A Day in the Life of a Junior Architect at a Mid-Size Firm

by Beth Orenstein
October 20, 2009

As one of seven junior architects at a mid-size architectural firm in Washington D.C.'s historic Georgetown section, Lauren Dellinger's favorite time is the morning. She arrives around 8:30 am. "I like the mornings, when I'm just delving into a drawing and am refreshed," Dellinger says.

The architecture firm specializes in historic preservation and the design of educational facilities, sports and recreation buildings, and cultural arts centers. Project teams, with typically three to eight people, get together early each day to "see where they are, what work is to be done, and who has to do what," Dellinger says.

Much of Architect's Day Spent at the Computer, Consulting with Colleagues

Once the day's tasks are at hand, everyone retreats to his or her computer to correct and generate drawings based on the design of the project architect. "You're required to interpret the accuracy and intent of the hand drawings, which demands a good eye and good sense of spatial logic and relationships," she says.

Much of her time is spent printing, setting up files, and creating presentation images. "We spend a good part of the day drawing on the computer and talking with team members," Dellinger says. "Good design requires frequent communication to coordinate information." Sometimes Dellinger consults with the engineers for clarification or advice, posing questions like: "What size shaft should we allow for the pipes and ductwork? Do we use a concrete or steel structural system?"

Afternoons can be very fickle, Dellinger says. Some are more lax, with time to exchange ideas with colleagues--the firm has 40 architects. Some afternoons are stressful, especially if extra team meetings must be squeezed into the day's full workload.

Dellinger, who holds a bachelor's degree in architecture from Syracuse University, finds working on presentation drawings to be a lot of fun. "Making digital models can be fun, too, depending on the design. Also, I love to sketch out ideas when I can," she says.

It's a little more challenging, she explains, when she has to research building codes and determine how they will be addressed physically in the design. It's also a challenge when she is called on to present and defend her ideas to the team.

Architect's Workday Deadline-Driven

Most days are full, but Dellinger usually leaves around 5:30 pm. "The firm is pretty good about not overworking us. While it's not unheard of to stay until 7, I usually can leave on time," she says. Dellinger works weekends if a deadline is near and she still has a lot to do on a specific project.

The key to being in architecture, she says, is learning to work with people and managing time. "You have to allow the design to thrive, but you also must meet deadlines."

Dellinger knew she wanted to be an architect before she graduated from high school. She attended an architectural program (five years) and settled on a field after she landed her first job. Schools are among her favorite projects because there is always a demand, she says, and they allow for creativity in aesthetics.

Sources:

Dellinger, Lauren, Interview by Beth W. Orenstein 30 September 2009.

About the Author
Beth W. Orenstein is a freelance writer. She works from her home in Northampton, Pa. A graduate of Tufts Univesrity with a bachelor's degree in English, she specializes in education, finance, real estate and medical topics.