What Should Be Prepared Before Interning as an Architect?

An internship is a work training program for prospective architects under the supervision of an architect. This work training program is conducted systematically, structured, documented, and can be accounted for through validation by the Indonesian Institute of Architects (IAI) or the Indonesian Architects Council (DAI). So, what should be prepared before an architecture internship? Here is the information!

Who needs to do an internship?

If you want to become an architect, then an internship is one of the fastest ways to prepare yourself for the Architect Exam. You need to do an internship if:

• You have graduated with a 5-year Bachelor's degree in Architecture;
• You have completed the Professional Architect Education (PPAr);
• You have graduated with a Master's degree in Architecture in the design track.

Why is it necessary to do an internship to become an architect?

As mentioned earlier, an internship is mandatory for those who want to become architects. However, only the profession of an architect requires an STRA (Architect Registration Certificate). Therefore, graduates from the Architecture department in universities do not need to do an internship if they want to work as:

• Urban planner;
• Urban designer;
• Landscape designer;
• Architecture lecturer;
• 3D architectural modeler;;
• Construction management;
• Building contractor;
• Interior designer;;
• Furniture designer;;
• Architectural photographer;
• Architectural engineer;;
• Sustainable engineer;;
• MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) engineer;;
• BIM (Building Information Modeling) engineer;;

• Technical drafter;;
• Architecture writer;
• Architecture critic/historian;
• Other professions outside of architecture.

How long is the internship required for architects?

internship is 4,000 hours, which ideally should be done consecutively. This internship duration is determined by considering the conditions of the architecture and construction world, as well as architectural education throughout Indonesia. The calculation of the 4,000-hour internship is based on the experience of designing each stage from the beginning to the construction process, which takes:

• An average of 100 hours (10-12 working days) for initial stages like pre-design;
• An average of 200 hours (20-25 working days) for the design development stage;
• An average of 200 hours (20-25 working days) for the construction document preparation stage;
• An average of 100 hours (10-12 working days) for the bid document preparation stage;
• 400 hours (45-50 working days) for the construction supervision stage.

Assuming the construction process lasts approximately 15 months and the architect needs to supervise about once a week, in one project, the average time spent is 900-1,000 hours (100-125 days). Interns need at least 4 projects to enrich their experience, which is why the required duration for an architecture internship is a minimum of 4,000 hours.

he amount of time also takes into account the duration needed for an architectural internship in other countries, which is between 3,000-7,000 hours. Based on these two considerations, the value of 4,000 hours or equivalent to 2 years becomes the benchmark for the development of Architectural Education. The internship period cannot be shortened because the skills of designing and architectural knowledge alone or skills in making 3D presentations are not sufficient to become an architect.

To become an architect,maturitypsychological maturity, patience, perseverance, and sense of responsibility are needed. All of these cannot be developed solely through education at the university level but also need to be accompanied by direct practice through internships. Through internships, the maturity of a prospective architect in thinking can be forged so that they are able to make the right decisions, work/function well, and of course, produce works that meet the standards of architectural design.

What is the maturity level of the architect?

The level of maturity of an architect is a measure of their perseverance and maturity in dealing with various technical and psychological issues. The architectural profession grows based on the level of maturity and enrichment of experiences,

not only from intelligence or skills acquired through formal education. In addition, the level of maturity of an architect can also be assessed by the following:

• Level thoroughness/accuracy in processing designs, the details that are carefully arranged and completed, documentation, and the operability and feasibility of the design at the construction level
• The ability to collaborate at the horizontal and vertical hierarchical levels, including the ability to translate concepts from supervisors and clients into architectural forms.
• Knowledge of corporate management to understand what is right, responsibility, and authority, as well as accountability when working with various project organizations, and making decisions that are fair, wise, and timelyfair), dan arif.
• The ability to communicate architectural ideas and designs in a clear, simple, and concise manner, and being willing to adapt to the conditions of clients, government, or related parties during the construction process

What should be prepared before an architecture internship?

Before starting an architecture internship, you don't need to be a member of IAI (Indonesian Institute of Architects) first, but you are required to register yourself. You can register yourself and your internship project with the provincial IAI to obtain a logbook and pay the administrative fees by fulfilling the following requirements:

• Diploma, whether it's a Bachelor's degree (S1), Professional Practice Certificate (PPar), or Master's degree (S2);
• A university accreditation certificate from NAAB / National Architectural Accrediting Board (USA/Canada), RIBA / Royal Institute of British Architects (UK and others), AACA / Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (Australia), or recognition from Board of Architect where the university is located (specific requirement for graduates of foreign universities)
• Have a prospective mentor, proven by a letter of willingness to be a mentor and already possessing an SKA (Architectural Skill Certificate) at the level of Intermediate Architect (Arsitek Madya) or STRA (Architect Registration Certificate) for at least 5 years
• Internship participants can also choose a mentor from the list of prospective mentors (if they do not have a mentor yet) that can be requested from the provincial IAI

that's what you need to prepare before starting an architecture internship. To become an architect or to obtain a professional architect license (STRA), you must meet the requirement of completing an internship for 2 years or equivalent to 4,000 working hours first. Before applying for an internship, make sure you have met all the specified requirements so that the application process can be processed promptly. Good luck!