How to Become a Project Architect

A project architect combines administrative and design skills to expedite the completion of a building. Your daily tasks as a project architect may include a search for lower cost building supplies and a meeting with designers on a project in its nascent stages. You need to be highly organized and aware of the building process from start to finish to become a project architect.

Instructions

1. Plan your career as a project architect during college as you pursue a Bachelor's of Science in architecture. Your time as an architecture student will be best spent in taking leadership roles over class projects and working on side projects with professors.

2. Speak with your advisor and local architects to determine the necessity of an advanced degree for a successful career. Most architects who want to become leaders in the architectural field need to complete a minimum of a Master's degree.

3. Arrange for an internship with a local architect to become familiar with the work done by project architects. You should compile a list of questions and request to work in various departments of the firm to expand your education.

4. Refine your skills as an architect by searching for temporary work with international architectural firms. Project work in Europe and Africa helps you develop strong communication skills and helps you deal with adverse situations when you return home.

5. Invest your initial paychecks into a home office to help you complete project work away from the office. Project architects often work on design revisions and administrative tasks from home to save on gas costs heading to and from work. Your employer may pay for design software and hardware to complete your work.

6. Check out zoning, building and environmental codes for major cities as you become a project architect. Your own studies into the various regulations influencing building design will help inform your philosophy on architecture early in your career.

7. Maintain an organized and clean workspace to help you complete your design work. A combination of a daily planner, synchronized mobile devices and a drawing table clear of debris will keep your mind focused.

8. Continue to sharpen your drafting skills beyond graduation to stay versatile in the workplace. You should register for CAD courses and stay involved in the early drafting work on your projects to keep the design process uniform from start to finish.

Tips & Warnings

• Seek employment in various positions in the architectural field to shape your view of the role of a project architect. Temporary positions in administration, publications and design can give you anecdotes to use when you have leadership over a design team.