Architects & Building Designers

One of the main questions I get is "what is the difference between an Architect and a Building Designer?" The key differences are the training paths of the professions and the costs of services.

Architects go through University and study design, context and history of architecture with some technical training papers. They usually spend 5 years full time doing this (4 years of pure study in a classroom and 1 year of supervised practical experience at an architecture firm). Some Graduate Architects go on and undertake a Masters of Architecture (1 additional years study).

Building Designers & Draftspeople go through TAFE or Polytechnic and study Construction, Drawing and Detailing with some design, context and history papers. They usually spend between 2 and 4 years full time doing this (all study at college), or longer if a student is doing part-time study. Graduates are called Building Designers or Draftspeople and can go on and do a Bachelor of Design at University for a further 3 years if they want more design theory.

So, the study paths are quite different. One profession focuses on design & design history and the other focuses on technical acuity and construction knowledge. That does not mean you cannot be one profession and not be highly skilled outside your study focus. I worked with an Architect in Brisbane who was one of the most technically proficient designers I had even encountered. He "ran rings" around a lot of the commercial builders on technical issues (much to their disdain). Actually, we all pretty much disliked him. He was a bit of a twit, but a damn good Architect. On the flip side, there is a gentleman, Glenn Murcutt, who has a technical background but has won numerous international awards for his designs (including, arguably, the biggest award). I don't personally know him, but he is super clever and does amazing work.

In reality, one profession cannot exist without the other. Architects need building designers and building designers need Architects. They complement each other and each have their place. One to do the creative side well, the other to fill in the technical detailing. I like to think I'm a bit of a "happy medium".

Now, on cost of service. The Architects all have to be registered through their professional registration authority. This association sets a prescription for fees based on current market conditions and expectations around what its members should be charging for service. Building Designers do not have a prescription for fees. Building Designers set fees on a project basis, usually by working out how many hours and applying an hourly rate.

This hourly rate fee setting process can have a considerable difference to design fees for a building. It can mean the same building with the same level of documentation can be half the price (or less) with a Building Designer.

Signing off,

Revell