Page 22 - BEA December 2019 - January 2020

Architect

Defining the architect’s

role in a project

rchitects are experts who play a the details of the building under construction.
big role in the development and
construction projects. They take Architects are required to follow building codes, fire
full responsibility for the design of regulations, zoning laws and city ordinances when cre-
Athe structure, and are expected to ating their plans. For public buildings, architects must
superintend the job from erection of structures to full be aware of disabled access laws. Since these laws
completion. change regularly, architects need to stay up-to-date on
policy, zoning and regulation changes. They are always
in on the latest energy-efficient products, building
styles and must research the area they are building to
Customer Service and Retention ensure their design matches current building structures.

A property developer should work closely with the
architect. Before embarking on a project, several meet-
ings normally take place where the project brief, which Technology
includes objectives, budget and any specific require-
ments for the project, is given. Architects contact, bring Today’s architects have turned to use of technology
on board and collaborate with other related profes- to better their services. Architects need to be trained
sionals, who include; Quantity Surveyors, Mechanical, and familiarize with computer-aided drafting systems,
Electrical and Structural Engineers, urban planners, building modeling and other relevant technologies.
landscape architects, Construction representatives and They must conceptualize and experiment with differ-
interior designers. ent construction approaches through software and must
also be familiar with basic office software, such as
word processing, spreadsheets and accounting

Design, Plan and Develop
On an architect’s
daily routine designing,
planning and develop-
ing are integral tasks.
A developer requires
them to provide pre-
design figures such
as an environmental
impact or feasibil-
ity study, cost analysis
and land-use study.
They later on produce
the final architectural,
structural, electrical and
mechanical plans in col-
laboration with the other
consultants. This is then
given to contractors as
a step-by-step guide on

20 Building East Africa | December/ January 2020
20 Promoting sustainable development