My son wants to be an architect - lots of random questions for DCUMers in the field or otherwise . .

[Anonymous]

My son will be a freshmen in high school next year. For a number of years now, he's said that he wants to be an architect when he grows up. I know not where this come from, as I'm a CPA and my DH is a tax attorney, and this numbers orientation and arguable blandness seems to be in our DNA! Our son seems to have much more flair, not only in his clothing choices, but his overall personal taste. He's always been interested in housing and building styles, and seems to pick up on the keenest of details. He's also very good, even perhaps gifted, at drawing and sketching and the like.

So anyway, for quite a while now, he has proclaimed that he wants to be an architect one day. So here are my random questions:

1) What can I do generally to foster this interest?
2) Are there relevant summer camps?
3) DS is at a private school. As far as I know, they have no architecture classes. Just curious, do the MoCo high schools still offer such courses? Is there an after-school type activity that might help in architectural endeavors?
4) Does his skill set sound right for a budding architect (artistic, good design eye)? How critical is math to be successful? That, ironically enough, is not his best subject.
5) Does college admission for architecture work differently than standard applications - i.e., do you have to submit a portfolio or something like that?
6) What are the better known architecture colleges?
7) For those architects out there, when did you know that this is what you wanted to do for a living?
8) Are you happy?
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

1. Lots of arts classes
2. See if there's an arts and building camp, maybe through Building Museum
3. No idea
4. Math, especially geometry, is very critical. I would say, the whole science background is very important. Do you want an architect who doesn't understand the basic laws of physics?
5. My college roommate went to graduate architecture program in Columbia. There's also an undergrad program at University of Michigan. Check their requirements to see what background and portfolio he needs

[Anonymous]

According to Georgetown University, architecture majors have a much higher unemployment rate than other recent grads—a whopping 13.9 percent.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/47388559

[Anonymous]

I suggest you start nurturing his caffeine addiction now so he's ready for his studio classes as a freshman.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I suggest you start nurturing his caffeine addiction now so he's ready for his studio classes as a freshman.

+1

[Anonymous]

You ought to look into what colleges offer architecture programs. I dormed with a bunch of architecture students at Miami University back in the 80s. And I agree with the pps on the caffeine and studio time.

[Anonymous]

Combine it with Urban Planning and suggest internships at the AIA and other related groups, so he can learn more about context. He should also add greatergreaterwashington to his RSS feed to learn about local discussion.

[Anonymous]

This child is in 8th grade. I think its fine for OP to give him outlets for this interest but it is bonkers to start planning his life around it -- picking a college, suggesting internships, local discussion groups. To me this all would seem like parents getting reflected glory from their kid's "precocious" interest, but doesn't serve him any. Yes, books, exhibits at the building museum, that sort of thing. But stop planning his future around this. He's a kid and will most likely change his mind. If he doesn't, he can direct his training himself, when its time to start looking at colleges.

OP, you have got to be careful about latching on to this. It is completely nuts to be thinking about portfolios for an 8th grader. Its his life, let him live it in the order in which its supposed to proceed. Let him be a kid who pursues interests on hi own without saddling him with your idea of what he should be doing. And try not to think of him as your brilliant little architect.

[Anonymous]

PLus I think you are overinvolved. let him be and play this otu himself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:According to Georgetown University, architecture majors have a much higher unemployment rate than other recent grads—a whopping 13.9 percent.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/47388559

This. I was surprised about this because I thought it was a good field. I also read that progressing careerwise within the field, that is if you are fortunate enough to find a job in the industry, is difficult. But a lot of things are cyclical so maybe when OP's DC gets older, there will be more opportunities??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Combine it with Urban Planning and suggest internships at the AIA and other related groups, so he can learn more about context. He should also add greatergreaterwashington to his RSS feed to learn about local discussion.

There are also architectural historians and designers of all kinds.

[Anonymous]

The National Building Museum has amazing camps and programs.

[Anonymous]

Among my friends and neighbors I know a lot of underemployed architects. OP, you may want to look into that aspect to help your child understand what his prospects may be like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This child is in 8th grade. I think its fine for OP to give him outlets for this interest but it is bonkers to start planning his life around it -- picking a college, suggesting internships, local discussion groups. To me this all would seem like parents getting reflected glory from their kid's "precocious" interest, but doesn't serve him any. Yes, books, exhibits at the building museum, that sort of thing. But stop planning his future around this. He's a kid and will most likely change his mind. If he doesn't, he can direct his training himself, when its time to start looking at colleges.

OP, you have got to be careful about latching on to this. It is completely nuts to be thinking about portfolios for an 8th grader. Its his life, let him live it in the order in which its supposed to proceed. Let him be a kid who pursues interests on hi own without saddling him with your idea of what he should be doing. And try not to think of him as your brilliant little architect.

I agree. When my daughter was in 8th grade, she wanted to be an architect, too. Then she wanted to own a bakery, then she wanted to be a chemist, and now (10th grade) she wants to go into the foreign service. And she'll probably change her mind several more times.

Books and other enrichment are great, but relax about college and don't push things. Maybe he will go on to be an architect a decade from now, but maybe he won't, and that's fine, too.

[Anonymous]

The architecture industry is competitive, very hardworking with spontaneous and frequent late nights and is quite stressful. It pays pretty poorly relative to other fields.

I'd recommend that you foster this via classes or a summer job in a small firm. Have him take AutoCAD at a community college and/or classes through the Corcoran in their summer program and he'll be knowledgeable and employable as a summer intern (eventually).

Coupled with biz or planning skills the degree can be lucrative. But I know many architects who face burnout and/or major frustration at the extreme work and relatively low pay. Of course, "starchitects" are the exception, not the rule.