In an attempt to create an outlet for my thoughts and share my own adventures of learning, I started a Youtube channel to publish videos about the business of architecture and what we do. Similarly, AGD launched a TikTok channel to do the same. One of the biggest and most controversial topics has been what the difference is between a designer or drafter and an architect.
The first and most important difference is that an architect is a licensed professional that must adhere to building codes, zoning laws, and other regulations to ensure that their designs comply with the health, safety, and welfare of those utilizing the buildings. This responsibility allows for the architect to participate in other project types such as commercial, institutional, and educational buildings that mandate a more thorough review of these regulations. In the state of California, only an architect may do these projects as it is their stamp that takes responsibility for the design and therefore the liability associated with it.
A designer or a drafter must meet these same regulations when applying for a permit, but within the state of California these individuals are limited to homes and smaller structures with less risk associated with them. Often the designer or drafter has much more specific tasks associated with a project and may not provide as much guidance during the construction phase of a project.
The second important difference is the level of education that is typically associated with an architect. Architects typically have formal education in architecture, which includes earning a degree from an accredited program (bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in architecture), completing a significant amount of practical experience through internships, and passing a licensing exam. This extensive training prepares them to handle complex design challenges, including structural integrity, building codes, and comprehensive project management. There are six exams that must be taken after graduating from this accredited program and one final exam for the state in which the architect intends to practice. These exams are rigorous and involve topics from practice management to project construction.
A designer or drafter typically is not required to have any education. Nor is it typical to have any continuing education to hone their craft. An architect is required to submit hours of continuing education every year (sometimes upwards of 16 to 24 hours) in order to maintain their license.
In a few cases, there are great reasons to hire a designer over an architect. But as the regulatory processes increase, and the need for a more sustainable future in building technology changes, the architect sits at the forefront of a world where experience and professionalism needs to be considered first. It has been joked about that you wouldn’t hire a person off the street that knows about surgery to perform an appendectomy. You want a licensed medical professional that has the education, training, and experience so that your life is in better hands. The liability assumed by that doctor is important, and so is the liability that the architect assumes when designing a home, a hotel, a school or an office that you inhabit.
See more about my conversations regarding designers vs architects on Youtube and TikTok.
Written by Andrew Goodwin
Comments