Welcome to 5 Wild Questions, where we're asking people in architecture five questions about their jobs, salaries, experiences and opinions. We're finding out what it's really like to study and work in architecture, what people think of the industry, and where they see themselves going next. Five questions, honest answers.
If you'd like to take part, complete our quick and easy online questionnaire. You can choose to be featured using your full name, first name only or anonymously.
All submissions are reviewed before publication. We may make minor edits for clarity and length, but your answers will remain true to your original meaning.
Anon’S Profile:
Location: Toronto, Canada
Age: 27
Occupation: BIM Coordinator
Salary: $75,000 working 40 hours a week
Anon’s journey in Architecture so far:
I started out as a junior Interior Desiger for a big firm here in Toronto, then I moved to another firm tyat specialized in experience/ entertainment design.
As I accumulated years of experience in soon figured out that I was more interested in the BIM Coordination/Management world so I took the necessary steps to pivoting into that role. Courses, countless resources online and on youtube and I started putting myself out there to land BIM Coordination roles. I recently became a BIM Coordinator and I enjoy it!
5 WILD QUESTIONS
Question 1: What does your actual day to day job involve?
What does an architect or someone who has left architecture actually do?
No two days are the same for me especially for the type of role im in.
1. Managing Revit models on ACC
2. Enforcing thr BEP standards in accordance to ISO 19650
3. Intricate Revit familt modeling
4. Coordination between internal teams and subconsutants.
5. Meetings Meetings Meetings
6. Clash Detection with fedreated models
7. Asset Data Delivery
8. Clash Issue priorization
9. Model and document sharing
10. BIM support for project teams
11. Continuous upskilling to get better at my job :)
Question 2: What are the best and worst parts of your job?
Do you enjoy your job in architecture?
Best part is that I get to see the things that were once ideas come to fruition as a physical manifestation of the work put into designing amd Construction.
Worst part is the corporate work culture, ridiculous overtime, false sense of urgency with some deadlines and compensation.
Q3: What is your honest opinion on the architecture industry?
What do you think about architecture?
Within the Architecture Engineering and Construction industry, architecture as a profession doesnt really reward the sheer amount of energy, time and resources put into it. N
on traditional architecture companies will pay you twice as much for the skillsets you've gained within traditional architecture.
Its important to know what you want for your career and pivot accordingly. Use the skillsets you get from architecture to do what will being you financial safety and reward.
Question 4: Would you recommend architecture to someone considering it?
Basically, is architecture worth it?
Yes and No. Yes because theres a lot of things you could do with an architecture degree that doesnt really limit you to just getting licensed.
An architecture degree could be a strong foundation for the following
1. Interior Design
2. Set Design for movies, plays, series and commercials
3. Project Management
4. BIM Coordination/ Management
5. Lighting Design
6. 3D Modelling and Visualization
7. Contract Adminstration
8. Architectural Technologist
9. Virtual Design and Construction Management
10. Teacher in Academia
11. Consultation
Question 5: What do you want to be doing in 5 years?
What can you or will you do with your background in architecture?
In the next 5 years if im still working for a company, I'd like have one of the following roles
1. Senior BIM Manager
2. Team Lead (Senior Digital Delivery Services)
3. Digital Delivery Lead
4. Design Technology Lead
5. Professor at Universities (Part time or Full time)
And if Im working for myself and doing my own thing. I’d like to do BIM Consulting for the government, cooperation and or smaller Firms within the AEC industry.
I’d also like to be more consistent with posting educational content on my social media platforms to help architecture students as well as professionals equip themselves with the necessary skillsets they need to thrive in architecture school and beyond.
Editors Note:
Thank you to our anonymous BIM Coordinator for their submission at Architecture in Wild. I really appreciated the amount of options provided as alternatives to the traditional route to being an Architect. I have seen a lot of people I used to go to university with, now in those roles.
If you'd like to take part, complete our quick and easy online questionnaire. You can choose to be featured using your full name, first name only or anonymously.
All submissions are reviewed before publication. We may make minor edits for clarity and length, but your answers will remain true to your original meaning.
This ArchiWeek we have a week in the life submission from Bayanda a 20-year old Third year Architecture Student living and studying in Durban, South Africa,Would you have tackled the week any differently?