Have you ever wondered what a typical day looks like for an architect? Well, you’re in luck because in today’s post I break down what my day commonly looks like. Keep in mind that one of my favorite things about this industry is that no two days are exactly the same and that the experience can vary from professional to professional depending on their strengths and what they focus on. Let’s get to it!
5:30 a.m.
Wake up refreshed from a night of dreaming about solutions to current projects or panicking because my studio deadline is creeping up and I’m not done with the model or drawings (even though I graduated 11 years ago).
Get ready for the day – hair straight, make-up on
Make lunches for my husband and myself
Get dressed – jeans & work boots if I’ll be on a jobsite, slacks and a dress shirt if I’ll be in the office
Eat some breakfast – eggs and toast is my go-to, I add an avocado if I’m feeling fancy
6:30 a.m.
Depart for the Office
6:50 a.m.
Arrive at the Office, barring trains or traffic
Park in the same spot I always park… minimizing decisions saves brain power for the important ones
7:00 – 7:15 a.m.
Catch up on emails and organize inbox – I know you’re not supposed to use your inbox as a to do list, but I’ve found a system that’s effective for me
7:15 – 7:30 a.m.
Review success list from last night, prioritize it and strategize the day, Check Outlook appointments for the day and plan accordingly
7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Tackle “low hanging fruit” on my list and focus on tasks that don’t require input from others, answering the occasional email that comes through. An alternative approach to this time block is to “eat the frog” and check off difficult tasks from the list that require focus as there are minimal interruptions during this time of the morning
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Review any submittals that may have come through looking for whether they conform to the documents and design intent or not. Markup, Approve or Reject accordingly
10:00 -11:00 a.m.
BIM Kickoff meeting with Project Manager and Engineers for a project
11:00 – 12:00 p.m.
Model existing conditions for a project in Revit referencing existing drawings and 360° scan of the building
12:00 – 12:30 p.m.
Lunch at my desk or the occasional meeting
12:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Finish modeling existing conditions in Revit. Depending on size and scope of a project, this process can take anywhere from 8-48 hours or more
3:45 – 4:00 p.m.
Make success list for tomorrow. I don’t like calling it a “to-do list,” but if I reframe it to five things I need to accomplish to consider the day a success, it’s more effective
4:00 p.m.
Head home
4:20 p.m.
Arrive at home, carry in lunch box, take dogs out (they are usually very excited to see me)!
4:30 p.m.
Check mail and start dinner
Enjoy the evening, wind down and do it all over again the next day
Since graduating from Kansas State in 2012, Liz has gained experience from a variety of fields within the building industry. From drafting at a metal building manufacturer to working at architecture firms to assisting a real estate broker/developer, she has always had a passion for influencing the built environment. As an architect at Schemmer, Liz enjoys learning new things and refining her skills with help from other licensed professionals. She hopes to continue to shape the spaces and places around her in a positive way.
A ‘success list’ in place of a ‘to do list’ is simply brilliant!! A complete positive mind set — I’m going to use this tool as well. Thank you! I am so proud of you, Liz! BRAVA on all your success!
It is not surprising to me that you are very organized! Keep up the good work.