Architect Vs. Engineer

The main differences between architects and engineers are:

• Architects focus primarily on building design, whereas engineers can be found in all types of industries.

• Architects focus strictly on the creative design and implementation of building construction, while engineers involved in construction focus on the scientific principles, safety regulations, and practicality of the project.

Construction is a big process with a lot of players. The construction of homes, office buildings, restaurants, and parks all require experts at every stage of development. To get projects off the ground, their design has to be formulated and approved by both an architect and engineer attached to the project.

Although they have similar roles and even sometimes overlapping responsibilities, an architect and a civil engineer are two distinct professions. If you are the type of person who is considering a career in designing and constructing buildings, it is important that you recognize the differences between an architect and a civil engineer.

What Is an Architect?

The architect helps turn a construction project into reality by designing and planning what needs to be done. They act as the creative mind who works with the clients to sketch out options, pick the right one, and ensure that it meets the needs of the client, local regulations, and physical restrictions.

An architect can either work for a firm or independently. In either case, the role of the architect is diverse and stays involved in construction until the project is completed. There are five stages to the architecture process, they are:

• Schematic Design. This is the “brainstorming” process of architecture. The architect works with the client to figure out the best design for the project. The architect will consider the client’s wishes while also taking into consideration limitations that arise from safety regulations, cost analysis, and the physical space of the construction site.

  During the schematic design process, it is common for the architect to present several different drafts and models for the client to review.

• Design Development. After the client approves a design, the architect then fine-tunes the project. Further research is made into safety and environmental regulations. The architect may also work with an engineer to ensure that the design is physically feasible. The architect will add details like air conditioning, electricity, and plumbing.

• Construction Documentation. This stage is usually the biggest role for an architect. Construction documentation finalizes the design of the project. The documentation will be used for construction; therefore, everything about the design has to be carefully reviewed.

• Bidding. Once the construction documentation is complete, it is used to help find a contractor who will manage the construction of the project. This is accomplished through a bidding process after the construction documentation has been distributed to potential contractors.

• Construction Administration. Even after their designs are taken by the contractor, the architect still is involved in the project. However, their involvement depends on the type of project and the agreement the contractor has with the client. Architects may act as consultants, or they may be more involved as managers and administrators.

Sometimes, especially in large firms, there are architects who specialize in a particular stage of the process. For example, there may be an architect who specializes entirely in schematic designs, while another may focus on the project management of the construction documentation.

For smaller firms or independent architects, an architect may take it upon themselves to handle all of these responsibilities, but it depends on the scope of their agreement with their client.

What Are the Certifications and Requirements to Become an Architect?

There are several important certifications and requirements that any aspiring architect must complete before they can fully enter the profession. They include:

• Earn a professional architecture degree from an accredited institution. The National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB) approves three types of degrees in architecture; a bachelor’s, a master’s, and a PhD.

• Gain professional experience through an internship. Hands-on experiential learning is crucial to proving that you are capable of working as an architect.

• Pass the ARE. The Architect Registration Examination (ARE), presented by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), assesses the knowledge and skills of an aspiring architect. The exam is used by states during the license application.

• Become licensed in your state. Architects must register and be approved by the state they work in before they can take on clients.

What Is an Engineer?

Engineers specialize in applying mathematical and scientific knowledge to their work. In short, engineers solve problems by designing and producing efficient materials, structures, and systems. Engineers have to take physical, environmental, and legal limitations into account because they are the experts that people use when they need a problem solved correctly.

Since their skills are so important, engineers can be found in all industries. They work in construction, healthcare, government policy making, and more. Engineers are expected to use their logic and knowledge to correctly diagnose a problem and provide a solution.

Engineering can be broadly separated into six branches. They are:

• Mechanical Engineering. Mechanical engineers design and build mechanical systems. They generally work directly on machines and other mechanical material components.

• Electrical Engineering. Electrical engineers focus on the properties of electricity and incorporate them into their solutions. Electrical engineers help build circuits and other complex electrical systems.

• Software Engineering. Software engineers create and maintain digital systems for computer technology. They write code and build other types of digital infrastructure to ensure the computer works.

• Aerospace Engineering. Aerospace engineers design and build aeronautical machines such as airplanes and spacecraft.

• Civil Engineering. Civil engineers focus on the construction of buildings and infrastructure. They can be found designing cities, bridges, office parks, factories, and highways.

• Chemical Engineering. Chemical engineers use chemistry to build new types of products such as pharmaceuticals and manufacturing materials.

Within these branches, you can find specialized forms of engineering, and engineers may apply multiple branches to their profession. Some types of engineers include.

• Structural Engineer

• Architectural Engineer

• Agricultural Engineer

• Sound Engineer

• Biomedical Engineer

• Industrial Engineer

• Environmental Engineer

• Materials Engineer

Engineering is a vast field that requires rigorous testing and attention to detail. Their work requires them to be constantly checking and rechecking their work because project failures usually fall on their shoulders.

What Are the Certifications and Requirements to Become an Engineer?

It depends on the type of engineer you want to be; however, there are certain qualifications most engineers need to meet. For example, engineers should:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited university

• Become licensed through the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam

• Earn a professional engineering (PE) license in a sub-discipline of engineering

Engineers should also consider getting a graduate-level degree if they want to specialize in a particular field. There are also various certification programs engineers can take that allow them to increase their professional standing.

The Differences Between an Architect and an Engineer

Architects and engineers have similar but also noticeably different roles in their profession. Broadly speaking, architects focus on turning creative ideas into feasible designs. Meanwhile, Engineers take a concrete problem and find a solution. That is not to say one is better than the other.

Engineers can be just as creative as architects, and architects need to be as practical as engineers if they want their projects to succeed. In fact, architects and engineers work together to use both their skills to bring projects to completion.

Still, there are differences between the two. Architects and engineers should not be confused for the same profession. Noticeable differences include:

• Creativity vs. logic. Architects focus strictly on the creative design and implementation of building construction. Engineers involved in construction focus on the scientific principles, safety regulations, and practicality of the project.

• Career opportunities. Architects focus primarily on building design, whereas engineers can be found in all types of industries.

• Pay. Architects and engineers get paid at different rates. This depends on the scale of the project and the experience of the professional.

Architect Vs. Engineer FAQ

1. Should I be an architect or an engineer?

   Whether to be an architect or an engineer depends on your interests and skill set. If you are more interested in the creative aspect of construction, then you should look into architecture. However, if you like to work with math and logical problem solving, then engineering will be a better fit.

2. Does an engineer make more than an architect?

   It depends on the scope of the project and the experience of the architect and engineer; however, engineers do have the ability to work in different fields other than construction that may offer better pay.

3. What type of engineer works with an architect?

   Several types of engineers may work with an architect, but the most common would be civil engineers. Some civil engineers specialize in architectural design, and they are called architectural engineers.

Author

Conor McMahon

Conor McMahon is a writer for Zippia, with previous experience in the nonprofit, customer service and technical support industries. He has a degree in Music Industry from Northeastern University and in his free time he plays guitar with his friends. Conor enjoys creative writing between his work doing professional content creation and technical documentation.