|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
A
Job to Love
Imagine walking through a newly renovated
office. The company that owns it has
always run its business in an environmentally
friendly way, and so they came to you
after deciding to purchase and renovate
an existing building. You chose a low
lying, two story building for your client,
that has little surface area exposed
to the cold, winter wind of your community.
As you wander through the new office,
natural light filters through the windows
and skylights, and while so many buildings
smell like paint and carpet, you enjoy
the scent of natural materials. The
building is warm, so you know you were
right to have chosen to use an efficient
insulation system and three solar panels
on the roof. Not only are you saving
the company 20 per cent on its energy
costs, but it's also hard to imagine
a greener or better structure.
Green
architects conceptualize and design
culturally and environmentally friendly
homes and businesses. They usually
work in offices where they design
buildings with computers. Once the
designs are done, they often work
outdoors with contractors on construction
sites, making sure that everything
is done according to plan. Many Aboriginal
green architects work in their home
communities to develop environmentally
friendly buildings that are cost-efficient.
While
many architects love designing buildings,
there can be a lot of unexciting administrative
and office work as well. You’ll
also have to start at the bottom,
designing things like handrails and
stairwells. Then there’s the
fact that the construction industry
is usually affected by fluctuations
in the economy, so architecture isn’t
always a stable job. And of course,
there’s a lot of responsibility
involved in this job; if buildings
fall apart, you run the risk of being
sued. But, if you’re creative,
good at problem solving, and pay attention
to detail, you’ll probably excel
at this job and an award for architectural
design could have your name on it
in the future.
Job
Description
Green architects design environmentally
friendly buildings. For example, green
architects design cultural and interpretive
centres to fit the local landscape.
The buildings are built with eco-building
materials and energy efficient construction
techniques to cut energy costs. A “green”
approach to construction is more affordable,
healthy, culturally appropriate, and
environmentally responsible. Most architects
work for architectural firms and building
contractors. Others work for government
agencies and real-estate companies.
Some are self-employed. International
work is common for many Canadian architectural
firms, so many green architects get
to work all over the world.
Job
Duties
- Listen
to clients to understand what they
want in renovations or new building
construction
- Develop
plans and prepare estimates for
building materials, costs, and construction
schedules
- Create
sketches and models for clients
- Design
buildings
- Research
environmentally efficient building
materials
- Take
part in contract negotiations and
choose construction companies
- Check
construction site activities to
make sure specifications are being
met
Fact
Heat gained and lost through windows
uses up to 50 per cent of an electricity
bill. Sealing leaks around windows
to reduce drafts will save money by
helping to control the temperature
in your home.
|
|
 |
 |
|
High
school courses that will prepare you
for this job include geometry, physics,
chemistry, computers, drafting, geography,
English, and calculus. Aboriginal studies,
history, and languages will prepare
you for working in a multi-cultural
setting. Talk to your career or academic
counsellor about options such as blueprint
reading, biology, engineering technology,
creative arts, visual arts, data management,
construction technology, or technological
design.
The
minimum educational requirement for
this job is a bachelor’s degree
from an accredited school of architecture
or completion of the curriculum of
studies from the Royal Architectural
Institute of Canada (RAIC.) Most architects
have a master’s degree in architecture.
This degree will make you more competitive
in the job market and help you negotiate
your salary.
Before
entering the workforce, some green
architects require additional training
in:
- Environmental
ethics
- Energy
efficiency
- Water
efficiency
- Drafting
Look
into specific high school pre-requisites
set by the university you would like
to attend.
After
university, you’ll complete a
three-year internship under the supervision
of a registered architect. Then you’ll
write the architect registration examination.
Once you’ve passed the exam,
you’ll register with the provincial
association of architects in your
province or territory. In Quebec,
you must be a member of the professional
corporation for architects.
To
be recognized as a green architect,
accreditation in the Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
Green Building Rating System is recommended.
|
|
|
 |
|
Green
architects with a university degree
make an average of $52,000.00 per
year.
Green
architects with several years experience
and education make an average of $73,000.00
per year.
Financial
Assistance
In addition to the general scholarship
tips listed in the BUILD MY CAREER
section, the following awards are
specific to green architects:
Murray
W. Waterman Architectural Award
$6,000.00 is awarded to seven master’s
students at the University of Calgary.
Students registered at the University
of Calgary are automatically considered.
CASTS
scholarships
Awarded to Aboriginal students
studying science.
Contact: CASTS Scholarship
Committee
Treaty 7 Tribal Council
Suite 310, 6940 Fisher Road SE
Calgary, AB
T2H 0W3
Telephone: (403) 258-1775
Fax: (403) 258-1811
email: casts@mail1.treaty7.org
website: www.casts.ca
|
|
|
 |
|
Some
of the best knowledge you’ll
gain for this job will come from listening
to the stories and wisdom of your
relations. Talk to your Elders and
learn about the different natural
resources they used to build homes.
Try your hand at green architecture
by building a solar powered go-kart
or volunteer to build a house in your
community with your local chapter
of Habitat for Humanity. Your knowledge
of different building materials and
construction methods will impress
potential employers.
Relate to people in similar jobs:
- Environmental
engineer
- Clean
energy researcher
- Environmental
co-ordinator
- Environmental
monitor
Relate
and interact with green architects.
Ask them what they like about their
jobs and how you should get started.
Royal Architectural Institute of
Canada / L’institut royal d’architecture
du Canada
330-55 Murray Street
Ottawa, ON
K1N 5M3
Telephone: (613) 241-3600
Fax: (613) 241-5750
email: info@raic.org
website: www.raic.org
Habitat
for Humanity
website: www.habitat.org
Relate
to other students. Most universities
have Aboriginal student associations
and resource centres. Visit these
centres to find out what they have
to offer. Also look into community
centres, friendship centres, and multi-cultural
centres.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
