Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Architect
What architects actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an architect?
Review a client’s program. From there, the day usually includes meet clients, develop designs, and create drawings and models. Full time, with crunches before deadlines.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an architect working full time.
- Review a client’s program.
- Sketch design options.
- Model in Revit.
- Coordinate with the structural engineer.
- Visit the job site.
- Answer contractor RFIs.
- Prepare a client presentation.
Where architects work
Architects work in studios, at client meetings and on job sites.
Hours and schedule
Full time, with crunches before deadlines.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Meet clients
- Develop designs
- Create drawings and models
- Coordinate engineers
- Ensure code compliance
- Prepare construction documents
- Oversee construction
Tools you’ll use every day
- Revit
- AutoCAD
- SketchUp
- Rhino
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Bluebeam
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Creative and technical
- Lasting work
- Good pay
- Can run your own firm
What’s hard
- Long path to license
- Deadline crunches
- Economic cycles
- Client changes
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love buildings
- I’m creative and technical
- I like drawing and modeling
- I can handle deadlines
- I’m willing to do a long path
- I like collaboration
Not sure? Take the free Architect fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Design to code
- Wear PPE on sites
- Design for accessibility
- Coordinate structural safety