Architectural technologists assist professional architects and civil design engineers in conducting research, preparing drawings, architectural models, specifications and contracts, and supervising construction projects. They are employed in architectural and construction firms, in government and other industries.
As an architectural technologist, you help to develop architectural designs and do a growing proportion of your design work on a computer. You analyse building codes, by-laws, space requirements, site requirements and other technical documents and reports. You use conceptual drawings and instructions to prepare precise, detailed drawings and to determine specification, quantities of material and cost estimates. Making three dimensional models of the proposed building, and preparing contracts and bidding documents, are also part of your work.
You may work for a large corporation as a project manager who remodels or builds new offices. In that case, you would spend more of your time on organizational work, such as dealing with contractors and contracts.
You may also supervise draftspersons and other technologists on the architectural team and oversee construction projects by coordination, monitoring and inspecting work done by others. As an experienced architectural technologist, you can enter related technical fields, such as civil engineering technology, surveying, construction management or building management.
Most architectural technologists are paid salaries, but an increasing number work as sub-contractors who are paid either a contract fee or on an hourly basis. Architectural technologists seldom belong to unions.
If you like architecture and design, this could be the occupation for you. It's the kind of work that appeals to people who are artistic and who enjoy drawing and sketching. At the same time, you need to be the kind of person who is fussy about detail and concerned about accuracy. The project management side of the job requires coordinating a range of other tasks and extensive paperwork, so you also have to learn to be well organized.
Buildings are complex and it takes a lot of team work to erect them. You need good interpersonal skills, because you work with construction workers, architects, clients, city building departments and product representatives.
You need to have a good working knowledge of math. Any knowledge of computers you have is important too, because, computer-aided design is an essential part of the job.
Architectural technologists often divide their time between the office and the field. Many projects are not local and involve travel and working odd hours. Working long hours in order to meet deadlines can also be a requirement.
In Ontario, architectural technologists must go through an academic upgrading program offered by the Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario. After three years of applied work experience and successful writing of a provincial exam, candidates become accredited architectural technologists.
In Quebec, membership in the professional corporation for technologists in applied sciences is mandatory.