Architectural Techologists

[Lak]

I was hoping some of the good people on here may advise me on the matter of studying towards Architectural Technology.
In my mid forties, having spent my entire working life in the building industry in a small family building business and later on my own, for a number of reasons, let alone the downturn in the industry, it has come to a point where I need a new direction in my career/life.
I am somewhat limited in the choice of subject as a mature student but a three year Bachelor of science in A. T. seems the most wise of choices considering my background.
Having spent over 25 years building houses, I built my own single handedly, it is second nature to me in terms of building practices, regulations, technologies, materials, drawings and schedules etc etc, I also take a keen interest in nenewable technology, passive haus and am a qualified BER assessor.
What I would like a little guidance in is just what a course like this entails and to what ends would I be studying in terms of future opportunities. Reading the GMIT prospectus does not give anything other than the vaguest of information so would appreciate the opinions of the AAM community.
Could I reasonably expect to go on to house designing as a service in conjunction with experienced project management, although I do understand this precludes me from calling myself an "Architect" as such ?
I am presently studying and almost completed a computer applications course part time Fetac 5 and aim to take two or three modules of 2D, 3D, and PHPP, Passive house design in the period between January and the new academic year in September.
I just need to know if this is the way forward for me before I decide on embarking upon this path.
Any helpfull advice, good bad or indifferent would be gratefully received with many thanks.

 

[Lak]

Thankyou for the reply 1234.
I have pretty much cut back on the physical manual side due to health issues a choice between continuing in relative discomfort and paying a heavy price with ones health in later years or changing tact completely and doing something new albeit within the construction industry.
It is certainly not a case of wanting a new and different career, more borne from necessity and over the last few years my interest in sustainable building and technology....Not just putting it all together but how it all works and why it all works if that makes sense.
May well be I am too long in the tooth to be taking so radical a path at 44.
As I mentioned I am best way through a computer applications course so certainly not daunted by the prospect of office and computer work as opposed to the hands on role I have been more familiar with. I am just a little vague at where an A.T. role fits, in that niche between architect and contractor

 

[RKQ]

All AT courses are very intense, taking up all your spare time.
The course timetable is usually 9 -5 with little or no classes off. On top of this there will be a large number of projects, in all subjects, to be completed. So expect to burn the midnight oil, work weekends etc.

Once qualified, You should be able to design domestic extensions & houses, if you want to become self employed. You will be able to travel to many countries with your qualification.

The AT is trained in many subjects, each can lead to specialisation in a certain field - BER, Soil Testing, Sustainability, Surveying, Architectural 3d Graphics, Project Management etc.
Many Architects would hire qualified AT's prior to this recession. Hopefully things will / could be better in 3 years time?

 

[Lak]

Thankyou RKQ
I am under no illusions I know its not going to be a cake walk and I am quite accustomed to long days and burning the midnight oil. I guess I have just been trying to seperate the differing identities and their involvements (Architects, Engineers, Arc Tec's) which a little more research has enlightened me to..many excellent articles from onq having been read for example.
Anyones experiences in studying Arc Tec or similiar very welcome.

 

[onq]

I was hoping some of the good people on here may advise me on the matter of studying towards Architectural Technology.
In my mid forties, having spent my entire working life in the building industry in a small family building business and later on my own, for a number of reasons, let alone the downturn in the industry, it has come to a point where I need a new direction in my career/life.
I am somewhat limited in the choice of subject as a mature student but a three year Bachelor of science in A. T. seems the most wise of choices considering my background.
Having spent over 25 years building houses, I built my own single handedly, it is second nature to me in terms of building practices, regulations, technologies, materials, drawings and schedules etc etc, I also take a keen interest in nenewable technology, passive haus and am a qualified BER assessor.
What I would like a little guidance in is just what a course like this entails and to what ends would I be studying in terms of future opportunities. Reading the GMIT prospectus does not give anything other than the vaguest of information so would appreciate the opinions of the AAM community.
Could I reasonably expect to go on to house designing as a service in conjunction with experienced project management, although I do understand this precludes me from calling myself an "Architect" as such ?
I am presently studying and almost completed a computer applications course part time Fetac 5 and aim to take two or three modules of 2D, 3D, and PHPP, Passive house design in the period between January and the new academic year in September.
I just need to know if this is the way forward for me before I decide on embarking upon this path.
Any helpfull advice, good bad or indifferent would be gratefully received with many thanks.

Firstly, congratulations on thinking of a career change at 44.

Secondly, there is very little work around at the moment for designers or technicians.

Thirdly, there is nothing stopping you providing architectural services at the moment without a qualification.
The use of the Title Architect is regulated by the Building Control Act 2007, not the provision of architectural services.

Fourthly, if you wish to follow the academic qualification route, it will take time and money - assuming you have some of both, read on.

Technician courses vary, but the Architectural Technician course through the DIT is well-respected, affords a route to recognition by the RIAI as RIAI.Tech. status.
DIT will shortly - I understand - be including a one year full time course to upskill the technician to Architectural Technologist status.
You should contact the DIT at Bolton Street Dublin 1 to find out more on what courses are being offered.

This compares with; -

- the four year full time route to becoming a qualified engineer, with whatever the number of years is before you become a Chartered Engineer.
- five years full time plus Part IIIs [two years] for the RIAI approved route to practice as an architect.

If you're presently unemployed, yoy may be able to enroll in a FAS sponsored course on various aspects of the profession.
If you know some people in the profession, offer to come in an make the tea for them for a day and learn your way around the office environment.

One thing you are likely to be doing is drawing or processing information, filing, data retrieval, writing letters and forms, so make sure your literacy is up to scratch.
This is the sinlge biggest assumed skill in an office situation and its the one least checked until something goes wrong, plus reading maps, contracts, contract documents, etc.

FWIW

ONQ.

[broken link removed]

All advice on AAM is remote from the situation and cannot be relied upon as a defence or support - in and of itself - should legal action be taken.
Competent legal and building professionals should be asked to advise in Real Life with rights to inspect and issue reports on the matters at hand.