Is Architecture Hard? (With Student Quotes)

Many high school students have the aspiration of majoring in architecture and creating magnificent structures.

But is architecture challenging? Many students are concerned about the difficulty of the architecture major and their ability to earn a degree in the field.

No matter your motivation, you should be aware that studying architecture is not always simple. In actuality, it takes a lot of time and effort.

This is the reason I wrote the article. I wanted to let you know what it’s really like to study architecture.

• Related article: What are the Hardest Majors in College?

Is Architecture Hard?

Yes, architecture may be challenging and intimidating at times. You’ll need to put in a lot of work generating designs and models, and you’ll need to put in a lot of time working on projects in the studio. When deadlines loom enormous, it may also be very stressful.

Creating buildings is just one aspect of architecture. The administration, planning, and documentation of projects are also included. A project in architecture could be anything from a modest renovation to a substantial building endeavor.

Conceptualization, feasibility studies, cost analysis, and project development are just a few of the numerous processes that make up the design process.

Architects come in a variety of subcategories, including specialists, planners, engineers, and designers. The entirety of an architectural project is the focus of generalists, whereas the planning stage is the area of expertise for planners. A building’s structural design is the responsibility of engineers, while designers concentrate on the project’s aesthetics.

To succeed as an architecture student and future architect, you will need to possess a few skills. Problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and leadership are some of these abilities. You will be equipped to handle any architectural issue that comes your way if you possess these abilities.

Because they lack the commitment to persevere, the majority of students drop out of architecture. Make sure you’re prepared to put in the time and effort needed to succeed if you truly want to become an architect. Architecture is difficult, and if you’re not willing to put in the effort, you’ll never succeed.

It turned out that they weren’t as passionate about architecture as myself and the others who stayed in the program, according to James Allen, who studied architecture at Columbia University. “Many people in my architecture class changed majors after the first year because of all the work and long hours in the architecture studio,” he says.

Architects are held to a very high standard of accountability. When tackling challenges, they must be imaginative, practical, creative, and detail-oriented. To create anything that will satisfy the client’s expectations, architects must first comprehend his or her requirements.

Effective communication with clients and other architects is a requirement. They must be capable of overseeing projects and budgets. Additionally, they must be able to handle any problems that may develop during building.

Architects need to be knowledgeable about all facets of engineering and construction, including costs, safety, and sustainability. Architects will also need to stay on top of the most recent developments in technology and fashion. They should also be able to work well with others and have strong communication abilities.

It takes a lot of effort to succeed in the interesting field of architecture. Although it can be a lengthy and extremely rewarding trip, it can also be difficult and taxing.

Reasons Architecture is a Hard Major

There are many reasons that architecture is a hard major, often more difficult than even some engineering majors. 

1. More Hours Studying Than Other Majors

Compared to other majors, architecture students put in the most additional hours of effort. They therefore need to be well-organized and time-prepared for the long haul. Prepare yourself for the hard practice hours if you choose to study architecture.

Additionally, you’ll need to be ready for a lot of stress. Architects are frequently referred regarded as “the stressed-out profession” for a reason.

Compared to other occupations, architects put in more overtime. Due to the numerous projects they must complete, architecture students typically have a heavier workload than engineering students.

Because there aren’t many opportunities once they graduate and the employment market is crowded, they continue to put in long hours. They feel as though they must work more harder as a result to stay competitive.

2. Subjectivity – No Right Answers

Designs are interpreted differently depending on the viewer because of subjectivity. It’s possible that the instructor or other students won’t always concur with your ideas. A skyscraper, for instance, could appear gorgeous from one aspect but unsightly from another.

By bringing creativity and aesthetics to real-world problems with occasionally simple solutions, students learn how to approach design. There will always be a huge degree of disagreement among design professionals who are knowledgeable about design.

However, they frequently lack an understanding of the immense complexity that underlies much architecture. Design experts with experience and competence in other domains can still provide insightful judgments about architecture.

3. Not That Good at Math

Many people think that the only thing that architecture requires is creating plans and creating visuals. However, the study of architecture also involves a lot of science and math.

If your arithmetic abilities aren’t all that good, you can find geometry, trigonometry, calculus, physics, and chemistry difficult. While some individuals have no issues discussing these subjects, others do.

4. Complex Rules and Regulations

Every nation has a plethora of rules, laws, protocols, and policies that must be adhered to. Much of this is in contradiction with one another and interferes with fundamental architectural principles.

An architect’s designs must take a lot of things into account. This encompasses concerns with budget, construction methods, practical buildability, the environment, programs, and other contract-related issues.

Additionally, there are customer considerations and expectations that could seem unreasonable, counterintuitive, or even absurd.

It’s possible for software architects to utilize to be extremely sophisticated.

To produce a coherent, economical building that satisfies schedules and specifications, it is difficult to balance all these aspects.

5. Variety of Options

Every action and tool used by architects has a wide range of choices. The optimal strategy for a project can be challenging to select.

When selecting a design approach, structural system, environmental or fire strategy, materials, and contract, these are just a few of the questions you need to ask yourself.

6. Breadth of Knowledge and Skills Required

You need a very diverse skill set to succeed in the field of architecture. Construction, aesthetics, environmentalism, technology, legislation, psychology, economics, finance, and management are all covered within the field of architecture.

To reach the level of entry-level architect, it can take 6-7 years of training and experience. To become decent, add another three or more years.

A foundational understanding in:

• Legal, technical, and procedural matters.
• Have a good sense of design and aesthetics.
• An understanding of costs and programs, but also an understanding of how to present information clearly, effectively, and graphically.
• Be an effective and excellent manager. 
• Be able to communicate effectively.

7. Responsible for All Project Aspects

All other professions must fit within the framework that architects have created. It’s comparable to an NFL squad where the head coach and quarterback are both architects.

Communication is essential since many factors influence architectural design of a building. When something goes wrong, the architect is typically held responsible.

We don’t have to be experts in everything, but we do need to know where to focus in order to reduce the effects of the changes and accomplish our objectives.

8. Flexible with Change

Architects must be adaptable and capable of making swift, safe modifications. When an issue arises, they must be inventive and imaginative.

When a client changes their mind, it is the most evident cause for a change in course. Particularly when you’re at a late stage, it might be frustrating.

Then there are the adjustments that must be made in terms of finance, technology, law, and regulation.

Building designs take years, and it would be unusual for laws to stay the same during that time. Additionally, it would be odd if the budget didn’t alter once or twice throughout the design process.

Architecture Career Outlook 

This career path is perfect for you if architecture is your passion! 

The growth of the demand for architects has reduced to 3% each year.

An architect’s median yearly salary is $80,180. (BLS). 

Although it can seem like a lot, architects frequently put in long hours as well.

The starting wage for architects is typically lower, and there is competition for jobs. 

Some businesses provide better salaries, but those frequently call for previous work history, licenses, and additional certifications.

Typically, there are three phases to becoming a licensed architect:

1. Getting a bachelor’s degree in architecture.
2. Interning and gaining experience at an architecture firm. 
3. Taking and Passing the Architect Registration Exam.

Is Architecture Hard? Final Thoughts

Being an architect and studying architecture are difficult. But if you have a passion for architecture and want to pursue it, earning an architectural degree is a must. If you want to stick with it, it’s one of those majors that you really need to be enthusiastic about.

You might also be interested in these other articles: 

• Is a Civil Engineering Major Hard?
• Is an Accounting Major Hard?
• Is Calculus Hard?
• Is a History Major Useless?