Term paper on Becoming an architect: Stages of education

Opportunities for the graduates

In conclusion to the education level, the three option to pursing as education in architecture allow a diversity of experience and education; it will depend on the path of the educational process that will be chosen. The chance to travel either for work or for education is available in all three programs. Upon completion of any of the three paths of architecture education, the graduate proceeds to the next level of certification and internship.

Fourth stage: The internship

The Canadian Architect Certification Board (CACB) certifies that the student has the required qualifications. The student can then go on to apply for the Internship in the Architecture Program (IAP).

The IAP is a program that provides the student with a further knowledge as well as experience on the profession of architecture. It consists of three people necessary to complete the program:

1. Intern Architect, he or she is responsible for carrying out the program and completing the required hours for the Canadian Experience Record Books (CERB).
2. Employer or Principal he or she is directly responsible for the training, employment and the skills development of the intern.
3. Mentor he or she serves as the intern’s advisor during the intern’s time at the IAP.

The program involves the recording of the intern’s experiences; such as site inspections, logbooks and the various duties that the intern carried out. The duration of the program is a minimum of 3 years.

The Certificate Experience Record Books (CERB) is a log system that is accepted in Canada and is used to record the intern architect’s experience. To complete the book, the intern must do a minimum of 5600 hours. These hours are divided into 5 sections:

• Category A: Design and Construction Documents
• 2,800 hours required
• Category B: Construction Administration
• 560 hours required
• Category C: Management
• 280 hours required
• Category D: Related Activities (Optional)
• 80 hours permitted
• Category E: Discretionary Activities
• 1,880 hours permitted

The CERB must be constantly detailed by the intern architect; analyzed and accepted by the employer as well as the mentor. The books are handed over to the provincial associations for approval and keeping. This is done after every 900 to 1000 hours of the IAP (around every 6 months). The intern must ensure that the information and submission of the books is prompt.

The intern, on gaining the necessary experience recorded in the CERB, they then proceed to do an Architect Registration Examination (ARE). The examination is administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB). Every provisional association requires that the interns should pass at least 9 divisions from the examinations; for them to be eligible for registration.

ARE tests the interns knowledge, skills and abilities that would be applied in the field of architecture. The examinations focus on testing the intern with regards to services that affect the public health, safety and welfare; making sure that a high level of experience together with knowledge, has been obtained by the intern during the educational period; along with the experience process. It contains 9 divisions namely: Building planning, building technology, pre-design, lateral forces, general design, site planning, Building design/ materials & methods, Constructions documents & Services and Mechanical & Electrical systems.

Summary

As it was indicated in the cover letter, the architectural education in Canada is a recent development. Nevertheless it has gain a success in the last twenty years.

The report shows the methods in which an individual may take a path of education leading to registration as an architect in Canada. The methods and means, duration of courses and pre-requisites, as well as the necessary effort may differ, but in the end, the result is identical for anyone wishing to enroll into the process. It offers an exciting opportunity to aspiring architects, allowing individuals the choice as to the method that they may feel will site them best in achieving the occupation of a registered architect. The variable options are evidence as to the different practices of registered Architect; this accommodates diversity and enthusiasm in the practice of Architecture in Canada.

It is known that the majority of professional architects in Canada are the graduates of the university schools.
The education process continues with the Internship in the Architecture Program that allows the graduates to obtain a great architect’s experience.

Recommendations

It’s important for the future architect to plan the education in advance. When the decision about the choice of an architectural school should be made, I would advise firstly discuss it with professional architects who will be able to give a proper understanding of the certain educational institutions and compare your goals with their practical knowledge.

When making a decision on where to study to become an architect: in the rural area or in the city, it’s better to keep in mind that urban schools usually concentrate on urban architecture and rural schools focus on rural architecture. What is your style of living? If you want to deal with urban architecture you should led more active life style, on the contrary, if you choose the rural architecture, you may enjoy more relaxed and tranquil way of living.

Other important factors in decision making are the reputation and resources of the architectural educational institution. Future architect should gather the information about the faculty, the age of the school and of course about its programs, computer design programs, and available design studios.

Every student that studies architecture should remember the crucial tool of success which is portfolio. Each architect has the portfolio that shows his/her best designs.