What is an architect?

A picture speaks a thousand words, and before a building is constructed or converted it is an architect's job to transform the words of a specification into a design. They may do this themselves or with assistance from an architectural technologist or technician. These individuals have highly specialised skills but are less comprehensively trained than architects. For further information on architectural technologists and technicians see our Guide to Architectural Technicians and Technologists.

What do they do?

An architect is involved in the planning and drawing of this design, as well as overseeing its construction. This involves taking into consideration not only environmental and economic needs, but also the concerns of the construction team, which include materials and safety. The design has to be functional, thus an architect needs to have knowledge of the builder's requirements, such as which planning and building codes the construction must abide by. Ultimately the employer wants a design that is going to be most economically effective for them, giving the architect a further task to draw upon their knowledge to meet these requirements. Quite a feat to take on.

Who exactly can be called an 'architect'?

It is clear why the term 'architect' is only applied to people who have laboriously undertaken seven years of learning and training to give them the ability to combine all of the above factors. The title of architect is solely reserved for people who have taken the correct exams and have the appropriate experience to be on the national register of architects. This is held by a government organisation - the Architects Registration Board.

Where should I look? What should I be looking for?

Only a registered and qualified architect should be employed to produce a design; the most effective way to check is with the Architects Registration Board. To check for registered architects, check the website. However, the key letters that should be looked out for are RIBA, which anyone who has qualified as an architect should have after their name. RIBA stands for the Royal Institute of British Architects, and it is under their standards all examined architects have to fall. All its members have to follow the institute's code of professional conduct, which includes having to own PI (Professional Indemnity) insurance, which provides cover in case the architect makes a mistake or gives unsound guidance. This is a legal requirement for all architects, and thus the safety net this provides when using a registered architect is removed when, for example, an unqualified individual is used. There are some out there who provide architectural services who don't carry insurance or have any form of formal training or abide by any form of code of conduct as required by the RIBA. To protect yourself from risk, make sure to use RIBA qualified architects.