Architects creatively shape our environment by designing the buildings and spaces around us. They bring new structures to life and restore or renovate existing ones. Architects collaborate with others to ensure that designs are fit for purpose and safe, whether they’re working on individual buildings or large developments.
Some architects will provide in-house Interior Design. If the architect does offer this service, it is worth including as an additional service if the client is looking for an interior designer. It benefits the project to have the holistic approach that includes all design elements from the beginning. It makes for a more complete and cohesive final project.
The job role of an architect involves the following duties:
- Liaising with clients to understand their needs
- Considering budget, safety and community requirements for a project
- Creating new building designs
- Advising on the restoration and conservation of existing buildings
- Ensuring building regulations, planning laws and environmental considerations are met
- Drawing detailed plans and blueprints using computer design programmes
- Working closely with contractors, engineers, surveyors, lawyers and planning departments
- Inspecting structures during the build, to make sure they meet requirements
- Supervising other architects throughout each phase of a building’s design and construction
- Ensuring jobs are completed on time and to budget
- Working in an office, with occasional or frequent site visits and meetings.
The Architect creatively shape our environment by designing the buildings and spaces around us. They bring new structures to life and restore or renovate existing ones. Architects collaborate with others to ensure that designs are fit for purpose and safe, whether they’re working on individual buildings or large developments.
As we stated before, Structural Engineers are interested in the strength and stability of a structure. Making sure a building stays standing forever is their primary aim. Structural Engineers are interested in the solid sections between the Architects spaces, like the floors, walls and ceilings. Structural Engineers are also the best designers of temporary works, these are parts of the build that get removed once the project is finished, hence the term temporary. There are many other types of engineers that you may need on your project (electrical, civil, mechanical and even technical.) The one thing that all engineers have in common is the use of science to solve real world problems. If you need help with strength and stability of a building, then you need a Structural Engineer.
There are many different types of Surveyor needed on a project, here are the most common:
Building Surveyor – Simple building designs, direct building works and identify any defects.
Quantity Surveyor – Calculate the value of the building work.
Land Surveyor – Produce accurate plans of any existing property, sites and buildings.
Party Wall Surveyors – Specialise in the laws regarding party walls.