Typical work activities include:

• creating building designs and highly detailed drawings both by hand and by using specialist computer-aided design (CAD) applications
• liaising with construction professionals about the feasibility of potential projects
• working around constraining factors such as town planning legislation, environmental impact and project budget
• working closely with a team of other professionals such as building service engineers, construction managers, quantity surveyors and architectural technologists
• applying for planning permission and advice from governmental new build and legal departments
• writing and presenting reports, proposals, applications and contracts
• specifying the requirements for the project
• adapting plans according to circumstances and resolving any problems that may arise during construction
• playing a part in project and team management
• travelling regularly to building sites, proposed locations and client meetings

For the most part an architect’s working day will be office based. However, site visits and meetings with clients are frequent, so travel can figure prominently.

Working hours are typically standard office hours (eg 10.00 am to 6.00 pm, Sunday to Friday), but architects may work longer hours, evenings and weekends if there are tight project deadlines to meet.