This is the second post on the differences between architects and building designers. Where the previous post focused on legalities, in this post I would like to look at the ‘flavour’ (for want of a better word) of each occupation, beginning with the education received by each.
As mentioned last week, an architect in Australia must have a three year undergraduate degree and a two year master’s degree in architecture. A building designer in Victoria, by contrast, must have an advanced diploma in building design (architectural), which takes at least two years to complete. As someone who holds both an Architecture degree (though not an Australian one) and an advanced diploma of building design, I would say that, in the broadest general terms, the focus of an architectural education is towards the ‘theoretical’, whereas that of the advanced diploma of building design is towards the ‘practical’.
The architectural education places a strong emphasis on being ‘creative’ and on ‘Theory’ with a capital T - it is heavy with concepts taken second or third-hand from modern academic literary and philosophical studies, such as such as deconstructivism, post-structuralism, etc. There is also an architectural history component, which is lacking in the advanced diploma of building design. A building designer’s education on the other hand is far more focused on the ‘nuts and bolts’ - the practical details of materials and construction, a working knowledge of the Building Code of Australia and the Australian Standards, bushfire attack level ratings, and so on. The building designer comes ‘out of the box’ more ready to go, if you like.
In the end, while it is certainly true that the work done by the typical architect differs from the work done by the typical building designer, the question ‘Should I engage an architect or a building designer?’ is probably the wrong question. It would be better to ask “Who is the best person for the job?” Answering this requires answering some other questions first: What are my goals for my project, and who can best achieve them? What ‘style’ of building do I want? What level of detailing and finish do I want? What services do I require, and what do I want to pay for them? Does the person under consideration have the necessary level of experience, in the right areas, to undertake the job? Are their values, principles, and aesthetics aligned with my own? Do I like them and will I be able to get along with them over months or even years? Only once you have answered these questions will you be in a good position to choose the right person for your job, irrespective of their occupational status.