Despite the onset of the pandemic, the need for architects of all kinds remains high. Construction projects today still require the designs and plans of these licensed professionals to succeed. To continue working, many architects are now becoming online architects. And with this shift to virtual work, the online commercial architect job is born.
Commercial architects differ from other architects, such as residential architects, in that they design buildings and structures for commercial use. They also communicate with their clients on how they should proceed based on the latter’s requirements. Because they are designing commercial buildings, they also take into account features such as elevators and escalators.
Aside from these, some of the other duties and responsibilities of commercial architects are:
- Lead and develop projects from conception to design development.
- Design and document commercial building projects.
- Work with teams across business lines, in remote locations, and coordinate with subcontractors.
- Modify existing plans and elevations to fit the needs of clients.
- Organize and manage permit documents.
With such duties and responsibilities, an online commercial architect job also has an impressive salary. The salary range for a new full-time online architect ranges from 25,000 to 28,000 pesos. It increases to 60,000 pesos for expert-level commercial architects.
This salary range may sound attractive, but remote work comes with problems of its own. In this article, I will discuss ways you can better adjust to this new virtual work environment.
Make Sure Your Workspace Has Plenty of Space
This one’s a no-brainer. When establishing your workspace, always do so in a room with enough space to do your work. Having ample space to work with allows you to work more efficiently without feeling cramped. It also allows you to stretch and move around without fear of knocking down your models and other equipment as well.
Always remember to declutter once in a while to free up space. Another thing that you can do is bring only the tools you’ll need for your work today while reserving some space for any equipment you may require later.
Remember to Take Breaks
Despite what your clients may sometimes think, you’re not a machine. You’re a human being that still requires food and rest to work in peak conditions. When feeling exhausted from your online commercial architect job, find time to rest and eat to regain your energy and strength. Once refreshed, you can return to your work with renewed vigor and work efficiently again.
Taking breaks also has the benefit of allowing you to take a step back and reflect on your progress. For example, you’re having difficulty designing a section of a building. By taking a quick break, you can look at your problem from a different angle and find a solution to it. Once you finish, you can then implement your idea and see if it works or not.
Make Sure You Have Your Tools and Equipment With You
Yes, I know this is common sense. But with so many things that are happening, acquiring all your necessary tools and equipment may be difficult. I don’t think it’s a fun experience to run out of tracing paper. And the nearest office supply store is an hour’s drive away from your home.
To avoid hassles like this, be sure to be prepared and purchase spare materials ahead of time. Doing this minimizes the number of times you need to go to the office supply store to restock. And most importantly, doing this keeps you safe from the pandemic as well.
Don’t forget to try out the many architecture design applications available for your computer. Applications such as the AutoCAD mobile app, the Construction Master Pro App, and Morpholio Trace Pro allow you to create, edit, and view your CAD designs. These remove the hassle of scanning and digitalizing your hand-drawn designs.
Establish Boundaries Between You, Your Family, and Your Clients
Another lesson you must learn as an online architect is to re-establish boundaries between you, your clients, and your family. Learning to separate work from home allows you to focus on the task at hand instead.
Working in the comforts of your home has its perks. Perks such as having more time with your family, no stress from the commute, and safety from the pandemic. But it also has its problems. Examples are stress from both work and home life mixing and your family members making too much noise.
Talk to your family about your work schedule so that they won’t interrupt you during these times. Also, communicate with your clients when you’re available to talk to them regarding the construction project.
Conclusion
Working on an online commercial architect job is not a simple task. It could be even more difficult than an office-based setup. These are a few of the ways you can better adjust to your new working environment. And also regain your old work rhythm. There are more ways to increase your efficiency while remote working, but it’s up to you to discover them as you go along with your work.
