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Education
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Q: I'm a mechanical engineer for the last 20 years and considering studying architecture in a school environment. Searching the internet for green or sustainable architectural programs does not turn up the magic list or much information in general related to becoming an architect. I find lots of information on workshops and some accredited alternate program courses. But if I wish to practice as an archtect, I believe some type of accredidation will be required. Do you know of any information source that would assist me at this time? A: It is true that to be a licensed architect you have to have a professional education. Where 10 years ago, many paths could lead to licensing, it is becoming increasing difficult to take alternate routes. NAAB, the National Architecture Accreditation Board, reviews architecture programs and issues accreditations in 1 year, 3 year, and 5 year increments (depending on the quality of the program, problems to be resolved, etc). To review accredited programs, go to their website: http://www.naab.org/cal_cat1724/cal_cat.htm If you do want to get a professional degree, you will probably want to look at 3+ programs, which are architecture programs for people with 'unrelated' degrees. You will probably be able to get credit for related classes (like structures, HVAC, etc.) given your background, but it won't shave much time off of the 3 years. Kelly's list covers all of the US programs that I am aware of with any legitimate focus on sustainability. That said, I have not found a US program that is very far along the green/sustainable path. There is a strong culture within the profession and especially within US schools that seems to preclude it. I have a degree in Chemical engineering, I attended the University of Colorado for a Masters of Architecture, then stayed on to work on a PhD, looking specifically at this problem. It is important to clarify what you mean by green/sustainable design. For example, Arizona State has a very strong solar architecture program, while the University of Oregon has long focused on a 'systems' approach to design. UT Austin's sustainability thread looks intriguing, but I've not spoken to anyone who is involved it in. My advice is to contact students and faculty in these programs. Find out what the focus is, how well funded it is, faculty involvement and expertise, etc. It is my experience that one has to create opportunities for oneself. If you can find faculty and students that share your interests, you can tune your education to develop interests and knowledge of sustainability. If you choose to go the 'professional education' route, I would still supplement your activities with workshops, 'alternative' education programs and the like. The US Green Building Council has started student chapters - this may be a source of information. They have an 'emerging green builders' group, with a listserve: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=116 All this applies to you if licensure is important. You can do a lot of design work without being licensed. In Colorado, I believe an architect is required only for buildings larger than 10,000 square feet. In this case, several of the 'alternative' programs may give you much more depth and focus than the institutionalized programs. Q: Kelly, I am inquiring about your education and professional background. My boyfriend is interested in beginning a new career, he currently works for a contractor building homes, and we are curious as to your background, so as to assist him in pursuing this new dream. Any help or information you can give would be greatly helpful to us both. A (Kelly): I am primarily a self-taught individual; my schooling came from my father, who was a builder and cabinet maker, and from many years of experience as a carpenter and craftsperson. I have always believed that I can accomplish almost anything that I put my mind to, so by trial and error I have come to my particular way of doing things. This approach isn't for everyone, so I don't necessarily recommend it. I have listed on the education page a lot of other ways to learn about natural building and sustainable architecture. Q: From a beginner's standpoint, where can I go to get educated about designing and building my own sustainable home. I am looking for something in-depth enough to actually give me the personal means to design and build my home on my own or with a few friends? A: You've come to the right place. Greenhomebuilding has wonderful resources for green building. I have several recommendations for you: 1. Educate yourself - read, research, watch videos, look around, visit green houes and get a feel for what you'd like to build 2. Get started building: you may not want to dive right into a house - a large scale project with lots of systems to think about - so you could try a small project or find a weekend or week-long workshop that will teach hand-on. (for example http://www.yestermorrow.org/courses.htm http://www.cobworks.com/construction.htm ) 3. As you do each of these, acquaint yourself with 'experts' in the field and the type of building you are considering. These folks will be invaluable as consultants as you move along the path to creating your own home! I strongly believe in research, imagine, do, research, imagine, do! Your ideas, skills and knowledge get better with each cycle! Q: I am currently a non-traditional student and would like to further my education to do exactly what Green Home Building does: help our earth by creating ways for home seekers (or owners) to promote green ways of living with educated choices in regards to materials used for residential living (hopefully the commercial industry, as well). Anyways, I was wondering how I could be involved with this type of movement? Do I need to be a licensed architect? or is there a way to be involved with green building via another route? Contracting companies or interior design firms? I am graduating with a degree in studio art and have a handle on the design aspects - and I have a degree in microbiology - (I'd rather make a difference with my art abilities), so I'm well apprised of the science aspect of building. I'm really just stymied as to how I can get into the field? A: (Kelly) There are many ways to interface your career with green building. You do not necessarily need to be an architect to design houses, but of course it helps. Many of the designers represented at www.dreamgreenhomes.com are not trained architects, they just understand the basics of good design. Often it is necessary to have a local engineer sign off on building plans anyway. Or you can become trained in some other aspect of building, such as being a craftsman to actually help with construction. For this there are many opportunities to learn, some of them listed on this page, and often this sort of work can take an artistic turn. Some of the most interesting homes have been designed or crafted by artists. I'm sure you will find the right niche if you just keep poking around. Q: I'm doing a PowerPoint presentation for my class on what my dream job is....a green home design architect. I'm really intrigued by everything they make with Green Design. Anyhow, the paper had a few listed requirements i.e. salary, benefits, what exactly they do, and what they do on a normal basis (like what their day is like day to day) If you can help me out with any of this I would appreciate it greatly. A (Sven Alstrom):
We are really the same profession and salary as standard residential architects. That is we make about the same income throughout our career as high school teachers and high school principals. But we don't have summer off and we have less retirement and often no health care benefits. So in terms of salary, the profession is not very good. A (John Connell):
Excellent choice. It's a great job but no two days are the same. Variety is the spice of life. You will spend approximately: 10% of your time designing 15% of your time presenting and dealing with clients 35-40% of your time preparing construction documents and specifications. This includes research and keeping up on the latest stuff. 5% of your time dealing with lawyers, insurance agents and the like. 5-10% of your time doing promotion, outreach and teaching; 10% overseeing the bid process; 15% of your time supervising the construction. Salary varies widely and largely depends on where you work in the country. I'm in Vermont so no one gets paid much for anything. But you can make $90k+ as a green licensed architect if you're smart. I would suggest you also get a degree or at least some training in interior design as that's where much of the action is. Also, you will be required to complete continuing education courses every year. These can be really enlightening or somewhat of a drag. As always, life is what you make it. I love this job because it's constantly changing. After 28 years as a green independent architect, I am now running the design department at Connor Homes where we design and build preFAB early American designs and ship them as kits all over the East. I get to design and build 4-6 houses a month in stead of 4-6 houses a year. And they hired me to make their entire operation green! Sweet! |
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