A professionally trained in the arts and sciences and licensed to advice, plan, design and review, supervise and instruct on the construction of the built environment, most importantly on buildings and spaces for the primary purpose of occupancy. His utmost concern therefore is for the use of such spaces comfortably, conveniently, efficiently and admirably. We need places to live and work, play and learn, sell and shop, relax and get healed, move from one place to another, and so on. The architect is that person responsible for making these spaces properly organized and built for both the private person and the public. He does this with you through your dreams, needs and expectations. The engagement involves a series of simple to complex activities that range from changing your front door to buying your kitchen and bedroom furniture set, designing your entire house including your small garden. It includes designing your playground and the school, your office and the parking lot, the hospital, the museum, cathedral and movie house. The architect is involved in the development of bus terminal, and the airports. He is the chief person in the development of residential houses, offices, workshops and warehouses, the entire neighborhood and city, and many more. He is at the forefront to reorganize up-grade and put sanity into that rundown community nearby
Do you want to become an
Architect?
The Architect’s foundation begins from the secondary level. This is because courses offered at the secondary level determine his acceptance to offer Architecture at the university.
The Profession
The Architecture profession can be acquired through 2 main routes. During the study at the university the goal is to obtain a 6-year M. Arch degree (4+2) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), or a 5 year (straight-up) B. Arch degree from Central University (CU), or the equivalent of these from any recognized and accredited
university
The course subjects offered include History of Cultures, Architectural Science, Structures, Interior Design, Landscape Design, Architectural Design Studio, Sociology, Psychology, Carpentry work, among others. These are done mostly at the early levels. During the later years, courses offered include Building Science, Structural Engineering, A r c h i t e c t u r a l T h e o r y, Professional Practice, and Building Materials. In some schools, costing and business subjects such as entrepreneurship and, project management form part of the subjects that are studied, and finally a presentation of a research thesis in both graphics and written form.
How is the Architect regulated?
Every Architect in Ghana requires a license to practice either in a firm or as an individual free-lance practitioner. The Architects Act 1969, NLCD 357 contains the Bye-Laws, Code of Conduct and Ethics of Practice as well as accompanying disciplinary action in case of a default for all architects and probationers (will-be architects) duly registered. These guide the conduct of the profession in order t o m a i n t a i n a s a n i t i z e d environment for practice for the welfare of the citizenry
The Regulatory Body -The Architects RegistrationCouncil (ARC)
The Government’s regulatory body for the order stated above is
the Architects Registration Council (ARC). It was established through the Legislative (LI) known as the Architects Act 1969, NLCD 357.
The ARC is an Agency directly under the Ministry of Works and Housing (MWH).
It is overseen by a governing Board constituted by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana, with nominees by the professional body of architects, i.e. the Ghana
Institute of Architects (GIA), government institutional members and the Registrar of the
Council of the ARC.
The ARC therefore, is a statutory regulatory bod y authorized to promote the practice of architecture nationwide within the laws of the country and worldwide practice of the profession for a sustainable built environment by certifying high quality professional standards in education, practice and conduct
Rhythm also factors into the layout of content. For example, you “might have” blog articles, press releases, and events each follow their own certain layout pattern.
Becoming a RegisteredArchitectThe Provisional Register
Immediately after completing the M.Arch or B.Arch, the next step is to register as a Probationer with the Architects Registration Council (ARC). The candidate is logged unto a Provisional Register and is issued an Annual Provisional Practicing Certificate renewable yearly till he qualifies to be registered as a professional
architect. After registration, the Probationer Architect proceeds to understudy a senior Registered Architect under a structured “Professional Practice Training Scheme” for a minimum of 2 years for M. Arch graduates and 3 years for B. Arch graduates. He submits requisite training documents as evidence for his understudies. The candidate is also required to participate in preparatory Professional Practice Education (PPE) seminars.
The Standing Register.
The Probationer Architect becomes eligible to sit for the professional licensing exams ( P P E ) at the end of the probationary period. When successful, the architect is inducted at a national licensing ceremony, logged onto a Standing Register of Registered Architects and issued a license to practice as a full professional. This license is equally renewable yearly.
Styles come and go. Good design is a language, not a style.
