I am actually a rising senior in highschool, and I Would love some advice on how to pursue my dream of becoming a big league architect.
Really, I just want to build big man! Stadiums and skyscrapers, big parks and the wacky controversial structures that people buzz about. I want to build the stuff that was in all those architecture books I read as a child, I want to fulfill my childhood dream!
I don't want to be stuck in some small scale local firm like the one I am interning in now planning soulless strip malls and old folks condos for baby boomers. It's all too small scale, I want to go BIG! (I know I am lucky to be interning this young, it is a great job and I am very thankful for it
But how? What can I do right now that will lead me to the big leagues, is it already to late? Or can I still be one of the greats?
citizen
Jul 12, 16 11:20 pm
Learn to draw by hand.
Read as much as you can.
Learn to write well.
Also...
Stay close with good friends.
Wear sunblock.
Don't get a perm.
Josh Mings
Jul 12, 16 11:24 pm
Network like hell. You never know who's going to be able to connect you to the starchitect of your dreams.
vado retro
Jul 12, 16 11:51 pm
AIBD
LITS4FormZ
Jul 13, 16 2:00 am
Before College
Learn to code
Study at least two other spoken languages
Spend a summer abroad before you start college and repeat during college
During College
Be active in clubs, go greek, be a part of student government, meet people outside of your major...network network network
Always take a full course load every semester, no less than 18 hours. Take classes in art, business, computer science, law, biology, psychology, etc.
Use your university's facilities. Build chairs, build a book case, build a desk, 3d print things for your apartment, just build something with your hands and with current tech
Build your own PC and learn how components compliment each other
Intern every summer. Never take a summer off, work or travel but never stay home
Don't work for a small firm. It's easier to go from large to small, not small to large
College is a time to challenge yourself and your ideas. Don't buy into the safe space bullshit
Start investing with the earnings from your first summer job.
After College
Work in the field, do construction management. Spend time with the guys pouring concrete, erecting steel, finishing drywall, installing doors. Buy them coffee, watch them work, ask them questions
Get on the most complicated projects available. People who want to punch the clock 9-5 will avoid these. Say yes to every challenge
Work weekends, work long hours, don't complain. Put in the time while you're starting out
Non Sequitur
Jul 13, 16 4:36 am
To add to the above:
1. Don't ever accept unpaid internships.
2. Don't crowd source major life decisions or school projects to online discussion forums.
archiwutm8
Jul 13, 16 4:45 am
2. Don't crowd source major life decisions or school projects to online discussion forums.
^^ This
will galloway
Jul 13, 16 5:41 am
Marry into wealth if you aren't born into it.
Then spend every waking minute on architecture. I've met a few of the star architects. They are all charming. That may or may not speak to the networking thing
They are also ruthlessly dedicated to design and let a lot of the other stuff go the wayside. None of them spend any time worrying about building stuff with their hands or any of that master builder stuff, but they are deeply into what they do. Way beyond lifestyle. It is an impressive thing.
Basically it's about focus.
Wilma Buttfit
Jul 13, 16 8:12 am
I advise you to put some soul in the strip malls.
Seriously though, it is never too late to do what you want. You are a senior in high school and you think you are too old to realize your dream? Have you been brainwashed?
JLC-1
Jul 13, 16 10:27 am
use condoms
gwharton
Jul 13, 16 11:46 am
Dear Younger Me:
You were wrong about choosing architecture over investment finance in 1989.
Love,
Older You
zonker
Jul 13, 16 11:57 am
Develop an attitude of doing what it takes no matter what - read Brian Tracy's "No Excuses"
I myself took many cues from the Marines - set impossible goals and meet them - then go another 10 miles. Don't settle for 2nd best - Good enough isn't
read Jeff Bezo's and Steve Job's
ArchNyen
Jul 13, 16 7:32 pm
be more humble and not so cocky.
start from the bottom and work your way up.
proto
Jul 13, 16 7:54 pm
clients want to work with people they like, know & trust
whether you become an architect or not, take the "network" advice to heart and you will be fine
archanonymous
Jul 13, 16 10:45 pm
don't eat the brown acid
no_form
Jul 13, 16 10:48 pm
Go to a school with name brand recognition so you can get in with alumni.
Also try to befriend rich people as they are the people who hire architects.
b3tadine[sutures]
Jul 14, 16 12:42 am
I smell Ballskin.
StarchitectAlpha
Jul 14, 16 12:52 am
Dear younger me, get an actual useful degree, buy AAPL FB AMZN, every blue chip in 2009 and Bitcoin. Build my own fucking projects.
Kevin Wagner
Jul 14, 16 2:22 pm
Marry into dusty old money.
THEaquino
Jul 14, 16 5:07 pm
"Buy a tuxedo before you are thirty. Stay that size."
ArchNyen
Jul 15, 16 8:24 pm
keep dreaming
curtkram
Jul 15, 16 9:37 pm
Marry into dusty old money.
or
"Buy a tuxedo before you are thirty. Stay that size."
if you have a choice between the two. . .
i don't even know. both sound like good options. both sound like choices i wasn't smart enough to make.
I am actually a rising senior in highschool, and I Would love some advice on how to pursue my dream of becoming a big league architect.
Really, I just want to build big man! Stadiums and skyscrapers, big parks and the wacky controversial structures that people buzz about. I want to build the stuff that was in all those architecture books I read as a child, I want to fulfill my childhood dream!
I don't want to be stuck in some small scale local firm like the one I am interning in now planning soulless strip malls and old folks condos for baby boomers. It's all too small scale, I want to go BIG! (I know I am lucky to be interning this young, it is a great job and I am very thankful for it
But how? What can I do right now that will lead me to the big leagues, is it already to late? Or can I still be one of the greats?
Also...
Network like hell. You never know who's going to be able to connect you to the starchitect of your dreams.
AIBD
Before College
During College
After College
To add to the above:
1. Don't ever accept unpaid internships.
2. Don't crowd source major life decisions or school projects to online discussion forums.
2. Don't crowd source major life decisions or school projects to online discussion forums.
^^ This
Marry into wealth if you aren't born into it.
Then spend every waking minute on architecture. I've met a few of the star architects. They are all charming. That may or may not speak to the networking thing
They are also ruthlessly dedicated to design and let a lot of the other stuff go the wayside. None of them spend any time worrying about building stuff with their hands or any of that master builder stuff, but they are deeply into what they do. Way beyond lifestyle. It is an impressive thing.
Basically it's about focus.
I advise you to put some soul in the strip malls.
Seriously though, it is never too late to do what you want. You are a senior in high school and you think you are too old to realize your dream? Have you been brainwashed?
use condoms
Dear Younger Me:
You were wrong about choosing architecture over investment finance in 1989.
Love,
Older You
Develop an attitude of doing what it takes no matter what - read Brian Tracy's "No Excuses"
I myself took many cues from the Marines - set impossible goals and meet them - then go another 10 miles. Don't settle for 2nd best - Good enough isn't
read Jeff Bezo's and Steve Job's
be more humble and not so cocky.
start from the bottom and work your way up.
clients want to work with people they like, know & trust
whether you become an architect or not, take the "network" advice to heart and you will be fine
don't eat the brown acid
Go to a school with name brand recognition so you can get in with alumni.
Also try to befriend rich people as they are the people who hire architects.
I smell Ballskin.
Dear younger me, get an actual useful degree, buy AAPL FB AMZN, every blue chip in 2009 and Bitcoin. Build my own fucking projects.
Marry into dusty old money.
"Buy a tuxedo before you are thirty. Stay that size."
keep dreaming
Marry into dusty old money.
or
"Buy a tuxedo before you are thirty. Stay that size."
if you have a choice between the two. . .
i don't even know. both sound like good options. both sound like choices i wasn't smart enough to make.
GTFO