INTEGRUS’ Post

📚 Architects & Designers: What has been the most inspiring CPD you have attended recently?” 📚 As an RIBA chartered practice, we are mandated to a level of commitment towards maintaining our professional competence. While completing a CPD programme for my Part 3 assignment, I learned that this is not only time consuming, but a costly expense for a business. For a newly established, small practice such as mine, this can put significant strain on the management and employees. As we are growing and expanding our network, the amount of CPD we get invited to is limited, and arranging CPD remains a time consuming process unless we rely solely on what the RIBA offers. I am reaching out to my network, to ask the question of which are your go to sources for CPD that really push you to be at the forefront of innovation and regulation? As an open debate, I am hoping this will help others that are facing the same dilemma. I will kick off with a webinar I attended, organised by Stephen Drew called Algorithms & Anesthetics, by Keir from Arka Works. This showcased the potential future of our architectural work flows. A key thing that stuck with me was the ability to turn sketches into resolved renders Using Stable Diffusion, creating a hybrid analogue-digital workflow. This allows us to remain in complete control of the inputs and output, while speeding up the process of producing visuals for clients. A key source, particularly tailored to RIBA members, are the RIBA academy and course list, as these allow you to quickly fill gaps in any core themes you may have.

If the sight of beautiful buildings makes your heart leap or if you find yourself lost in the intricate details of centuries-old structures, perhaps architecture is your true calling. But where do you start? How do you turn those daydreams into reality? Our staff has crafted an Architecture Careers Guide to help young people navigate the path to becoming an architect. Within the pages, we dive into all aspects of the career, starting with what an architect does and why it’s important, to the stages of architecture, different specializations within the field, the academic paths you may take, and more!   Architects don’t just create pretty structures. Powered by creativity and problem-solving, good design can enhance communities, help the planet, and maximize human potential. Want to learn more? Follow this link to view and download the guide or request a hard copy! https://lnkd.in/gPXHHfjR

Questions to answer before studying architecture

Why do we discount the value of doing what we are passionate about? It amazes me when I hear people say "Don't focus on how much you are paid, focus on what you are passionate about." This makes no sense. If we are passionate about something, we are good at doing that thing. How many times have we praised a teacher who is passionate about making their students successful and building joy for learning in them only to follow that with the statement that teachers don't get paid enough? That's not only not fair, it's a gross misalignment of value. On the first day of my college architecture program the professor said "If you are here because you think architects can make a lot of money, there's the door. If you are here because you love to design and want to make a difference in the world, let's get started." 40 years later, some form of that same speech is given to first-year students. Why? When did we accept the disconnect between passion and value? Or, perhaps more correctly stated, WHY did we accept the disconnect between passion and value? Some did not accept that disconnect. In architecture, we call them Starchitects. We could all learn a lot from their business model - charge for the value you deliver. More importantly, why do architects' clients not value that passion? The answer is simple - design and buildings are seen as a capital expense, not an investment in value. A new building in the US is considered to have a 100-year life. The initial cost of that building will represent less than 5% of its overall life-cycle cost. Relative to the value it provides over the same time frame, the initial cost is a fraction of 1%. The cost of the initial architectural services for that building represents 1/4 - 1/2% of its life-cycle cost. The challenge is, design is considered as part of the initial capital cost not an investment in the building's life-cycle VALUE. This is a backward assumption since design decisions impact the long-term operational cost, and value, of the building. This is why the economic model of design is broken. It is a cost-based, not value-based model. It's time we flip that equation around. #design #architecture #vaule #innovation #sustainability #passion

Building for learning 📚 We pride ourselves on decades of experience and exceptional design and delivery of education buildings. Proving that intelligent design moves at the beginning of every education project not only delivers efficient buildings, we have evidenced that design can positively influence 'in-use' capital and maintenance expenditure. We do this by following four simple design steps: 👉🏼 Improving insulation and air construction reducing draughts and heat losses 👉🏼 Careful form and orientation, to harness free energy 👉🏼 To simplify heating and ventilation through design 👉🏼 High standard construction detailing #architecture #educationarchitecture #education #design #architecturedesign #architects #educationbuild #learning

Who is an ARCHITECT? In our formative years, we often learn about various professions: doctors, engineers, and athletes. However, the role of an architect is less frequently highlighted. I remember the time when I didn’t fully grasp who architects were or what they did. As children, we might know that buildings are designed by architects, but the term often looked interchangeable with "builder" in my earlier understanding. It wasn't until high school, when many of us start contemplating our future careers, that I began to question how buildings are designed and the concepts behind residential and monumental architecture. This curiosity led me to research and ultimately inspired me to pursue architecture - a field dedicated to designing and planning spaces that cater to people’s needs. Upon entering college and studying architecture, I realized that there is a widespread lack of understanding about what architects actually do. Many people still mistakenly believe that architects are merely draftsmen who draw lines on paper. This misconception persists, partly because architects are restricted from advertising themselves under the Architects' Act, 1972. Unlike builders, whose work is often promoted, the role of architects remains underappreciated. Architects are not just designers; they are creators, problem-solvers, and visionaries who shape our built environment. Their work combines artistry with technical expertise, producing spaces that enhance our lives. Despite some skepticism about the necessity of architects, their impact on society is profound and invaluable. To address this awareness gap, I make a concerted effort to educate others about the importance of architects. For instance, I recently suggested to one of my cousins who is a primary school teacher, to celebrate Architects' Day just like other professional days. Engaging young minds in understanding diverse careers can simply foster greater appreciation for our field. This piece of writing is a little gesture from my side to increase awareness about architecture and inspire others to recognize and support the crucial role architects play in shaping our world. Thank you for taking the time to read this! :) Below is the image of a comic strip from Dilbert, perfectly sums up what architects go through. Image source: www.dilbert.com

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Architectural journey so far 5 key lessons I wish I had known: 1. Passion is paramount: Surviving the rigorous journey of architecture requires more than just talent. It demands an unwavering love for the craft to navigate through the endless nights of submissions, design critiques, and financial sacrifices. Without genuine passion, the seven-year trek towards the light at the end of the tunnel becomes insurmountable. 2. Communication is key: While mastering design and technical skills is crucial, the ability to effectively communicate and articulate ideas is equally—if not more—important in the industry. Building strong interpersonal relations, teamwork, and the art of selling your vision to potential firms are essential skills for success in this competitive field. 3. Embrace reality: Despite the freedom to explore boundless creativity in university, the industry often grounds us with client demands, regulations, and budget constraints. Understanding the balance between innovation and practicality is vital, as fulfilling the client's brief while adhering to financial limitations becomes the cornerstone of architectural practice. 4. Harness technology: Proficiency in architectural software like Revit and Autocad can be a game-changer in securing placements and gaining a competitive edge. Embrace the learning curve and don't fear mistakes—they're an integral part of the journey towards mastery. 5. Cherish the undergraduate phase: The university years offer a rare opportunity to push the boundaries of creativity and experiment with daring designs. Treasure this time, as the constraints of real-world practice may limit the freedom to explore unconventional ideas. Embrace the journey, learn, and grow—your passion will light the way."

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Embracing Limitations Unlocks Creativity In the past few months, working with architects, engineers, landlords, and city officials for permits has been a challenging journey. This experience got me thinking about how we should envision problems. It’s been tough, but I've learned that when something blocks you, you need to find a way around and be creative. In design and architecture, creativity is often tested by limitations. City regulations, construction site constraints, and physical space issues might seem like roadblocks. However, these challenges actually enhance our creativity. They force us to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions. For example, if a city regulation prohibits a certain design element, it becomes an opportunity to explore alternative approaches. Tight spaces might not accommodate standard designs, but they push us to create custom solutions that maximize the available space. These limitations transform seemingly impossible tasks into creative puzzles. They make us question our assumptions and innovate in ways we wouldn't have otherwise considered. A creative person should never feel blocked by external constraints. The only real barrier is our mindset. Embracing limitations not only improves our problem-solving skills but also leads to more thoughtful and innovative designs. These challenges teach us resilience and flexibility, essential traits in the evolving landscape of design and architecture.