Updated February 2024
When you think about career colleges, what sorts of programs come to mind? Many people instantly think of courses like health care aide, office administration, and computer networking. And while those certainly exist, the full range of course offerings is far more diverse than you might imagine.
Keep reading to learn about some unique career college programs that often go unnoticed but offer a specialized education leading to exciting career prospects.
Sustainability is a major issue in architecture today. A growing number of homeowners and commercial developers are looking to create environmentally responsible structures that blend harmoniously with the surrounding ecosystem.
Canada consistently ranks among the top countries for green building projects, with hundreds of such structures being built every year.
So what does it take to launch a career in sustainable architecture? Keep reading to learn about the essential hard and soft skills you need to impress an employer and advance in this field.
Herzing College started offering a Sustainable Architecture training program several years ago. This program offers an alternative to people who want to participate in eco-friendly building design, but don't want to invest years in university to become a licensed architect.
Our program trains students in the principles of sustainable architecture and the software and technical skills required to draft architectural designs.
Moncef Noual has been teaching the program since 2017—and was recently recognized as Herzing College Montreal’s instructor of the year! The honour reflects the fact that he really gets to know his students during their tenure with Herzing and goes out of his way to make sure they have the best possible experience from beginning to end.
We chatted with Moncef recently to learn more about his career journey and the sustainable architecture field in general. Here are the highlights of that conversation.
Updated January 2024
Architectural technicians play a key role in bringing homes, offices, and other buildings to life. They create the detailed technical drawings that transform an architect’s or engineer’s vision into reality.
If you have an eye for structure and form, and enjoy being both creative and methodical, this could be an excellent career choice for you.
Even better: The training to become an architectural technician is relatively quick (no degree required!)
So how do you go about becoming an architectural technician? These five simple steps can get you started.
Updated December 2023
Like the idea of making a living in the architecture field? Not interested in spending years in university?
You’re in luck: there are a variety of architecture careers that require neither a bachelor’s nor a master’s degree. In fact, you can get started as an architectural drafter, architectural technologist, or appraiser with just a college diploma.
In this post, we walk you through the details of each of these architecture careers, including job descriptions, salaries, and training requirements.
Compare all three roles and see which path is right for you.
Photo: One of Canada's greenest buildings is the Centre for Sustainable Development in Montreal, Quebec
Like the idea of helping to create the next generation of sustainable buildings? Don't want to invest years in university, training to become a licensed architect?
A career in green building design and drafting could be a perfect fit.
Green building design focuses on creating safe, functional structures that have minimal impact on the environment. The aim is to produce buildings that satisfy human needs and respect the surrounding ecosystem.
But what does that mean in practice? What makes a building "green"?
How is a green building drafter different from a regular draftsperson? And what kind of training do you need to get into this field?
All those answers are in this post. And by the end, you'll be better prepared to decide if a career in sustainable architecture is right for you.
Let's begin.
Updated January 2023
If you're interested in architecture and passionate about the environment, it makes good sense to consider a sustainable architecture diploma.
Diplomas teach practical design and drafting skills, with a focus on green building principles. Where degrees go deep into the history and theory of sustainable architecture, diplomas focus on job-ready drafting skills.
A diploma is a good option for someone who wants to work in architecture, but doesn't want to invest years of training to become a licensed architect.
But programs of this kind are fairly new, so a lot of students have questions about how training works. It's important to know what skills you'll graduate with and where you can work after college.
How is sustainable architecture different from traditional architecture programs? What "extra" or different coursework is involved?
Here's everything you need to know about diplomas in sustainable design, including the main areas of study and career paths after college.
Updated September, 2021.
Think you might want a career in architectural design, but have no real idea what training involves—or what it means to study "sustainable" architecture?
You're not so different from Robbie Hart. Robbie was a carpenter for 15 years before heading back to school to study sustainable architecture at Herzing College.
When he first started, he knew very little about eco-friendly design and had no drafting experience. Robbie understood the building process, but he'd never created technical drawings or used CAD software.
Now, just six months after graduation, he has built a successful freelance career as an architectural technician. Robbie is currently working for several companies, including McGee & Associates Inc. in Beaconsfield, Quebec.
We interviewed Robbie to find out what he thought of Herzing's sustainable architecture program. We also wanted to know how he landed his first clients and how his career is progressing.
Read on for the highlights.
Museum of Tomorrow, a leading example of sustainable architecture in Rio de Janeiro
Updated January 2023
Sustainable architecture is about building in a way that reduces harmful impact on the environment. Every aspect of the design and construction process reflects this goal.
From using renewable energy sources and materials to respecting the local ecosystem: sustainable architecture is always seeking to minimize its ecological footprint.
Considering a career in this field?
You will be part of a powerful movement to design communities that exist in harmony with nature.
Herzing instructor, Sam Graceffa has over 20 years of experience in sustainable architecture and building design
Sustainable architecture is a very fast-growing field throughout Canada and across the globe.
This industry is all about designing structures with minimal environmental impact. Sustainable building designers use cutting-edge technologies and products to conserve energy, lower costs, and protect natural resources.
