What is Architecture?

Architecture is the imaginative blend of art and science in the design of environments for people. People need places to eat, work, live and play. Architects transform these needs into concepts and then develop the concepts into building images that can be constructed by others. These projects can be as small as an entrance way and as large as an entire college campus—and everything in between.

An architect serves in a leadership role to bring together the design and budgetary requirements set by the client, restraints of a site (where the building will be constructed), needs of the building’s users, and the limitations of materials into a unique and balanced design solution. Decision-making, team leadership and creativity are the key elements of making architecture.

Succinctly put, an architect is a licensed professional with specialized skills who designs buildings and cityscapes and helps make real the unique vision of their clients and communities.

What Architects will do?

The role of an architect is not just to design buildings. Through the design, the architect must also protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public and the users of the buildings. Therefore, like medical doctors, one must have a license granted by a U.S. state or territory in order to refer to oneself as an “architect.” Doing so otherwise is illegal.

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How to choose an Architect ?

Step1 :

Start by finding architects that you'd like to interview. Ask friends, family, or business associates for recommendations. Use the internet or phone book to aid in your search.

Step2 :

Contact architects. See if you can set up a brief phone interview. Remember that architects are highly paid professionals - make sure that you have a list of questions ready. Any architect that you would consider hiring should take the time to answer your questions about their experience, design principles, etc. but don't expect them to give away their knowledge for free.

Step3 :

After contacting numerous firms via the phone, narrow your choices down to 3-5 architects that you'd like to interview. Set up a meeting with them. Be prepared with information about what you'd like to build, your expected budget, & questions that you'd like to ask the architect.

Step4 :

When you meet with the architect, the following questions are important and should be asked in
live chat software on architect websites before you choose the architect:

1. What is your experience in building (insert project type)? You want an architect who has had experience in your type of project.
2. What do your services include? Ideally, you want an architect who offers a full range of services including schematic design, design development, construction documents, bid assistance, and construction administration.
3. What are your design principles? These should fit with what you are looking for, but ideally, you'll find an architect whose goal it is to take your vision and put it on paper. An architect should say that they are willing to spend as much time as necessary with you, the client, in order to learn about your needs and wants. They'll use that information to design the best possible building for you.
4. What is your fee structure? Some architects charge an hourly rate while others charge a percentage of total construction costs. If your architect charges an hourly rate, be sure to find out if there is a maximum guaranteed cost.
5. What other services are included in your fee? Your architect will likely consult with structural engineers, electrical engineers, and other professionals throughout your design. Find out if any of those costs are covered in your fee or if you'll be billed for those separately.
6. Do you have professional liability insurance? You'll want to make sure that your architect does.
7. Do you have experience in environmentally friendly design and building? As this becomes more important and more popular, you may want to find an architect that has experience in this field. They may be able to assist you with getting a LEED or other green built rating on your home or building.
8. Do you have rendering capabilities? Technology has allowed many architects to offer clients photo realistic renderings so they can see what their building will look like before it's even started. Some architects can even offer virtual tour renderings. If you are a visual person, this may be very important to you!

Step5 :

Once you've interviewed all the architects that you are considering, take your time and really compare them. Make sure that you are choosing someone who you connected with as you'll be working with this person for a good amount of time.

Step6 :

After you've made your selection, make sure that you get a contract and that you understand all of it. Take the time to have an attorney look it over. Specifically, make sure that you understand payment terms, what happens if you have to put your project on hold or cancel your project. Don't sign it until you understand and are comfortable with all terms of the contract.

Architecture today

Postmodern design at Gare do Oriente, Lisbon, Portugal, by Santiago Calatrava.Part of the architectural profession, and also some non-architects, responded to Modernism and Postmodernism by going to what they considered the root of the problem. They felt that architecture was not a personal philosophical or aesthetic pursuit by individualists; rather it had to consider everyday needs of people and use technology to give a livable environment.

The Design Methodology Movement involving people such as Christopher Alexander started searching for more people-oriented designs. Extensive studies on areas such as behavioral, environmental, and social sciences were done and started informing the design process.

As the complexity of buildings began to increase (in terms of structural systems, services, energy and technologies), architecture started becoming more multi-disciplinary. Architecture today usually requires a team of specialist professionals, with the architect being one of many, although usually the team leader.

During the last two decades of the twentieth century and into the new millennium, the field of architecture saw the rise of specializations by project type, technological expertise or project delivery methods. In addition, there has been an increased separation of the 'design' architect [a] from the 'project' architect.