Architecture: As the name defines its beauty, it combines Art, science, and Creativity. It’s not limited to designing buildings but also to enhance the beauty of the space. It also includes documenting the heritage. It also consists of the issues from modernization. Today, there has been a discussion. We can call it a whisper. It happened in the Architecture corridors about the fading of this Industry. But can we guess it’s true? Because shelter is one of the three basic needs of Humans. If this Industry fades, it will affect the living of society. Then why is this rumor coming up? Why are these discussions among the Professions, Students, and the AEC Industry?
To understand this, we need to analyze the current market. We’ll compare it with the market a decade ago when the Architecture segment that was the core of the AEC Industry.
History of the Architecture Industry:
Architecture: The Art or Science of Buildings as it’s defined. Decades ago, architecture wasn’t as much an Art or Science behind the designs of buildings. But it was an Art form that crafted Monuments, sculptures, Temples, Caves, and much more. But, the people of the Arch Community designed habitable structures considering the climate, the people’s needs, and the needs of the common man. In summary, this industry offered many well-paid jobs. This was due to the two factors. Education was much more vast and more difficult to qualify as an Architect. So the demand was more and the number of well-qualified Architects was less. Because of this, Architects earned high salaries and had a large amount of work on their plate.
Modern-day architecture industry:
The AEC Industry has grown. This has forced architects to modernize. They’ve had to keep themselves updated with almost everything happening in the market. The Architecture Industry faces four major setbacks today:
Economical Issues: The economy of the globe has a direct effect on the AEC Industry. Recent examples of this are the pandemic and the politics surrounding it. When this large-scale problem arises, it even hampers small-scale projects. The cost of the materials rises. This increase affects the project’s construction cost. It’s a chain of events; the global economy hampers the AEC Industry, and this hampers the architects the most.
Technological disruption: Technology benefits the Architecture community, but it also has drawbacks. As technology is booming every day, it’s difficult for the Architect to keep up with it. It requires continuous upskilling, which comes at a cost of time and money. It’s easy for budding architects. But, for someone in this industry, self-improvement is a task. It creates a gap between a Fresher and an Experienced Architect.
High Expectations of Clients : Who can deny this? Today, clients expect super luxurious homes on a small budget. We want everything lavish, but with a minimal budget, and architects know the story ahead. Right? They see something on Pinterest or other social media platforms and expect the architects to copy it. The client don’t consider or understand the climatic conditions , design restrains or design challenges.
The need of the Architect in a Project : We need architects. Today, everyone assumes they can build or design using Google. This misconception has taken away many projects from the architecture community. Today, people don’t understand the difference. They mix up the work conducted by a civil engineer, a contractor, an architect, and an interior designer. They think everyone works on the same parameters.
Unexplored Opportunities: Earlier architects had limited opportunities, but today architects have ample opportunities. Only a few from the crowd can find and identify these new opportunities. They must break the set pattern of the architect’s career which is assumed to be Graduation , Work Experience , opening an Firm and doing Interior Projects or Graduation , Post-Graduation and the rest two remains the same . Many new fields are emerging. These include Architectural Journalism, Writing, and Architecture Photography. They also include Architectural Research, Scholarship, and Restoration.
The Resilience of Architecture:
The AEC Industry and Architecture community have seen many ups and downs. But, it’s not the architecture profession that’s in decline. The evidence suggests otherwise. The sector has many obstacles. But, architects can have a promising career. They must keep up to date with the market.
Architecture is still essential and dynamic. It plays a key role in influencing the built environment. It mirrors the shifting demands and goals of society. Not only that, we’ve still can’t forget that shelter is the need of every human life.
An Architect can focus on the below mentioned points:
By doing this, they’ll ensure the industry grows and expands. They’ll also ensure it survives.
In our world, smart, inventive, and sustainable design is more important than ever. The future of architecture is about more than survival. It’s about thriving. It’s more about preserving the heritage. It’s more about making people aware of the work that architects do.
An architect should make sure he/she maintains a friendly relationship with the client. He should make sure the client knows what’s possible to design. He should keep their budget in mind. They should also understand the challenges they face on the project. They should try to overcome them in later projects.
There are a lot of unexplored career options in the field of Architecture. An Architect can explore all these and can identify the niche. As the demand for Architectural Writers, Journalists, and Photographers is at its peak. An Architect has the power to create something innovative. They can do so with the guidance of the people of the AEC Industry.
The people inside the Architecture community should maintain some rules and sort of discipline amongst themselves .So that even if there is competition in the AEC industry the firms know the pay scale they must provide to the Architects based on their experience and what they contribute to the organisations and not on what organisation can actually afford.
An architect has to survive in the architecture community. They should improve every day. Don’t think that your learning will get over after five years. You’ve got to upgrade yourself not only with the skill set but also with the mind-set daily. So you will never settle down for low pay scales.
The world, environment and people’s minds are changing. It needs a more practical approach to its problems. The Architecture Industry might seem to be falling, but it’s not dying.
We Architects can reshape the world. We can definitely reshape our community and Carrer.
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