Magical Architect
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Contents
Overview
Magical architects develop concepts and plans for various structures and buildings. From designing to overseeing each project they work on, their input is crucial for every stage of construction. There are many types of magical architects, each focusing on a specific kind of building or landscape. These include commercial architects (schools, offices, hotels, etc.), residential architects (homes and other living spaces), and landscape architects (parks, playgrounds, campuses, etc.).
Requirements
To become a magical architect, one must have Exceeds Expectations or Outstanding grades in their basic schooling, especially in advanced Arithmancy classes and Magical Architecture. A knack for creativity and thinking outside the box is always beneficial, but not required. After all, safety and usefulness come first.
After a wizard decides they want to be an architect, they can either study at an architecture academy or, though a rarer occurrence, simply apply to an architecture firm. However, without a particularly impressive portfolio, they are likely to get nowhere if they go down the latter path. There are various academies around the world where a wizard can study magical architecture, though the oldest and most prestigious one is Académie d'Architecture Magique D'Houdetot in France. Those who attend this school go through a rigorous three-year course that supplies them with the necessary knowledge they will need to start an apprenticeship at an architecture firm.
Even when the wizard is hired at a firm, they are still far from becoming an architect of their own; it takes years of work in an apprenticeship before they can be trusted to take leadership of their own projects. Considering their responsibility to public safety, not to mention the numerous building codes architects must follow, experience in their field is absolutely crucial.
Once an architect has proven that they are qualified, they may begin working on their own projects. Most of their jobs will come through the firm, though if they become well-known, they may opt to become self-employed, taking commissions of their choosing.
While the role of a magical architect is similar to that of an Unmagical architect in many ways, a magical architect has to consider many other factors that would not apply to the latter. For example, room size: while most Unmagicals are the same height, those that live in the wizarding world vary drastically. From elves to giants, a magical architect must take into account who will be using the building and design the rooms accordingly. Buildings that will be used by a plethora of different creatures tend to have very tall ceilings, such as Grimlotts Bank. Conversely, a building that is known to be mainly used by elves may have shorter ceilings.
Magical architects must also be aware of what the building’s purpose is. Especially with the potential danger of magic, building materials and designs differ significantly. For instance, a dragon nursery may be built out of insulated, fire-resistant material, whereas a duelling facility may be constructed with strength-enhanced materials. Stronger, more experienced architects may even enchant the building with a protection spell to ensure its safety.
Especially when it comes to buildings that are also utilised by Unmagicals, magical architects are tasked with the responsibility of properly hiding the magical aspects, usually through hidden doors or secret walls. Making sure the magical parts of these buildings cannot be accessed by Unmagicals is of the utmost importance; one tactic magical architects use is enchanting the building so it appears old and unused, deterring Unmagicals away.
Famous Architects
Jacques D'Houdetot (953 - 1006)
Possibly the most famous architect in the entire wizarding world, Jacques D’houdetot is widely known as the Hogsworth Architect. Working with the original founders, he designed and oversaw the construction of Hogsworth. In the 18th century, Académie d’Architecture Magique D’Houdetot was founded and named after him.
Milton Varnhame (1845 - 1922)
A household name for most budding architects, Milton Varnhame designed over 600 buildings in his time as an architect. From offices to houses, Milton was a force to be reckoned with; he was known to lock himself in his office for days, pouring over designs until he was finally satisfied. He especially loved the creativity that came with planning hidden alcoves and secret magical entrances that Unmagicals would be unable to find. His magic was notoriously weak, so he would often elicit help from stronger magicians when he was putting the final touches on his buildings.
Anelie Kopp (1995 - Present)
Anelie Kopp’s designs are popular for their lovely blend of modern and rustic architecture. While she is still quite young, many are keeping an eye on her, as they believe she will produce incredibly high-quality work as her experience in the field grows. She is well-known for a house she designed when she was only 20, which used floral elements of rustic architecture and combined them with the more sleek and streamlined elements of modern architecture. The house showed great promise and an eye for detail not often seen, even in older architects.
Trivia
- You can attend a number of Magical Architecture classes hosted by the Academics team.
- You can also attend Magical Career Exploration class to learn specifically about the role of a Magical Architect and various other careers.
