The Architectural Specialties

Published by cravat | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Miscellaneous, Real Estate

In the very early days, the architect was a jack of all trades within the building industry. There was not a great deal of specialization. Today, just the opposite is true.

The recent years have seen an increase in specialization inside the profession of architecture. The architect has found it profitable to specialize in one of many different areas and this has led to many niche oriented disciplines. In the past, it was more likely that the architect understood and practiced all of the various disciplines required to plan, design, and oversee the construction. The first specialization must likely was based on the type of buildings and the experience of the architect. An architect might be known for his dwelling designs while another had built most churches.

Today, the complexity of modern life has led to increased specialization beyond just building types. It has divided architects into subgroups that in a sense constitute a team that performs the same function the individual did by himself in the past. One architect might be involved mostly in the planning phase. These would be the most creative and artistic members of the team. Other architects might then take these visions and hammer them into practical common sense solutions. In other words, it matters not how imaginative the dream if it cannot be translated into reality with steels and stone.

Two major areas that have changed in recent years have been the areas of safety and the environment. Although the early architects considered safety, their main motivation was the embarrassment and punishment involved when their creations crumbled. Today, rigid building codes exist that govern just about every area of construction. Some architects have chosen to concentrate on these areas. They use their expertise in codes to ensure that designs are not only safe but compliant as well.

Although many feel we are getting a very late start and others think it might already be too late, architects have become very involved in the ideas that have come to be called “the Green Movement.” This is the design of building that respects and harmonizes with the environment. This concept is not confined to the exterior designs, but also considers interior designs. Green building would be energy efficient and most like rely on alternate fuels to some degree.

Of course, when you think of architects the function specialization still is the major dividing factor. Some architects specialize in real estate development while others build churches. An architect might specialize in commercial building or design factories. In the modern world, there is much globalization. However, many architects have begun to realize the importance of local ideas and traditions in building and have moved away from the more universal norms. This has led to an increase in cultural architects devoted to planning and designing according to the visions of the people where the building is located.