Architecture in Construction: 4 Roles of Architects in a Building Project

Architects ensure their designs stand the test of time. They provide building specifications that protect you, your family, and your belongings from weather conditions. The building design caters to the needs of users of buildings such as banks, schools, hospitals, offices, shopping malls, sports arenas, museums, theaters, and much more.

Licensed architects, construction managers, rendering experts, and real estate marketing professionals collaborate when creating building plans. Architects are responsible for developing the final structural design of a building or any structures. These specialists follow their clients’ specified requirements and design concepts when developing a facility. They want to use their creative ideas and vision to come up with a design that meets the client’s needs and the state’s building laws and regulations.

This article will tell you more about the importance of architecture in construction.

Architecture Defined

Architecture refers to the practice of designing and building habitable structures. It’s the art and technique of developing structures or buildings that meet functional and aesthetic requirements.

Architecture is important because it produces the best buildings, encourage progress, and enhances productivity. Indeed architects add creativity, beauty, and art to people’s daily lives in unique ways. Good architecture and design create healthier neighborhoods, businesses, and stronger communities.

Architects produce designs of a building and drawings prior to construction. They collaborate with civil engineers, structural engineers, HVAC, and other professionals when determining a building’s structural integrity. It takes several meetings before the client, and other parties accept a conceptual design. Their contribution is key in every stage of a project.

Roles of an Architect

Like other professionals in building projects, architects have distinctive roles and responsibilities. It’s after an architect carves out a design using a pen and paper or computer that a building project starts. Other professionals use the drawings to actualize the construction project.

Other roles include:

1.      Prepare Drawings

Several design drawings are needed before a construction project begins. Sketch designs provide the layout of the building and spaces within site. Detailed drawings like site plans, structural drawings, floor plans, elevations, 3D models, and views are created using BIM and CAD software.

These drawings keep changing as the project progresses in order to incorporate the client’s needs, regulations, and budget. The final blueprints provide plans for the entire structural, electrical, and mechanical systems. These plans guide builders in constructing a structure that the client desires.

2.      Provide Cost Estimates

Cost estimates help in budget control. Aside from providing the design for the entire building, architects collaborate with structural engineers and other professionals in the construction industry in estimating material costs and completion time. Thus their input in cost estimation is vital and varies based on the scope of work.

3.      Assists with Contract Negotiations

Architects help their clients select contractors because they work hand in hand with them. Thus they know the best contractors for each activity. They also help with contract negotiations based on their client’s budgets and expectations.

During the construction, the architect conducts several site visits and meets the contractors to resolve any issues that may arise during the process. The specialist signs documentation that requires their signature and approval.

4.      Supervises the Construction Project

Architecture is the foundation of every building. As a result, architects are responsible for the general supervision of the construction project from start to finish. These specialists are happy to see their designs come to life as other professionals build the structures. Thus architects oversee the entire project from the beginning to the end.

Conclusion

Architecture plays a vital role in construction. Builders follow architects’ sketches and drawings when developing the desired structure. Indeed, they create the aesthetics and structure that a client wants on paper which helps other professionals to actualize the idea through construction.

The 4 roles mentioned above are not the only tasks that architects perform. You need them in the future when issues arise. That means they’re responsible for the looks and aesthetics of your building as well as its maintenance and repair recommendations.