Architecture Summer Programs in Europe

My 16 yr-old son is interested in a career in architecture and we are currently living in Switzerland.  He will be returning to the US following HS graduation here.  I know there are many summer programs in the States for students his age, but was wondering if there were any programs in Europe, closer to home for us now.

Thanks in advance for any information you might have.

__________

First, you may obtain a list of the U.S. programs from ARCHCareers.org.  At this point, the list is still from 2011, but the 2012 list will be available in January.

I did find one website for international programs but none are for architecture.

http://www.teenink.com/Summer/

http://www.artsabroad.org/HighSchool/hs-home.html

With that said, I would consider having your son attend a summer program in the U.S especially if he will return to the U.S. for college.  As the program coordinator for the Discover Architecture program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, we have had a handful of students from abroad - France, Canada, Taiwan, South Korea.

Another option is to contact the many international architecture programs individually.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_international_architecture_schools

Best!  Do let me know if you have any further questions and what you might find out.

Advice, Please!

Thanks for running a blog of service to things related to Architecture.

I just finished my B.Arch. (5 Year course) from School of Arch & Planning, Anna University, Chennai, India. I would like to acquire a NAAB accredited M.Arch. from USA, for which most universities suggest M.Arch of two years duration for NAAB accredited M.Arch. It would be a great help from experienced people like you, if you can clear my queries below:

1- I am interested in an M.Arch. with concentration towards Architecture Design, but NOT Urban Design/Sustainable/Environmental/Renovation. But most US universities offer concentration in Urban Design only. Please suggest some University names for architecture design concentration.

2- After M.Arch. before the long process of licensing, do firms allow me to work with my M.Arch. so that I can earn back my spent on university.

3- Though difficult to say, which parts of US have more Architecture firms, I mean opportunities wise for juniors like me.

Thank you so much for your valuable time.
_________
Thanks for your kind words --

1) To learn more about architecture programs in the U.S., I suggest you search via the following website that allows you to search based on keyword -- www.archschools.org --

2) Yes, with the Master of Architecture, you would be able to work assuming you have the legal authority to work in the U.S. As an international student, you may participate in CPT and OPT, but it does limit how long you can work after graduation.

3) I have no way of knowing where most of the architects are, but there would certainly be most firms in urban areas like New York, Chicago, Los Angles, etc.

I wish you well!

Dr. Architecture

Architect in the United States

Hello Dr. Architecture,

I came across your very helpful blog while going through all the architectural forums and must be very honest when i say it was very encouraging. I'm in a bit of a predicament and would really benefit from some ideas. I completed my B.Arch in India where I am from in the year 2006. I promptly got into practice with architectural firms and did various kinds of projects . in total I have almost 2-1/2 to 3 years of experience. I came to the U.S.A with my husband last august and would really wish to do some work now. I don't hold a work permit and wouldn't mind a voluntary job.

My situation is that I lost my laptop with all my past work experience in the airport (last august) . It would not be possible for me to show any previous work. Also its been more than a year since I practiced any architectural work .

It would be great if you could tell me what my options could be.

-would be better if i took up a course in architecture - for six months just to brush up my skills, or any other suggestions to courses would be great .

- or if I did voluntary work for architectural firms , if so could you please tell me what I need to read up on, software to be learnt before I could apply for a job.

It would also be nice if you could tell me what I could read to know about architecture in general in the U.S.A

Any suggestions or recommendations from you would be really great. i don't want to give up on this profession for i have worked hard to earn it.

I really appreciate the time spent on reading my long email and would be grateful for your help.
_____________

First, you should NOT work as a volunteer; it is not legal from the perspective of the firm. Given that you lost your laptop, you should be spending time to recreate or create work to show potential firms. You could certainly take a course or simply use a competition brief to show your talents.

To become immersed in the discipline, read the following magazines among others -

http://www.architectmagazine.com/
http://archrecord.construction.com/

As for software, review position descriptions for ideas; also, network and connect with other architects in your region via the AIA - American Institute of Architects - www.aia.org

Dr. Architecture

MArch in another Country

I graduated in May 2009 from a top-notch undergraduate program with a BA in Architecture. I'm taking a year or two off to polish my porfolio, take a break from the all-nighters, and travel a bit. I've been considering getting my MArch in another country, perhaps in Spain or Italy, mostly because the programs are less than a tenth of the price, and I'm worried about student loans and then earning very little for a few years as an intern.

Wit that said, how are over-the-seas MArch programs seen in the US? I know that the EESA-NAAB does allow you to then get lisenced in the US if you meet their requirements, but given that you meet the requirements, how do MArch's in top universities in the EU compare to the education that one receives getting an MArch in the States at a top program? Are the programs here in the US really that much better that it's worth spending the money? Would employers in the US still be interested in hiring me and consider me to be a valuable asset?
________

First, congrats for graduating with the BA in Architecture; I also applaud your decision to take time off to better prepare for your graduate studies.

As to your question, I truly do not know. My guess is that ultimately, potential employers will want to see your portfolio upon graduation from your Master of Architecture and not worry so much about where you went to school. Oddly enough, they may be more interested in you because of your international education especially if the firm does international work. You may also find that you decide to work internationally and your graduate studies would be an advantage.

Unfortunately, I cannot adequately address how international programs compare to those in the U.S. I can share that NAAB is working with their counterparts in many other countries. If you do study abroad, I would be sure that the program is well received in that country. For more details, refer to the following:

http://www.canberraaccord.org/

Dr. Architecture

Drafting as Preparation

I have just finished reading the ARCHcareers web site and I am very impressed with the information provided!

I am keenly interested in studying architecture. I live in Perth, Western Australia and though the system of gaining a place in college may be different to that in the States, I was wondering your opinion on one thing. I am studying a 2 year course in architectural drafting at a smaller school in order to gain placement in University afterwards. I thought the experience in the technical side of architecture would better prepare me for college. Am I wasting my time to study drafting for so long? Do you think it would be better for me to just plunge myself into an architecture course if I am certain that this is the career I want to take (which I am.)?

I do not want to waste time and money, though I am thoroughly enjoying dratfing! Any insights you may have would be greatly appreciated, no matter how brief. If anything is unclear, please feel free to e-mail me.

Thankyou for your time
______

First, I would suggest you contact the Australian Institute of Architects for additional opinions on your question via the following websites.

http://www.architecture.com.au/

http://www.architecture.com.au/i-cms?page=22

From my experience, I would not suggest you are wasting your time, but typically "drafting" is not the ideal preparation for becoming an architect. In other words, drafting is NOT the technical side of architecture. I would suggest you contact some of the schools in Australia to gain some insight from them on your next step.

Do contact me if you have any additional questions.

Dr. Architecture

Becoming an Architect - International Degree

I moved newly to USA-TX by the international organization for migration. I have B.Sc. in architecture and M.Sc. in urban planning from Baghdad university in Iraq. How can I qualify my transcripts and an authorization to work as an architect? Please can I get some information about the procedure. I found many wbsites and I do not know from where to start.
___________

If your desire is to become a licensed architect in the United States, you must contact NCARB -- www.ncarb.org -- In particular, you will want to visit the following link of which the text is listed below:

http://www.ncarb.org/reciprocity/foreign.html

There is no reciprocal registration between foreign countries and the U.S. (with the exception of Canada). You cannot practice architecture in a U.S. jurisdiction without acquiring a license to practice in that jurisdiction. Each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands has an architectural registration board which regulates the profession in their jurisdiction.

To become a registered architect in a U.S. jurisdiction, you must first comply with that jurisdiction’s education, training and examination requirements. Recognize that not all jurisdictions have adopted NCARB's education and training standards. All questions regarding your eligibility must be directed to your jurisdiction’s registration board. For the contact information for each board, see jurisdictional board.

Education
Many registration boards require applicants to have a professional degree from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Foreign-educated individuals, who do not hold such a degree, may be directed to have all of their post-secondary education evaluated by NAAB. NAAB performs the Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA). Applications for the "EESA-NCARB" evaluation must be requested from:

National Architectural Accrediting Board Inc. (NAAB)
1735 New York Avenue, NW, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 783-2007
www.eesa-naab.org

Fees for this service will be billed to you directly by NAAB which is a private organization, not affiliated with any architectural registration board

Training
Most NCARB member boards have adopted the training requirements established for the Intern Development Program (IDP). In the IDP, training is measured in training units; one training unit equals 8 hours of acceptable experience. To satisfy the IDP requirements you must earn a total of at least 700 training units, with prescribed subtotals in various training areas. The maximum credit allowed for foreign experience in architecture is 235 training units if under the supervision of an architect not registered in the U.S. or Canada.

Five years of full-time, verified foreign experience as a principal in an organization whose architectural practice encompasses the comprehensive practice of architecture is an alternative to the IDP Training Requirement, which may be recognized by the jurisdiction(s) where you seek registration.

Examination
Every NCARB member board requires interns to pass NCARB's Architect Registration Examination (ARE). Those who practice architecture outside of the U.S. Or Canada must also pass the ARE to qualify for registration in the U.S. For further information, see ARE.

If you have any questions, please contact NCARB Customer Service.

International Degree

If I were to obtain a 3 year bachelor degree from a university in Australia, would I be eligible to participate in the IDP, and take the ARE?

I currently have an Associates in Architectural Technology from a community college here in North Carolina. I would like to go to Australia and get a degree in Architecture, then come back and work here in the U.S. Is this possible?
_________

To obtain the most accurate answer, you will need to contact NCARB - www.ncarb.org/idp. You may also wish to contact the state IDP coordinator in your state.

Most states require a NAAB accredited degree to meet the education requirement. As such, your degree from Australia will not only allow you to be eligible to become a licensed architect in the U.S. However, you can still become licensed by having your foreign degree evaluated by EESA -- www.eesa-naab.org. Also, you should review a new accord -- www.canberraaccord.org/ - between the countries of U.S., Australia and others.

Bottom line, it is possible, but do your research ahead of time to recoginze what you will need to do upon your return to the U.S.

Dr. Architecture