When to Call an Architect

Here are the occasions when you need an architect

Pooja Khanna Tyagi2 October 2020

Houzz India Contributor. An Architect , Interior Designer, Valuer, a Marathon Runner, and love Writing Poetry and Creative Stories on Building Design. Have been practicing since the year 2000 with specialization in the field of Corporate Interiors with projects extensively published in journals of national repute. Recently honoured with the reputed A3 Foundation award for Journalism for the year 2016 an for architectural poetry in the year 2018. Currently practicing and residing in Delhi and Noida. Website: www.khannaenterprise.com, Email: poojakhanna224@gmail.com, M:9891993392

An architect can take up various roles during the construction or renovation of different types of projects. However, the common scope of work in each of these projects involves designing, creating construction drawings that are fit for execution at site, and supervision of the entire project to ensure successful completion of the work. An architect understands the spatial and functional requirements of the homeowner and customises the design accordingly.

This article will give you a clear idea about the different types of projects that are handled by an architect so that you can decide if that is the professional you need for your next home improvement project. You can also refer to the Houzz directory to find an architect near you.

Aangan Architects

1. Design a building
If you have a vacant plot of land, you need an architect to design the interior layout and the exteriors of the building.

The architect creatively designs the building as per the local building bye-laws of that particular area.
The next step taken by the architect is to get the building sanctioned from the local building authority so that the construction of the building may start.
After the project is sanctioned, the construction of the building can start and complete under the supervision of the architect.

6 Key Questions to Ask Before Hiring Your Architect

Usine Studio

2. Extend or renovate an existing building
If an existing building needs to be renovated by extending the building with additional construction work, existing walls need to be re-planned, or an extra floor needs to be added then the homeowner needs to engage with an architect.

The additions and alterations in the building have to be incorporated in the existing building plan and need to be submitted by the architect for sanction to the local building authority.
All these changes are made without damaging the original structure of the building. The facade of the building is also usually designed to match with the existing building facade.

Usine Studio

3. Upgrade an existing facade
Architects can also be appointed to upgrade the look of an existing building facade.

In this type of project, the architect incorporates trending cladding materials like wood, outdoor wall tiles, natural stone, HPL (high pressure laminate) and paint colours on the facade to give it a new look.
Some architects may go in for a major renovation by replacing the old windows with new ones or incorporate a glass curtain wall on the existing building facade to give it a modern look.

42 MM ARCHITECTURE

4. Interior design
Who says that architects only work out the building plans and the elevation of the building? Off late many architects exclusively work on the interior design of different types of buildings and apartments and they are known as interior architects.

Detailed drawings are released for the different items of interior work. which include the furniture layouts, electrical layouts, lighting layouts, carpentry details, false ceiling and so on as per the concept of the interior architect.
Additionally, interior architects have deep knowledge about different types of materials, fabrics, colours combinations, drapery, hardware and are involved with the selection of the same.

Dipen Gada and Associates

5. Landscape design
If you are constructing an independent bungalow, villa or a farmhouse with adequate outdoor space, then I suggest you to appoint a landscape architect for designing the outdoor areas of your home.

The landscape architect designs and plans out the gardens, plantations, water bodies, swimming pool, the roof garden and also creates an efficient rain water harvesting system.

Find a landscape architect near you

Deepak Aggarwal Photography

The landscape architect assesses the site and creates concept and working drawings for the hardscape, which include made-made features like pathways, boundary walls, water-bodies etc, and the softscape, which include horticultural elements of the landscape design.
Also, landscape architects are involved with the budgeting of the landscaped areas of the project.

Read more:
Busted! 5 Myths About Hiring an Architect
What Architects Want You to Know

Tell us:
Have you recently appointed an architect for designing your home? Tell us more about the project and the role played by the architect in the Comments below.