Difference Between Architects and Civil Engineers

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Whenever you think of giving a physical realization to the idea of a house or building in your mind, you know you need some kind of professional help. The professionals most concerned with construction work are either a civil engineer or architects. Although both professionals work towards one goal, there is a fine line between the natures of both jobs.

Civil engineering is a very vast area of engineering and further expands into many other branches which include structural engineering, environmental engineering, water resource engineering, geotechnical engineering, transportation engineering and many more. All of these engineers play a very important part in different phases of construction. For example, a geotechnical engineer is required to analyze the ground properties, soil and rock to determine and evaluate the stability of the project. They are also the ones who evaluate the chances and effect of earthquakes on a particular site.

Architects, however, are more concerned over the design and aesthetics of the structure. Although they require a good technical and mechanical knowledge of building and structures as well, their prime focus is the visual appearance and the feel of the structure. Ever wonder how we differentiate an ancient Egyptian temple from a Chinese temple just by looking at them. The pillars, walls and roofs of both structures serve the same purpose but it is the difference of architecture that sets them apart. The architects also need to be well aware of the functionality and practicality of the design. They need to know that the purpose intended to be served by the structure they are designing. They design everything accordingly. The solution they have to come up with has to be practical, functional as well as aesthetically appealing.

Civil engineers use the drafts made by the architects and analyze the most economical and sometimes innovative way to give it a physical existence. They handle more technical details of the project rather than just the design. There prime focus is the construction of the design in such a way that it can bear the maximum weight and force without collapsing. Aesthetics and functionality is not generally their area of concern as it has to be already defined in the architectural designs.

Although architects are the one who initiate the process of construction through their design. They need to work closely with the engineers to give them a clear idea of their vision. Generally, there is only one architect required on a single project but the number of engineers can vary greatly. As mentioned earlier, there are several different types of civil engineers involved in every step of the construction. The number and type of engineers working on a project also change with the type of project. The project can be a building, a bridge, a stadium, roads, dams or a tunnel.

Although both the civil engineers and architects have their own set of responsibilities and abilities, a good mutual understanding and effort is very important for a successful project. For people who are confused about choosing from the two as their field of study should analyze their natural inclinations towards creative works or more technical aspects.

Connor R. Sullivan recently met with a skilled geotechnical engineer for an engineering project he is working on. He met with a geotechnical engineering firm to evaluate the ground properties at a particular construction site.

Article by Connor R Sullivan