While thinking of constructing a new building, property owners often have many doubts regarding architects. What can an architect do for my project? What do you mean by architecture? Why should I hire an architect? These are some of the common questions encountered in the construction industry. Although the role of an architect in any building project is crucial, it is frequently disregarded, overlooked or underestimated. This blog is thus a guide to help you learn about architects and make an informed choice for your project. Read on to learn more.
What is Architecture?
Architecture is a field that is a mixture of art and science. Technical aspects like building engineering mingle with creative processes like building design to form the domain of architecture. Architecture encompasses building principles to produce functional and beautiful structures that fulfill the project needs and blend harmoniously with nature and the society. Good architecture promotes sustainable building practices, which includes incorporating measures like rainwater harvesting and renewable energy sources to construct green buildings.
Who is an Architect?
According to the Council of Architecture (CoA- the organisation that regulates architectural practice in India), an architect is somebody who is registered officially with the CoA under the Architects’ Act, 1972. In general, an architect is somebody who has a professional degree in architecture (B.Arch- Bachelors in Architecture) and a license to practice as an architect. An architect is typically responsible for the planning and design of buildings, landscapes, urbanscapes and even cities, sometimes even helping redesign existing historic structures.
What do Architects do?
Conventionally, architects perform the following roles in building projects:
Understand Client Requirements
Architects conduct meetings with property owners to understand their individual needs and desires in a project. Multiple discussions occur, helping architects gain an idea of the clients’ tastes and preferences, enabling them to create personalised designs.
Create Designs
Factors such as site conditions, project requirements, client desires, local climatic conditions and building regulations are evaluated by the architect to develop design concepts. Architects also study new materials and construction technologies to produce innovative designs that balance functionality and aesthetics in buildings. Multiple discussions are conducted with the clients to ensure that these designs bring their vision to life.
Provide Construction Drawings
After the designs are approved by all the stakeholders in a project, architectural plans, elevations, sections, 3D views, electrical and plumbing layouts and all other drawings required for building construction are prepared by an architect. Structural drawings provided by structural engineers are also finalised based on these drawings and discussions with architects.
Coordinate with Contractors
Architects issue all their drawings to contractors and builders, based on which a project is executed. They regularly interact with contractors, project managers, site engineers and other professionals involved in the construction to ensure that the project remains on track and is completed without any hassles. Often, they act as intermediaries between contractors and clients, keeping each party updated on any progress.
Conduct Site Evaluations
Apart from the initial site evaluations conducted to develop designs, architects also carry out periodic site inspections during the construction of a building. These are done to ensure that all drawings issued to the contractor or builder are followed accurately and without any compromise in quality. Typically, architects visit the site once at every major phase of construction, such as the foundation erection and concrete slab casting phases.
Types of Architects
An architect can be a general practising one, or have different specialisations. Based on the specialisation, architects may be of the following types:
- Architectural Designer: A general architectural designer can design residential, commercial, industrial and any other type of built structures. He/ she provides all the architectural drawings required to construct a built structure.
- Landscape Architect: A landscape architect is responsible for the design of all spaces around the main built structures in a plot. This includes open spaces like gardens, pathways, water bodies and roadways and semi-open spaces like gazebos and pergolas.
- 3D Visualiser: An architectural 3D visualiser designs built structures in their 3 dimensional forms. This means that once architectural plans are ready, a 3D visualiser depicts how the structure will look once it is built with the help of designed and generated virtual images, videos, renderings and other visuals.
- Interior Architect: Houses are transformed into cosy homes with the aid of interior architects. They provide comprehensive drawings including furniture layouts, colour schemes and material details to integrate all interior elements harmoniously. While interior designers focus more on the aesthetic quality of spaces, interior architects also give importance to the structural, technical and practical elements.
- Urban Designers: Urban design is a specialised field of architecture focusing on revitalising public spaces like city squares, streets and neighbourhoods to promote communal harmony and social interaction.
- Urban Planners: Creating plans for cities on a broader level, urban planners design several infrastructure elements like roads, bridges, plumbing and electrical services and land use patterns. They also help in the planned, sustainable and economic development of cities by participating in the formation of land development regulations.
- Restoration Architects: India is filled with thousands of historic buildings that are in disrepair today. Restoration and conservation architects provide comprehensive designs to restore such structures to their former glory with expertise in architectural history, conservation techniques and material science.
Why Should I Hire an Architect?
The importance of architects in any construction project is very high as they perform several crucial tasks like:
- Development of Concepts: Abstract and often confused client ideas of buildings are transformed into realistic and meaningful designs by architects. With industry expertise, knowledge and professional training, architects convert theoretical concepts into physical and tangible spaces.
- Ensure Effective Planning: Architects analyse several factors like local climatic requirements, soil conditions and building byelaws to design buildings with adequate natural light and ventilation. Such buildings make optimal use of the space available, ensuring that the land value increases and the construction cost is justified.
- Provide Creative Designs: New materials, construction technologies and ways of integrating sustainability are researched by architects, who are creatively trained to provide innovative and customised designs that are both functional and aesthetic.
- Efficient Project Management: When architects are involved, building projects follow a systematic construction process from the planning phase to final completion. Every component is predesigned and detailed by architects, ensuring a smooth project flow with reduced timelines.
- Save Time and Money: Detailed architectural drawings ensure that buildings are built exactly the way they were envisioned, saving precious money and time spent on errors or on building unplanned structures. These drawings also provide details of materials required for construction, allowing builders to procure them in advance and reducing construction timelines.
While structures can be built even without architects, involving an architect offers the above advantages that make them integral to construction and design.
How to Hire the Top Architects Near Me?
Choosing the right architect is a crucial task to ensure a project’s success. Brick & Bolt, a leading construction company in India, provides design-build services in more than 10 cities in India. The company employs a team of top architects with industry expertise who create customised plans for every project. Enriched architectural experience, combined with the support of efficient and skilled project managers, contractors and other construction professionals, has cemented the company’s great reputation in the end-to-end construction services industry. Contact Brick & Bolt today to begin the construction of your dream home with expert architectural consultation!
Hemali Patel