8/14/2019 To: Kevin Brooks FROM: John Nelson DATE: September 10,
2009
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TO: Kevin Brooks
FROM: John Nelson
DATE: September 10, 2009
SUBJECT: The Desired Skills of an Architect
As with every profession there is a set of skills needed to
succeed and advance. Iwould like to cover what I have found after
researching the subject and interviewing a
working intern Architect. In our profession the skills needed
tend to break themselvesinto four categories that are the
following: Technology, Communications, Character, andDesign. These
four words I think alone give a person a good sense of what skills
areneeded as an architect. Though lets take a some time and go into
each one with a littlemore depth.
1. TECHNOLOGY
Computer Aided Design- According to Alan Jochs (2003) the
profession is mak-ing a strong push towards the use of technology
to enhance our ability to express
ourselves and improve efficiency. Also being familiar with new
programs such asRevit and Maxwell can heighten your usefulness in
an architecture firm andbroaden your abilities as a designer
Telecommunications- The ability to proficiently use new forms of
communicationsuch as email, cell phones, or managing a website is a
must to stay connectedwith clients and construction teams.
New/improved materials and systems- Keeping up with the new
forms of con-struction, materials, and systems is a way to improve
your work and sustainabilityof future projects.
2. COMMUNICATION
Work Relationships- Through communications an architect needs to
be able todevelop strong working relationships with both the client
and construction teams.These relationships help maintain a healthy
clientele base and a reliable working rela-
tionship with the construction team.
Inter-Firm Communications- The ability to both express your
ideas and informa-tion quickly and accurately to members of your
team through sketching, emails, ormemos is a must have skill. This
memo is an excellent example of both expressingmy thoughts and
informing quickly and accurately to a wide group of people.
8/14/2019 To: Kevin Brooks FROM: John Nelson DATE: September 10,
2009
3/3
is but a start each firm has their own set of personal wants and
needs and to classifythem so simply is a problem. But I feel this
list is a great way to start and I hope it canhelp with any future
job hunting.
Attachments: Samaha Associates. P.C. job posting, accessed
09/06/09:
http://careercenter.aia.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3170859&keywords=&ref=1
References:
Joch, A., (2003). IT skills: A key to career success. Arch
Record
Brite, J., (2009). Value of the architect in sustainable design
practice. AIArchitect, vol-ume 16
Arch Record, (2007). Tigerman Urges Architects to Consider Doing
Good and BuildingGreen. Arch Record
Weinstein, N., (2008). Artful Writing, Chronicle of Higher
Education, v54 n26 pB21 Mar
2008
Witham, David. (2009). Interview with intern Architect on 9
September 2009. Telephone
interview. [ paraphrase and direct quotation notes]
