Architects design, plan, and oversee the construction of buildings. Their job is to help bring projects to life, blending creativity with technical expertise, to deliver new exciting spaces for people to enjoy. Architects will often specialise in specific types of construction projects, such as residential or commercial architecture. They often also focus on a specific area of expertise, such as creative design, technical design, historical preservation, or sustainability. In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at what architects do, the role they play in construction projects, and how their work shapes the world we live in.
What Is An Architect?
Architects are involved in every stage of the building process, from coming up with the initial concept development and schematic design, to offering support with construction planning and project management. They work alongside other specialists, such as masterplanners, engineers and contractors, to ensure that their designs meet client expectations, and to ensure that construction projects are completed on time and on budget.
What Do Architects Do?
Architects contribute to a wide range of planning, design, and project management tasks. They contribute to the completion of construction projects by taking on:
- Concept Development: Architects communicate with stakeholders to understand their goals, budget constraints, and project timescales. They then create design concepts and project proposals, taking into account site conditions, regulatory requirements, and environmental considerations.
- Design Development: Architects are responsible for bringing designs to life. They transform conceptual designs into actionable drawings, plans, and specifications. They also create floor plans, elevations, sections, and other architectural documents to convey key design elements and technical details.
- Project Management: Architects take on many administrative and project management tasks. They work with other construction professionals to ensure that projects meet stakeholder expectations. They also work on key project timelines, budgets, and resources, as well as quality controls and compliance checks.
As you can see, architects contribute to a wide range of tasks, playing an essential role in the construction process, and ensuring the overall success of construction projects.
What are the Different Types of Architects?
Architects often focus on a specific type of architecture. This enables them to enhance their technical expertise and offer more experience in one area.
- Residential architects: A residential architect oversees the design and planning of homes and residential buildings. They work closely with their clients to create a design that meets their key functional, aesthetic, and budgetary requirements.
- Commercial architects: A commercial architect is responsible for the design and planning of commercial buildings, such as office buildings, retail spaces, and hotels. They also help ensure projects meet local regulatory requirements.
- Industrial architects: An industrial architect designs industrial facilities, such as factories, warehouses, and manufacturing plants. They help optimise the layout, functionality, and efficiency of industrial spaces, for maximum results.
- Landscape architects: Landscape architects specialise in outdoor spaces, such as parks, gardens, and campuses. They may also offer guidance on sustainable and eco-friendly landscaping practices, such as the use of native plants.
- Civil architects: A civil architect deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and government-owned properties. They help ensure these designs are safe, functional, and efficient.
As you can see, there are many different types of architect. By focusing on their respective fields, architects can design safe, functional spaces that meet specific project needs.
Architects vs Masterplanners
Architects offer extensive expertise and planning support to construction projects. Because of the broad nature of their role, architects are often confused with other construction professionals, such as masterplanners.
Architects and masterplanners both play an essential role in the construction industry, but there are some important differences between these two roles. For example, architects tend to focus on designing individual buildings, whereas masterplanners are typically responsible for designing larger urban areas. For this reason, architects and masterplanners often work together on bigger projects, resulting in well-designed buildings that form part of a larger, well-integrated urban framework.
As mentioned, architects focus on designing individual buildings or structures, ensuring they are functional, safe, and aesthetically appealing. They consider specific details such as structural integrity, materials, lighting, ventilation, and regulatory compliance. Their work is typically confined to a building or small site, ensuring that it meets both stakeholder requirements and other projects considerations.
A masterplanner, on the other hand, works on bigger projects. They help design entire urban areas, communities, or large-scale projects. Masterplanners, like JTP, take a high-level approach, coordinating various construction disciplines, and creating an overarching strategy for new developments. They look at land use, infrastructure planning, transportation networks, and environmental sustainability. It also looks at how individual buildings work together within a larger ecosystem. As such, masterplanners tend to focus on the bigger picture. Their work shapes the future of cities by ensuring cohesive development, efficient public spaces, and sustainable urban growth.
How Architects Help Build New Urban Areas
Architects play a crucial role in developing new urban areas. This is because they design buildings that help shape the city’s functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability. When it comes to larger developments, they often work with masterplanners to ensure that buildings meet stakeholder objectives, and that any new structures integrate seamlessly into the broader urban landscape. For example, they can help reduce environmental impact by incorporating smart technologies, climate-responsive design, and sustainable materials into individual building designs. They also work with masterplanners to understand community needs, ensuring that public buildings foster social harmony and inclusivity. By blending innovation with practicality, architects help masterplanners create vibrant urban areas that people can enjoy for many years to come.
Shaping Our Communities For The Future
In conclusion, architects play a vital role in shaping the built environment, from designing individual structures to contributing to the development of entire urban areas. They can specialise in various fields, including residential, commercial, industrial, landscape, and civil architecture, enabling them to create functional spaces tailored to specific needs.
By collaborating with masterplanners, engineers, and contractors, architects help ensure that buildings are not only well-designed but also sustainable, efficient, and integrated into the broader urban landscape. Through their creativity and technical skills, architects continue to influence the way we live, work, and interact with our surroundings, making a lasting impact on communities and cities.
