An Architectural Technologist is a professional who plays a crucial role in the field of architecture. They are responsible for transforming design concepts into practical and functional architectural plans. In this blog post, we will explore the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Architectural Technologists.

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Main Responsibilities of an Architectural Technologist

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Architectural Technologist:

Analyze

• Analyze designs, prepare sketches and provide detailed drawings and documentation for projects.

• Analyze technical documents and reports.

Assist in

• Assist and help resolve difficult operating tasks or drawing production problems.

• Assist in coordinating and scheduling work to consultants, team members, and other stakeholders.

• Assist in design development.

• Assist in developing and maintaining budgets and schedules.

• Assist in identification, recruiting, and interviewing of technologist staff at all levels.

• Assist in production of design award submissions.

• Assist in research of materials and building systems.

• Assist in site analysis, research of building materials and building systems.

• Assist in specifications, FF&E and Scope of Work packages.

• Assist in the development of architectural designs and design deliverables.

• Assist in the preparation of bids and reports.

• Assist our builders that utilize AutoCAD and SoftPlan.

• Assist team members in design, contract documents and contract administration roles.

• Assist with applications for planning approvals and building permits.

• Assist with construction administration activities.

• Assist with contract administration.

• Assist with determining project statistics.

• Assist with development and management of the contract documents and specifications.

• Assist with digital file maintenance.

• Assist with feasibility studies.

Attend

Attend project coordination and meetings with internal team members and / or external consultants.

Check

Check laws, standards and codes.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate well with other design disciplines.

• Collaborate with various stakeholders for submittal reviews.

Communicate

• Communicate with construction team to provide timely information to resolve issues.

• Communicate with external consultants and trades.

• Communicate with sales on signed plans regarding corrections, additions, errors or omissions.

• Communicate with the Client and various stakeholders and attend meetings.

Complete

• Complete all OBC and Permit Reviews.

• Complete Contract Administration.

• Complete Effective Thermal Resistance calculations and energy efficiency details.

• Complete full sets of construction drawings from sketches / preliminary designs.

• Complete land use bylaw review.

• Complete structural design in coordination with a structural engineer.

• Complete technical drawings in Revit and AutoCad.

Conduct

• Conduct inspections and surveys to determine site conditions.

• Conduct on site reviews and prepare reports.

• Conduct site specific research from as-built and survey documentation, and local building codes.

• Conduct site visits, measures and documentation of existing home.

• Conduct site visits to correct or improve information shown in the master plans drawings.

• Conduct site visits to measure existing buildings.

Consult

Consult with in-house construction department.

Control

Control of the various relevant codes and regulations (QBC, OBC, NBC, municipal by-laws).

Coordinate

• Coordinate access and project delivery with clients.

• Coordinate activities / responsibilities with assigned team.

• Coordinate and manage Committee of Adjustment minor zoning variance applications.

• Coordinate and prepares design development presentations.

• Coordinate architectural and structural models with other.

• Coordinate building systems to ensure compatibility with the design intent.

• Coordinate Consultant Engineers drawings.

• Coordinate exterior colours and building materials.

• Coordinate plans and specifications, and construction details.

• Coordinate the project with partners (engineers).

• Coordinate with other architectural and engineering disciplines and work streams.

• Coordinate with outside consultants.

Create

• Create accurate drawings from measurements on CAD.

• Create and maintain all specifications for projects.

• Create and maintain interior finishing schedules.

• Create and submit permits applications on behalf of BCIN holder.

• Create full shop drawings for custom cabinetry.

• Create invoices and accept payments.

Design

• Design development based on engineer's concepts and design guidance.

• Design innovative floorplans and elevations.

• Design plans using computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) software.

Develop

• Develop architectural working drawing packages.

• Develop design presentation documents using Sketchup, Photoshop and InDesign.

• Develop details and assist with the coordination and management of technical project requirements.

• Develop models on Revit, specializing on the constructability of the façade system.

• Develop new and innovative floor plans for a wide range of multi-family construction projects.

• Develop permit drawings, drawing details and documentation.

• Develop working drawings with special attention to details and errors.

Draft

Draft exceptional construction drawing packages reflecting regulatory requirements and design intent.

Draw

• Draw and adjust blackline marketing drawings for various home builders.

• Draw house revisions from redline drawings.

Ensure

• Ensure close client relationship is maintained with clients and their staff through regular meetings.

• Ensure compliance with codes and bylaws of various cities.

• Ensure current building codes are being accurately applied to all files.

Establish

• Establish a modeling strategy.

• Establish and improve product information on an ongoing basis.

Estimate

Estimate costs and materials.

Evaluate

Evaluate and selects building systems and materials.

Execute

Execute on the design strategy, bringing conceptual ideas into physical reality.

Express

Express philosophy of the work with appropriate vocabulary.

Gather

• Gather and organize site and building information and measurements.

• Gather the necessary measurements, dimensions, and other routine calculations for design layouts.

Identify

Identify opportunities for design improvements and value engineering.

Implement

• Implement sustainable design principles into the building design and surrounding environment.

• Implement sustainable design principles into the design and environment.

Inspire

• Inspire confidence and garner trust and respect with the project team and with clients.

• Inspire creativity, critical thought and design excellence both internally and externally.

Interpret

• Interpret and applies building codes and requirements of other regulatory agencies.

• Interpret sketches, drawings, building program and other similar material.

• Interpret sketches, drawings, codes, building program and other similar material.

Introduce

Introduce technical details and provide purchase recommendations to customers.

Investigate

Investigate leaks and deficiencies.

Keep

Keep up to date on construction practices, products, codes and technologies.

Lead

• Lead exterior door and window selection in collaboration with the salesman of chosen supplier.

• Lead HVAC design in collaboration with mechanical engineer and MAW design / build team.

Maintain

• Maintain a record of physical and financial progress of projects.

• Maintain communication between site supervisors and showhome staff.

• Maintain communication with clients and the drafting and design teams.

• Maintain construction drawings and documents for Master Plans.

• Maintain documentation and drawings for building permit applications.

Manage

• Manage administrative tasks within the role, such as meeting.

• Manage permit application process in various municipalities and production of permit ready drawings.

• Manage project activities with respect to established project timelines and schedules.

Measure

Measure and draft existing house plans.

Meet

• Meet deadlines and complete changes to plans in a timely manner.

• Meet with clients to discuss the design requirements.

• Meet with Principal and Designers to translate conceptual drawings to working drawings.

Model

Model our company culture and exemplify our shared values on a day-to-day basis.

Monitor

Monitor work and identify issues related to scope of work and site conditions.

Operate

• Operate computer-assisted design systems to assist in the development of architectural designs.

• Operate within ISO Quality system and company safety policy in all phases of assignments.

Participate in

• Participate in developing internal drawing production schedules and meeting deadlines.

• Participate in project team setting.

• Participate in the resolution of technical and design related issues as they arise.

• Participate in Value Engineering of new designs.

Prepare

• Prepare 2D and 3D presentation and design drawings.

• Prepare accurate, detailed material take-offs to support.

• Prepare accurate technical documents.

• Prepare architectural construction drawings.

• Prepare Bill of Material take-off for cost estimation.

• Prepare CAD Working Drawings from conceptual drawings and instructions.

• Prepare construction documents for building permit and tender document.

• Prepare contract and bidding documents.

• Prepare contract documents including working drawings and detail drawings in Revit and / or AutoCAD.

• Prepare design and working drawings for a variety of projects.

• Prepare development permit drawings.

• Prepare documents through Design Development, Building Permit and Tender.

• Prepare for presentation drawings (Adobe Creative Suite – Illustrator, InDesign & Photoshop).

• Prepare material take-off for project manufacturing.

• Prepare plans and technical details of construction.

• Prepare required client documentation.

• Prepare technical drawings and documents.

• Prepare two- and three-dimensional presentation drawings and illustrations for marketing use.

• Prepare working drawings for all BIM (Revit) projects (with some AutoCAD).

• Prepare working drawings for all projects, Produce and Prepare Project Documents for BP and Tender.

Produce

• Produce accurate construction drawings (including ordering plot plan) in a timely fashion.

• Produce all permit and construction drawings and documentation.

• Produce and edit workshop drawings in Revit.

• Produce and provide working drawings to the construction and contracts departments.

• Produce architectural plans for management and client approval.

• Produce construction plans and ensures compliance with codes and bylaws.

• Produce detailed shop drawings to reflect the project scope using AutoCAD.

• Produce graphic presentations, 3D renderings, and construction drawings.

• Produce technical documents in Revit.

Provide

• Provide a balanced approach and good judgement.

• Provide administrative support to the Project Manager.

• Provide a liaison between the design team, the client and various stakeholders.

• Provide complete work order packages to estimators.

• Provide internal document quality control and coordination with other disciplines.

• Provide internal document quality control and coordination with other teams.

• Provide mentorship, guidance, and direction to junior members of the team.

• Provide technical support to the less experienced members of the team.

• Provide technical technical support and design expertise in relation to Architectural design work.

Request

Request and manage Building Pockets from Surveyors.

Research

• Research and selecting products, materials, techniques and technologies.

• Research building products.

• Research building products for value and efficiency.

• Research existing building documentation (plans, reports, etc.).

• Research furnishings and develop FF&E packages.

• Research materials and methods responding to project design criteria.

Review

• Review contract documents and customer redlines to make customer changes to standard plans.

• Review Drawings and Specifications (Architectural, Structural, and Mechanical).

• Review progress of construction on site, reviewing shop drawings and approving finishes.

• Review promotional manuals and contracts.

• Review shop drawings for alignment with design intent.

• Review & understand Architectural control guidelines.

Rework

Rework and modify designs based on comments and reviews from management and clients.

Someone

Someone to prepare residential construction & permit drawings and documentation.

Specify

Specify dimensions, materials, and procedures for new products.

Stay informed of

Stay informed of changing business needs and directions.

Submit

Submit for architectural approvals and building permits in a timely manner.

Support

• Support construction activities through site inspections, pre-construction.

• Support coordination of contract administration.

• Support Design Architects in development of material for presentations.

• Support ongoing evolution of CAD systems and standards.

• Support project leads with modeling and drafting activities from bid.

• Support project team in development of design documentation.

• Support technical tasks related to engineering design and construction procedures.

• Support the project manager on field services and construction administration.

Train

Train and mentor junior staff.

Travel

Travel to client locations and / or Urbacity offices to execute your responsibilities.

Uphold

Upholds the company Code of Ethics.

Work with

• Work closely with the Project Architect and the project team.

• Work collaboratively with Sales and Construction teams to design great solutions for our clients.

• Work directly with Design Architects in implementing designs to contract documents.

• Work on diverse and challenging projects across Canada, while developing as a leader in your field.

• Work on multiple projects at the same time.

• Work with and design construction plans.

• Work with lead designers to interpret their designs.

• Work with the Design Coordinator on selection finishes and interior design layout.

Write

• Write reports and official documents.

• Write technical manual for current products.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Architectural Technologist:

1. Proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) software such as AutoCAD, Revit, or ArchiCAD.

2. Knowledge of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and related software.

3. Understanding of architectural design principles and construction techniques.

4. Familiarity with building codes, regulations, and industry standards.

5. Ability to create accurate and detailed architectural drawings and models.

6. Proficiency in 3D modeling and visualization software like SketchUp or 3ds Max.

7. Knowledge of sustainable design practices and green building certification systems.

8. Familiarity with construction materials, finishes, and systems.

9. Strong technical skills in architectural detailing and construction documentation.

10. Ability to conduct site analysis and interpret survey data.

11. Knowledge of structural systems and their integration into architectural designs.

12. Proficiency in visual communication tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator.

13. Understanding of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems in buildings.

14. Ability to conduct building code analysis and ensure compliance.

15. Knowledge of construction project management and contract administration.

16. Familiarity with project scheduling and cost estimation software.

17. Ability to read and interpret architectural and engineering drawings.

18. Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite for documentation and communication.

19. Understanding of accessibility standards and universal design principles.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Architectural Technologist:

1. Strong attention to detail: Architectural Technologists need to be meticulous in their work to ensure accuracy in architectural drawings and specifications.

2. Effective communication: Clear and concise communication skills are essential for collaborating with architects, clients, contractors, and other team members.

3. Problem-solving abilities: Architectural Technologists should possess analytical and critical thinking skills to identify and address design challenges and construction issues.

4. Teamwork and collaboration: The ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate with professionals from different disciplines is crucial in architectural projects.

5. Time management: Architectural Technologists need to manage multiple tasks and deadlines while ensuring the quality and efficiency of their work.

6. Adaptability and flexibility: The architectural field is dynamic, and Technologists should be able to adapt to changing project requirements and embrace new technologies and methodologies.

7. Creativity: Architectural Technologists should possess creative thinking skills to generate innovative design solutions and address unique project requirements.

8. Client service orientation: Understanding and fulfilling client needs and expectations is essential in providing satisfactory architectural services.

9. Organizational skills: Architectural projects involve handling large amounts of information, drawings, and documentation. Strong organizational skills are necessary to maintain order and efficiency.

10. Continuous learning: The architectural industry evolves with advancements in technology and sustainable practices. Architectural Technologists should have a passion for learning and staying updated with industry trends and best practices.

Conclusion

By understanding the primary responsibilities and required skills of an Architectural Technologist, aspiring professionals can better prepare themselves for a successful career in the field. It is important to continuously develop both technical expertise and soft skills to excel in this dynamic and creative profession. Whether working on residential, commercial, or public projects, Architectural Technologists play a vital role in bringing architectural visions to life while ensuring functionality, safety, and aesthetic appeal.