What makes a good architect? ?

Question

Do you think it's someone who can draw well? If giving a reason please tell why.

Answer 1

i don't think it has anything to do with drawing well even though it can help clients envision what you have envisioned.  I would say creativity is number one.  Anyone can build a box house but do you have what it takes to build something that will catches peoples eye?  Prime example - Frank Lloyd Wright!  A man with passion and creativity in his work! I wouldn't doubt he can build a 5,000 sq ft house sitting on 4 toothpicks.  this is also my opinion.  Hope it helps!

Answer 2

someone creative, yet analytical

Answer 3

You need to know mathematics well, especially geometry and a creative mind and patience. Drawing is good for designers who need drawing and creativity.  

Answer 4

HI

That is a good start.  Also, an architect must think in 3-D to be able to visualize his/her ideas and see possible problems and solutions in your head, before a lot of time has been spent on drawings.  He/she must have enough understanding of engineering and structure to know what can be built for the client's budget.  An appreciation of historic architecture and aesthetics is also important.  

I have seen many building designed by licensed architects that I would not admit to having designed.  Some are out of style and scale with their surroundings and can ruin the look of a whole neighborhood.  Some are wasteful of resources both in construction and operation.  Some seem designed for a different climate than where they were built.  Some seem to be designed, mainly, to be as unique as possible. They may make a statement about the architect or owner, but may soon wear thin on their viewers and users.  Some forget human scale and  the purpose of the building, or being user friendly.  Some are just plain ugly.  A building is for a long time and should be planned to be as useful, economical, durable and attractive as you can make it.

Today he/she must be well educated in the latest developments in green systems and materials.   A good understanding of how both natural and mechanical energy and climate systems work is essential.  An understanding that the resources of the earth are finite and currently under threat, is also helpful.

I am not an architect.  I ran history museums and moved historic buildings for 15 years and was a techinical illustrator for 5 years.  I even taught drafting for a time.

I have long been a student and critic of architecture and have taken all the architecture courses given locally, as well as a good number of home energy effeciency design seminars. I even did home energy audits for a time. I have worked with architects on designing museums, houses and church additions. I have given lectures on museum design. I have designed a variety of structures myself, from factories to retirement boarding homes.  I could do this in conjunction with an engineer who's seal was on the plans of the major structures.

I enjoy good design and criticize what I deem bad.  I have designed  unique features that I have not heard of others using.  One was a large PVC pipe buried under the 275' length of a retirement home that tempered the air reaching the air exchangers feeding air to the rooms, over 20 years ago.

Well, enough for now.  I hope you get the idea.  Architecture is a lot more than being able to draw well.  Many artists would make poor architects.  And people who can draw well, often end up doing the renderings and detail drawings  in an architect's office.  I've been there, too.  Good luck.

Cheers.

Harvey Versteeg