Obsolete? Relevance of the architect’s role and the changing nature of the architectural profession

Year 2019, Volume: 1 Issue: 1, 45 - 53, 31.07.2019

Valerio Musiitwa

Abstract

This paper uses an exploratory
approach and literature analysis as strategies of inquiry to report on the
general state of the architectural profession in selected developed and
developing countries. Through review of published articles on the architectural
profession, architects’ roles and their workplaces/practices,  a research strategy is developed, starting
with a comparative analysis in the evaluation of the profession in regard to
past, present and future relevance. A similar comparative analysis is used in
investigating strategies employed in maintaining the position of the architect,
where four key strategies from adapted from the literature are discussed with
respect to both developing and developed countries.

The findings
reveal growing concerns towards the relevance of the architect’s role and the
profession in general, both in developed and developing nations. The study
further discusses strategies recommended from the literature to be put under
consideration to ensure the sustained relevance of the profession.  

Keywords

Architectural profession, Communication, Architectural education, Architectural design process, Architects role, User involvement, Innovation, Knowledge Management

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