<p>Ig, as long as you get a BArch or MArch you can be an architect no matter what other degrees you have.</p>
<p>rick</p>
<p>If you are on the fence between the two disciplines, this might help you make up your mind–
[New</a> study shows architecture, arts degrees yield highest unemployment - The Washington Post](<a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/new-study-shows-architecture-arts-degrees-yield-highest-unemployment/2012/01/03/gIQAwpaXZP_story.html?sub=AR]New”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/new-study-shows-architecture-arts-degrees-yield-highest-unemployment/2012/01/03/gIQAwpaXZP_story.html?sub=AR)</p>
<p>“architects “just paint pretty pictures”, its the engineers job to make it practical.” this is how they think about the profession?
Architecture is mainly a practice of designing structures with aesthetics and spatial functionality in mind. Architects may have the basic to advanced knowledge of structural mechanics but their primary focus is always, first and foremost, the creativity, look and feel, and functionality of the design. Structural vision starts in the field of architecture.</p>
<p>Civil engineering, also referred as structural engineering, specializes in the structural elements of systems, ensuring that facilities can withstand normal and extreme loading conditions. Civil engineers work closely with architects and they are responsible for making the vision of architects into a realization. Civil engineering deliberates on the physics involved in the construction process of the architect’s design.</p>
<p>“Through its aesthetic dimension architecture goes beyond the functional aspects that it has in common with other human sciences.”-Nunzia Rondanini</p>
<p>my point is, architecture studies all the fields under design and construction of the building. when we say designing it’s making dreams possible, making buildings fit the users and not just give them a space that you think they need… men developed and had greater needs. my uncle is a civil engr, we do argue at times but he asks me to design for him. why is that so? simply because architects understand that buildings are not just about the beams, columns and structural works, it’s about understanding beyond the needs of the users. it’s to design beyond what we see… if there are no architects spaces wouldn’t be stretched in its best… </p>
<p>i respect Civil engineers, it’s just that why couldn’t some of them do the same for architects? i believe that my uncle is better when it comes to structural designs 'cause it’s his forte. on the other hand he believes that architects are good in design. i salute him for not being such an hypocrite… at first i wanted to be an civil engineer but he told me that my skills suites architecture… </p>
<p>do you think Guggenheim Museum would look the same if it comes from the mind of a civil engr and not from Frank Gehry? same question for Burj al-Arab, Lighting Water Cube,Falling Water and etc.
just think of it.</p>
<p>A Civil Engineering is a course that is professional in terms of stable environment in all matters. all engineers relates math and physics with the environment. specificly the CE relates math and physics with the stability of all matters not just structural but in general. the function of the course is to get read, control or manage heavy loads or forces of all matters( such as typhoon,earthquake, live, dead loads, the properties of hydraulics, etc). CE also studies irrigation as part of a stable environment. they also have outviews in planning to understand architectural terms.</p>
<p>Architecture is both science and art. is a course that is professional in terms of design and planning( the harmony of structurial, electrical, mechanical,plumbing, sanitary, interior design, art and architectural design and space planning). the architect knows how to use a space efficiently by studying spatial functionality for all activities by art,socialization and reasoning in terms of design and space planning(everybody has a space and may owns it privately, socially, publicly or by authority)to avoid obstructions in space. the archtitect translates and relates construction with the environmental needs and interest and he/she has the knowledge of the right choice of materials that is good for the environment. FENG SHUI contains the good and bad of science AND the Fact and false of art OR the balance of positive and negative forces or CHI(energy) that an architect has the knowledge of it and apply this to construction to keep comfortable energy and avoid uncomfortable energy.</p>
<p>Civil engineering is professional in makin and maintaining a stable environment.</p>
<p>Architect is professional in Design and Planning</p>
<p>PS: Im a third year Architecture student</p>
<p>A Civil Engineering is a course that is professional in terms of building a stable environment in all matters. all engineers relates math and physics with the environment. specificly the CE relates math and physics with the stability of all matters not just structural but in general. the function of the course is to get read, control or manage heavy loads or forces of all matters( such as typhoon,earthquake, live, dead loads, the properties of hydraulics, etc). CE also studies irrigation as part of a stable environment. they also have outviews in planning to understand architectural terms.</p>
<p>Architecture is both science and art. is a course that is professional in terms of design and planning( the harmony of structurial, electrical, mechanical,plumbing, sanitary, interior design, art and architectural design and space planning). the architect knows how to use a space efficiently by studying spatial functionality for all activities by art,socialization and reasoning in terms of design and space planning(everybody has a space and may owns it privately, socially, publicly or by authority)to avoid obstructions in space. the archtitect translates and relates construction with the environmental needs and interest and he/she has the knowledge of the right choice of materials that is good for the environment. FENG SHUI contains the good and bad of science AND the Fact and false of art OR the balance of positive and negative forces or CHI(energy) that an architect has the knowledge of it and apply this to construction to keep comfortable energy and avoid uncomfortable energy.</p>
<p>Civil engineering is professional in building and maintaining a stable environment.</p>
<p>Architect is professional in Design and Planning</p>
<p>PS: Im a third year Architecture student</p>
<p>it just take 8 years if you pick Archi first then followed by CE</p>
<p>Knowledge in Spatial functionality makes Architects as master’s of Urban Planning</p>
<p>in the school of architecture students are also not allowed to sleep. so not only the CE has this kind of problem…</p>
<p>Which one of these is a better job overall? I’m leaning more towards civil because I’m not that artistic but it seems that architecture would be a more interesting job. Which one has a better salary, more in demand, and overall better job?</p>
<p>I work in a firm with both civil engineering graduates working in a construction management capacity, and architects. The CE start with a higher salary (15% to 20%), but by the time you get to the senior staff who are running operations the salaries are pretty equal.</p>
<p>The job prospects are better for CE’s right now, but neither one is what I would call great.</p>
<p>Which is the better job? it depends on what you enjoy doing. In a long career I have met very few individuals who were completely ambidextrous and could work equally well in both an analytical engineering type profession, and a creative position as an architect. You need to decide what is going to work for you.</p>
<p>I have twin boys, one a junior in architecture and one a junior in mechanical engineering. They both work the same amount of hours. The architect does the hours in studio, sitting around with a group of classmates (more than half of which are women), building models, and producing drawings. My engineering son spends the same amount of time in the library or in his room grinding on subjects as exciting as thermal dynamics and matrix algebra. He knows some of his classmates, but not a lot, and 90% of them are men. What’s going to appeal to you?</p>
<p>rick</p>
<p>There is a huge difference between an engineer and architect.
Engineer is like our bare body
Architect is the dress and make up.
No body no dress, or no dress no body.</p>
<p>so for a building, engineer does all the structural design and makes sure its is safe and strong. An architect decides the interior and exterior design like the painting, tiles, bathtubs, lights etc.</p>
<p>Finally engineers and architects play a vital role in the building…both have 50% of overall responsiblity. Engineers and Architects have to go together. Just like its hard to choose which eye is important for us to see.
For small construction buildings usually engineer acts as an architect.</p>
<p>I hope this answers your question.</p>
<p>I read part of this thread and threw up.
I have been a licensed, practicing Architect for 30 years and the attitudes and opinions I read here astound me.
This is the deal- The Architect designs the building, the Civil engineer designs the ground that the building sits on (you know dirt, rocks, roadways, drainage, etc.), Structural Engineers design the structure, Mechanical Engineers design the HVAC, Electrical Engineers design the power distribution for the building, Plumbing Engineers design the plumbing, etc, THEY ALL WORK FOR THE ARCHITECT. (except sometimes the Civil engineer is hired directly by the Owner). They don’t need to know what the Architect does, but he needs to know what they all do so he can direct them and head off mistakes on their drawings and or in the field.
When you get a BArch or MArch, you are not an “Architect”- you have to pass the national Exam before you are legally entitled to use that title. Anyone who thinks engineers have to go thru a lot of testing has not been thru the Architectural exam.
I had some Lawyer friends who got the biggest kick out of Architects - they have to go thru so much school and testing and then assume so much responsibility (the Architect is the first one sued, not the Engineer) while getting the lowest level of compensation.
back in 2003 I was reading a letter to the editor where an attorney in Detroit was lamenting the deplorable state of compensation for Law school graduates where they were ekeing out a measly $85,000/yr. this is not a certified, passed-the-bar exam lawyer, these are just college grads with limited experience. At that time it was more than a Registered Architect with over 20 years experience.</p>
<p>to cut to the chase- the Architect is held responsible for everyone.</p>
<p>You will be surprised to find the same applies to other things as well…</p>
<p>When you buy a newfangled $600 smartphone, the user experience, i.e. the way the device interacts with you, the menus, screens, etc was designed by a UX (user experience) designer or human factors engineer. They’re the equivalent of architects in the food chain. Then, the software that does what the UX designer said is written by a team of software engineers, and the phone hardware (which is a commodity these days) is designed by a team of electrical / computer engineers. The packaging is designed by mechanical engineers. </p>
<p>Would it surprise you to find out that the guy responsible for the part the user sees (UX) gets paid less than the software people who do the heavy lifting, who in turn get paid less than the electrical engineers who simply integrate someone else’s work (chips, memory, graphics controllers, and the like). And, just for fun, the mechanical engineers that make all this possible (an iPhone is a lot more of a mechanical engineering challenge than it is a software or electrical or UX challenge) get paid about the same as UX’ers.</p>
<p>As a former Civil Engineer with a daughter in architecture school and heavy studio background myself, and as someone who is a degreed and practicing software engineer and UX designer, believe me, I see this and compare it to the architect / civil / structural engineer and it’s quite remarkable how similar they are…</p>
<p>Now, you want to talk fame versus money? A former neighbor (chemist) designed the flavor for a wildly successful sports drink that shall remain anonymous. For his hard work he got his picture in the company annual report and a plaque. The marketing people who sold the flavor to the customer (their firm does just flavors and tastes) got six figure bonuses.</p>
<p>turbo93- thanks for weighing in! I’m not surprised at all. but maybe these kids who are trying to plan their futures based on myths and legends would be. That is excellent info.</p>
<p>Life isn’t fair, so do the best you can at giving yourself a good shot toward a wonderful life.</p>
<p>An Orchestra doesn’t need everyone to play the violin. they need Violas, Bass, Cellos, etc. and so it is in the workplace. some people are meant to be Architects and some Engineers and most, none of the above. we need you all, but please choose your field for the right reasons. </p>
<p>Architects need to understand the effects of climate so that they can choose a skin system that is appropriate. Air barriers, moisture infiltration- it has nothing to do with aesthetics but it is the Architects responsibility to get it right.
a stair that is made of structural steel is shown on the drawings, but the structural engineer says it’s not his responsibility to check it- who has to make sure the stair won’t collapse in an emergency situation?</p>
<p>Aesthetic Design is only a small part of what the Architect is responsible for.</p>
<p>Comparing the two side by side, Architecture is more the “art” of building design while ‘Structural’ Civil Engineering is the science. The architects have to worry about aestetics, making the building meet the requirements of the client such as how many rooms and floors, and overall making the building look beautiful. Structural enginners worry about loads and stress, and making the building standing up for as long as possible. Comparing a building to a human body, an architect will make the body look as beautiful as possible, while the structural engineer would worry about the skeleton that will support that body. Overall, both are interdependent; without the architect, the building’s purpose probably would not be fulfilled (and it will probably look pretty ugly), and without the structural engineer, the building would probably collapse and kill hundreds of people.</p>
<p>Oldman95’s description is the most accurate one I’ve read so far. In the end, the architect will be the one who makes the building a success or a “failure.” Don’t forget that there is more to the building design team than just the architect and structural engineer. On my current project, there’s also a geotechnical engineer, MEPS (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection) engineer, blast consultant, lighting consultant, landscape architect, security consultant, cladding consultant, fountain consultant, audio/visual consultant and a graphics/signage consultant. They all work for the architect, who coordinates the entire design.</p>
<p>No disrespect to anyone, but if the architects are the coordinators of construction projects, why don’t the get paid more than civil engineers?</p>
<p>I think I should just choose B.E (Civil) first and got an M.Arch since civil had a deeper field unlike architecture and I wish to understand all the aspects in CE and love the artwork of Architecture. What do you think? And since I am a girl, people says it’s more suitable for a girl to be an Architect then CE. What are your opinions?</p>
<p>@oldman65’ I think I should just choose B.E (Civil) first and got an M.Arch since civil had a deeper field unlike architecture and I wish to understand all the aspects in CE and love the artwork of Architecture. What do you think? And since I am a girl, people says it’s more suitable for a girl to be an Architect then CE. What are your opinions?</p>