Course Overview
Architecture is an art profession or practice which encompasses planning, design and construction of buildings and other physical structures. Professionals best known for this profession are the architects among other titles. The work of architects entails overall planning and designing of houses, office buildings and other physical structures. Architects manage the entire design and construction process of all physical structures including site supervision and project management of all construction processes, controlling construction budgets as well as dealing with all planning issues.
The curriculum of the bachelor of architecture has been designed to produce skilful manpower capable of handling any architectural project right from inception to completion. The Bachelor of Architecture was initially a six year course (solid). However with changes in the profession and the need to allow students who change or switch their mind to other careers of interest in the course of the training, the course has been replaced by a Two-Tier Degree programme comprising of the Bachelor of Architectural Technology which takes four years and subsequent two years Master degree in Architecture. Students who exit the university at the end of the four year course (the Bachelor of Architectural Technology) can only work as architectural technologists under the watch of registered architects.
The architectural technologists will work under direct supervision of registered or licensed architects. For one to become a professional architect, additional two year course is required for the award of Master degree in Architecture. With a Master degree in Architecture coupled with the relevant industry experience, graduates of the course will be eligible for registration as architects and qualified to practice as such. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates of the course may work in architectural practice, engineering firms among other areas or decide to start their own consulting businesses.
Entry Qualifications
For self sponsored students, at least a mean grade of B- in KCSE. For Government sponsored students, the minimum cut point which is announced annually applies. The students should in addition have good performance in the following cluster subjects; Subject 1 MAT A, Subject 2 PHY, Subject 3 any GROUP III, Subject 4 2nd GROUP II or 2nd GROUP III or any GROUP IV or any GROUP V.
Becoming an architect
If you are well organised, creative and interested in an artistic career within buildings and construction industry, then pursuing this course might be a good choice for you. In addition, you should be prepared to develop skills that can help you grow and succeed in this field.
Architects possess excellent analytical skills which enable them to understand the content of designs and the context in which they were created. They are also good communicators able to share their ideas both in oral presentations and in writing with other professionals, clients and workers who help prepare drawings. Architects are creative people who are able to design the overall look of buildings, houses and other physical structures enabling the final product to be attractive and functional to the client and the user.
Architects must be highly organized in their work and be able to manage contracts, keep records related to the details of a project, including materials used, total cost and progress. Modern architecture utilizes computing technology such as high tech Computer Aided Designs (CAD) software which architects must be conversant with. Architects possess excellent visualization skills and are able to see how the parts of a structure relate to each other even before it is constructed. Architects must therefore be able to visualize how the overall building will look once completed. Good interpersonal skills are equally important to enhance working relationships.
Work environment
Architects works mostly in offices and job sites monitoring construction progress.
Career opportunities
Architects may find employments in local and international design and construction organisations, government authorities in allied fields, engineering companies, building contractors, architectural firms, property development companies, research, academia, manufacturing as well as government ministerial departments among other areas. With considerable experience, graduates can also start their own consulting practices.
You may explore these courses.
Bachelor of Architectural Technology
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
Bachelor of Arts in Design
Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design, With IT
Bachelor of Technology in Design
Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning, With IT
Bachelor of Construction Management
Bachelor of Technology in Building Construction
Bachelor of Science in Clothing Textile & Interior Design
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering