Saturday, January 26, 2013

Degree to become licensed


Good Morning,
 
I am an Architectural Technologist looking to study to become a Licensed Architect.
 
I was reading online about M.Arch and B.Arch, am I able to study and recieve a Bachelors in Architecture and become a licensed architect? (If yes, in what areas of the world? - Mainly gearing towards Canada and US)
 
If I could get a bit more clarification that would be great.
_______________

In the United States, most states or jurisdictions require an individual to possess a professional NAAB (www.naab.org) accredited degree.  This NAAB degree could be either the five-year Bachelor of Architecture or the 4+2 year Master of Architecture.

Architects are licensed by the state in which they are licensed; thus, an architect would only be able to practice architecture in that state.  For more details on licensure, I suggest you access NCARB - www.ncarb.org.

As I understand it, an accredited architecture degree from the U.S. meets the requirements for licensure in Canada and vice-versa.  Again, contact NCARB or RAIC.


Best!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Summer Architecture Programs


I'm an English undergrad at Princeton, but have recently become very interested in architecture. I'm thinking of taking a summer introductory architecture course at a university. Do you know much about them? What are your thoughts/advice/recommendations?
__________

Congrats on your interest in architecture.  I do support the idea of attending a summer program but many are more targeted at high school students.  Each year, I compile a list (see previous post).  

Some are more targeted to college level students - Harvad, Columbia, UCLA, Washington Univ. and LAIAD (not summer).

Los Angeles Institute of Architecture and Design

They help you experience architecture to test it out and also help generate materials for a portfolio if you do apply.  

However, there are other means - attend lectures at Princeton sponsor by the School of Architecture; sit in on classes or attend reviews within the School.  Contact a local architect and shadow for a day or two.  Read a book including Becoming an Architect, 2nd Ed.

Best and do contact me if you have other questions.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Summer Architecture Programs

SUMMER ARCHITECTURE PROGRAMS 
If you know of others or if any of this information is incorrect, please contact me - lwaldrep@gmail.com



NORTHEAST
Barnard College – New York, NY
June 23 – 29, 2013 (1 week)

Boston Architectural College - Boston, MA
July 1 – 26, 2013 (4 weeks)

Carnegie Mellon University - Pittsburgh, PA
June 29 - August 9, 2013 (6 weeks)

Catholic University of America – Washington, DC
July 8 - July 26, 2013 (3 weeks)

Center for Architecture - New York, NY
http://www.cfafoundation.org/summer
Contact Organization for Dates

City College of New York – New York, NY
Contact School for Dates

Cornell University - Ithaca, NY
June 22 – August 3, 2013 (6 weeks)

Columbia University - New York, NY                          
Contact School for Dates

Design Science Lab - Chestnut Hill College - Philadelphia, PA
June 16–24, 2013 (1 week)

Drexel University - Philadelphia, PA
July 7 – 20, 2013 (2 weeks)

Harvard University - Cambridge, MA
June 10 – July 19, 2013 (6 weeks)

Maryland, University of - College Park, MD
July 7 – 26, 2013 (3 weeks)

Massachusetts Amherst, University of – Amherst, MA
July 7 – 20, 2013 (3 weeks)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Boston, MA
July 1 – August 9, 2013 (6 weeks)

National Building Museum - Washington, DC
July 8 – 19; July 22 – August 2; August 5 – 16, 2013

New Jersey Institute of Technology - Newark, NJ
July 10 – 11 (overnight); July 14 – 19 (Design #1); July 21 – 26, 2012 (Design #2)

New York Institute of Technology - Old Westbury, NY
Contact School for Dates

Parsons The New School For Design – New York, NY
Contact School for Dates

Pennsylvania State University - State College, PA
July 15 – 19 or July 22 – 26, 2013 (1 week)

Pennsylvania, University of – Philadelphia, PA
June 30 – July 27, 2017 Residential (4 weeks); July 1 – 26, 2013 Day (4 weeks)

Pratt Institute - Brooklyn, NY
July 8 – August 2, 2013 (4 weeks)

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Troy, NY
July 7 – 19; July 21 - August 2, 2013 (2 weeks)

Roger Williams University - Bristol, RI
July 7 – August 3, 2013 (4 weeks)

Syracuse University - Syracuse, NY
June 30 – August 9, 2013 (6 weeks)

Temple University – Philadelphia, PA
July 8 – 19, 2013 (2 weeks)

Yale University – New Haven, CT
June 30 – July 20, 2013; July 22 – August 9, 2013 (3 weeks)


SOUTHEAST
AIA Memphis/University of Memphis - Memphis, TN
http://architecture.memphis.edu/
June 3-15, 2013 (2 weeks)

Auburn University - Auburn, AL
June 23 – 28; July 7 - 12, 2013 (1 week)

Clemson University - Clemson, SC
June 14 – 27, 2013 (2 weeks)

Duke University – Durham, NC
June 15 – 29, 2013 (2 weeks)

Florida, University of - Gainesville, FL
Contact School for Dates

Georgia Institute of Technology - Atlanta, GA
Contact School for Dates

Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge, LA
Contact School for Dates

Miami, University of - Miami, FL
June 10 - 28, 2013 (3 weeks, half-day non-residential)
July 7 – 27, 2013 (3 weeks, full-time in-residence)

Mississippi State University - Oxford, MS
June 7 – 14, 2013

North Carolina at Charlotte, University of - Charlotte, NC
June 9 - June 14, 2013 (1 week)

North Carolina State University - Raleigh, NC
June 23 – 29 (overnight); July 14 –19 (day); July 28 – August 3, 2013 (overnight) (1 week)

Savannah College of Arts & Design - Savannah, GA
June 22 – July 27, 2013 (5 weeks)

Tennessee, University of - Knoxville, TN
July 16 – 21, 2013 (1 week)

Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University - Blacksburg, VA
July 9 – 13, 2013 (1 week)


EAST CENTRAL
Ball State University - Muncie, IN                 
June 7 – 19, 2013 (2 weeks)

Cincinnati, University of – Cincinnati, OH
June 20 – 27, July 29 – August 3, 2013 (1 week)

Cranbrook Summer Art Institute – Bloomfield Hills, MI
June 24 -- July 12; August 5 – 23, 2013 (3 weeks)

Lawrence Technological University – Detroit, MI
July 8 – 12, 15 – 26, 2013

Miami University - Oxford, OH
July 8 – 19, 2013 (2 weeks)

Michigan, University of - Ann Arbor, MI
July 15 – August 5, 2013

Notre Dame, University of - South Bend, IN
June 16 – 28, 2013 (2 weeks)


WEST CENTRAL
Illinois Institute of Technology – Chicago, IL                   
July 8 – 29 (Commuter) and July 21 – August 3 (Residential), 2013 (2 weeks)

Illinois at Chicago, University of - Chicago, IL
July 8 – August 2, 2013 (4 weeks)

Illinois at Urbana Champaign, University of - Champaign, IL
June 16 – June 29; July 7 – 20, 2013 (2 weeks)

Iowa State University – Ames, IA
June 23 – 29, 2013 (1 week)

Judson University - Elgin, IL
July 7 – 12, 2013 (1 week)

Nebraska-Lincoln, University of - Lincoln, NE
June 9 - June 15, 2013 (1 week)

Oklahoma, University of – Norman, OK
Contact School for Dates

Oklahoma State University – Stillwater, OK
June 10 – 14, 2013 (1 week)

School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Chicago, IL
June 24 - July 5; July 8 - 26, 2013 (2 or 3 weeks)

Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, IL
June 17– 21, 2013 (4th – 6th grade), July 14-19, 2013 (middle schl), July 23-28, 2013 (high schl)

Washington University - St. Louis, MO
July 7 – July 26, 2013 (3 weeks) High School Students
May 26 – June 14, 2013 (3 weeks) College Students and Graduates

Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Univ. of - Milwaukee, WI
Contact School for Dates

Weisman Art Museum - Minneapolis, MN
August 5 - 9, 2013


SOUTHWEST
Houston, University of - Houston, TX
Contact School for Dates

Rice University – Houston, TX
June 3 – 28, 2013 (4 weeks) 

Texas A&M University - College Station, TX
July 7 – 13, 2013 (1 week)

Texas at Austin, University of - Austin, TX
June 10 – July 12, 2013 (5 weeks)

Tulane University - New Orleans, LA
June 23 – July 12, 2013 (3 weeks)


WEST
Architectural Foundation of San Francisco – San Francisco, CA
Contact School for Dates
  
California at Berkeley, University of - Berkeley, CA
July 8 - August 16, 2013 (8 weeks)

California at Los Angeles, University of - Los Angeles, CA
June 25 – August 3, 2013 (6 weeks)

California College of The Arts - San Francisco, CA
June 24 – July 19, 2013 (4 weeks)

California Poly State Univ. – SLO - San Luis Obispo, CA
June 23 - July 19, 2013 (4 weeks)

Los Angeles Institute of Architecture and Design

Newschool of Architecture - San Diego, CA
http://www.newschoolarch.edu/programs/summerexploratory.htm                            
July 16 – August 16, 2012 (5 weeks)

Oregon, University of - Eugene, OR
July 8 – August 2, 2013 (5 weeks)

Project Pipeline Los Angeles NOMA Chapter - Los Angeles, CA
Contact Organization for Dates

Project Pipeline San Francisco NOMA Chapter – San Francisco, CA
Contact Organization for Dates

Southern California Institute of ARChitecture – Los Angeles, CA
July 15 – August 16, 2013

Southern California, University of - Los Angeles, CA
July 7 – 21; July 7 – August 3, 2013 (2 or 4 weeks)

Talieisin Preservation – Spring Green, WI
June 10 – 12; June 17 – 19; July 8 – 10, July 22-24, 2013 (1 week)

Dates throughout summer, contact School for more details (Grades 2-12)

Washington, University of - Seattle, WA
Contact School for Dates







Demographics of Architecture Students

I am researching demographic information for enrollment in both undergraduate and graduate architecture programs.  I’m curious about the percentage of male vs. female and the percentages of different ethnic groups pursuing a degree in architecture. Do you happen to have this information and if not could you please suggest someone I may contact who could help me?
_________________

The best source for this date is the annual report from NAAB - www.naab.org.

They just released the following in advance of the full report for 2011-2012

The annual Report on Architecture Education saw results for the 2011-2012 academic year included first-time enrollment, total enrollment, and degrees awarded for NAAB-accredited programs and preprofessional programs offered by institutions that also offers NAAB-accredited degrees.
 
The story is that the results are mixed:
  • Enrollment in accredited programs is down by 2.5%. Most of the decline is in the B. Arch.
  • The number of accredited degrees awarded is still increasing as there are still a few large cohorts moving through colleges and universities (the last increase in overall enrollment was for the 2009-2010 academic year).
  • Enrollment in preprofessional programs is down, but first-time enrollment is up. I’m not sure what that means and we will have to dig deeper to find out.  
http://www.naab.org/news/view.aspx?newsID=117

Enjoy! 

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Summer Internship

Hello, Dr. Architecture

I am writing to inquire about summer architecture internships or experiences that would be helpful to a 2nd year architecture student.  Would you be able to point me in the right direction?  It seems after searching that internships are often offered to the upper level students. Perhaps a better option would be to seek other career-related opportunities for the course of the summer.  What would be most helpful at this point in my education?


Thanks,
__________

I will share what I can, but if you provided your school/region of the country I might be of more assistance.

First, seeking a summer career-related experience is a precursor to your employment after graduation and is process of preparing your materials (resume, cover letters, portfolio, etc.), researching potential employers and making the match.

Start with your University Career Center to help you with your materials.  Perhaps have faculty or upper level students help with your portfolio; a good book is Portfolio Design (portfoliodesign.com).  At the same time research potential firms or employers that could use your talents/skills.  These may be other than architecture firms.

Once you have done these two steps, now contact the firm with your materials to schedule an interview.  Again, the Career Center can help you with cover letters and interviewing.

It may be difficult but start now and be persistent and ask for lots of help.

Best.

Questions

I have a B.Arch (Architect) from India, and currently struggling for following three issues:

1. Not able to find a job in US, I am currently in Phoenix AZ. Can you please suggest some good jobsite where I might able to see some openings.


2. Are there any distance learning universities where I can get my M. Arch completed.


3. Is the Indian B. Arch degree valid in US? Can I start my own practice with Indian Architecture Degree?
__________

Here is a start on your issues/questions.

1. I would steer you away from websites and network.  If you have not done so, join the AIA chapter or attend lectures/events frequented by architects to network.  Research the firms in the region and contact them with your materials.

2. There are two accredited M.Arch programs that a portion of their program is delivered online - Boston Architectural College and Lawrence Technological University.  You can visit - naab.org for their websites.  

3. The simple answer is NO, but you can still apply for licensure within the U.S; contact ncarb.org and review the information for foreign-educated individuals.  You will need to have your education evaluated through EESA to determine its equivalency to the NCARB Education Standard.

As for starting your own practice, the answer would be YES, but you could not practice architecture until you became licensed in the state in which you practice.  You could hire architects in the interim.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Architects of Other Things

Thanks to Architect Maia Small for this cool Tumblr page - Architects of Other Things 

A list of previous architecture students who are not designing buildings

http://architectsofotherthings.tumblr.com

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Applying to MArch

We have had a quick correspondence previously about my portfolio in July. Thank you for the response it definitely helped me.

I have a new question for you, however. I am in the beginning stages of applying for graduate architecture schools for the fall of 2014, and I am setting my sights on some of the top 10 programs in the country. Do you have any advice that would help me set myself apart from other applicants? Or what should I be focused on the most (i.e. portfolio, GRE score, letter of intent, resume, etc.)?

Any insight would be wonderful and I truly appreciate your time and blog!

Thank you and I hope you have a fantastic New Year!
__________
 
The best approach to being admitted to your desired programs/schools, I would suggest you personally contact each via phone and have a discussion on their admission process and how they make admission decisions.
You may also discover through this process that the top 10 programs in the country may / may not be the best programs for you.  By contacting them, you will learn more about the program.

It will be slightly different depending on the program, but most will state that the portfolio is the most important aspect of the application.  As such, I would spend most of your time on it.  You have graduated, so you cannot impact your transcript but you still must author your statement -- who is writing your letters of recommendations?

Since you are applying for F14, you have time to truly approach the process with full vigor.

Best.