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 | We are a third grade class studying building. We would like to know how you use reading, writing, and math in your job as an architect. We would also like to know, if you were building the Leaning Tower of Pisa, how would you build it differently? How many years did you go to college to do your job? Thank you for answering our questions. |
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I wish I could have sent my answer directly to you. But since you didn't include your 'e-mail' address, I decided to post the question on the site with the hope that you might return to the site and find it. Regarding my use of reading, writing, and math skills, it would be difficult to communicate with customers, builders, or other architects if I could not read or write. I must be able to read and write the words that exist on every sheet of drawings used in the construction of buildings. These words help us communicate with the people that put our buildings together. In fact, the men and women that put together the buildings we work and live in must be able to read and write so they can read my drawings and write back to me if there is a problem or question. The drawings used to construct a building are not just made up of lines but words as well. The math skills needed to create or construct a building are many indeed. If you have ever watched someone build anything, you may have seen them use a tape measurer or a ruler. The ability to measure is a basic math skill. It is how an architect communicates the length or size of things we want to build. We must be able to add and subtract these numbers but also must be able to use fractions of these numbers. Today, we deal with measurements that are both the English system and the Metric system. Architects use math to convert between these two systems of measurement. You may also find architects using the many formulas and principles of geometry to create a building. I can't stress enough how often I use my reading, writing, and math skills while I work as an architect. You asked about the number of years I went to college. Many architects choose to begin their architectural training when they first begin college. They receive a bachelor of architecture degree typically after four or five years. I studied theatrical design and art during my undergraduate schooling. I received a bachelor of arts degree after four years. I then went on to graduate school and worked another three years to receive a master of architecture degree. After school, one will spend three or more years interning with architects before they may attempt a state exam to receive there license to practice architecture. It is a long process and encompasses the same stringent standards as is required of doctors. Your question regarding the Leaning Tower of Pisa is interesting. It is a bell tower that was started in the twelfth century but took hundreds of years to finish. If I understand the story, it was built on sandy, unstable soil. The tower began sinking even before it was finished. There is fear that the tower will fall over in the coming years. There have been many proposals for stabilizing the tower but I don't know if any have been undertaken. If I was to build the tower differently, I think I would focus on putting in stone piers for its foundation. Because the ground that the tower sits on is sandy, the foundation would need to go below the sandy layer. These piers I describe are similar to what you might see supporting a boat dock. They support the dock by going through the water and muck into more stable ground. I imagine stone piers going through the sandy layer into more stable ground. The bell tower at Pisa is a wonderful structure but probably wouldn't be as famous if it weren't for its poor foundation that caused it to begin leaning. |
| My wife and I are going to build a house. I'll be blunt - why should I use an architect? |
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There is nothing to say that you have to use an architect.
There are numerous resources available for obtaining plans that can be used to build a
house - some are very good. However, I doubt you will find "stock" house plans that
will totally fulfill your needs and dreams. If you don't mind a lot of compromising,
then an architect may not be necessary. If you're looking for a truly unique space,
designed specifically for you, then, of course, an architect is your best resource.
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I have a small beauty shop. Recently, an older customer who used a walker complained about the size of my bathroom. She said I must make it handicap accessible or
the town will shut me down. What is she talking about?
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First, the town in not going to shut you down. The customer may have been referring to the ADA. That is the Americans with Disabilities Act. In the simplest terms, facilities, the use of, and access to these facilities must be provided in a way so that those with disabilities may have equal access and use as those without disabilities. It is mainly intended for those facilities accessed by the general public. Your beauty shop would fall into this category. The ADA allows for lawsuits to be filed by those with disabilities who feel they have been discriminated against. This discrimination can be in the form of a bathroom that is not usable by or puts at risk someone with a disability. Please, don't begin to panic. Unless you're planning a major renovation or addition to your beauty shop, then your bathroom can stay the way it is. However, you will still remain vulnerable to litigation by those with disabilities that feel discriminated against. The risk to you of this type of action, though, is very slight. Even if you're not required by law to update your shop's bathroom, let me suggest you consider doing it anyway. It would be truly appreciated by those customers with disabilities and you may find an increase in customers as word of your nice bathroom spreads.
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