3 Websites Everyone in Architecture Should Know About
Architecture is an interesting field of study that requires coordination, problem-solving, and research skills. It's basically like a giant puzzle with a lot of constantly changing pieces (other people working on the project). In addition to the information he/she already acquired from work experiences, an architect must collect a lot of information from various sources, and he/she needs to coordinate that information to be able to conceptualize drawings (plans, elevations, sections, and details) and transfer the information as clearly as possible to construction workers. I created this listicle to help anyone who is trying to learn more about the construction market (construction products and equipment), the 3D presentation of a product or a building, and the laws and restrictions behind every single project.
1. Find the product/material you want to use in your project.
Trying to find construction equipment and materials on the internet, simply by describing them, can be a really hard and time-consuming task since each company aspires to be original by presenting the same product in a completely different way. Luckily, the website Arcat can be a literal lifesaver regarding this problem. Basically, Arcat is a Canadian website that lists, in a friendly user way, every construction-related product available on the Canadian market ranging from small tools such as screws, nails, glass cutters, etc. to heavy equipment such as ventilation systems, fire protection systems, elevators, etc. In addition, almost every product comes with an Autocad and a Revit file (the two most common drawing softwares used by the industry) provided by the company which can simplify your research even more.
2. Visualize better by 3D modeling your space.
3D modeling is becoming a more efficient way to conceptualize a building. The industry is shifting from drawing on 2D softwares to 3D softwares because it's easier to visualize spaces and dimensions. On the contrary, that doesn't mean that the use of 2D drawing on construction sites is fading away, it simply means their production is becoming more and more simple with technological development (3D models converted into 2D plans, elevations, sections, and details). One of the 3D softwares that architects use to present an early concept to their client is Sketchup. This website allows you to use a powerful but easy to use app for free, that way, you, as a future architect or architectural student, can start practicing and producing professional 3D models that can be presented to a client to sell an idea, and trust me 3D models can sometimes be the cherry on top and be the reason a client pays you to be responsible for his future projects.
3. Respect the laws.
Sadly not every idea we envision can become a reality. Usually, every country enforces laws to ensure the safety of the workers (on construction sites) and the users of the building. In Canada, the construction industry, from the conception to the building, is highly regulated. The Canadian government releases the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) every five years. This document is a federal document that should be respected all over the country. But the NBCC is just a base document, the minimum requirements, that every province adapte for it needs (climate, lifestyle, available local building materials, etc.) so in the same pattern as the government, every province releases a document which is stricter than the federal one and a refined version of it, that goes into details related to construction (for example, how many nails should be used to stick two pieces of wood together? Where should they be placed? At what angle they should be hammered at?). In Quebec, this document is the Quebec Construction Code (QCC), Chapter I, Building. This website presents all the legal information that you need to know before conceptualizing the building.
Conclusion
In conclusion, mastering 3D modeling and understanding the laws and the products available in the market is essential to becoming a good architect. These elements are what you are going to use on a daily basis in your future career and the earlier you start to get costumed to them the easier your path to becoming an architect will be. Don't forget to subscribe to the blog if you are interested in architecture for future exciting blogs. What do you think about the content of this listicle, was it helpful?
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