• Question: I would like to be an architect, and start my own buisness to design houses, how best do you think I would approach this?

    Asked by peaches247 to Donna, Jo, Mark, Stuart, timcraggs on 23 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Donna MacCallum

      Donna MacCallum answered on 18 Jun 2010:

      Hi Peaches – great that you know exactly what you want to do. I would find an architect and ask if you cna go and hang out there for a few days to find out exactly what they do, then find out what qualifications you need to study architecture at Uni (people expect architects to have a degree) and then find out if your local council has start up grants to help you set up your own business – and good luck!

    • Photo: Joanna Buckley

      Joanna Buckley answered on 18 Jun 2010:

      Hi Peaches.

      What a great thing you want to do. I started something up with I was finishing off my PhD in which I went into schools and gave interactive science demos and fun talks. So that was sort of my own business which I’m still carrying on with now. My Dad ran his own business and I got loads of help from him, including the dreaded tax! You have to sort all of the tax stuff out yourself which is fine but you’ve got to remember to do it.

      Another excellent source of help (apart from my Dad!) is Business Link. Google them. They put on loads of free courses you can go on to learn about setting up your own business. They also have free taster days where you can chat to others. There’s so much help out there so you’ll be fine.

      Setting up on your own is daunting but amazing. You’re your own boss and you make all the decisions. You’ll love it. Good luck and keep in touch… you can design a house for me!!

    • Photo: Mark Lancaster

      Mark Lancaster answered on 21 Jun 2010:

      Probably best to get a degree in architecture. When you build or design a house there are legal obligations about safety and you have to be accredited by a professional body (RIBA in the UK) and to do that you have done accredited practical training and professional exams – invariably to get a job doing the training you’ll need a degree so it’s a long haul – 7 to 10 years. Other ways in are through engineering degrees where you can work in architecture firms

    • Photo: Tim Craggs

      Tim Craggs answered on 23 Jun 2010:

      Not being an architect, I am not sure of your best course of action. However, if you can get some work experience with a local architect that would be a great start, as it will give you a bit of a feel for what the day to day of the job entails, and also so potential universities that you are serious about your career choice. Subject wise, you would benefit from doing Physics and some graphical drawing of some sort (Graphics or technical drawing or something like that). If you have a look at university web pages who offer Architecture as a degree, they will probably give you a good idea of the A levels you will need.

      Good luck with it all!

Comments

  • Photo: peaches247

    peaches247 commented on :

    Kl thnx soooo much for your advice, I think talking to other architect is a gr8 idea, and looking at buisness links! This advice will really help me I think, im really lookin 4ward to growing up and starting what I want to do! BTW- shure jo I keep in touch and design u ur dream house! Again thnx to u both sooooo much

  • Photo: Jo

    Jo commented on :

    he he, it’s OK.

    I think it’s amazing you’ve already decided on what you want to do. One final piece of advice… don’t let anyone put you off. There might be some hard times but stick at it. You’d kick yourself if you gave up at the first hurdle. 🙂