by John F Mann

Created on: October 04, 2010

Planning or design is necessary before construction of a new building or remodeling of an existing building. This may sound simplistic, however the importance of proper design is often overlooked or neglected, leading to major problems for building owners, builders and those who live or work in the building.

As a structural engineer, I work for architects directly on a regular basis. I see how they operate and the quality of their work. Most architects provide value for the building owner. However, it can be quite frustrating and costly to find out, the hard way, that an architect is not a good fit for the project, or, in some cases, not qualified.

I have been called in by building owners during construction, when the results of inadequate architectural services become apparent to the builder and owner.  I have also provided services for legal cases after deficient architectural work has resulted in major construction defects.

Detailed information about selecting an architect is provided after: (1) A brief discussion about the reasons an architect is required or should be considered, and (2 ) Available online information about the selection process.

WHEN AN ARCHITECT IS REQUIRED

Throughout the US, state regulations generally require that, for buildings serving the public (office, restaurant, church), design must be performed by a licensed (registered) architect. States typically also require design by an architect for residential buildings that will be sold or rented out to others.

Regulations governing the practice of architecture are developed by each state. Further information is typically available online.

For a single-family house to be occupied by the owner, design by the builder or even the owner is often allowed. However, an architect may be warranted, and should be considered, especially for a large ("high-end") house with unique characteristics.

Proper building design requires hundreds of decisions about materials, geometry, appearance and cost.  Design must conform to building code and zoning requirements.  Design decisions can greatly affect the cost of a project. At a minimum, the architect should be able to provide a design that satisfies client and code requirements while avoiding excessive costs.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR BUILDING DESIGN

It is essential to understand that municipal code officials, who are almost universally not licensed architects or engineers, are not qualified, authorized or responsible for "approval" of design documents.

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