graphic solutions to problems
Developing the final building plans, construction details, and specifications
To better understand the distinctions between architectural design and engineering design, consider the human body. Just as a body has a particular functional design with arms, legs, and a head, as well as skin and hair to protect it from the elements, so does a building with various rooms, porches, stairs, an exterior cladding of brick or siding, and shingles or asphalt on the roof to keep it dry. The body has a skeletal system to keep it straight and upright, and a building has a structural frame to keep it straight and upright. The body has a circulation system to move blood and nutrients. A building has a plumbing and mechanical system to move water, waste, heat, and air conditioning. The body has a central nervous system to send energy to our legs and arms. A building has an electrical and communications system to send messages and deliver power to our offices and living spaces. Basically, architects deal with the arms, legs, hair, and skin, and engineers deal with the bones, blood, and nerves.
Architects
Architects are licensed professionals trained in the art and science of building design. They transform the owner's program into concepts and then develop the concepts into building images and plans that can be constructed by others. In addition to completing a four- or five-year college program, architects are also required to have a number of years of experience and pass an exam before they can become licensed.
Architects design the overall aesthetic and functional look of buildings and other structures. The design of a building involves far more than its appearance. Buildings also must be functional, safe, and economical, and they must suit the needs of the people who use them. Architects also specify the building materials and, in some cases, the interior furnishings. In developing designs, architects follow building codes, zoning laws, fire regulations, and other ordinances, such as those requiring easy access by people who are disabled. Several specific roles within the typical architect's office support the architectural design function:
Design architects Design architects are the creators of the aesthetic solution—they are the concept and idea people. Although most design architects can only hope to achieve celebrity status, some become quite famous. As previously mentioned, we often recognize their names in association with their creations—Frank Lloyd Wright, Alvar Alto, I.M. Pei, Julia Morgan, and Frank O. Gehry, to name a few. They are sometimes referred to as signature architects. Owners often seek them out because of their reputations. They are typically the senior associates or principal partners within the architectural firm. Their function first and foremost is to come up with the creative expression. They convey their ideas to their design staffs through sketches and schematic renderings. They do not typically engage in the actual production of the construction drawings. They are supported by architectural technicians and specification writers in the preparation of the final construction documents.
Architectural technicians Architectural technicians are typically the drafters of the building plans. They are the ones who actually produce the drawings that are used for construction. They work from preliminary sketches and concept drawings provided by the design architects. However, the days of sitting at a drawing board with a mechanical pencil in hand using a T-square and a triangle are all but gone. Today, drafters have become computer operators and produce their drawings electronically using computer-aided design (CAD) software. Some CAD operators have expanded their skills to include 3D building information modeling (BIM) as well. As the trend toward information modeling continues, these technicians will become more and more valuable in the marketplace.
Specification writers Accompanying the plans for a new building is a written project manual that contains the specifications for the project. The plans and specifications compose two parts of the legal contract for construction. (A third component is the contract forms themselves.) The specification writer is responsible for spelling out the specific products and methods that are to be used on a project in order to ensure a particular level of performance and quality.
Engineers
Engineers are usually the lead designers for heavy civil and industrial projects. Engineers are regulated by professional licensing requirements that include a four- or five-year college program, a specific number of years of experience, and the passing of a professional licensing exam. However, in building design, they are most often hired as consultants by the architects. In this scenario, they have no direct contact with the owner.
There are many different engineering specialties; the most common ones associated with construction activities are described next:
Structural engineers Structural engineers design the timber, concrete, or steel structural systems that support a building and basically hold it up to withstand the forces of wind, gravity, and seismic activity. They design the foundations, beams, girders, and columns that make up the skeleton of the structure.
Mechanical engineers Mechanical engineers design the heating, cooling, ventilating, plumbing, and fire suppression systems within a building. They coordinate their efforts with the architectural design, the structural design, and the electrical design.
Electrical engineers Electrical engineers design and calculate electrical loads and determine the circuitry, lighting, motors, transformers, and telecommunications needed for a building. They typically work closely with the architect to ensure that the owner's expectations are met and often coordinate their efforts with the mechanical engineer.
Civil engineers Civil engineers design roads, bridges, tunnels, dams, site drainage, parking lots, runways, and water supply and sewage systems. Civil engineering, considered one of the oldest engineering disciplines, encompasses many specialties. Civil engineers are the ones who take the bare land and excavate it, move it, drill it, and shape it to meet the needs of the architectural design and the construction. Site work is one of the most unpredictable and expensive aspects of any construction project, and good design makes all the difference in the world.
Landscape Architects
I am including landscape architects as a separate design professional because they are. Many people do not understand the distinction, but landscape architects are professionals licensed and regulated by an entity separate from building architects. Landscape architects deal with the building site and outside environmental issues surrounding the structure. They are involved with such things as plantings, sidewalks, retaining walls, and water features to enhance the project. Large architectural firms may employ landscape architects on staff and utilize their services in the overall design. Or the landscape professional may be hired directly by the owner or work under a separate contract with the builder.
NOTE
Great landscape design can make an ordinary building look extraordinary. Likewise, an ill-conceived landscape design can make an extraordinary building look ordinary. Unfortunately, many owners fail to see the significance of this design element and shortchange the budget for landscape design.
Interior Designers
Not all projects will engage the services of an interior designer. They may be hired directly by the owner or be a consultant to the architect. They deal with the building's interior finishes or schemes and make decisions regarding furniture selection and placement, paint colors and accessories, light fixtures, window treatments, floor finishes, and ceiling treatments. The contractor may or may not have direct dealings with the interior designer.
Construction
