Art or DT GCSE for aspiring architect?

[justwonderingaimlessly]

My DS would like to be an architect - he's in yr 9 so it's early days yet and he may well change his mind, but I don't want him to block this options at the GCSE stage. He wants to do DT rather than art, he loves designing and building things in wood and is a competent woodworker. He is at drawing but not really interested in painting. Is DT arty enough for an aspiring architect?

Art - and then will need to do Art A level. Preferably with Maths physics...

this site suggests that both art or DT would be fine. I would personally go with what he enjoys more at GCSE

I'm an architect. Its a hard career path.
I did DT at GCSE & A - level but both with a strong graphics bent, at A-level I did Maths & Physics both of which were very useful but not essential.
I would recommend that if he does go down this route that he does something artwise to supplement this as he will have to create his own portfolio rather than just using school work. I did this, but the more usual route is via Art. I would suggest with going with his interests and strengths though as it will help him excel.
He will need to show passion as well as competence in his portfolio so it's always better if he enjoys what he's doing.
I kept up painting/drawing in my spare time kept it all (through GCSE & A-Levels) , then got a friend who was doing art to help me put my portfolio together from the best bits.

Can he do both? Time consuming but he would then have more choice at A level. I believe some Archtitect degree courses do want art A level so you need to check out where your DC might want to go to university to make sure you keep as many doors open as possible.

Actually he sounds more like a civil or mechanical engineer! Check this out as my husband, many moons ago, changed his mind!

If he likes designing things has he thought about product design? I know a product designer who was always fairly 'hands on arty' as a teenager.
(Or engineering as said by PP)

You need strong maths to be an architect, definitely engineering + technical drawing may be ICT on top not art!

I was advised by someone at RIBA that physics, a writing subject(English or History) and art or dt are the best. The V and A run architectural portfolio workshops which are a good idea in lower 6th. DS made his choices based on architecture and then changed his mind about it.

Thanks everyone, that's very helpful

GCSE Graphics would be more suitable over Product. I teach Graphics and we do a number of architecture projects so he would find that more interesting. I would also suggest he continues with Art. A very good A* past pupil of mine who had won a number of awards for his architecture project work was rejected from a couple of top universities as he did not have A-Level Art. As a result he did his AS and A2 Art in a year and it nearly killed him the poor love. He is now working for a very successful architecture company in the city so it paid off.

Yup architecture is not a subject to go into for money or job security, more for love of it.
It's expensive to study (although there are changes in the pipeline to make it a bit more affordable) both in terms of length of course and course costs (materials/trips) etc.
Salaries aren't great although it depends on exactly what you do - money is alright in larger practices for corporate clients but the majority of us work in smaller/one person practices where is a bit tougher.
The recession was hideous for the profession (as is every recession) and it hasn't entirely recovered.
It's a fab profession though in terms of the amazing feeling when you finish a project and can say 'I did that'.
It's great being able to realise ideas and hand over completed projects that make a difference, are beautiful, clever, cool or all of the above.

DN didn't do Art A level, she maintained her art portfolio during her A Levels and, did an art foundation course (still free if you are under 19!) and whilst there applied to do architecture. She has completed her first three years and is currently working in London.

My yr 9 wannabe architect is planning to do Art and Graphic Design GCSEs. We looked up facilitating A levels and it seemed that Maths, a science and Art or Graphics might be recommended, those are her strongest subject areas anyway so they're subjects she'd be likely to take whether or not she ends up applying for Architecture. She also considers being a hermit artist, and her teacher suggests engineering as another DT/science mix.

DD really wants to do Art and Graphic Design, they are her best two subjects, and she does spend a lot of her free time designing and making things, so I think she'll cope with both.

My niece did both-and has an offer from Cambridge for architecture.

DS2 did product design and art to GCSE (found the PD easy but got an A, the art a huge workload but got an A*... so maybe he slacked on PD a bit).

He's done Product Design rather than Art A-level, with maths, physics, geography.

Currently has an offer for a combined architecture/engineering degree.

Look at a few university sites and they'll give you tell you their present requirements.