All ‘Architects’ were not created equal – how do you tell?
A Registered Architect
Unfortunately, not everyone who calls themselves an Architect is an Architect. In every state in Australia, you have to be a Registered Architect to use the name or offer professional Architectural Services. Architects are required to display their registration number on all correspondence and advertising and are legally bound to abide by an Architects Act & Code of Conduct. No registration number, not a real Architect.
Building Designer, Draftsperson or Architect?
Architects are required to undertake a minimum 5 years university study and have a certain amount of post graduate experience before being eligible to register. Architects are taught how to translate ideas and concepts into 3-dimensional space – considering all the external factors, legislation and site constraints. They have the skills to communicate this spatial information to Authorities for approval and to trades for construction, all the while managing the design process.
Draftspeople have normally undertaken a 12 month Tafe course, where they were taught how to draw plans and details. Building Designers are either experienced draftspersons or have partially completed an Architectural degree, but don’t have the experience to be a registered Architect.
Experience Matters
One of the world’s most famous Architects is quoted as having said “a doctor can bury his mistakes but an architect can only advise his clients to plant vines”
Apparently some people would love to bury their Architect. You are going to live with the results of what your architect creates long after they have moved on to their next project. Pretty pictures on a website don’t necessarily mean the Architect has happy clients – you should visit their buildings and talk to past clients if possible.