Your guide to become an Architect in Malaysia

Average Salary
1,900 - 2,600

Job Demand

Who is an Architect

Architects are licensed professionals who plan and design the construction of buildings and organise spaces.

Architects are licensed professionals who plan and design the construction of buildings and organise spaces.

Many people still think that Architects get paid for drawing but this is just 10 percent of what they actually do. Architects present and market designs to clients, develop the drawings for submission to local authorities and ensure they meet the requirements for approval. They then coordinate with engineers and consultants to prepare drawings for the construction, chairs and record client-consultant meetings and meet with the contractor to ensure all work meets the client’s specifications, requirements and budget.

Malaysia has about 2,000 registered Architects and market demand for Architecture graduates is high. Many students may target a higher qualification in Architecture but there are many different opportunities laid out in the future of Architecture students and not just what they have mainly studied. This includes positions in publishing, tourism, materials supply and education, among others. Some Architecture graduates have gone on to become museum curators, graphic designers and event organisers.

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The pros and cons of being an Architect

Pros

You're making safe, healthy environments for people to live and work in
You will get to experience different trends and use the latest technology as Architecture is a dynamic field
Like visual artists, people get to see and admire your work

Cons

Your workload and business depends on the economy which the construction industry is very dependent on
Long and irregular working hours depending on the amount of your pending projects and deadlines

What are all the responsibilities of an Architect ?

Ability to manage time, resource and budget wisely
Plan, suggest ideas, discuss and design the project with other professionals or clients
Prepare feasibility reports
Assess the impact the project would have on the environment
Specify the quantity and quality of materials needed
Resolve issues that arise during construction

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What skills do you need to become an Architect?

Good imagination and designing skills

Before you illustrate the plan, you will need to be able to visualise and imagine it in your head. Not only that, you will need to visualise it in 3D form so that all the things can be taken into consideration before you fully put your idea on the paper. Depending on the demand and request of the clients, you must be able to tweak your designs and ideas to suit their taste while ensuring that it is still as functional.

Strong attention to detail

What material will make it more durable at the same time keeping its aesthetic values? Will such design make the area better or worse? If you have the eye for little to big details, then this career is for you! You will need to be as sharp as a hawk and scrutinise every corners and gaps to construct or design the best building or space.

Good communication skills

In this career, you will need to talk to your clients, suppliers, teammates, project manager and the list goes on. How important is it you ask? One slight mistake or misunderstanding in the communication will lead to an atrocious outcome. Can you imagine your supplier misunderstood your material order and gave you something that will probably topple your building before the construction is even done? Sure, you may be able to make a new order, but do you have the time to wait for the new batch?

What field(s) of study should you choose to become an Architect?

Architecture
Urban & Regional Planning

What are the requirements to be an Architect?

Before you are officially an Architect, you will need to dedicate years and years for your studies and experience. You will certified by the Board of Architects Malaysia after you go through three levels of exam. Graduates of Architectural programme must register with the Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM) as an Architectural graduate and register with Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) as a graduate member. During this period, they must obtain two years’ work experience of which one year must be obtained in Malaysia in an Architect’s practise registered with LAM. Then they must pass the joint LAM-PAM Part 3 examination before they become a corporate member of PAM and a registered professional Architect with LAM.