Architecture has always been one of the top studied courses since early ages. From building Rome to the humongous Burj Khalifa, architects all around the globe have been shaping and beautifying the world every day. Completing a degree in architecture, i.e. B.Arch can be a long and arduous process, but it can also be extremely rewarding. Despite knowing this fact, many newly graduated architects are unsure where to start or have decided that they do not want to be architects at all. Read this article to know the top 20 things architects can do after B.Arch in India, which may help some overcome the daunting task of starting to think about and plan for the professional life that awaits them.
Mainstream Careers in Architecture
Landscape Architect
Designing outdoor landscapes, including infrastructure, public spaces, agriculture, and forestry, is critical not only for constructing the webs that connect our urban and rural spaces, but also, and perhaps more importantly, for responding to globalization and climate change. Landscape architects work in areas such as stormwater management, environmental restoration, and recreational areas, among other things. If you enjoy working with and in nature, this could be the path for you.
Urban Planner
The conditions of urbanization are constantly changing as a result of a rapidly growing percentage of our population moving to cities. The dynamic nature of the urban environment makes it an exciting career path for architects, encompassing everything from economic and demographic changes to sustainable development. It is a necessary but difficult responsibility within our profession; it necessitates adaptability and large-scale problem-solving.
Restoration Architect
Our societies’ heritage and history, as presented through architecture, are not only beautiful glimpses into the past, but also critical to understanding our culture as a discipline. Building conservation and restoration are unquestionably difficult tasks; it is impossible to please everyone. Despite often very beautiful solutions, the media frequently portrays restoration as a “heritage massacre.”
Research Architect
With the current wave of digital architecture and the constant advancement of digital tools, our methods of representation and expression are changing dramatically. Information technology has had a profound impact on architecture that is far from over. These continuous improvements are made possible in part by the exciting research being done by architects, which does not necessarily consist of designing buildings, but rather focuses on how these new tools can enhance our work.
Lighting Architect
Light has a profound effect on our mental and physical health, as anyone living at high latitudes can attest. Investigating lighting architecture entails improving the quality of our experiences, our health and well-being, and the sustainability of not only the natural environment but also smaller spaces such as our work environments.
Political Architect
Some experts argue that architecture is by definition political; however, being involved in the political decisions of a city or country is a different story. Architecture is more than just the creation of beautiful objects; the discipline has a role to play in the organization of society. From planning and developing smart cities to renovating old cities, political architecture is a field that will never lose its value.
Extreme Architect
Extreme weather events like floods, heatwaves, and hurricanes are expected to become more common as climate change progresses. Existing extreme environments, such as deserts, are likely to expand as a result of processes such as desertification. Being an architect who specializes in extreme weather conditions is thus not only an incredibly fascinating way to approach the subject, but also extremely useful in preparing us for our planet’s future.
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Careers in Art and Design after B.Arch
If you find that architecture is not for you after graduating, then design and art maybe. Architecture is already a type of design (or is it the other way around? ), making it easier to establish direct links between your education as an architect and your career as an artist or designer. Another option is to combine two disciplines, for example, graphic design and architecture. Perhaps your passion is making it easier for architects to communicate visually?
Artist
Despite the fact that Olafur Eliasson did not study architecture, he collaborates with many architects at Studio Olafur Eliasson, demonstrating how harmonious and necessary the relationship between space and art is. The spatial reasoning and visualization skills acquired through an architecture education are ideal for installation art, sculpture, and spatial experiences that do not require functionality.
Industrial Designer
Because of their close creative ties, several architecture firms have branched out into industrial design. However, the industrial design focuses on smaller-scale mass-production objects, as opposed to large-scale buildings designed for a specific context. If the prospect of designing something massive, permanent, and landscape-changing sounds too daunting, industrial design is a great, smaller-scale alternative.
Furniture Designer
Furniture design, more than industrial design, can be considered architecture’s younger sibling. Countless famous architects, including Charles and Ray Eames, Alvar Aalto, and Arne Jacobsen, have made significant contributions to furniture design. Contemporary architects, such as Zaha Hadid Architects, are following suit, demonstrating that the two can be done concurrently.
Textile Designer
Textile design necessitates sensitivity to color, tactility, construction, patterns, and forms, all of which are developed during any architecture student’s years in school. In some ways, the relationship between “skin” and structure is even more literal than that of a building, as the two merge together. In many ways, high fashion is reminiscent of architecture, adopting the geometric and sculptural constructions of modern buildings.
Graphic Designer
Graphic designing is the process by which we take in and identify our surroundings. When it comes to communication, it is priceless. It can also be so aesthetically pleasing that one cannot help but want to become a graphic designer. Taking a short course in graphic design to supplement a degree in architecture can open up a variety of opportunities to continue working in the field while taking charge of tasks that are more suited to your interests in communication.
Video Game Designer
Designing a virtual world with near-limitless boundaries may be one of the most enjoyable things a newly graduated architect could do with their education. Constructing the architecture of a video game is a great way to let your imagination run wild, but it may also help you improve your spatial reasoning skills.
Photographer
Architecture photography is becoming increasingly popular, possibly due to the beautiful geometry that can emerge by constraining something within a lens. Photography is more concerned with the aesthetic, with the object and the composition in that specific moment, within that specific frame. It is more concerned with the fleeting atmosphere than with the permanent organization of people and spaces. Nonetheless, it is composed of composition, color, environment, and experiences.
Production Designer
Despite the fact that a set or a stage is a much smaller platform than a virtual planet, designing theatre and film sets allows for just as much creative flow. It alleviates the pressures of traditional spatial design and expression, allowing for more evocative, sensual, and story-driven experiences while still utilizing all of the knowledge and skills gained from an architecture education: time constraints, conceptual environments, and collaborative creativity.
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Other Career Opportunities after B.Arch
If you’re scrolling through this list and scratching your head at any mention of architecture, art, or design, this final list is for you. It covers six careers outside of the stereotypical fields of design, mostly in the human sciences, because architecture is inherently focused on the human experience. Taking the essence of your architectural education and applying it to another discipline may even make you a stronger candidate in the professional sphere.
Teacher/Professor/Academicians
Young and talented faculty members at architecture schools are becoming more common, and if you want to learn more about the field before deciding whether or not to stay in it, a year or two of teaching could be a great way to do so. Teaching is a two-way street, especially at such a young age, and it allows you to learn from your students while also reflecting on your own perspective on architecture. Here are some pointers for a young professor’s success.
Philanthropist
Historically, architecture was a gentleman’s profession, pursued as a philanthropic endeavor rather than an economic one. Women have begun to gain a stronghold on the profession in our time, but the philanthropic ideal has thankfully not died out. Contemporary architecture must prioritize sustainability on all levels: environmental, social, psychological, and economic. If you are interested in other types of philanthropy, you can apply your knowledge and awareness of these ideals. Creating a sustainable foundation with a humanitarian goal is never a waste of time.
Politician
As previously stated, architecture and politics are inextricably linked. The knowledge one gains about people and how they interact with their environment, how they are organized, what makes the human body and psyche feel comfortable; all these skills contribute significantly to making a good politician. In fact, Anders Adlercreutz, a current first-term Member of Parliament in Finland, was educated as an architect and practiced for many years before entering politics, whereas Richard Rogers serves in the House of Lords alongside running his practice.
Conservationist
Environmental conservation, like philanthropy, is becoming a focal point within architecture. Despite many efforts, our planet is still on a path that will lead to disaster in terms of our natural surroundings. Using your knowledge of spatial organization to create a method of environmental conservation is not only intellectually stimulating but also critically important for our society.
Entrepreneur
If Problem-solving, creative thinking, and the art of persuasion are the top three skills that you possess and have a degree in architecture, then being an entrepreneur can prove fruitful and you can use it to your advantage. Your experience with abstract concepts and human interaction can help you stand out as a competitor with a different way of thinking.
The above list of courses is however incomplete, as the careers mentioned here can be combined in numerous ways, and other, unmentioned vocations can be brought to the table to provide virtually infinite possibilities. As German educator, Kurt Hahn put it, “There’s more to us than we realize. If we can be made to see it, perhaps we will be unwilling to accept less for the rest of our lives.” Don’t forget that there is a sea of possibilities out there.
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FAQs
Wondering what to do after completing B.Arch? Here are some quick FAQs to help you explore diverse career paths and make the right choice.
What are the main career options after B.Arch?
Graduates can work as architects, urban planners, landscape architects, restoration architects, or lighting designers.
Can I switch to creative fields after B.Arch?
Yes, you can explore careers like graphic design, industrial design, furniture design, or even video game design.
Is urban planning a good career after B.Arch?
Yes, urban planning is a high-demand field focused on sustainable city development and infrastructure planning.
What is a landscape architect’s role?
A landscape architect designs outdoor spaces like parks, gardens, and public areas while considering environmental sustainability.
