Week 3 - Architectural disciplines

Contemporary buildings are designed by teams of professionals. A & E (Architecture and Engineering) firms provide a multi-disciplinary team of interrelated or allied building-industry consultants in order to make the process of project delivery more efficient and more cost effective by including all the major construction service disciplines in a single organization.[1]

To complete an architectural project, along with providing appropriate design advice, is carried out as a team effort. The team typically consists of the designers, such as architects, landscape architects, planners, interior designers; the client, the client’s attorney, and other expert consultants such as structural engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers, civil and transportation engineers, economic analysts, and environmental scientist and construction cost estimators.

Architects – responsible to prepare drawings and specifications accurately showing what to construct, to get project designs approved legally, and to provide guidance during the construction of projects. [2]

Interior designers / decorators – assume responsibility for interior furniture and furnishings within an existing building, such as to select furniture and upholstery, carpeting, paint colors, wall coverings, window treatments. They are potential to overlap and conflict from the architect’s point of view.

In conjunction to designers, engineers play a crucial roll in the building process.

Structural engineers – analyze structural elements/components after the architect determines the overall geometry of the building.

Mechanical and electrical engineers – analyze and design heating, air-conditioning, ventilating, plumbing, and electrical distribution systems.[3]

Civil engineers – is responsible for the design of site grading, roadways, storm water management systems, water system, bridges and other site utilities or structures.

The architect takes legal and financial responsibility for the work performed by consultants since from the client’s point of view. Architects have more control over actions and decisions of such consultants, since consultants rely on the architect for direction as well as payment for their fees.

Attorneys – provides legal or financing advice and to cope with legal complexities.

Construction contracts occupy the largest category of development expense.

Construction contractor – is paramount, due to the expense, and its great impact on economic, technical, and aesthetic outcome of the project.

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Reference:

[1] Roger K. Lewis, “Architect?: A Candid Guide to the profession”, MIT Press 1998, cited at <http://books.google.com.au/books?id=vY0Y1sOEq9IC&pg=PA175&dq=how+does+a+multidisciplinary+firm+work+architecture&sig=YTr7SaTQ4FPOScqTUtQMmi8Lqbg#PPA167,M1>, viewed 6 April, 2008
[2] Roger K. Lewis, “Architect?: A Candid Guide to the profession”, MIT Press 1998, cited at <http://books.google.com.au/books?id=vY0Y1sOEq9IC&pg=PA175&dq=how+does+a+multidisciplinary+firm+work+architecture&sig=YTr7SaTQ4FPOScqTUtQMmi8Lqbg#PPA167,M1>, viewed 6 April, 2008
[3] Roger K. Lewis, “Architect?: A Candid Guide to the profession”, MIT Press 1998, cited at <http://books.google.com.au/books?id=vY0Y1sOEq9IC&pg=PA175&dq=how+does+a+multidisciplinary+firm+work+architecture&sig=YTr7SaTQ4FPOScqTUtQMmi8Lqbg#PPA167,M1>, viewed 6 April, 2008