Architects, Urban Planners and Land Surveyors - What They Do

Architects conceptualize, plan and develop designs for the construction and renovation of commercial, institutional and residential buildings. They are employed by architectural firms, private corporations and governments, or they may be self-employed.

Job duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Consult with clients to determine the type, style and purpose of renovations or new building construction being considered
Conceptualize and design buildings and develop plans describing design specifications, building materials, costs and construction schedules
Prepare sketches and models for clients
Prepare or supervise the preparation of drawings, specifications and other construction documents for use by contractors and tradespersons
Prepare bidding documents, participate in contract negotiations and award construction contracts
Monitor activities on construction sites to ensure compliance with specifications
Conduct feasibility studies and financial analyses of building projects.
Architects may specialize in a particular type of construction such as residential, commercial, industrial or institutional.

Job titles

architect
industrial and commercial buildings architect
residential architect
architectural standards specialist
chief architect
consulting architect

Employment Requirements

This is what you typically need for the job:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited school of architecture or Completion of the syllabus of studies from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is required.
A master's degree in architecture may be required.
Completion of a three-year internship under the supervision of a registered architect is required.
Completion of the architect registration examination is required.
Registration with the provincial association of architects in the province of work is required.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is offered by the Canada Green Building Council and may be required by some employers.

Essential Skills

Management