and become an independent practitioner.

As a career move, Architects may also enter

other related fields such as graphic interior or
industrial design; urban planning; real estate
development; civil engineering; and
construction management.
Employment Opportunities
Overall, job opportunities are good although
the demand for Architects is affected by
fluctuations in the economy, particularly the
state of the construction industry. Growth
coming from both non-residential and
residential construction will provide ample
job opportunities for practicing architects.
Demographic trends such as increasing
population also support an increase in
demand for this profession. An increasing
population will require the building of more
houses, schools, health care facilities such as
hospitals, commercial office spaces,
entertainment facilities, shopping centers and
other type of structures.
A recent trend is the outsourcing to local
architectural firms the drafting of
construction plans from foreign countries.
This trend is expected to continue especially
with the unprecedented growth in the
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry
in the Philippines.
Opportunities for overseas employment is also

expanding particularly in the Middle East

countries that are experiencing a construction
boom in their economy. Also, better opportunities
are available to those who know CADD technology
since the use of computer-aided design and
drafting is now the practice of most architectural
companies.
Architects may likewise be employed in the
following industries: Construction; and Real
Estate, Renting and Business Activities.
Cost of Education**

Career Information Pamphlet

Series of 2011

Architect*

A degree in Architecture costs around P30,000 to

P45,000 per semester in private schools and
universities while in public educational
institutions that offer the same discipline, tuition

*
**

Images were downloaded from Google.com

Based on 2010-2011 rates

Department of Labor and Employment

Bureau of Local Employment
Manila, Philippines

Architect
An Architect is a licensed professional
trained in the art and science of building
design. He/she provides a wide variety of
professional services to individuals and
organizations planning a construction
project.
Tasks

Provides pre-design services conducting

feasibility
and
environmental impact studies, selecting
a site, and specifying the requirements
the design must meet;
Prepares drawings and a report
presenting ideas for the client to review;
Develops final construction plans;
Prepares cost analysis;
May assist client in obtaining
construction bids, selecting a
contractor, and negotiating the
construction contract;
Visits construction site to ensure that
the contractor is following the design,
using specified materials and meeting
the specified standards for the quality
of work;
Makes long-range planning for land
development; and

Directs activities of workers engaged in

preparing drawings and specification
documents.

Basic Educational Requirement

A professional degree in Architecture (a 5-year
program) is the basic educational requirement.
Prior to taking up the licensure examination for
Architects, a period of practical training and
internship is required. Graduates of Architecture
have to pass the licensure examination conducted
by the Professional Regulation Commission before
they can practice the profession or can provide
architectural services.
Although graduate education beyond the
professional degree is not essential for practicing
architecture, it is normally required for research,
teaching and other specialized areas of
architectural work.
Skills and Competencies

Ability to visually communicate ideas to clients;

Ability to conceptualize and understand
spatial relationships;
Artistic and drawing ability;
Excellent communication (written and oral)
skills;
Computer literacy - knowledge of computeraided design and drafting (CADD);
Strong organizational skills with attention to

details; and
Managerial and supervisory skills.

Physical Attributes and

Characteristics

Creative;
Artistic;
Responsive to clients needs; and
Ability to work independently or as
part of a team.

Salary/Compensation
Locally, Architects receive a monthly salary
ranging from P18,000 to P40,000 depending
on the type of employer.
In the Middle East, Architects receive a
monthly salary of $1,500 to $3,000, again
depending on the type of employer.
In other foreign countries, pay and benefits
are definitely higher than local rates.
Prospect for Career Advancement
Architects who have acquired considerable
experience in their work eventually manage
entire projects. In large establishments,
architects may advance to supervisory or
managerial positions. Some become
partners in established firms while others
may set up their own architectural firms