Architectural Firm Professionals Interior

Any type of building project will require planning, design and engineering skills of an architectural firm. Who are these professionals and what training do they have to undergo? Here are some basics about an architect's duties and how he or she achieved his or her education and training.

An architect is a licensed professional who must have a four year college degree in architecture. He or she must obtain experience through an internship and pass a licensing exam. This pro must have a well developed design sense, a good aesthetic eye, engineering and math aptitude and good communication skills. He or she must also have strong organization skills. There are varying levels of professionalism and certification in this field including project managers, designers, partners, and junior, mid-level and senior principals of the firm.

During the building process, this pro will draw plans and oversee other experts as well as have an ongoing dialog with the customer. Other architectural firm experts who must draw portions of the plans include electrical, structural and mechanical engineers, plumbers, and landscaping experts. There will be a set of drawings for each specialization and they all must be approved by the city, county or state where the construction is taking place. In order to be approved, drawings must be to scale and follow all of the regional building codes and regulations. Inspectors will come out to look over every stage of the building process in order to make sure the structure is safe and sound. As each portion is approved, the project will move ahead to the next step.

Designing the inside and outside of the structure will take time and excellent communication ability with the owner. The style, size and layout will be discussed and decided upon and then the drawings will be made. Usually, there will be refinements or alterations along the process. Setbacks from the road, adequate parking, and adherence to zoning regulations are examples of codes that must meet. Whether a project is for a residential or commercial building will have a strong impact on the codes. Commercial codes are stricter than residential because the facilities are open to the public.

Some examples of styles and classifications include Contemporary or modern, Asian, Spanish, Gothic and Classic. Contemporary modern styles are usually sleek and have simple lines. Asian style may resemble the appearance of structures found in China, Japan or Southeast Asia. Spanish motif may include flat roofs, stucco and earthy color schemes. Gothic influence is ornate with the feel of European cathedrals and medieval times. Classic may be Victorian, Salt Box, Tudor or classic ranch style.