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Architect? A Candid Guide to the Profession

Average customer rating:

Straight-forward
Pragmatic, Useful, And Well Written
read it, read it again, then read it again
candid indeed
Great book for anyone considering the profession.

Architect? A Candid Guide to the Profession
Roger K. Lewis
Manufacturer: The MIT Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0262621215

Book Description

The first edition of Architect?, published in 1985, quickly became known as the best basic guide to the architectural profession. More than a decade later, it is a standard text for introductory courses on architecture and recommended reading on the application forms of many schools of architecture. This revised edition includes new information pertinent to current education and practice and addresses issues and concerns of great interest to students choosing among different types of programs, schools, firms, and architectural career paths.

Roger K. Lewis, a practicing architect and educator, takes a hard look at the education of the architect as he covers such topics as curriculum content, pedagogical theories and methods, program and faculty types, the admission process, internship, compensation, computer-aided design, and the culture of small and large firms. He tells how an architect works and gets work, and explains all aspects of architectural services, from initial client contact to construction oversight.

The author describes the benefits of becoming an architect, including the opportunity to express oneself creatively, to improve the environment, and to achieve notoriety. But he doesn't hesitate to show the other side--the lack of steady work and appropriate compensation, the intensity of competition, the restrictions imposed by clients, and the high degree of anxiety and disillusionment among young architects. Written in a clear, accessible style, the book is accompanied by the authors often-humorous illustrations and a valuable appendix.

Customer Reviews:

Straight-forward.......2006-05-02

I recently finished my undergrad in business management, and have decided to return to school to earn an MArch. degree. This book has helped me in making this decision, as well as in knowing what to expect. If it does make you change your mind, then architecture is most likely not the career for you. If it's worth doing, it probably won't be easy. That said, it is not always as time consuming as people tend to think. My fiance is working on her bachelor's in architecture. While she is often very busy, there are times that she has a lighter load than I did in business school. It depends on the prof. and the project.

Pragmatic, Useful, And Well Written.......2004-08-02

In this book Roger Lewis outlines the most important considerations in pursuing a career as an architect. I have always loved architecture, and have read extensively on the subject at the level of an interested amateur. When I was preparing for college in the 1980s, I wanted to pursue a five year professional architecture degree, but was dissuaded when I received a full scholarship in biology. That was an unfortunate decision in the long run, although I have been doing well professionally until recently, when my career field went into steep decline. I never forgot my interest in the subject, and while considering a mid-career occupation change, I have carefully considered returning to school and attempting to be admitted to a 3-4 year M.Arch. program.

I am very glad that I read this book (and several others) prior to embarking on a career in architecture. The book is very honest about the rigors of school and the relative lack of money to be obtained in the field, unless you are uncharacteristically brilliant in design (and in selling your services). People like Michael Graves are definitely the exception to the rule. I appreciated Lewis' candor, and honestly the book has made me reappraise my desire to pursue this particular career transition. He repeatedly emphasizes that you should become an architect because of a love of architecture. I also have to be practical in considering that between three or four very expensive years of school and at least three years as an underpaid intern, it is at least seven years to becoming a licensed architect for me, and at this stage of my career that is difficult. Not impossible, but very difficult.

I have not decided what professional avenues to pursue yet, but I will always appreciate the practical nature of this book in educating me about an architectural career. This is the most important book a prospective architect can read prior to committing to the arduous path leading to licensure.

read it, read it again, then read it again.......2004-02-12

I read this book when I was a senior in high school applying to colleges. It was helpful. I applied to architecture school and got into one of the best programs in the country. I graduated and got my dream job. When I was visiting my parents over Christmas I found this book on my shelf and read it again. This time I had an entirely different view after having gone to school and having worked for three different firms. This time it really hit the gut. I gave my notice at the firm and I'm going to pursue a different career for the next year. I'm not sure if I'm burned out on architecture and need to leave so that I can miss it and come back, or if I really don't want to be an architect. I have to say, the pay is bad. Really bad. That's what got to me. Expect to be paid HALF of what you're worth. That applies to the lowest intern all the way to the top partner. You just don't get paid what you're worth. Then again, it is a really incredible profession. It's a tough choice. So my advice is to buy this book and read it every couple years to make sure you really want to do this. Life is too damn short to do something you don't love with all your heart.

candid indeed.......2003-01-01

I have now been in the work force for 6 years having mostly worked in, now defunct, internet shops. Now I have a sterile job as a financial analyst working for a HUGE company. After being afraid to pursue my dreams again (after an earlier attempt in my mid-20's withered away...), I am seriously looking to get my masters in architecture although I have a liberal arts degree. I first read Cesar Pelli's "Observations" which inspired me. So I was afraid to get into this book knowing that many reviews here and in newsgroups claim it's harsh or may change your mind about architecture. Actually, it has strengthened my desire to pursue architecture. I won't be making as much money as I do now in my somewhat laid-back job, but there are other considerations far more important to me than working just for money. People who do not wish to be challenged to their fullest or work harder than they ever have worked before should not pursue such careers medicine, law, computer science, etc - architecture is no exception. I already knew architects are rarely rich, work very hard, go through a very tough education, and work in a very competitive environment. None of that came as a shock from reading this. Basically, I can conclude from this book that the field should only be pursued if one LOVES architecture despite all the difficulties. One can dislike medicine or law and not be as discouraged since the money can provide some comfort, but teh same is not true of architecture. Even if this book does talk many out of pursuing architecture, it's better that it tells it like it is. I'd rather know the good and the bad before making a decision. By the way, this book is not nearly as negative as some here have pointed out.

Great book for anyone considering the profession........2002-12-08

I like how it gives good information and advice for someone like myself who was considering the profession. It gave me an excellent idea of what to expect of the profession. I just wish I had listened even more carefully to his advice when reading the book, especially the advice about taking some time off between highschool and going to school to be an architect. One thing future architects need to realize is that if you are an architecture major, you will have no free time whatsoever outside of your classroom studio. So if you have any wild and crazy side to you that just wants to party, I suggest getting that out of your system first and then go study architecture. If there is any traveling you really want to do, do it first. Cause architects work hard and on average dont even make that much money. Anyhow this book contains other useful information for those who are certain they want to be architects as well. It gives you an excellent idea of what to expect, the types of jobs you will be doing, the skills you will need, ect..

Average customer rating:

Architect?: A Candid Guide to the Profession
Roger K. Lewis
Manufacturer: Mit Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OQZ3LQ

Average customer rating:

ARCHITECT? A CANDID GUIDE TO THE PROFESSION
ROGER K. LEWIS
Manufacturer: The MIT Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OQAYGA

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