8 reasons you shouldn’t study to be an architect

Jan 7th – Architecture

Architecture is a wonderful thing. We all use it, see it and interact with it every day, whether it be in our homes or the spaces we work and play in. Great architecture drives passion, awe and marvel in those that see it, inspires those that use it and brings security to those within it. We live in it, work in it, eat in it, play, move interact and experience in it. It’s through our relationships with the buildings and spaces (and partly due to Kevin McCloud) that our collective love affair with architecture grows, and every year the number of students wishing to pursue a career in architect increases.

Today, I want to try and convince the majority of those applying to university to study architecture not to bother. If architecture is your passion, your life long dream and ultimate goal, then read something else on habitables, perhaps this or this. If you’re on the fence and feeling over inspired by Kirstie Allsopp, then read on for our 8 reasons you should NOT study architecture.

We aren’t party animals, you’d be better off studying Law

The architecture student is a special breed of human being, they have to be able to make it through years of late night/early morning study sessions, with only the dream of late night/early morning work sessions that pay to get them through university. If you enjoy a good social life, go do something easy like dentistry, cos quite frankly, you wont have time to socialise and fraternise whilst studying architecture (even if you do manage to find a free moment, we predict it’ll be impossible to find a class mate who isn’t catching up on last months sleep).

Brutalism isn’t a sex fetish

If you don’t know your Wright from your Foster, your Khan from your Ando, and you think functionalism comes standard on your iPhone, this isn’t for you. Architecture is about being completely and utterly absorbed in the built environment, understanding the great masters and their masterpieces. If you’ve learnt everything you know from Grand Designs, you’d be better off finding some other course.

Because you’re not on Grand Designs, and probably never will be

I LOVE Grand Designs, I just don’t think it should be the main reason one goes to study architecture. Grand Designs is about exactly that, grandeur, its special work, worthy of being on TV. the majority of architects don’t work on one off original works such as those featured, alot of life as an architect is about hard work on smaller projects that require just as much attention as if you were designing the Empire State Building. I know it’s inevitable that after watching James Bond 95% of the male population dream of going to spy school – they soon realise they’d suck as a spy, clever boys.

I’m here to learn, why the hell are YOU here?

Attending tutorials shouldn’t feel like the morning commute; too many people, most of them smelly and hungover reading the metro. It’s meant to be inspring, a chance to learn and interact with like minded people with a love for architecture (and an addiction to sleep suppressant drinks). The last thing any dedicated student wants is to listen to the story of how you puked all over your work, which was subsequently eaten by your dog. Being an architecture student is hard enough without the distractions of the class idiot, GO AWAY.

Thanks to you, my tutors a tool

Thanks to all the drunks attending (or not attending but joining the course) the universities are taking on more staff to handle the increase in the students. Super? Not really. All tutors are not created equal, and unfortunately for every great tutor you encounter, you meet a couple of misguided souls intent on highlighting the construction qualities of cheese (true story). The less students means the retention of quality teaching and the trimming of staff fat. Please, no one should have to be taught by a man who believes its OK to leave final crits in the middle to go get coffee… bastard.

We are angry people, its the red bull man

Maybe that was slightly harsh, but by the end of the year, the architecture student body is made up of young people with a dangerous reliance to caffeine drinks, and tempers fray very easily. Seriously though, it is a really trying period in any architects career. The long hours, constant criticism and lack of sunlight lead to a collection of people on their last legs. Don’t take the decision to study architecture likely, its a serious commitment, and if you’re in, its all the way or not at all.

Can anyone spell bankruptcy?

My debt level for studying so far stands at just under £25,000, thats a lot of money. It is however a debt I’m ok with having as it’s helped me to get to where I am. I’d sure hate to have that debt and nothing to show for it. The beautiful thing about debt is its not prejudice in the slightest. It doesn’t care if you graduated or not, it doesn’t care that you hated it and didn’t really want to be there. Debt will burden you no matter your reasons. Before you sign on that line,ask yourself: is this what you want, what you really really want?

Architects drive Mondeos’, not Mercedes’

It’s a well known fact among architects that the pay in our industry sucks. The only people who aren’t aware of this fact is everyone else. If you’re studying to be an architect because you think it will bring you a fortune, then you’re in for a shock. Architects reach their peak earning potential between the ages of 55-59, up until then you’ll earn a good, respectable wage, but it probably won’t compare to the lawyers, bankers and doctors you work for. Architects do it for the love of it, didn’t you know that?

When it’s all said and done, architecture is a passionate industry, full of dedicated individuals with drive and ambition. If you want to be an architect, welcome aboard. If however you’re being drawn in like a moth to a lamp, turn away, save yourself – this career will swallow you up and spit you out before you know it, and you’ll owe a lot of money for the privilege.

Posted by at Jan 7th 2011

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  • Alex

    It should also be mentioned for anyone who really thinks they are serious about architecture and has spent their college years doing maths and physics to prepare, you will struggle to get into a School of Architecture!! Probably. I think the key point here is that the majority of degree programmes are BAs, BScs might be different.

    BA Architecture is more like contemporary art in it’s thinking. Fair warning to anyone thinking of employing an architect – I have a degree in Architecture and still don’t know how buildings stand up! I really hope we learn that in Part 2, else any structural engineers working with me are going to have a massive headache.

  • Marion Brown

    Sorry about the three posts as the previous ones contained mistakes. I studied architecture many years ago and it doesn’t sound as if things have improved at all. It’s not a healthy course to take. I don’t even like using the word “study” as I don’t actually think it involves much studying. I said to a tutor (after I had just completed 4 years of an architecture course) that I still knew next to nothing about building construction and felt I needed a stint on a building site. He said, “that’s a great idea, why don’t you do that?” These people defy belief. Get your degree and do something else – like training to be a ceramic tiler or comedian/writer. In my experience architecture courses are just for keeping nasty losers in jobs.

  • http://twitter.com/aspiringarch Tenesha Caton

    Great post. What your saying is true.. You should only study to become an architect if it is your passion..if this REALLY is what you want. Im an architecture student and love architecture, flaws and all.

    • M Mcguinness99

      where will it lead you though, you heard him, architecture is a struggle. It is not beter do do somthing easier and reach the peak in your career earilier?

      • yash jain

        yeah!!!! its very n i wannna become a successful architect because i just love n im crazy for it…. 

    • Marife Bermillo

      me too , thats my passion i want to be an architec someday thats my dream start when i was grade 6 student …now im 3rd year high school but still i want to an architec ^_^ …………..i know thats a very hard to study but i did my very best to learn it ^_^ even im only 14 years old now …..^_^ …<3 architecture <3  

  • Anonymous

    The last thing any student dedicated wants is to hear the story of how you threw all your work, which was then eaten by your dog. Being a student of architecture is difficult enough without the distractions of the idiot in the classroom

  • Yasmin Booker

    I think you’re being pretty negative about it to be honest, all occupations have their ups and downs. And quite frankly, you come across very rude and demeaning about the people around you, no wonder you don’t enjoy it!

    • Naing Naing

      I agree with Booker. It is all about passion. If someone loves Architecture, it is all about he loves to be or work with it. It is nothing to do with money, schools, successful or unsuccessful. If you are happy with yourself or you think you are successful within yourself (being an architect or architecture lover), just go with it. If not, just go away from it.

      And may be because you went into the field without knowing or getting to know or trying to know yourself. You can’t go your life with that.

      All real successful architects are happy not because they get money, but because they love architecture, or being an architect. They did not choose to be architects. They got to be architects.

  • Em

    i’m in my last year of part 2 and still don’t know how a building stands up… that’s an riba accredited well regarded architecture school for you… what a joke. oh well. even on the poor pay this summer and on my year in industry, knowing i will be on s*** pay for years to come, i still wouldn’t go back and do something else if i could.  i love it what can i say.  as for the job situ, even tho the money has been shite  i have still managed to get jobs. in fact got offered one the other week through word of mouth because i have proved myself in the short time i’ve worked, so i’d say to all grads struggling to get a job, persevere because the first one is the hardest, after that with your first good reference to back you up it becomes easier.  architecture needs a massive overhaul, in fact i am writing an essay on it now-that’s what they are teaching us now btw, how messed up and badly paid our profession is.  how architecture as a profession in the west is dead.  they say better later than never, but really, in my 6th year commited to architecture? so i don’t think it’s bad when people are writing negativeley about becoming an architect in the western world, i think they are doing prospective students a favour, because at the end of the day, if you can’t read all the bad stuff and carry on because you’re not in it for the money, then it would probably be wise to do something else.

  • A bc

    Learn how to use apostrophes.

  • M Mcguinness99

    omg…thanks…i don’t think i’ll be doing architecture now, even though i really wanted to do it and have some work experience in february. I’m in yr12

    • SmeraKumar

      It’s good you’re making this decision now, I’m currently in 1st year architecture and hating it. Now I’m regretting this decision and wish I had come across posts like these before I chose to apply to University. 

  • Efewf

    don’t take the decision lightly, not likely

  • nanu_nana

    “architecture is a passionate industry, full of dedicated individuals with drive and ambition”, I’m studying architecture because I love it, and yeah I love to work late night. And somehow you become a loner because of those Models you should make and most of it took a lot of time. Think twice before you made your decision. And I think this Post is very helpful.

    • Nouran_zakaria

      I would like to study architecture. I would do my best to be a successful one. Can I ask people here to suggest for me what are the universities in london or close to london that are specialized at teaching and giving ENOUGH HELP to students??
      Im interested in those unis known for offering tutors that give enough help, maybe even private tutoring if needed at any level?

  • Kyle

    These tips are full of generalisations, exaggerations, ego-stroking and some outright lies. I am not even sure -how- you can think that debt is something every student will have. And why is student debt a reason to not study architecture in particular? It applies to -every- degree if you’re taking out loans for pay.

    Any potential students reading this: Don’t let authors like this one try to bring you down. Study what you want to, for your own reasons. 

    • EimearK

      You have to study architecture to know. You obviously haven’t! It’s not your garden variety degree, it’s a studio based exercise in demoralization, working like a dog in vain, hopelessness and sleeplessness.
      I studied what I wanted, for my own reasons. It was architecture, and I truly regret it now. I can work for free, or find a completely different profession after years of slogging it! 
      I don’t see any lies here Kyle

      • anthony

         i think that architecture is a wonderful career choice

    • Andy

      Kyle you clearly do not work as an architect. Whilst at Uni
      every single waking hour is devoted to study or producing assignments, I was
      lucky if I got one day free a month for social events. Most tutors are
      Architects who cannot hack it in the real world, so after a few years in a
      private practices return to university as tutors. As the author stated everyone
      is under the impression Architects earn a fortune when the sad reality is, they
      get paid very little for the respective responsibility placed upon their
      shoulders. The hardest affected are young Architects as the wages offered are
      not much better than minimum wage. In the northeast of England the majority of
      office juniors and recently qualified architects can earn more stacking shelves
      in Tesco or flipping burgers for Ronald Macdonald. I totally agree with the
      authors parting comment, once you strip it back to the bare bones you have to
      do it for the love of architecture as there is no other incentive. The recession
      has stripped away any joy left in the business. The amount of qualified and
      experienced individuals leaving the industry just shows how bad it has got.

  • tom mason

    What a badly written and patronising pile of shite! There are a couple of relevant points to get out of this:
    a) Architects are badly paid (relatively)
    b) You will be in debt to a much greater degree than other students.
    c) You work longer hours than other students and constantly do ‘all-nighters’.
    The other points I think are more a reflection of the person writing this and not of studying architecture as a whole. I went to a good school and worked very hard – we also played very hard and by saying we, i mean the majority of my year and the years above and below me…

  • Lakesxxx

    wow someone obvs got out of bed on the wrong side today! really most of these apply for nearly all degrees , of course u are going to getting rubbish  professors, you learn to adapt and sometimes teach yourself.

    btw you forgot no 9 : negative dull people like yourself! 

  • Wtang00

    I’ve just finished my Part 2, and although I do understand how a building stands up and do not regret the path in life I have chosen, I completely sympathize with the thoughts expressed in this article. Reality is that we study for an extra 2 years compared to most other degrees, and in addition to this we have to complete 2 years worth of internships in order to qualify. In short, we spend an extra 4 years just trying to get accredited whilst our peers in IT, Law, Business, you name it, have already got 4 years professional experience when we’re only just starting to get going. Its not being negative or having a downer, this is a reality. Given the recent changes in tuition fees (now 9k a year), an architect will now have to spend £45k purely on tuition fees. In combination with living costs, an architect can expect to owe about about £75k just to get to where I am today. My job prospects are about £27k-ish PA currently, and that’s only if I work in London, so given the extra cost of living here my take home is lower than it seems. 

    I understand that many might think this is just sour grapes and that we still earn a decent wage, and in part I’d agree; its enough to live a dignified life (but ironically perhaps not enough to ever buy your own home in this modern market) but all things are relative. Its not an exaggeration to say that we work overtime more often than not (unpaid) and our responsibilities as individuals and as practices extend across the lifetime of a building; we also undertake the great bulk of work on any construction project and ultimately bear responsibility for all deliverables. Compare this to a QC working on the same project who goes home every day at 5pm, doesn’t ever get sued for anything, and is earning about £40k+ by the time we’ve just finished our part 2 (there’s a part 3 btw). Its not the best deal when you consider all this and the gripes are justified.

    Why do we do it? Because at heart, we are idealists. At some point or another, we all looked out the window and realised that the physical environment as realised is merely convention, and of someone elses imagination; we all have the ambition (and yes, the ego) to make it better than it is already. It is an aspirational career. For that same reason, I’d suggest that many of my peers often end up feeling as some posts here might indicate, especially given that these aspirations of recreating the world with the noblest intentions are fed constantly during our time at university. Putting money aside, many of us finally get to the end and realise that most of us spend our careers making beautiful houses for rich individuals or simply facilitating property deals that help consolidate the positions of the rich powerful elite. Unfortunately there are only so many schools, museums and public parks that ever get built. 

    So why do we do it? As I mentioned at the top, when I think about it I don’t regret what I’ve chosen (although I do have moments of doubt). I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I hadn’t undergone the amazing education that I have (painful and demoralizing as it may have been). Although it  was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, I have come out of it a better richer person (metaphorically speaking). That has been enough for me to be content, although I do understand if some of my colleagues may not feel the same.

  • An Architect Who Escaped

    The reason most people go into architecture is that they have a totally unrealistic view of what an architect is. There is a mystique surrounding the title “architect”, it’s somehow very clever yet arty at the same time, it’s standing heroically in front of a masterpiece you’ve just designed while everyone admires you. College, unfortunately, does little to dispel this.

    Architecture is really about tearing your hair out because of out of control builders, scatty clients, bureaucratic statutory authorities and wayward consultants. It’s about wondering whether the fees you’re charging are going to stretch to the end of the project. It’s about wondering if this time next year you’re still going to be in business. It’s about scratching your head wondering why you’re busting a gut while the workies on building sites are earning up to TWICE what you’re earning. I managed to escape after 20 years in private practice and am now doing something else. I don’t miss it and will never go back to it. If you’re in the profession and are thinking things will improve – they won’t, that’s guaranteed. Workloads due to abundant legislation are rapidly increasing while fees decrease. The liabilities we are expected to bear are virtually everlasting. Architecture isn’t a vocation, it feels more like some kind of bizarre and unusual punishment for some evil you might have committed.I wouldn’t dream of disabusing anyone if they’ve dreamt all their lives of becoming an architect. All I would advise is that they get a job in an architect’s office for a year before going to college so they can find out what the job is about and what they will be doing if they continue with it. Some may piously object that architecture isn’t about money however if you don’t already have money or a rich spouse then you are entirely dependent on the work you do to put a roof over your head and food on your plate. I worked damn hard at it when I was doing it, long hours and late nights spending far too long on projects, desperately trying to do the best job I could for my clients but it still wasn’t enough. I finally despaired of it and got out. 
    I really feel for my fellow architects that we put such enormous efforts into something that gives so little back – other than that nebulous feel good factor of being a designer but that doesn’t impress the bank manager or your accountant at the end of the year. I have met virtually no satisfied architects, the complaints are always the same – way too much work and liabilities, coupled with way too little money. Having done it for 20 years I can tell you those complaints are very real and valid.Architecture is not about design. 1% of it is design, then it’s 99% outrageous graft over many months or years to get that little flash of inspiration into solid reality. It’s not worth it as far as I’m concerned and I’m glad to be out of it.To anyone thinking of taking up architecture as their lifelong profession I just want to suggest you educate yourself about it PROPERLY before you rush into it. I wish the internet had been in existence when I was thinking about it as I’d have been able to read things like this and found out a few home truths about being an architect. If you weigh up all the moans, groans and the hype then decide to go for it  I sincerely wish you the very best – and if you do end up enjoying it so much the better! The world still needs architects… it just isn’t going to have this one any more.

    • Seb

      im a young teenager and i would simply want to know if it is worth being an architect as for i do love architecture and the idea of creating houses but i am ready to change my mind if it isn’t worth it as for there are many other jobs i would like to do. i have read on the internet alot about architecture but most incouraging posts are not actual people that are working on it its high classed architects or architect teacher trying to encourage young people to choose this job. all my family incourages me to do architect when i tell them thats what i wanna do. i spent a week at a architect office but i didnt dare to ask their salery, if it was worth it and if they realy enjoyed it. Maybe right now isnt the best moment to be an architect as house prices falling but by the time i finish my studies(about 10 years from now) mybe things will change and architects will be paid like they were before. I just dont want to make a mistake as i have the luck to have access to other peoples experience on the job through the internet

  • Bitter but not twisted

    You might really WANT to be an architect but the big question at university soon becomes: will the small minded lecturers allow you to become one? You cannot question their decisions and unless you can prove “prejudice or bias on the part of one or more of the examiners” you’ve had it. I bet not won appeal in the country has ever been won on these grounds (it’s not like they are ever going to admit it). At the end of my final year I was failed outright and denied the opportunity to resubmit my project work (plenty of other students were allowed to do this). I passed all five written exams and two design projects up to that point yet they failed the last one and brutally failed me outright. Despite fighting for five years (which took a toll on me and my family) my project work was never reassessed and the decision stood. Even my then MP Gordon Brown wrote to the University asking that their decision not to grant me a project resit be reconsidered. He received a deadful letter back which showed how angry they were that their authority was being questioned and between the lines suggested that I was mentally ill. They were certainly doing everything in their power to tip me over the edge. The imaginary appeals committee never met me, or looked at my work, and merely rubberstamped the harsh, unfair decision. No one ever reassessed my project work yet I got two jobs in architects’ offices on the basis of it. Yes, it was THAT bad.
    I am not the only one to receive such a wild, vicious decision. This happened in 1989 and I have yet to meet one person, from any other discipline, that has failed at the end of their final year at university. Yet, in architecture these decisions are rife – people across the country are failed every year at the end of the third year (in my my case) or at the end of the fifth year. And there is absolutely nothing they can do about it other than cry. The course is totally subjective and whether you pass or fail is based 90% on whether they like you or not and whether you show them enough respect. Incidentally, at no time are students tested that they are actually doing their own drawings. Even Richard Rogers laughingly admitted to handing in drawings done by his then girlfriend Gorgie. I have seen students passing the entire course handing in someone elses drawings (like a qualified architects). Rogers also got into the AA without A levels (and he couldn’t draw) because his uncle was famous and regularly lectured there. Having read his biography I I like Richard Rogers, and he may well be a good architect now, but he didn’t have the necessary academic requirements to get in in the first place. Which leads into my last point – you don’t need to be clever. Clever people tend to see it for what it is – a very poor education and drivel talked, that no way relates to the job in reality, which incidentally is pretty boring.

  • XP

    So the hours are long, skill and knowledge are needed and the 99% of the work is exceedingly tedious (Autocad 9-5). So anyone would think that the rewards are great… but they’re not! If you do get a job (a big if) then you will be paid very little for the privledge of staring at colourful lines on a blackground and burning your retinas out. Fascinating subject but your passion for it will dwindle when you fail to reap the rewards of the investment in time and money. Look at what is trending in todays job market: Healthcare, IT, accounting, Education… but not design and construction!

  • Patric

    Being an architect sucks… I graduated a year ago, and I was lucky to find a job right away. I love the firm where I work and the people I work with. But the practice of architecture is far from the poetic depiction you get from school. concepts, ideas, free form that was nice. But being a graduated architect working in front of a computer 8 hours a day, only correcting lines and moving walls here and there, making 3d model.. all this makes you become a robot. My passion was designing, being artsy but architecture in the real word is far from that, is all about codes and standard . just sucks…. not to mention as an intern I am basically no body… and no matter how amazing your ideas may seem to be no one cares. I hate that I am not part of big projects, or dont get enough responsibility, how else am I supposed to learn?? Only by making pretty pictures and enhancing a project how is going to take me to be a real architect?? Because lets be honest, the things you learn at school is not even the 10% you need to know in real life.  

  • Beentheredonethat

    I studied for 4 years and a half to realize it was not for me. I will never forget that time when i literally spent 2 days straight no sleep in order to finish a project. 10 years later I still have not recuperate from that sleep deprivation. Each and every one in my group had to create the “best” project. It’s “hunger game” career and to add you gotta know someone who knows someone to make it to the top. 

  • Marius Hildebrand

    Bitter but not twisted:
    “Clever people tend to see it for what it is – a very poor education and drivel talked, that no way relates to the job in reality, which incidentally is pretty boring.”

    I just love that. this is actually mostly, right. some actually believe what they are saying. others just imitate. more important though is, that the drivel talk can be omitted.

    there are many downsides for this job, and the only reason one should do this job is that they really love building things. other than that you wont stand long in this business as it tends to be boring and drawn out and frustrating. 
    If you are talented you basically can do whatever you want as long as you find clients. you can dabble around and do crazy shit, but you have to love and like it, otherwise you will not respect the profession and bore out. this way you wont acquire any jobs and no loyal employees, which do all the chore work for you.

    so yeah, love it, or just don’t do it. and to those who do love it, stop being a fanboy and do your own stuff. Gehry, Zaha.. you name it, they are like smart grown up childern. 
    be yourself and learn from yourself. that’s probably my best advice.

  • Cat

    Wow….. This is the most negative description. Firstly, don’t go to uni straight out of school, take a few years off to travel and work and realize your potential, architecture is a passion- yes, not for people who aren’t creative. It’s not for everyone, true. But if it is for you, you will love it. What do people think uni is? A holiday? Grow up! And I think you’ll find if your in England any job is hard to get into at the moment as your in a recession! Go to Australia, more work, more money, happier people who don’t winge about how hard uni was.

  • Luke Slade

    The apostrophes in the last point are incorrect.

  • The confused?!.

    I`m a young male teenager I Don’t really want to be a spy, at all. I love to watch grand designs I`m Kind of a nerd, But for me a interior designer, or a architect I`m hoping to have get married and have kids and spend time with them if you do have to wake up early and come home late I`ll not go there, Like my dad he`s a Plummer 4:00am to 6:00pm I love Furniture and houses a lot, my bedroom shows that! does anyone know about interior designing? I do watch YouTube and talk to people

  • jumbo sherpa

    you all are the mother fucker. dont listen what the world says listen to your heart what it says wheather study architecture or not
    choice is yours my friends