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Hoping OGs like pudding, @CRE, CREnadian, redever etc. etc. can lay some wisdom on this
I’m sure it’s doable. Anything is. I’ve seen people go architect -> development. So I don’t see why you can’t go the other way. Especially if you get your architect degree. It’ll probably be helpful too since you’ll have seen the “full picture” at a developer
So it’s usually more common to pivot the opposite way?
This is one of those things that is hard to justify logically, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. It just only makes sense if being an architect is truly what you want to do with your life and it is a calling, not a career.
First off, the reason so many architects end up becoming developers, are that unless you are quite a famous architect, developers are who actually design projects. Sure you may be the person physically in CAD or Revit, but the second I don’t like something, or worse, love it but know there’s no shot it gets approved or the deal can afford it, it gets changed via email. I can’t imagine something quite as soul crushing as being a creative person and being forced to control c and control v the same I-shaped and L-shaped surface parked four story apartment buildings again…and again…and again.
Then there’s a matter of training. Development is more of a mentality along with people/management skills. Your sole purpose is to make sure things get happen. Most of the skillset is very “soft” and comes down to things like “vision.” Architects actually have to know how to draw, or at least draw electronically, and architecture school is notoriously awful, with people pulling all nighters in the lab. I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure I have that in me at my age. “Grind till you die” is something for people in their 20s. And then again, I can’t imagine anything quite as soul crushing as having all of this intricate training and being told you can design the cities of tomorrow for a few years and then…being forced to control c and control v the same I-shaped and L-shaped surface parked four story apartment buildings again…and again…and again.
And even if you are alright with that, and you miraculously find your way out of the churn and either work for or become an architect truly inspired without restraints, every moron out there who thinks their opinion matters, including local journalists, design review boards, people in the community who come to city meetings, chuds on Twitter, and yes, developers, will try to tweak and put their stamp on your perfected design and most of the time, you’ll have to go along with it. There’s no “oh she’s a Michelin starred chef there are no substitutions,” it’s “don’t put mushrooms in the dish I don’t like mushrooms and if you do put them in you can’t make it.”
As someone who is definitely more right brained than left brained, I can’t say I haven’t thought about this before. I’m pretty shitty at pencil drawing, but I have an eye for design and am sure I could make a sick looking building on a computer. But short of making renderings that never come to fruition, I don’t know why I wouldn’t just try to will said buildings into existence as a developer.
If you feel like you’ve missed your life’s calling, you should become an architect. If you are compelled to make a change and this change will bring you happiness, you should become an architect. If you feel you will be 80 years old looking back on your life and regret not making this move, you should become an architect. But if you think that being an architect is a creative leap from what you’re doing now…eh…
I spent quite a few years mindnumbingly stamping out the same I-shaped and L-shaped surface parked four story apartment buildings again…and again…and again. I’d look at the site plan and think “this is boring as shit” while dreaming of doing high rises or town centers like I used to. But at least I got paid as a developer while doing it.
It’s not necessarily a dream of mine, but more of a curiosity given the lack of job stability in development. Just trying to assess options if I ever (God forbid) find myself unemployed. Can’t imagine architecture firms being more stable. I work at an institutional dev doing MF, fwiw.
Also thought about working for a city as a planner or being a professor at a community college teaching real estate or something as alternative routes.
Totally with you, though. I can’t draw for shit and I don’t have the creative chops that are expected (required?) of architects. I’m also way more right-brained than left-brained.
Yes, architecture is just as or more unstable than development. Architects make much less though (shockingly little money for the work they do), and to make any real money you need a master's degree and a license. If you were able to get a job it would be entry level, and the things you'd be focusing on would be creating door schedules, or reviewing submittals etc. It would take a long time (years) before you were able to get back into the meetings you are a part of now. Also, there job has become somewhat commodified, and the role has become more of being a code/entitlement expert than a real designer. Most developers have strong opinions on what the design should be these days.
You'd be better of exploring owners' rep, construction manager, or real estate project management (CBRE, JLL), or inhouse development (Amazon, Microsoft, Walmart etc.).
TL;DR, do as your heart wants, but it's high barrier to entry field with significant technical credential requirements that's really underpaid, sweaty, and filled with jaded people that hate their jobs.
Probably a grass is greener situation if you're looking over there, you'll need specialized education because there's a professional designation requirement to be a "real" architect, like a Professional Engineer/PE in most Civil Engineering related fields. You'll need to get at least a 2-4 year additional education unless you did your undergrad in the field.
The degree is much more technical in nature, you'll need to know a much more in depth set of knowledge in the built environment compared to the development field. You'll likely need to start from scratch in an entry level position before you start managing projects and getting into a leadership role. Might be doing drafting, basic design, answering RFIs, reviewing submittals, and other miscellaneous pieces. I come from a design background but there's a huge leap between the developer's perspective compared to design perspective when it comes to the technical aspect. It's a lot of math, measuring, models, and art blended in. There are a lot of concepts and building systems that you're expected to be an expert on rather than glossing over and kicking your CMs to VE out.
Not only that, architecture is notoriously sweaty and underpaid. Construction project management probably pays 30-40% higher for respective experience and positions and doesn't require the technical knowledge and licensure required for architecture.
There are "non-technical" design related positions such as ID and straight project management for architecture, but most of these people have a technical background and most PMs in architecture have credentials even if they're not stamping drawings. These are even more underpaid compared to other portions of architecture.
Geez, yea, forget it lol. I was more curious if it was a viable career path with development experience, but it seems like more of a hassle breaking in than development. Doesn’t seem like it’s worth the scratch you’re getting either. ‘Preciate your insight man
If you're looking at backup for backup plans, I'd look to work for a GC or property management tbh, they're always looking for fresh meat for the grinder and the barrier to entry is way lower. If I flamed out without savings I'd probably do something of the sort, probably a lower probability than you'd think if you've got more than a year's worth of experience at a reputable place.
Don't do it! Don't do as the heart wants!
No seriously. Schooling and the idea of being an architect is so much better than the market reality.
You WILL have to study for 6 years. You WILL incur massive student debt. You WILL be the servant/whipping boy of senior architects, developers, and financiers.
You WILL NOT be respected. You WILL NOT be Howard Roark.
"This ain't trading places! This is real f###ing life!" (to paraphrase WuTang Clan)
I would echo alot of what has already been said. I do want to emphasize that the pay level is completely different in Architecture. You also work just as hard and often spend more time in the office than in Development. That is a big part of the reason why Architects make such good candidates for Development.
I made the transition to Development from a long career in Architecture (10+ years). On the Architecture side I made it to Principal level and I consistently receive offers to come back over.
I say all that to say it is probably possible but the technical skill sets are similar but different in alot of ways. I’d say most are much better suited to go from Architecture to Development as opposed to the other way around. To manage Architectural teams from an in house perspective you have to have deep knowledge about how designs and production sets are put together. You need to know this to adequately price out the hours required to complete a complex project and what teams to engage from a consultant level. I’d say you’d be able to go into the business development side of Architecture no problem and from there work your way into the project executive side and learn from your PM’s and PA’s.
Can you expand (if possible) on the business development/project executive side of architecture? That sounds like more of the angle I was looking at. Any info appreciated! Thanks for sharing!
Holy crap another recovering architect on WSO! I thought I was the only one.
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