saff

Hi guys, how's it going!

So, been here 6 months in aus, could probably give a bit more of a detailed review of life in aus :P

someone asked me if I regret the move, and truthfully, I'm loving everything about it so far! even the winter was relatively warm in Perth, the people seem freindly out of everyone I have met, work feels much different, I'm MUCH happier than I was in the UK for sure. made some great friends, and the place feels like home now that I'm set up with a flat and car. spend a lotta the time on the beach and having barbies which is great.

but anyway, that aside, I'm working in mine construction at the mo as a consultant, which means I get 3 weeks at site and 1 week off.. I figure as since there are some evenings that I don't do much (gym every other day, footy with mates, and drinking!) I figure that I should use the time productively whhile I can!

have always wanted to do architecture but didnt fancy a 7 year learning trip.. so instead went down the construction management /qs route. would love to do an architectural technologist/technician type course downe though.

as I'm at site it needs to be distance learning, but I can't find anything about how to get involved, or how to get started. I'm more than capable with CAD and construction knowledge but don't have any formal qualifications to that effect. would like to move into architectural drafting etc at some stage (ie as much as I can do without formally being an architect!) would just love to get involved with design, drafting etc in the future

can anyone make any suggestions??

Beoz

Architecture is starting to feel the pinch in Australia. It's always the first proffession to feel it when a downturn looms. It's the type of proffession that heavily relies on humans, and lots of them on big projects. If that big project disappears there's lots of architects doing nothing. You can make good money, but you effectively have to be an owner. Most architects are heavily under paid when you consider the amount of study they have to do. There are too many in the market for the amount of architects the market can support. As an architectural draftsperson or technician you can't sign off work - only a registered architect can do this which means it would be very difficult for you to own your own firm.

There is a big trend in the construction industry at the moment called BIM - Building Information Modelling. It's certainly something that a draftsperson or technician could specialise in. You would have to become an expert in BIM applications for architecture such as Archicad, Bentley Architecture or Revit, but you also need to know the industry and what architects do and that is something that you can only gain by working on projects for a long time.

On the brightside, if you are creative and thrive off this type of thing then this avenue might be rewarding. If money motivates you then you're better of in the mines.

saff

Thanks for the response! Had seen a few bits about Bim but its something that ive not heard from back at home so am trying to get some info on that too. Its like you say, I find it much more enjoyable and its not all about the money. Even going into architecture I could be worse off compared to what Im on, but I find design and drafting work much more enjoyable, the self employment thing is important to me, again, not for the cash, just is personally important.

im always weary of getting in on construction trends having owned my own company doing epc and floor plans in the uk which became grossly over perscribed!

I dont think learning new software would be a problem, proficcient in bentley microstation and autocad and tend to pick these things up well.. Do you know a bit more detail as to whats required to get into it a bit more? Obviously being on a 457 means i cant do it for work just yet but Id like to do everything possible to set myself up so when I get a house and am free to do what i like job wise, i can switch straight away into something new