Career Overview
Architects conceive, plan and develop designs for the construction and renovation of commercial, institutional and residential buildings.
Architects work for architectural firms, private corporations, governments or they may be self-employed.
Duties
Architects:
- Consult with clients to determine type, style and purpose of renovations or new building construction
- Conceive and design buildings and develop plans describing design specifications, building materials, costs and construction schedules
- Prepare sketches and models for clients
- Prepare or oversee the preparation of drawings, specifications and other construction documents for use by contractors and tradespersons
- Prepare bidding documents, participate in contract negotiations and award construction contracts
- Monitor activities on construction sites to ensure compliance with specifications
- Carry out feasibility studies and financial analyses of building projects
Special duties
Architects may specialize in a type of construction such as residential, commercial, industrial or institutional
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
3,510% Employed Full Time
75%Work in this field is typically performed in a structured environment, such as an office, although some time may be spent on construction sites.
Career Pathways
Promotion to senior positions, such as chief architect, is possible with experience.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Job Titles
Education, Training and Skills
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of architecture
or
Completion of the syllabus of studies from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is required - Master's degree in architecture may be required
- Completion of a three-year internship under the supervision of a registered architect is required
- Completion of the architect registration examination is required
- Registration with the provincial association of architects in the province of work is required
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is offered by the Canada Green Building Council and may be required by some employers
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Architecture
Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Analyzing operational and product needs to create a design.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
3,510Employment by Region
Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
---|---|---|
Cariboo | 10 | 0.3% |
Kootenay | 45 | 1.3% |
Mainland/Southwest | 2,955 | 84.2% |
North Coast and Nechako | 15 | 0.4% |
Northeast | 0 | 0.0% |
Thompson-Okanagan | 145 | 4.1% |
Vancouver Island/Coast | 340 | 9.7% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)
1,530Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)
Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
---|---|---|
Cariboo | Not available | Not available |
Kootenay | 20 | 1.3% |
Mainland/Southwest | 1,170 | 1.7% |
North Coast and Nechako | Not available | Not available |
Northeast | Not available | Not available |
Thompson-Okanagan | 100 | 2.6% |
Vancouver Island/Coast | 230 | 2.4% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
Industry | Job Openings (2023-2033) |
---|---|
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 1,460 |
Construction | 30 |
Public Administration | 10 |
Finance, Insurance and Real Estate | 10 |
Retail Trade | 10 |
Resources
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Architectural Institute of British Columbia – Careers & Classifiedswww.aibc.ca/membersite/member-services/careers-classified
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BC Building Infowww.bcbuildinginfo.com
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British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA)www.bccassn.com
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Canadian Architectwww.canadianarchitect.com
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Canadian Design-Build Institute (CDBI)www.cdbi.org
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National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)www.ncarb.org
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Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) – Metro Vancouver Chapterwww.raic.org/bc