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Both architects and civil engineers are responsible for taking the building from the design stage to the construction stage and through to completion. Although an architect and a civil engineer work on the same project, they have different roles to play. This article will help you to decide whether you need to appoint an architect or a civil engineer for the design or renovation of your home.

What is the difference between architecture and civil engineering?

• Architecture is the science of designing buildings according to the requirements of the client or the end user. The design revolves around the functional and aesthetic aspects of the interiors and exteriors of the building.
• Civil engineering focuses on the viability of the design and strength of the structure by taking into consideration all the mathematical load calculations of the soil, foundation and other structural elements. It also deals with the suitability and strength of the materials which are used for construction.
• The duration of a degree programme in architecture is five years while a degree programme in civil engineering is four years.

What are the similarities between an architect and a civil engineer?

• Architects and civil engineers communicate with the client and site contractors with the help of technical computer-aided design drawings and blueprints.
• Both architects and civil engineers have to periodically inspect the progress of the project at different stages of construction.

• Architects and civil engineers both use skills such as leadership, management, analytical thinking and problem-solving during the design and construction of the project.
• Architects are trained to design various projects such as factories, commercial spaces, resorts and so on, while civil engineers involve themselves with the structural design of roads, bridges, tunnels and various infrastructure projects – as well as house-building projects.

What is the scope of work of an architect and a civil engineer?

Architect

• An architect directly communicates with the client to understand their requirements. After the meeting, the architect creates preliminary drawings for the project and makes sure that the design abides by the local building by-laws.
• Once the concept is finalised, the architect has to prepare the sanction drawings so that the building can get approved from the local building authorities.
• The next step is the preparation of the structural drawing by the civil engineer, who designs and calculates the reinforcement, marks the position of the beams and the columns. On the basis of the structural drawings, the architect has to prepare the working drawings for the site.
• Additionally, the architect has to coordinate with various consultants, such as electrical consultants, plumbing consultants and HVAC (heat, ventilation and conditioning) consultants for the design of the building services.

• The architect has to plan the internal layout and design the facade of the building. Also, they have to decide upon the external and internal finishes of the building.
• Sometimes the architect may also be appointed by a client to study the viability of the site and the project before the client purchases the land.

Civil engineer

• A civil engineer has to work on the structural aspects of the building by taking various load factors into consideration such as the load-bearing capacity of the soil, the live load and dead load of the building, seismic load, wind load and snow load (if applicable) and so on.
• The primary role of a civil engineer is to ensure the safety of the building by checking the strength and suitability of different materials that are used at site for the purpose of construction.
• A civil engineer has to periodically visit the site at various stages of construction, especially before the casting of the RCC foundation, floor slabs and beam. They have to check the reinforcements at site and solve site issues.

Should I appoint an architect or a civil engineer?

• If you are planning to build a new house, then you have to appoint an architect. Usually, the architects have their own team of civil engineers and other consultants for the design of the structure and services of the building.
• When an old house undergoes renovation, a civil engineer has to be appointed to check the structural viability of the building. They have to check the foundation for cracks and walls for dampness or cracks. If it is only repair work, one can appoint an engineer directly (but only after seeking recommendations from reliable sources). For larger renovation projects it is best to get an architect to take charge; they have their own team of civil engineers: either in-house or consultants.
• If you are adding a new floor or there are new extensions to an existing floor plan of your building, then it is highly recommended to appoint a structural engineer to check the load-bearing capacity of the structure. Again, look for reliable sources to suggest a capable civil engineer or consult with an architect.

When to Call an Architect

• When an interior designer plans to change the positions of internal walls of a building, they must consult a civil engineer, especially if the wall is a load-bearing structure.
• Before installing marble flooring in an old building it is important to appoint a civil engineer to check whether the building can take the additional load of the marble.

To conclude, an architect is the mastermind and creator of the project and is responsible for the overall work at site, while the civil engineer is the one who transforms the architect’s design into reality, especially if it is a complex one.