As previously mentioned, architects are responsible for not only themselves, but a whole team of professionals with varying jobs in the crative field. They therefore need to be well versed is all the creative fields involved, possessing all the skills and aptitudes necessary for each of the different careers present. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"You're right! An architect does need to possess all the skills of his coworkers or employees and thier various jobs. However, I do believe that you require some fundamental skills right from the beginning:

 

1. ​Passion: You need to be passionate in whatever you do, whether it's architecture, or any another work field. Believe me when I say this, skills and abilities follow quickly if you love what you do.

2. Design Aptitude: Designing, planning, and developing are part of our daily routines. Even possessing just a little of this skill is at least a beginning.

3. Communication Skills: I cannot emphasize enough the importance of good communication skills in this work field. When you're managing 20+ employees, having meetings with clients and contractors, and talking on the phone regarding projects on a daily basis, not having this skill can become your downfall.

4. Time Management: We often find ourselves working on two, or three projects at one, usually all at different stages of the design process too. Managing we time well, especially during the summer months when projects begin their construction phase, is very important. Despite it all, we often find ourselves doing 25% of the remaining work in the last 10% of our time frame! 

5. Discern Client's Needs: Satifying and meeting the needs of our clients is one of the central goals as an architect. Most of them know exactly what they want their space to look like already, and merely need our help in discussing and drafting their ideas according to all the requirements. It is therefore really important to know that when we encounter such clients, who know exactly what they want, we can merely provide suggestions; the ultimate design is their decision, and we cannot be disheartened if it is not the design we had formulated in our head for their space.

6. Social Awareness: The needs of our clients are constantly changing, and so are the aspects that society deems necessary in a space. Right now, a lot of emphass is placed on designing, and constructing economically, and environemtally friendly structures with minimalistic tendencies; people want versatile spaces constructed with minimal materials, all of which highly take into consideration the environment." 

- Reg Squires

May 29, 2014