What is the difference between architect and structural engineer

What Does an Architect Do? Types of Architect. Structural engineers also design buildings, but they focus more on safety than aesthetics.

They may also advise on how to make improvements to existing buildings. Structural engineers have a wider remit than architects, working not only on buildings but also on things like bridges, dams and even theme park rides!

But in common with architects, they produce plans and drawings, meet with other professionals in the field, and may get involved with project management as they become more senior. And whereas architects deal almost exclusively with buildings, structural engineers deal with other kinds of infrastructure, as well. This reflects the more arduous training that is required to become a licensed architect.

Entry is competitive for university courses in both architecture and engineering, though requirements vary from institution to institution and country to country. In most places, including the UK and US, it takes a minimum of seven years to become an architect. This is the longest qualification period of any career, and it can be eye-wateringly expensive. To become a structural engineer, the routes are more varied. Some people join apprenticeship schemes after school and learn on the job.

Some people take a pre-university level diploma which then allows then to work as a trainee engineer. Anyone who has completed a degree in architecture without passing this exam is not allowed by law to call themselves an architect; instead, they should refer to themselves as architectural designers.

Structural engineers in the UK should aim for accreditation from the Institution of Structural Engineers. While both statuses are useful, employers will often favor a chartered applicant. In the US, requirements for licensing of structural engineers varies from state to state. Architects work mainly in offices, with occasional site visits and meetings.

In theory, they do a nine-to-five day with occasional overtime, but in practice the hours can be quite long. For structural engineers, the typical work environment depends on the kind of organization they work for. Those who work for consultancies are mainly office-based, as they focus on design, while those who are employed by contractors tend to work on-site and oversee construction. Hours are usually longer and more irregular with contractors than with consultancies.

Other structural engineering employers include central and local government and utility companies. As mentioned above, architects tend to earn more than structural engineers. As of April in the US, the picture is very similar.

And in UK reed. Of course, salaries are affected by all kinds of factors such as qualifications, experience and location. For example, licensed architects and chartered engineers tend to attract higher wages than those without accreditation, and those based in cities will be paid more than those in small towns. This analysis allows the structural engineer to determine if the building can stand up to the stresses the area's geography and weather and inflict upon it.

Part of the structural engineer's analysis involves the physical properties of the materials which the architect wants to use in different building components. This allows the structural engineer to determine both if the overall design is sound, and if the individual materials will be able to bear their loads.

The architect may have to change aspects of the design, or the materials he or she uses in different building components, depending on the contents on the structural engineer's analysis. Micah MacBride. Figure 1. Sturdy steel "I-beams" allow skyscrapers to be constructed.

Has anyone ever been in a skyscraper? Skyscrapers did not exist until about 90 years ago. Before there were skyscrapers, the tallest buildings could only stand about 10 stories high. This was because the main material used in constructing structures was wood.

Architects had plans and hopes for taller buildings, but the materials available at the time did not allow for buildings to hold the weight of buildings greater than about 10 stories tall. Engineers began to develop steel beams that are much stronger than wood and could be used in the construction of buildings and bridges. Today, we call these sturdy beams, I-beams see Figure 1. The development of steel I-beams was precisely what architects needed in order to build taller buildings; as a result, skyscrapers began to shoot up high into the sky.

Clearly, modern cities — with their amazing skylines — are the result of a joint effort between engineers and architects. The height and beauty of buildings and other structure cannot be accomplished without the efforts of both types of engineering. Figure 2. Architects discuss a blueprint.

So, we know that architects wanted to make bigger, more elaborate buildings, and engineers helped them to figure out how to make it possible. It seems, then, that architects come up with an idea and then make a plan that engineers help them execute. The architect's plan has a special name — it's called a blueprint see Figure 2. Has anyone seen a blueprint? What is the purpose of a blueprint? After the architect creates the blueprint building plan , the engineer goes over the architect's design and decides what materials must be used to make bring the architect's design to completion and to make the building strong enough for use.

Many types of engineers also work on other systems within a building, such as elevators, lighting, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, plumbing and much more. It requires a lot of engineering teamwork to design, construct and finally prepare a building for daily use. From selecting appropriate furniture to energy efficient window coverings to sound proofing carpet, there are a lot of details that go into building design.

An architect and engineer both participate in designing and building a structure, whether it is a house or a skyscraper. An architect designs and draws up plans for buildings, bridges, and other structures. The goal of an architect's design is to satisfy the customer's requirements, making the appearance of the structure to the customer's liking and performing quality work.

Civil, architectural and structural engineers have the responsibility of applying an architect's design and carrying it through to construction. The goal of these engineers is to satisfy the customer's requirements and make the design functional and safe. Other engineers that may be involved in building design are electrical engineers for the lighting systems, mechanical engineers for the elevator, and plumbing engineers for the plumbing system, among others. Figure 3. A scaled-drawing.

The key difference between an architect and an engineer is that an architect focuses more on the artistry and design of the building, while the engineer focuses more on the technical and structural side. While the architect is concerned with making the building aesthetically pleasing, an engineer makes sure that the building is functional and safe. There is, of course, a lot of overlap, but these definitions should give students a general idea.

Architects design a structure by considering the customer's needs and requirements. Engineers design the structure according to the architect's design, including electrical drawings, structural layout and plumbing.

To develop and present their designs, both architects and engineers use technical drawings called blueprints. A blueprint is the detailed drawing presented by an architect or engineer that outlines their design. In designing any structure, an architect has to plan out their ideas by making a scaled drawing see Figure 3. Architects primarily covers all fields of construction including various engineering scopes, landscaping, urban planning, client representation and construction management.

Structural engineers on the other hand are expected to perform various engineering fields, quality control, safety inspection, building site security including public safety outside of the building perimeters. Lastly, they have difference in terms site development context.

Architects are primarily responsible for utilizing land usage, relationship between buildings, occupant or human traffic flow including transportation traffic , spaces appropriated inside a building. Structural engineers on the other hand, performs the same role on each building and other facilities within the site. However, some of these functions can mix up due to the demand of the project. Both architect and engineers are equally important to ensure strict implementation of the project bounded by existing laws and building codes.

To summarize the key difference between two great professions that shapes our modern cities,. Difference Between Architect and Structural Engineer. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. MLA 8 Ewan, Dart. Good article however it is incomplete. Although architects and engineers generally end up doing different work in the building realm, what is legally allowed for them to do is a bit different. Here in California other states may vary , the Architect of Record is legally allowed to do any and all engineering on his project except the structural design of a hospital.