Do you really need to have a high IQ to become an architect? Perhaps it is your dream job but having second thoughts?
Those of you that don’t understand certain aspects of architecture are probably thinking that you don’t need to be a genius to become an architect. However, you would be wrong. Why? It’s interesting to note that even some of the best architects in the world have an average to above-average IQ.
In the following section, I will tell you what to expect from being an architect and list some successful architects with high IQs. Keep reading to see if you’re up to the challenge.
What is an Architect?
People who design, create, or build structures are called architects. Architects take a number of principles, including mathematics, architecture, and science, to construct buildings, bridges, and other structures.
Today, architects work in a variety of aspects, including designing, construction, landscape architecture, interior design, urban planning, historic preservation, and graphics.
Architects are a special type of designer who focuses on buildings. Rather than designing clothing and accessories, architects design how people will live, work and play. An architect’s skills include knowledge of construction, engineering, and architecture.
These skills help them to create buildings that are both functional and beautiful. Many architects also have strong artistic skills, which allows them to design floor plans, interiors, and exteriors of a building.
Do architects need a high IQ? At all?
Study shows that architects have an average of 120 – 130 IQ. It ranks fairly with a profession such as lawyers, engineers, and even surgeons. This is already considered as superior and very superior intelligence.
So, is it really required?
Well, yes and no. Architects are creative, imaginative, and motivated thinkers and architects with a “high IQ” are typically good at problem solving. However, a high IQ isn’t always a requirement to be a good architect.
Architects are required to have a bachelor’s degree, but there’s no minimum IQ score required. Instead, it’s really important that architects have creative vision, strong analysis skills, and an ability to balance technical and creative elements.
An architect is more than just a designer. They create, plan, and design all kinds of buildings—from residential homes to skyscrapers. An architect must have extensive knowledge of many different skills, including building design and construction, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural engineering, as well as the ability to work with clients.
5 Most famous architects of all time
1. Antoni Gaudí – Gaudí studied both architecture and mathematics, and he also studied ancient civilizations. He is one of the most prolific architects of the 20th century, known for his outlandish but functional use of curves and mosaics.
2. Frank Lloyd Wright – was a famous architect who lived in Chicago and designed the Guggenheim, the Farnsworth House, the Fallingwater House, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. Renowned for designing both commercial and residential buildings that combine organic shapes and groundbreaking technology.
3. Mies Van der Rohe – was a famous architect who designed buildings like Barcelona’s Casa Batllo and Chicago’s Seagram Building. His designs are renowned for their use of simple materials and geometric shapes.
4. Philip Johnson – one of the most beloved architects of the 20th century, and his legacy lives on in the buildings he designed, including his most famous, the Glass House in Queens, New York.
5. Eero Saarinen – created the iconic 1941 TWA terminal at New York’s JFK Airport. This design revolutionized air travel, and, in the decades following, his designs have become iconic landmarks around the world. His most notable works, however, are buildings he helped design at North Carolina State University.
When did architecture begin?
Before there was an architect, there were builders. The profession of architecture is a culmination of centuries of building and construction knowledge. Architects take their knowledge, combine it with the latest building materials, and combine that with creativity to design and build amazing structures.
The history of architecture is fascinating, and most people reckon the first buildings were built more than 7,000 years ago, though this date is debated. However, architecture, as we know it today really began in ancient Egypt. Historians have shown that the earliest buildings in Egypt were temples, which were built to access the cosmos. Egyptians also built the earliest pyramid, the Great Pyramid of Giza, which was completed in 2560 B.C.
How to become an architect?
An architect is a professional who is trained to design buildings and structures. While architects may oversee the construction of the actual building, they often design it on paper first since they spend a lot of time thinking about the structure’s function and how it will fit its environment.
Architects are required to earn a four-year degree in the field and usually have to sit and pass the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ Architect Registration Examination.
Do architects make a lot of money?
Many people are surprised to find out how much architects make. While architects are not nearly as well-paid as doctors or lawyers, they do earn more than people in a wide variety of other professions. And considering the education, experience, and training that goes into becoming a professional architect, it’s not surprising.
Architects have a lot of control over how much work they get, but how much do they make? One of the biggest misconceptions about architects is that an average salary is about $120,000 a year. But that’s misleading since architects often start out as apprentices and don’t make that much for several years.
A 2020 study showed that the median annual salary for architects was $82,320, though the highest paid architects made $106,680 a year, while the lowest-paid architects made about $63,420 a year.
Conclusion
In summary, no, a high IQ is not necessary to become an Architect.
Your IQ isn’t the only thing you should consider if you are thinking about studying architecture. Other factors are Your personality, interests, and goals. It’s very important that you be determined and passionate and that you are interested in architectural principles, buildings, and design.
I hope this answers some of your questions and help you in making a decision. Wishing you good luck with what career path you choose.
