Not exactly sure what an architect does and their role in construction? Then this is the article for you.
Architects are licensed professionals who are responsible for designing and planning the construction of buildings and other structures. They are problem solvers that create designs that are functional and meet the needs of the client.
They also have a responsibility to the public by ensuring their health and safety with designs that meet building, energy, and fire codes. They then work with a contractor during construction to ensure the building is constructed according to the documents they produce.
Beyond a knowledge of construction, architects learn about art, history, climate, and culture so that they can assess where a building is being constructed and its context. They can use this understanding to inform their design and respond to geographical conditions.
In addition to designing buildings, they assemble and manage a team of consultants that help complete the design. Architects can also be hired for related services like building programming, master planning, peer reviews, or project management.
Daily Responsibilities of an Architect
The daily tasks and responsibilities of an architect can vary widely based on your role in the firm, your experience level, and the phase that the projects you’re working on are in.
Junior architects tend to complete tasks that are given or directed by more senior staff. This could include drafting, picking up red lines, product or code research, and various other tasks listed below.
For more senior staff, responsibilities may change based on your position or the role that you play in the firm.
For example, a project manager may spend more time talking to clients, writing specifications, coordinating with engineers, and delegating tasks.
Designers and project architects may spend more time interpreting a program or completing design work which could range from bubble diagrams to laying out a floor plan, to selecting finishes.
The work culture of an office will also dictate what an architect will do. Smaller offices usually require architects to have a greater role in all aspects of design and construction, while bigger firms may have more specialized roles for their employees.
Below are some of the common tasks that any architect could be doing on a daily basis.
Working with Clients, Stakeholders, and Building Users
One of the main responsibilities of architects is to meet with clients to understand their needs and preferences. There is an ongoing conversation with clients throughout the design process as more detail is added to the drawings. Some tasks may include:
- Understanding client needs and requirements by conducting meetings, going on site visits to tour a similar building, and/or developing building programs.
- Conducting site analysis and research or helping with the due diligence process.
- Presenting designs and ideas.
- Guiding the client through the design and building process.
Building Design
Once architects have an understanding of their client’s needs and preferences, they will begin creating designs and turning those designs into construction documents. This may include creating detailed drawings, presentation material, models, and renderings of the building. This is often a collaborative process and often done as part of a team.
Some typical tasks involve:
- Developing presentation drawings or presentations
- Developing constructions drawings, often with periodic milestones for pricing and/or approval by the client
- Writing specifications
- Code and zoning research
- Revising designs based on feedback and changes
- Product and material research
- Meeting with towns, zoning officials, and the general public
Collaborate with Engineers, Consultants, and Contractors
A good portion of an architect’s time is spent coordinating with other members of the design team outside of their office. Depending on the contract structure for the job, architects may hire several consultants for their team while others may be hired by the Owner.
Most commonly, these consultants include a structural engineer and mechanical/electrical/plumbing/fire protection (MEPFP) engineers. They may also hire surveyors, civil engineers, geotechnical engineers, acoustic engineers, audiovisual designers, and many others.
This relationship makes the architect a sort of “conductor” of the design team. They need to make sure that all of the proposed work operates together and that there are no conflicts, provide the consultants with the information they need to complete the work and keep the consultants on schedule.
Some tasks include:
- Working with a civil engineer to establish a site plan, grading design, planting/lighting layouts, parking, etc.
- Working with mechanical engineers to establish heating, cooling, and ventilation systems.
- Working with structural engineers to choose and lay out a foundation or structural system.
- Working with electrical engineers to design lighting layouts, locate outlets and switches, or determine fire alarm and life safety device needs and locations.
- Working with fire protection engineers to determine the building’s sprinkler system.
Perform Construction Administration
Once the design and construction documents are complete and a contractor is hired, architects may be responsible for observing and reporting on the construction process.
They may work with the Owner and contractor to ensure that the building is constructed according to the plans, answer questions, review payment requisitions, and review submittals and substitutions.
Architects assist the client by helping to manage the construction budget and timeline for a project.
Typical tasks include:
- Going on site visits to observe the work in progress
- Writing field reports to formally document site observations
- Processing submittals, payment applications, change orders, and answering requests for information (RFIs)
Work Environment
Generally, working as an architect is in an office setting. The majority of the work that architects do involves sitting behind a computer. Drafting is most often done digitally, renderings are done digitally, and a large portion of the day involves emailing, talking on the phone, and various forms of paperwork.
Some architecture firms still value a strong studio culture that may look more like your studio in college. They may utilize physical models and have a model-making area which could include 3D printers, a laser cutter, or even a C&C machine. Pin-up areas and conference rooms that are designed for drawing review and collaboration are also commonplace.
Some offices may have libraries of various forms. This could include binders that contain information on building materials, samples from manufacturers of building components, a materials libraries for larger product samples, furniture samples, and books for reference.
Other offices have taken a more paper-free approach and have very little need for filing cabinets and drawing storage. Physical samples are only ordered for a specific project, then recycled or sent back to the manufacturer. Most reference material now can be found digitally.
Time at Construction Sites
Depending on the stipulations of the contract, architects may be on site on nearly a daily basis or as little as every other week or once a month.
For the construction of most houses that involve an architect, the knowledge and expertise of the contractor often don’t need an architect on site regularly (as well as the budget!). More complex high-end custom homes will require more of an architect’s time.
For commercial projects, weekly or bi-weekly visits are common and usually include a project meeting to discuss the schedule, outstanding RFIs or submittals, budget, and payments to the contractor. When a client wants more representation on the site, they may hire an architect to spend more time on-site and with the contractor as a representative of the Owner.
Thinking of Hiring an Architect?
If you’re thinking about hiring an architect, we have an entire article dedicated to the subject.
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