10 Best Cities Around the Globe to Practice Architecture

The guideline for pursuing any professional practice is mostly centered around opportunities around the profession and how to maximize your economic success in it. Architecture is the only artistic professional practice. That is why the attributes here include both artistic and fiscal aspects, and because a global overview of architect salaries is pretty tricky to achieve (considering different relationships between living expenses and revenue in distinct nations), our list of the actual cities that give rich architectural heritages and decent wages is only partially based on hard numbers. Ultimately, that's where the devil hides. The world is now a cluster of concrete jungles and architects have to create chances for them in these only. In summary, they have to look for the top cities with economic avenues for architectural practice must include better pay structures, AEC regulations, and vibrant socio-cultural factors endorsing architectural consciousness among the population living in the region. Based on these very same factors, below is a list of the top 10 cities around the globe to practice architecture.

“I think the best location is dependent on what you like and what drives you… also what type of architecture you want to practice and what culture you connect with.”

-Stephanie Fernandez, Design Project Manager

Dublin, Ireland - The European Darkhorse 

Dublin is the capital and largest city of Ireland. It is one of the best-paying cities for architects as here average monthly pay in Ireland is €4,011 ($4,651). If you find a job in Dublin, your yearly salary will be roughly €55,153 ($63,944). Ireland is one of the European countries to live with job opportunities the same as other European counterparts.

And there's a lot to see too. Dublin is architecturally eclectic, seamlessly combining history and contemporary. Its oldest structure, St. Audoen's Church, was built in the 1190s. Its most recent addition, the architectural gem that is the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, was built barely two decades ago.

Doha, Qatar - Architectural Oasis in Deserts of the Gulf 

The term "electronic commerce" refers to the sale of electronic goods. Or should we also list Qatar's National Archive, National Library, and National Convention Centre? Qatar's capital is becoming more nimbly eclectic, mixing Eastern bedrock with massive amounts of glass and concrete.

Qatar is somewhat higher than Ireland in terms of pay, with an average monthly salary of $4,665. However, yearly pay for architects in Doha is $48,319, which is much lower than in Dublin but still rather good. The allure is that experience has minimal bearing on earnings.

Toronto, Canada - The Great Tolerant White North 

Architects may be found all around Canada, but Toronto has by far the largest concentration of these specialists. With a steady economy and a plethora of architectural projects in the works, this city provides fantastic chances for newcomers. The average yearly wage here is $79,228, which is the national median and the best place to work as an architect in the world.

Toronto is still adopting many architectural forms and concepts created throughout Europe and the United States, from 19th-century Georgian architecture to 21st-century postmodern tastes.

Experience the Art Gallery of Ontario, well-known for its deconstructivist style of architecture, the CN Tower, and the Canada Life Building as well. 

Toronto is one of the most expensive cities to live in, around the world. For an architect, it requires smart financial management and some passive income to survive there are 10 Smart Ways For an Architect to Make Passive Income

Melbourne, Australia - An Island of Architectural Opportunities 

Architects from all over the world describe Melbourne as a city "that supports the inventor, the dreamer, and the doer," but it also pays them an average annual income of $43,616 and is called the best country for architects to work. The community is vibrant and welcoming, with new architect companies popping up around every corner.

All of this is in keeping with the city's mix of old and modern architecture: the former gives Victorian roots, while the latter enhances them with futuristic skyscrapers. Visit the Manchester Unity Building and the Alkira House for your daily dose of Art Deco and different styles.

West Palm Beach, Florida - The Architectural Beach 

The best-paid architects in the United States, according to a 2016 BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) study, live and work in West Palm Beach, Florida, where their average yearly salary is a stunning $120,380. This mid-sized city now has almost 500 available jobs for budding architects.

Is there anything to take inspiration from? The majority of West Palm Beach was built in either the Spanish Colonial Revival or Mission Revival styles, although the city's American National Bank Building is a notable example of Beaux-Arts architecture. The atmosphere is light and airy.

Salinas, California - The Silicon Valley 

Professional architects in Salinas make somewhat less than their colleagues in West Palm Beach, earning roughly $112,530 per year. Its architectural canvas, on the other hand, is more vibrant. Salinas was one of the few towns to thrive during the Great Depression, rapidly converting farmland into - structures.

Take a look at the RaboBank-Office Building, which was built in 1930 by Ryland $ Schwartz. Or, the Monterey County Jail by Butner, Holm & Waterman, featuring Deco and Gothic Elements. The Monterey County Courthouse Building has been recognized as a superb example of Depression Modern architecture.

You must read Characteristics Of Modern Architecture, People Love, If you want to know more about Modern Architecture.

London, United Kingdom - The Big Smoke for Architectural Production 

One of the greatest spots in the world for architects is just under Big Ben, in the center of the United Kingdom of Britain. The average permanent income for architect positions in London is $106,339, which is enough to throw you off your trolley, as the British would say. However, London is quite pricey yet the best city to work in for Architects

Be it as it may, the Old Smoke is a living, breathing encyclopedia of European architecture, which here runs from Georgian balustrades and Victorian baths to asymmetric Art Nouveau and flowery Art Deco. Furthermore, an opportunity to draw in front of Westminster Abbey must be worth a queen's ransom.

San Francisco, California - The City by the Bay 

Returning to the West Coast, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco provides fresh paths to architectural ecstasy. Those living between Alcatraz Island, Coit Tower, the Palace of Fine Arts, Lombard Street, Alamo Square, Fort Point, and Chinatown earn a respectable $104,030 per year.

Though the prices of living in San Francisco aren't exactly cheap, this melting pot of Victorian and modern architecture is home to about 500 enterprises registered as members of the AIA (American Institute of Architects). Job options are as plentiful as structures and icons in the Frisco Bay area.

Vallejo, California - Home to California's State Government 

Vallejo is a calm seaside village that invites artists from larger Bay Area cities like San Francisco and Oakland. It ranks last in our list of American cities with the greatest yearly salary for architects. The rent is reasonable, the workstations are spacious, and the environment is brimming with creativity.

As for the architecture itself, the city of Vallejo and its Architectural Heritage Foundation passionately believe in the value of historic preservation. Before you apply for a $103,690 wage job in Vallejo, check out its real character and charm as recorded on video tours by Vallejo Art and Architecture Walk.

Zurich, Switzerland - Architectural Flake in the Scandinavian Snow 

Finally, we arrive at the birthplace of the Dada movement, and hence the cradle of surrealism and postmodernism. Zurich's St. Peter's Church has Europe's biggest watch, while the remainder of this Swiss city has a plethora of drinking fountains and ornate buildings to explore.

The greatest part is that Zurich holds the world record for the highest remuneration for architect employment - a whopping $150,126 per year. A cappuccino costs $5, while a single-bedroom condo outside of the city center costs $1,408. All things considered, not a terrible deal at all.

Before deciding upon the question of the location for your architectural practices, the question arrives if architecture is the right career choice for you 10 Signs You Should Choose Interior Design as Your Career

At last, architecture as a career is very lucrative but taking everything into one frame is equally challenging, the view for practicing architecture as a job is different from opening a self-practice you have different requirements to fulfill to be successful. It is the same difference when we open a business and when we assist in a business. Opening self-practice requires good communication skills, networking, getting taxes right, handling deals taking initiative, and when you are going for a job, you need to be adaptive, nice in project management, systematic, and flexible. if we look at it as a career in a wholistic way interest gives out learning which gives out experience which delivers success. As an individual one should learn to be valued more than expensive.

 Something we learn by ourselves and some things are taught by our surroundings in easy words ‘it depends on exposure in the field’. Finding a surrounding that quenches your thirst and is aligned with your interest is the cherry on the cake. 

One should thoroughly research before going somewhere and introspect their interest because this is what will determine your growth. Hope you were successful in finding what you were searching for. All of these cities have one thing in common: they each have their distinct architectural styles and wonders. Such live art distinguishes and welcomes these towns to every architect. Architecture is continuously changing and many specialists leave their countries in some instances in search of a greener pasture. So, if you’re thinking of practicing architecture abroad, we strongly suggest that you read this essay where you’ll find the best countries in the globe that have the highest pay for architects. Keep reading more from Planndesign to plan your architecture career.

Lastly, take a read to the How to Prepare for an Architecture Job Interview

and, How Important is your First Architecture Job