Is an architecture career for me?

Your knowledge of architects might come from Ted Mosby in How I Met Your Mother and Mike Brady in The Brady Bunch. Or perhaps you’ve long been inspired by the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, Harry Seidler, Glen Murcutt and other architects with enduring influence.

Whatever sparked your interest in an architecture career, Charles Darwin University’s new Bachelor of Architectural Design is available for you to study in 2025.

But how do you know if architecture is the right field for you? 

We asked architect and CDU lecturer Charmain Enthaler for her thoughts. 

Q. How do I know if I’m suited to architecture?

Architects are great all-rounders. If you’ve got the ability to be not just science-based or art-based, if you have that middle brain that is both left and right thinking, you’ll do quite well.

But—there’s a space in architecture for everyone, whether you gravitate towards the technical or the artistic.

Q. Are architects all amazing at art?

We don’t expect everyone to have amazing hand drawing skills – you do gain the technical skills required of an architect through the CAD and Revit software. However, it’s helpful to be able to sketch in real-time when working with future clients.

What’s more important is being a creative thinker and problem solver. The attributes are strong in really good architects who can resolve issues and deal with space and planning and the overall form of the building.

Architects need to be able to take criticism and advice from clients, so soft skills around communication are really important to have.

Q. What makes architecture so unique in the Northern Territory?

It has to be our climate as we deal with extreme climate zones.

Design projects in the Bachelor of Architectural Design all have an environmental component, however, we have one specific unit centred around extreme climates and sustainability. Students will also have the opportunity to go down to Alice Springs and work on desert projects on-Country.

Students learn all the requirements for thermal comfort, energy efficiency and sustainability to make sure their responses to climate are strong. Their buildings need to have appropriate responses to climate regardless of what project they’re working on.

Q. What’s it like being a professional architect?

I loved solving problems, designing to show architecture could be different than the mainstream, and seeing projects through from the beginning to the end.

Architects stay in the field because it’s quite fulfilling. You’re designing something that’s real and there’s a tangible result to the work that you do. The result of your creativity is there forever!

Q. What will I learn in the new architecture degree at CDU?

First year design is focused on developing your design process and learning to effectively communicate your ideas in small scale projects. You will also learn building technology, environmental design and sustainability. 

Second year has you designing increasingly larger scale projects integrating architectural history, theory and building technology; as well as learning the software and applying this knowledge to your design projects.

The third year consolidates and extends your knowledge to more complex design challenges while refining your oral and visual communication skills, developing higher level research techniques and skills that prepares your for your journey into the workforce.

Take your first step towards a career in architecture with the new Bachelor of Architectural Design at Charles Darwin University.