Architectural Designs

a bunch of questions about architecture?

i am seriously thinking about becoming a residentual architect and always have been. when i was 5 i used to say i wanted to be an architect because i thought it sounded cool. but when i got older, i learned what it really was and i loved it. My uncle is a Drafter, my dads a painter/ freelance carpenter, and ive helped them both on add ons to houses, remodels, and other objectives in the construction field. im a sophmore in highschool. i took a class called Architectural design when i lived in california last year, and i learned the basics of drawing; on paper and computer(first years used ArchiCAD and others used AutoCAD) i have autoCAD2005 on my computer(though it is 3 years old), and i am now taking drafting classes in my new high school because that is the closest they have to architectural classes. but i also want to take 2-d and 3-d art to get a better point of perspective(my view for perspective is amazing, i find disproportional/unperspective objects/people everywhere in restaurants, even some museums, and murals outside on walls, and i know its not just my imagination, because i point them out, and after awhile of starring, they agree and ask how i even noticed. i dont mean only the design, i mean the shading(shadow) and color transitions also. now that i filled you in on my "experience" im going to let you know of my plans. i currently live in florida, but dont like it here, and im looking at MSU Bozeman in Montana. they are NAAB accredited so i can move outa state if i wanted and still have my license, and it is surrounded by mountains (i love snow boarding) oh, and my last name is bozeman if you cant tell by my account name. but that would also be cool, to live in a city thats named after your distant cousin my questions are, Do you think MSU Bozeman is a good school. Would my last name being Bozeman help/hurt/not matter when viewing my application? Would taking a year break to move to Montana to get residentual tuitions, help/hurt/not matter? can you apprentice before/while in college? when i get my car, i plan on finding an architecture office in my area and going in to speak with them and asking them if they might want to hire me to do their dirtywork. i dont mind the low pay, im a teen, and it is great experience.

Public Comments

1. What is the question? But a great choice!
2. I really don't anything about MSU Bozeman, so I can't offer an opinion on the school. In response to your other questions: My guess is that your last name will have no impact on your application to the school. Whether to take a break from school is a personal preference issue. I personally have felt that it is better to keep going with school, and that a year away for any reason just interrupts the education process and make it harder to get started again. However, I also know plenty of people that have taken a break for various reasons and it has worked great for them. You will need to factor in the financial impact--the ability to qualify for in-state tuition--and weigh that along with the other pros and cons of taking a year break to decide what is best for you. You can work at an architecture office at any time. Many offices do hire young people to help with basic office tasks, and it may be a very good experience for you to have such a position. Becoming licensed as an architect ultimately requires education, experience, and passing a professional exam. Licensing is done on a state-by-state basis, although a national organization exists to help coordinate between the states. Most states (although with a couple exceptions) require your experience be earned as a part of a program called "IDP", or "Intern Development Program". IDP is a formalized set of requirements that you earn a certain number of hours of experience in a variety of different tasks and areas within an architecture firm. IDP takes a minimum of three years, and often longer, to complete. To help speed it up, some students like to gain work experience during school. However, IDP only counts work experience that happens after you have completed a minimum of three full years of college. So you can work in a firm before your third year, but the experience you earn before then will not help count towards earning your license. However, regardless, experience in the field is still a positive thing and will help you learn more about the profession you're aspiring to join. There is an organization called the American Institute of Architects (AIA), which is the largest professional organization for architects. They have a chapter in Montana with a website here: http://www.aia-mt.org/ You may wish to look at their directory of Montana architecture firms to help you in making contacts and looking for work if you choose to pursue this. You may also wish to contact the AIA office directly, sometimes state chapters will have job boards or other ways to help you find internships. Finally, I have two other general thoughts for you: - Your background and experience with construction will help you in architecture. However, your experience in school will probably be more focused on conceptual design principles than the practicalities of construction. This is good because school is one of the few times you will be able to take the time to really focus on exploring design. Ultimately, architecture is a combination of both creative design skills and practical technical knowledge of how to solve problems and put pieces together. - The purpose of architectural education is to give you a good theoretical foundation in design. It will not teach you every practical skill you need to operate as an architect; there some things you must learn from experience in the field. Many people have found that a combination of a good educational program and part-time work at a firm can help give you the best of the both worlds and help you develop a stronger career. I know I found this to be true for me as I worked all during architecture school. But at the same time, make sure to take advantage of all the opportunities offered to you at a good architecture school. School gives you an opportunity to explore and take on challenges that you will not face in the "real world". Make the most of it. Good luck and best wishes in your pursuit of architecture.