We Create Architectural Concepts on the Sunshine Coast

Architects are more than just designers; they provide services that go far beyond drawings. 

With five years of university training, mandatory practical experience and a registration exam, architects are uniquely equipped to manage your entire design project for you, to see it through the whole construction process and ensure its success.

Working with an architect means working with a professional who can deliver creative spaces that are cost-effective and match both your style and needs. Creative thinking, highly developed problem-solving skills, attention to detail and understanding of functional performance underpin everything an architect does.

Architects bring to the table:

Value for Money 

Architects are professional problem solvers and lateral thinkers. Homes designed by architects have been found to command higher resale values. Architects’ experience and insight can help stretch what can be achieved within your budget and add value to your project. They can suggest new ways of utilising space and light, enrich the palette of materials and finishes and fittings, find an appropriate builder at the right price, and propose design solutions that will reduce your overall running costs while maximising the energy efficiency of your home. At a fraction of the cost of your project, an architect’s fees will prove a sound investment.

Imagination 

An architect can lift your project out of the ordinary and help you achieve your aspirations and vision. They are trained designers who will explore your needs and desires and find inventive and practical ways of enhancing your living environment.

Peace of Mind 

When you hire an architect, you have a professional on your side who knows the construction industry inside out. You are working with someone who has undertaken seven years of architectural training – no other building professional is trained in design and construction to such a high level of expertise. The use of the title ‘architect’ is protected by law. Only people or firms registered with the Architects Registration Board in each state or territory may use the title.

An architect will provide you with much more than just drawings, they have the experience to see your project successfully through to completion. They can oversee the design, assist with the approvals process, manage the build and keep track of your budget.

An architect

For an architect to legally use that title in Australia, they must be “board registered”. This means they’ve

• completed a recognised university degree (usually 5 – 6 years of study)
• completed a required level of on-job experience (minimum 2 years)
• then sat a written exam and passed
• followed by an interview exam and passed
• and then annually (as part of re-registration) declare that they are fit to practice and are continuing their professional development with a required number of hours of study and learning.

A draftsperson

Many in this role study at TAFE to learn the skills required to draw (document) buildings. However, I’ve also worked with drafts people who purely learnt their drawing skills on the job and honed them over time.

A building designer

It depends on the state of Australia whether a building designer has to be formally licensed to use this title, and the license they have will impact the scale of development they can work on – be it individual homes, apartment buildings, or public facilities such as childcare centres etc. There are specific TAFE courses, and one Qld-based university degree (distance learning) that can qualify you to be a building designer. Sometimes however, building designers are drafts people who’ve gone through the licensing process.

In conclusion 

An architect is a specialist in design. Architects draw and deliver buildings; however, their main area of skill and expertise is in maximising design opportunities for your project, your site and your budget.

A building designer and a draftsperson are specialists in documentation and delivery. In larger practices they will generally work alongside the architect, preparing the drawings for the design work being done by the architect.

Building designers and drafts people are largely taught how to draw and understand the construction of buildings so they can represent them accurately in their documentation. 

Building Designers & Drafts people will not have been taught design to the same level as an architect.

Your projects design is where your project starts and ends.