A CIAT chartered professional or Architectural Technologist is similar in many ways to an architect. The early education received is different, experience often interweaves and the services offered in many cases are identical. The general feeling is that architects are at the artistic conceptual end of the spectrum, whilst technologists provide the technical knowledge and backbone to deliver projects.
Whilst it is easy to generalise the traits of an architect or an Architectural Technologist, the reality is, that the skills or natural design abilities of these two professions are based on an individual’s experience and natural abilities, rather than what they studied at university or college. There are many technical architects and many conceptual technologists.
This article looks at Architectural Technologists and how we add value to every project.
Let’s talk about residential projects, they are simple, right?
Often people believe that a residential project, like a house extension, is simple, when in fact residential extensions or attic conversions are much more technical than you imagine. The complexities of dealing with such things include existing structures, restricted site access, limited space, proximity to neighbors, an aged property with unknown foundations, a building's geometry, and its existing features.
In many ways, extending your home is far more technically challenging than building a new home on open land.
Design parameters and budgets are often stricter when extending a home (for instance), and therefore the design response often has limited scope to be truly conceptual. This often means an Architectural Technologist with a skill set more closely linked to the technological aspects of the project will often ensure a more suitable design response. We are likely to understand and consider the technological challenges in a more meaningful way that will help you.
Architectural Technologists come into their own when faced with such technical challenges because our training and experience encompass all the key architectural elements. Both technical and conceptual experience are key here to ensure a successful residential project goes smoothly.
Why is this important for a residential project?
Apart from navigating the complexities of any project, more often residential schemes don’t have the benefit of a large design team that commercial projects do. It is imperative, therefore, that an Architectural Technologist such as myself has a rounded understanding of all professional areas so that I can advise you in the most appropriate manner, that is right for you and within your budget.
Architectural Technologists add value in the design process.
The Architectural Technologist will often add value to the process by reducing the number of people working on a single project. An example of this is that many architects will not carry out a measured survey themselves or deal with complex details necessary for Building Control approval and instruct a builder on how to comply with regulations. Often, this responsibility is passed over to an Architectural Technologist to advise.
Appointing an Architectural Technologist from the beginning can result in a smoother project process, as more technical issues are anticipated and addressed during the design phase.
How can you ensure you're selecting the right individual for your project?
Pose the right questions:
Do they possess proven technical and design experience?
Are their skills more conceptual or technical?
Request examples of their work that are relevant to your project.
Most importantly, read reviews from others.
Inquire about which parts of the project they will handle and which they plan to delegate.
Lastly, carefully consider their fees and evaluate if you are getting good value for your money.
With nearly 40 years experience I assist homeowners and architects with their projects, ensuring a trustworthy, reliable, and professional service.
Contact me if you need advice, have any questions, or would like to discuss ways of improving your home and thank you for reading. Glenn 07719912695
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