I'm worried about using ArchiCAD

[Anonymous]

Hi,

So I'm on a student forum and a member on there has asked about ArchiCAD training... I said that I used ArchiCAD etc. and that I really think it's efficient.

A different (3rd year student) said that he would not recommend using ArchiCAD because it's not used by many Architects...

I already knew that AutoCAD is much more widely used but I've never really thought of it in detail:

Say in 3rd year, I contact Architect firms for work placement (as required) and it turns out that all the ones in my area only use AutoCAD, what would I do?

I briefly know how to use AutoCAD, but no way near as good as fellow students (who actually got lower grades than me). Surely as an employer, they will look at the experience and knowledge each student has to decide wether or not to employ them.

Should I use my spare time (2 months) to learn AutoCAD more, even though I know I will not use it for University, but just for the purpose of preparing myself for work placement?

AutoCAD can't be that complicated can it? I mean it's only really 2D lines? I know how to take a section of a building manually as ArchiCAD draws it for you, so there's no problem with the knowledge of how sections/plans or elevations work, it's just how the software implements them.


Why don't many people use ArchiCAD?

Thank you very much for your views on this.

[TMA_80]

this is really an intresting discussion ... (aside from the software part)

I'm interested to know who is teaching at the university are they practitioners or theoreticians ?

( eventhough both of them complete each other )

[Anonymous]

It's nice to see this thread still has views on the 'concerns' I pointed out...

Dwight: You mention a few time about reading the manuals which had me a little confused. Manuals are great for understanding how something works but the main reason I joined this forums is because I simply don't have time to find the exact part of the manual that may or may not answer my question. Because I started Uni only 10 months ago, we were expected to do a lot or work right from day one (not that this is a bad thing), so I panicked, admittedly. I saw a problem that was; not been able to use some software so rather than guessing what the tool was, I came on this forum to ask professionals what tool I needed to get the problem done, a direct approach. If my deadline had not been so short then yes, I would have read the manual.

Yourself and fez1974 have both put my mind at ease about the construction side of studying Architecture. I visited a student forum (generic, not architectural) asking about what other student get taught at University. 2 of the members said that University is degrading the Architecture/construction industry because they are simply not teaching us what a foundation is or how wide a flight of stairs need to be etc. They were too focused on making 'unique' building rather than creating a building that 'worked' That night I couldn't stop thinking "What on earth am I going to do in 1-2 years when I complete part 1 / get a intern and not know the basic of a building). Luckily for me I already studied 'construction' (2-years Diploma) prior to going to University so I know some of the basics which have sure enough helped me out (along with the Metric handbook)

I now understand why my tutor keeps telling me "Not to worry about construction" and that I need to focus on problem solving and design decisions. But to me, partly why there was problems, at least in my project was because the design didn't comply with building reg's etc. Again, I was told to ignore this.... My 2nd project was half way though and we were to focus on 'Environmental factors ' on a given site such as wind direction,heat, climate etc. I came out with flying colours. I studied these factors and altered my design accordingly by adding elements such as shading devices, along with Autodesk EcoTECT analysis, my building was one of the best design because it was shaded correctly and didn't overheat in the summer (this project was buildable, habitable design, not to make a building look free-form')

I've decided to 'stay' with ArchiCAD for now, instead of learning vectorworks (and I already know the basics of AutoCAD). I've looked at Microstation, which is what my tutor uses but I've yet to try it out. Over the summer (or this week) I'm looking at C4D and Maxwell to help me with rendering which in essence is what design is about; how your concept is presented (plus the Uni is big on presentation)

I know I have a very long way to go before I can even think about myself as being an Architect, but that's why I'm committed to study and not to waste my time in clubs every night which is what 90% of the students do.I'm taking ALL advice given to me on board and I'm going to read manuals, in particular how to create complex profile as this is something I really want to do.

Just out of curiosity, when you was a student, what was running through your mind? Did you just follow what the tutors told you or did you think to yourself, I have no idea why they are teaching me this... Vague I know, teaching methods change all the time, apparently for the better...

[Erika Epstein]

Don't. Pick tools that will help you do they job you envision doing.

What to teach in school, this is an ongoing debate in our profession, I think the more successful programs keep students focused on design and theory the first few years. Later when students are more comfortable with designing they have them coordinate their designs with the other trades and evaluations as you describe:structural, mechanical, detailing, energy evaluation etc.

Using programs like Archicad where successful modeling follows how it is built requires you to think about how the building is goes together sooner than when we hand-drafted and worked in 2D and had all those poched areas that no one questioned and covered a multitude of sins and ignorance.

As to your original question, AC is as someone said, just a tool. You pick your tools so you can work smart to meet your goals. What do you want to be doing as an architect? How do you want to be practicing architecture in 5 , 10 or 25 years?

How you actually produce a building you will learn more on the job but the school should expose you to enough of the principles of the whole building and process that you won't be lost as Dwight was when he cantilevered his balconies

What kind of Architect you want to be?

One of the best pieces of advice I received was to spend a summer working in a small office. I saw and worked on all aspects of many projects. Back then small offices tended to equate to smaller projects. Now, with Archicad and the like small firms can compete for large projects.

Another summer I worked for a firm of over a hundred. Very different work and work experience. Large projects you work on for a long time. Seemed like forever. Some like the sameness for years; but not me. This is sounding like Goldilocks and the three bears. I then worked in medium sized firms and loved the variety of project types and sizes. For me this was right.

Get as many types of experiences as you can.

Take advantage of everything you can at school that you won't get once working. School should give you a foundation in the profession, but if they focus too much or too early on nuts and bolts of building then you won't be able to freely learn design basics.

And have fun.

[Anonymous]

I can't really say what type of Architect I want to be because I don't know. I don't know how a residential architect would work vs. a architect who take on schools, hotels and larger project.

Like many have said, I need to get work experience. I know this. This summer I will be spending my time reviewing last years works and altering it (as suggested by tutors) to prepare me for a work experience, so I can show them what I have done so far.I also need to earn money to pay for next year's costs which is quite a lot considering the loans I've already got... I'm not sure what kind of money I will be on next summer if I get a job or even where I will get a job. My town is fairly small (and dull) but I haven't a clue which software they use (I'm guessing AutoCAD). Again, I'm not trained I'm educated so if I don't know everything about AutoCAD for example, they will show me. I'd rather work for less pay and gain more experience than try to sell myself as a Pro at AutoCAD.

I know myself that I need to be more design-orientated . The year co-ordinated said to everyone in the lecture, some people are good at technical, some at design, some at both so it's down to the individual to pick up on this and work on the area accordingly. I have an idea of what I want to do in the second year in terms of the look of the building but this is far too vague to choose and application for. I don't know what the brief will require, other than 'standard drawings', plans,sections,elevations etc. etc. each project has similar requirements, such as orthographic drawings, technical details, renderings and model making process.

I could see myself dealing with residential Architecture, whichs may include house extensions, which is not what I want, this it too ' AutoCAD related' ,if that makes sense. The reason I say that is because when we had out house extended the Architect was not helpful. Firstly I was the one who said "Put the bathroom there, or the study wouldn't work there", he wasn't at alll engaged in our needs (we think he was pursuaded by our neighbour, who don't like us but also work in planning:? )... I actually ended up drawing the left part of our house! Then the Council wanted use to alter the back of the house because the neighbours didn't like it. Again, the Architect didn't help us on this (us meaning myself and my uneducated family in design) so I ended up drawing a north elevation for the council, so that they could get a brief idea of how double-doors would look...I'm not saying I was better than the Architect but I hear 'stories' that AutoCAD users don't seem engaged as much as BIM uses, for whatever reason. In fact, a colleague is working in a small Architects office in Cambridge. They use AutoCAD and she said she doesn't like it at all, mainly because there is not excitement looking at black lines all day, or because she has to make boxes in Sketchup.

Coming back to what I want to do. Well I want to create 3D renderings and I want to create building that not only function but tell a story (like most do). If you watch Grand Designs you will understand what I mean. I don't however see myself creating skyscrapers or living in Dubai... A Architecture Practice with around 10 employees seems ideal to me, but like you said, the software can control the size of the project.