Esther Calunga
At a young age, it may be difficult to know what you really want in life. Some perspective is gained from our earlier events in life, and other motivations become clearer the more exposed we are to the outside world through different experiences. If you are considering a career in architecture, it’s important to ask yourself questions that can help you understand what kind of person you are and how you would thrive. One needs to try to imagine their future life: what you want it to look like, what you want to be doing, what you know yourself to be good at and go from there. It is commonly thought that when one enjoys drawing or even doodling on occasion, they should pursue architecture. Architecture is more than drawing, it is design, it is problem solving, it is making, it is the ability to shape notions and perceptions. A few misconceptions about architecture are that it is the field for anyone who likes to draw or is good at fine arts; that architects are only concerned with how the building looks; that you don’t have to read as much as you would for other programmes, and that architecture and engineering is pretty much the same thing. The truth is, yes, drawing is an important part of architecture, as the building instruction is given in the form of a drawing; it is the tool through which architects communicate, it is both the thought process and the outcome. This skill can be taught, cultivated and mastered over time; what is most important is your mindset and work ethic.
Architects are well-rounded people.
Creating harmony between the site (what is already there), the building's scale and materiality, the building's relationship to the surrounding structures and context, how the building addresses the street, and how the space can be designed to be both functionally and aesthetically pleasing for its users are just a few of the many factors an architect must take into account when designing a building.
It requires understanding multiple parts of living, nature, how people function, it even requires gaining knowledge on aspects that are unfamiliar to you, to be able to create the space that caters to it. For example, an architect is not trained in any kind of medical practice, but to design a medical facility, one must gain knowledge about what is done, how it is done, and the spatial requirements that make it possible. Architects also work with a number of consultants such as various engineers, quantity surveyors, town planners, and must have some understanding of the service these consultants provide to be able to maximise the potential of their design. Therefore, one might say architecture is for the mind that wants to be challenged, is curious, has multiple interests, and desires to be creatively expressive. So how can you know if architecture is for you? Architecture schools typically seek individuals who can show evidence of being creative, hardworking, and having the ability to think critically even at a basic level. A creative portfolio showcasing any relevant experiences or personal development really boosts the application.
Courses such as design and technology of course do help, they prove you can design and make objects, but you also need to cultivate within yourself a strong mind. When at architecture school, you will learn more than how to draw. You will learn time management, information management, what it means to be efficient, professionalism, the importance of relationships, how to engage with community, alternate living realities, design beyond the built environment, and other useful personal and professional lessons.
The study of architecture is best described as following a studio culture. In this case, the studio can be described as a dedicated space for students to be creative, social, learn from one another, and keep a steady working momentum. This means that the course is interactive and fast-paced; a substantial portion of the work is done in the studio and sometimes in groups; including tutorials, workshops, presentations etc. It is very stimulating, exciting and requires all of you.
Good questions to ask yourself as you contemplate studying architecture:
What interests me? A person’s effort is proportional to one's level of interest. What skills do I currently have? - knowing what you are good at can give you an indication of whether you would thrive as an architecture student.
What is the reason I want to study architecture? In many instances external influences or misconceptions are the leading drive for a chosen career path, which unsurprisingly is often met with disappointment.
Mental health is another incentive to consider when choosing a career.
Studying architecture can be rewarding but it is also physically and mentally demanding. The creative aspects may enhance mental wellbeing; however, the workload, tight deadlines and desired perfection can contribute to stress. Self-care, time management, and having good support systems can help maintain a positive mindset; however, when you are not enjoying your work and the challenges placed before you, it can slowly become detrimental to your health and lead to a lost benefit of time and resources. This is another reason why having the correct attitude is important. When a university student's course isn't what they imagined, they frequently experience despair; nevertheless, understanding what you need to put in and what you may get out, gives clarity, allowing you to live with your decision and build on it as you go. Feeling trapped may cause disappointment and be harmful to one's health, therefore, it helps to know your possibilities when it comes to a profession to help you get over feelings of hopelessness. You can begin building on your understanding of what architecture is and what would be expected of you by applying for job shadowing- spending time in an architectural office, observing, asking questions and trying to get an understanding of what the profession is like. Watching videos and podcasts about design processes; how people move, what people do, how they do what they do, may be helpful considering architecture is design of space for people’s use.
The perception that architecture is for those who are more inclined to practical activity or who don’t enjoy reading as much, is deceiving. It's important to note that architecture is not carried out impulsively, there is a ton of intellect, critical thinking, and ability to problem solve necessary to make good architecture and to be a good architecture student. In addition, if you are unsure about what you want to do, consider taking multiple career tests; they will help you to understand yourself and what may best suit your interests and personality.
For anyone reading this and considering a career in architecture in 2025, start probing your interest in it now, and see where it leads you.
* Esther Calunga is a lecturer at the Department of Architecture, Planning and Construction (DAPC), at the Namibia University of Science and Technology, and the views described here do not reflect the views of the department or institution.