests if she can show she has enough years of experience that are considered equivalent to the educational experience. An architectural education is generally looked for when a firm is hiring for a project architect position.

Responsibility

A project architect is responsible for the coordination and oversight of the construction documents. He is in charge of the in-house staff that produces the construction documents. He is also in charge of all the different consultants that are a part of the project: structural engineers, mechanical engineers, civil engineers. He helps to make sure that all the requirements of the project are put into the drawings and that all the different team members are aware of any changes that may occur during the design and production phases.

Experience

A project architect typically has between five and 10 years of experience. A project architect needs to have well-rounded experience with all the different phases of design and construction. Some project architects are able to get this experience very quickly if they work in small architectural firms where they are required to cover more roles. A project architect should have solid experience leading a design and production team on projects of various sizes and complexities.

Dual Roles

Many project architects are asked to be able to handle dual or multiple roles on a project. While project architects are in charge of the technical and design areas of the project, a project manager is generally in charge of the project budget, non-technical tasks and with the accounting tasks related to the project. In smaller architectural firms, a project architect may have to assume the role of project manager, where they are responsible for everything that involves the project.

References

• American Institute of Architects: Practicing Architecture