Few genuinely understand who an architect is and what their responsibilities are. To this end, an architecture firm in Chennai answers some of the most frequently asked questions.

What is architecture?

An art and a science, architecture is the field that designs buildings and places where people can work, live, play and eat.

Who is an architect?

A person trained to plan and design spaces that can be occupied by people is an architect. They are also licensed to create functional areas. Generally, their work is all-encompassing, from creating the concept of the building to turning the design into reality. The main role of an architect is to realize a client’s vision or dream while ensuring the requirements of those who will occupy the space.

What projects can an architect work on?

An architect can design and build anything, including:

1. A small room addition to a house.
2. A massive hospital
3. a college campus
4. a residential complex
5. a commercial building

Do architects have construction knowledge?

One of the obligations of an architect is to keep the well-being and safety of the occupants as a priority, which means that a rudimentary knowledge of construction is vital. Because an architect is involved in all phases of construction, that is, from conception to opening, they require practical information about the construction. Although it should be noted that architects are not meant to be construction experts, this is why complex projects require collaborations between architects and engineers.

A quick method to find out if a person is an architect or not is to find out if he has knowledge of construction; those without are usually designers and artists.

What are the functions of an architect?

As stated above, the work of an architect is all-encompassing. They play a crucial role in each period of project construction. From the moment pencil is put to paper to draw the building to the moment the tape is cut, architects oversee the project. Sometimes, even after completion, the architects continue to work on the project. This is usually to develop the area around the building or to keep it in good repair.

The key responsibilities of an architect can be divided into three legs:

• Design:

This phase begins when a client hires an architect to create drawings of an idea they have and want to turn into reality. The design requires:

1. Creativity on the part of the architect
2. Huge technical knowledge
3. Responsibility to achieve both

When designing, the architect must take into account:

1. Compliance with construction regulations and safety regulations.
2. Local planning and construction restrictions
3. Laws related to the preservation of historic buildings or the local environment

During this stage there are ongoing meetings with the client and the architect calls engineers, designers and financiers on board for further planning.

• Documentation

There are three subdivisions of this stage:

1. Capture the building design on paper.
2. Create detailed project drawings that show every inch of the building.
3. Test the feasibility and practicality of the model using software such as CAD

This step of the work requires constant revisions and redesigns because:

1. The customer can request changes
2. The first design is beyond budget.
3. Regulations require design adjustments.
4. The proposal presents practical problems

After the design documentations are complete, a second set is created. These are known as construction documents and are used by builders and contractors during construction. Construction documents include:

1. instructions to workers
2. Technical specifications

• Construction

This part of the project is the real part of the building. The role of the architect, at this point, implies:

1. Site visits to supervise construction.
2. Register tasks and jobs
3. Negotiating with contractors for better offers
4. Find a solution to any problem that arises

Differentiate between civil engineer, architect engineer and architect

• A civil engineer and architect

A civil engineer is also included in the planning and design of a building, but his work is mainly focused on:

1. Ensure that the structure is safe for people.
2. Ensuring the building can withstand extreme conditions
3. Make sure it can withstand daily wear and tear

By comparison, the architect focuses on:

1. The aesthetics of the structural work.
2. how does the building look
3. how does it feel
4. How does it work.

Once the architect has produced the structure of the building, it is the job of the civil engineer to analyze the integrity of the building. If there are problems, the civil engineer advises on modifications that make the design more plausible and practical.

• An architectural designer and architect

An architect has to pass a registration exam to obtain a license to work. It is similar to a bar exam that attorneys must pass. An architectural designer does not need to pass the same registration test. Therefore, an architectural designer is not licensed and deals only with the design end and not the construction side of the project.