Gen Z Architects: 3 Unusual Strengths You’ll Reclaim Now – NATCON50 Lessons
Despite the pandemic era and economic recessions, by 2025
Gen Z’s workers will make up around 27% of the architecture field workforce. – Source: Architizer
Rapid digital advancement for design development (like BIM and AI tools) and designing for an eco-conscious inclusive future uphold aspiring architects. Studying architecture gives Gen Z the ability to develop flexibility in their careers, which correlates to the freedom of choosing multidisciplinary opportunities.
Between ethical quagmire and political blindsight lies the persistent pursuit of aspirational builders contributing to the nation’s progress. Even with the 56,000 registered architects and over 100,000 registered civil engineers in the Philippines, urban planning implementation challenges, disaster risk–prone areas, and surging housing shortages impede the career growth of the building construction sector.
How would seeing beyond the borders of architecture manifest flexible opportunities for young architects in a third world country?
These three potential strengths among new emerging architects shows how.
1. Gen Z Strength 1: Your Evolving Identity
How can you convey your personal brand to engage clients who sees the value of your work? What are your strategies when faced with oblivion?
Michelle Dee Barretto, founder and CEO of Vitamin B Inc., shares about branding while working with top-billed clients like the Gokongwei Group and Clark Airport.
Branding goes beyond just a distinctive logo or color palette that symbolizes your business.
It fundamentally revolves around how individuals view the significance of your purpose and actions. How you communicate throughout the design development, guide client’s decision making process, and iterate your overall system affect the longevity and relevance of your work to the society.
Does your brand have to remain the same to emphasize your identity?
Your brand can evolve from the start. It grows as you gain experience and improve your services. How was Nike, Apple, and Starbucks before and today? Recall a favorite brand of yours and see how it evolves with the test of time.
How does branding help young architects?
Whether employed in a company, freelancing at home, or starting up a firm, how you present yourself across digital platforms while considering ethical practices – See Code of Ethics for Architects is a sensible way to establish your online presence.
Leveraging social media content creation about architecture delegates the initiative to educate our stakeholders about the scope of the professional services. Note that what you post in public can cause clarity or confusion to your vision and mission.
2. Gen Z Strength 2: Social Interest Integration
Among the rise of online influencers, Kevin Hui, cofounder of Archi Marathon unravels the brilliance of distinct architectural masterpieces around the world. Their work shows how young are architects can explain the function and philosophy of architecture in a brief and digestible reels clients through learning from existing buildings.
Aside from architectural projects, Austin Maynard Architects published articles and unique products exhibiting the influence and depth of creativity that architecture can inspire. If Francis D.K Ching wrote the fundamental references to studying architecture, then this proves how architectural skills unlock radical career paths we can venture.
More than ever, young architects can broaden their creative horizons and discover inclusive ways to explain how we function in society.
After all, building professionals dedicate their life in improving people’s lives, which is a comparable goal to master planning and building spaces.
2. Gen Z Strength 3: Mind Shifting Ability
Seeing different perspectives is one of the key skills why architects can wear different hats especially in their early years. Starting as an apprentice exposes you to a diversified training experience. Designing construction drawings can prepare you soon as an Architect of Record. Working as a site supervisor can promote you to become a construction manager or project manager.
From a junior architect to a senior architect, you are not limited to architecture related works. Communicating with engineers, contractors and suppliers as well as your subordinates ensure the implementation of the project’s vision.
Relating with your clients from various fields requires you to understand their background and ideologies for an effective relationship building. Not only is adapting significant roles essential to your growth but shifting paradigms strengthens your resilience during uncertainties.
Caught up in the depth of despair? Why limit yourself to designing buildings? serving ungrateful clients? working for a toxic boss? How would you shift your focus into communicating the value of what you can provide to your niche?
Ever wonder how come real estate agents can sell a multi-million condominium unit while some architects are struggling to justify their standard compensation in a project? Here’s a blog for this discussion.
Competition among fellow subordinates is a mirage of a hopeless battle. Why would you compare your own professional growth when you have your own strengths and uniqueness? Instead of resenting illegal practitioners and competing with allied professionals, fostering collaboration and mutual support pivots us to a more worthwhile endeavor.
Embodying our core self as we relate with humanity is the key to unlocking endless possibilities.
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