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Architects are trained in the art and science of building construction. A typical architect attends college for five to six years, serves a three-year internship, and passes a four day registration exam before he is licensed to practice.
Architects typically follow a set pattern in working with clients to design a building that meets their needs. The process has often been compared to a funnel, by which a wide amount of information is gradually narrowed into a specific design. This pattern can be adjusted or shortened depending on the size and complexity of the project, but normally consists of the following steps:
· Programming
· Schematic Design
· Design Development
· Construction Documents
· Programming consists of developing an understanding of the client’s needs. The architect’s main goal in the programming phase is to understand what types of spaces the client needs in his building, how they relate to one another, and what general characteristics each space must have. This information is normally in written form, though it can consist of small symbolic drawings such as bubble diagrams, used to show the spatial relationships among building areas. With a small project such as a home, programming may be little more than a few notes and a conversation; with a much larger project like a hospital, a programming document could run to hundreds of pages. During the programming phase, the architect will also talk with the client about image and style issues.
· Schematic Design is the phase in which the architect quickly looks at several options to achieving the client’s goals. He will examine the site on which the building is to be constructed, exploring ways to best use the site to obtain the necessary building area, parking, landscaping, and site amenities such as ponds. He will study alternative schemes to arranging the spaces within the building to best achieve the client’s needs. Small, quick sketches (called thumbnail sketches) of the plans and elevations (exterior faces) of the building are used to explore design ideas in an attempt to develop a coherent theme for the project. Toward the end of this phase, the architect may meet with his client to show him the most promising scheme, or several schemes, to determine with him which route seems most desirable. The Schematic Design phase is basically a period of exploration and experimentation for the architect.
· Design Development: After the client and architect determine the best of the alternative design schemes to pursue, the architect begins narrowing the funnel, producing more detailed plans and elevations, selecting exterior materials, and setting the final site plan design. He may prepare outline specifications, an preliminary version of the detailed specifications which will ultimately describe every installed item in the project. He may also draw a perspective (or three-dimensional view of the building), or construct a model to help himself and the client clearly see the appearance of the structure. The architect may have several meetings with his client during this phase, making the sure the design is truly meeting his needs. Once the floor plan is set, the architect will work more closely with his engineering consultants to integrate the structural, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems into the building. The end of this phase occurs when the client give final approval to the design and authorizes the architect to begin the construction documents.
· Construction Documents are the plans and specifications (written instructions) by which the building will be constructed. These drawings take up approximately fifty percent of the architect’s total time on the project, and require a great deal of detail. The major decisions such as materials, finishes, and colors are made by the client. But the architect typically makes hundreds of building decisions on behalf of the owner, ranging from the mundane (vents) to the major (windows). Together with his consultants, the architect assembles a set of large drawings and a book of specifications, which together form the construction documents. On a large project, the drawings can run into hundreds of 2’ x 3’, or larger sheets. The specifications, even on modest projects, can equal the size of a large city phone book. These drawings were once produced with ink on linen, but today most architects use computer-aided drafting or reprographics, two techniques for limiting the amount of time spent producing original drawings and making corrections. The level of detail present in the construction documents can mean the difference between a poorly or well-constructed building. The care of material selection can mean the difference between a building that is within or above the owner’s budget. That is why architects devote so much time to the Construction Document phase of the project.
· Once the construction documents are finished, the architect will usually have a thorough review with the client. When the client is satisfied that the documents fulfill his goals, the architect will arrange for the documents to be bid out to several contractors, or negotiate with a selected contractor, depending on the client’s desires. After the bids are received, the architect will negotiate with the low bidder if his price is above the client’s budget, and make changes in the documents if necessary to bring the project back within budget. Occasionally, projects must be bid again if they are severely over budget.
· Once a contractor is selected, and underway, the architect makes periodic observations of the building as it is erected. He does not supervise the work, but does inspect to generally ensure that the building is being constructed in accordance with the contract documents.
· Increasingly, architects are teaming up with contractors in what are termed alternative delivery projects. These include design/build arrangements, where a contractor/architect team can provide the owner with a turn-key (or complete) project, eliminating the sometimes contentious bidding and construction disputes present in the traditional method of selecting contractors. They may also cooperate to provide fast-track services, or design that occurs as the building is being constructed, when clients face severe time restrictions.
Architects are also interested in aspects of green design (environmentally conscious design), energy-efficient design, and life-cycle costing, or choosing materials based on their long-term maintenance value.