Life of
An
Architect
Name: Shemallia Parchment
Teacher:
Class: 4
1
Table of Content
Content Pages
Introduction 3
Description of Career 4
Key skills for Architects 5
Solid objects used by Architects 6
Importance of Solid objects to an Architect 7
2
Introduction
Architecture is defined as the art and science of designing buildings and structures. It’s also a
career path that uses three dimensional objects in order for activities to be carried out
efficiently. This research will show representations of shapes used by architects as well as the
importance of solid shapes to the career.
3
Description of Career
An architect is a person who plans, designs and reviews the construction of buildings. To
practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and
the space within the site surrounding the buildings that have human occupancy or use as their
principal purpose.
The architect, once hired by a client, is responsible for creating a design concept that both
meets the requirements of that client and provides a facility suitable to the required use. The
architect must meet with, and question, the client in order to ascertain all the requirements of
the planned project. Previously, architects employed drawings to illustrate and generate
design proposals. While conceptual sketches are still widely used by architects, computer
technology has now become the industry standard.
4
Key skills for Architects
1. Excellent Communication skills; both written and oral.
2. High levels of creativity and innovation.
3. Excellent design and drafting skills and proficiency with computer aided designs.
4. A keen eye for detail as well as the ability to see the bigger picture of a project.
5. An analytical mind with excellent problem solving and mathematical ability.
6. An awareness of the specific environment and social impact of projects.
5
Solid objects used by an Architect
6
Importance of solid objects to an Architect
Form refers to the shape or configuration of a building. Form and its opposite, space,
constitute primary elements of architecture. Primary shapes, the circle, triangle, and square,
are used to generate volumes known as "platonic solids” in architectural construction. A
circle generates the sphere and cylinder, the triangle produces the cone and pyramid, and the
square forms the cube. Combinations of these platonic solids establish the basis for most
architectural shapes and forms. See Figs. 2 and 3. Recent advances in digital technology have
promoted the design and representation of more complex forms.
1. A volumetric shape contains solids, or exteriors and interiors. Some shapes are
formed through an additive process, while other shapes are conceptually subtracted
from other solids. See Fig. 4.
2. Shape preferences may be culturally based or rooted in personal memory, or
convention. For example, a dome or steeple may connote religious architecture in
some cultures, while an American child's drawing of a house often depicts a square
shape with pitched roof—a shape that many houses do not possess in our culture.
From left to right: Fig. 1. Distinctive shape, Fig. 2. Cubic shape, Fig. 3.Cylindrical
and pyramidal shapes, Fig. 4. Circle subtracted from cubic volume.
