2007-06-12 - What do Architects do?
Architects are highly trained professionals that design buildings.  Architects work closely with other members of the construction industry including engineers, builders, surveyors, city planners, inspectors, and developers. Read more on what architects do...

Architects are highly trained professionals that design buildings.  Architects work closely with other members of the construction industry including engineers, builders, surveyors, city planners, inspectors, and developers. Typically architects specialize in a particular type of design.  For example, some architects specialize in commercial real estate, while others concentrate in residential.  Within these broad categories, architects will sometimes specialize even further. This is not to say that an architect that has designed mostly commercial spaces is incapable or unable to design a home. 

As professional experts in the field of building design and construction, architects use their unique creative skills to advise individuals, property owners and developers, community groups, local authorities and commercial organizations on the design and construction of new buildings, the reuse of existing buildings and the spaces which surround them in our towns and cities.
 
The work of architects influences every aspect of our built environment, from the design of energy efficient buildings to the integration of new buildings in sensitive contexts. Because of their ability to design and their extensive knowledge of construction, architects' skills are in demand in all areas of property, construction and design. Architects' expertise is valuable when we need to conserve old buildings, redevelop parts of our of towns and cities, understand the impact of a development on a local community, manage a construction program or need advice on the use and maintenance of an existing building.

Architects provide creative designs that help define new ways of living and working, to develop innovative ways of using existing buildings and creating new ones. Architects understanding of the complex process of design and construction is needed to build socially and ecologically sustainable cities and communities. Architects can be extremely influential as well as being admired for their imagination and creative skills.