Civil Engineering vs Architecture: When You Need One or Both
From the architect to the engineer(s) to the contractor, many people play different roles in building a new structure, as it has many phases and moving parts.
The problem for some project owners is that they aren’t sure which professionals they need to hire to get the job done. Especially when it comes to civil engineers and architects.
This article will address the issue of civil engineering vs architecture, the main differences between what civil engineers and architects do, and when you need to hire one or the other.
What Does an Architect Do?
From small office buildings to commercial buildings to towering skyscrapers, architects play a key role in creating structures of all types.
Long before the construction process can begin, an architect is brought onto a project to develop plans for the new building or structure. Work starts in the preliminary, conceptual phases of the project and continues throughout the duration of construction.
Architects take the lead role in the architectural design process, during which they undertake a series of critical tasks:
Leading the pre-design phase and creating the program
Creating schematic drawings
Creating renderings and models
Reviewing and finalization of design
Working with engineers
Negotiating with contractors
Securing building permits
Overseeing the construction process
Leading the Pre-Design Phase
The pre-design phase is an important part of any architectural project, as this is when the architect meets with the client to understand what type of structure they want to build. The architect needs to know the project owner’s vision to create the “program” for the project.
The program is the initial documentation of all interior spaces and what those spaces will be used for. It approximates sizes and features and is one of the elements the architect uses in the next phase of schematic design.
Creating Multiple Series of Schematic Drawings
The next step in the architectural design process is the schematic design phase. Here the architect creates multiple schematic drawings to give the project owner ideas and various options.
Schematic drawings include the following:
Site plans and floor plans that approximate the square footage of each interior space
Elevations of exterior building facades
Mechanical details regarding the placement of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems
Project owners must approve schematic drawings before the architect and their team can move on to the next step in the process.
Creating Renderings and Models
In addition to schematic drawings, some architects also create renderings that give the project owner a three-dimensional idea of the final result. From 3D models to computer-aided designs that detail various interior designs and basic structural elements, the architect leads the team to deliver the client's desired product.
While some project owners are comfortable selecting a design by line drawings, others prefer a more visual depiction in a highly realistic 3D form.
Finalizing the Building Design With The Project Owner
The project owner must approve the final building design before the construction documents can be submitted for permits.
It’s the architect's job to finalize the building design with the client and ensure that it meets their aesthetic needs, provides the functionality they’re looking for and works for their budget.
Working Closely With Engineers
Architects have expert design skills, but they don’t build structures themselves or prepare the site for construction.
They rely on civil engineers, structural engineers, contractors, and construction managers to handle those issues.
Architects work closely with other engineers throughout various aspects of the project. While they handle initial site layout, building location, parking lots, exterior walkways, and landscaped areas, they rely on the expertise of civil engineers to handle elements regarding site grading, site utilities, site drainage, driveways, and streets.
Structural engineers, which are also a part of the design team, ensure that the building is compliant with code.
Negotiating With Contractors
Architects also assist project owners in helping to select the contractors and construction companies for the job. While architects give owners input into who may be the best fit for the project, the contract for actual construction is an Owner-Contractor contract that doesn’t involve the architect.
Unless the architect works directly with a specific contractor, they allow many experienced construction companies to bid on the project. The architect then assists the client in choosing the best contractor with the best bid.
Securing Building Permits
Because the architect takes the lead on the project as a whole, they are also responsible for securing building permits before construction can begin.
Whether the structure is a small commercial office or a massive football stadium, building permits are always required.
Every municipality has its own requirements, so architects ensure that the schematics and plans submitted for permit approval meet the standards as required by the local government.
Overseeing the Construction Process
Architects are adept at project management, but they don’t lead or oversee the construction process - general contractors do that.
Should a problem arise during the building process, the architect can course-correct with the contractor and other members of the design and construction teams to remedy any construction issues.
What Does a Civil Engineer Do?
While architects design the building itself, civil engineers are responsible for the site design, drainage, utilities and details (ie. curb, gutter, roads, pavement designs). They often work closely with the architects on-site design.
Besides working with architects to build residential and commercial structures, civil engineers also work on infrastructure projects such as:
Dams
Bridges
Pipelines
Roads
Tunnels
Here are some of the key tasks that civil engineers perform and the elements they focus on:
Site Analysis
One of the first things a civil engineer does is assess the build site.
During this analysis, they look at various elements, mostly in regard to floor elevations with respect to site grading. Other types of engineers, such as specialized Soils or Geotechnical Engineers, are involved in site analysis as well. They assess environmental factors, such as the type of soil and wildlife, that may affect or prohibit the build.
Feasibility Studies
Feasibility studies are crucial, as they help to determine if building on the site is even possible.
During this process, civil engineers consider all geographical conditions, such as:
Seismic hazards
Likelihood of flooding
Groundwater conditions
They also consider the site’s accessibility to utilities and the proximity to utility lines.
Feasibility studies are required to assess how much risk the project may face.
It’s up to the civil engineer to decide if the ground and the surrounding environment are suitable for building the structure the architect will design.
Structures must always provide functionality, so when complicating factors are an issue, civil engineers use problem-solving skills to determine if remediation can be made to the site to make building the structure feasible.
Site Grading
Civil engineers also perform site grading, which is a complex land development plan that includes details like:
Elevation differences between buildings and the surrounding area
The slope of the ground surface
Stormwater management and water drainage systems
Existing topography
Existing structures and trees that need removal before construction
The complete layout of buildings, sidewalks, and driveways
Civil engineers detail the various aspects of site grading through a series of drawings and plans that become an important part of the overall design and build process.
Site Materials Proposals
Civil engineers play a significant role in determining how much a project will cost, particularly in terms of the materials used.
Civil engineers play a significant role in determining how much a project will cost, particularly in terms of the site materials used. Providing cost estimates of site materials are often required by cities in order to secure permits.
There Are Different Types Of Civil Engineers
Civil engineering is one of the main branches of engineering career paths, so many people earn a civil engineering bachelor’s degree or master’s degree before going on to specialize in one of its sub-disciplines.
Depending on the type of project at hand, civil engineers often work closely with professionals in the following sub-disciplines of the field:
Environmental engineering
Transportation engineering
Geotechnical engineering
Water resources engineering
Structural engineering
While geotechnical and environmental engineers aren’t needed for every project, construction projects always require the expertise of a structural engineer.
Structural Engineers
Structural engineers work side-by-side with the architect to plan for the safe construction of buildings. Unlike civil engineers who focus on the site as a whole, structural engineers focus on and build code implementation and code compliance.
When a structure needs to be torn down before a new one can be built, structural engineers also take the reins on demolition management.
Read more: Do You Need To Hire A Structural Or Civil Engineer? Or Both?
Do Architects And Civil Engineers Work Together?
Architecture deals with overall site design and the layout of a structure. Civil engineering deals with site design, grading, and details as mentioned above.
Building structures requires the experience and input of both types of professionals, along with structural engineers to focus on building and foundation design and geotechnical engineers to analyze the soils for building location and safe foundation design.
Architects and civil engineers communicate with each other throughout the design process by creating technical drawings, schematic drawings, and blueprints.
Frequent conversations between the two ensure that the building meets the visual and spatial needs of the project owner in a way that allows for the safe preparation of a site and the safe erection of the structure.
The original architectural drawings may change based on the construction standards the civil engineer needs to meet. The civil engineer’s plans may change based on the need to maintain the architect’s vision.
The combination of expertise from both of these professionals makes it possible to deliver a final product that will meet the client’s requirements.
Should You Hire An Architect Or A Civil Engineer?
Project owners often wonder which one they need: civil engineering vs architecture.
The answer is both.
Though they don’t do any of the physical building of a structure, both civil engineers and architects are key players in the construction industry, and every project needs them. Both are planners in a sense, but because they plan for different elements of the project, both are essential.
Many clients think they need to hire a professional engineer through an engineering firm and an architect through a separate architecture firm, but that’s not always the case.
Why?
Because some architecture firms have professional engineers on staff.
At ZP Architects & Engineers in Denver, Colorado, architects work alongside civil and structural engineers. As a full-service design firm, ZP Architects & Engineers works with project owners to ensure that all construction documents are created to meet the overall design intent.
Project owners never have to worry about adding a new engineer or architect to the team if issues arise.
Full-service design firms like ZP have all the most important players on staff, working together to deliver the client the desired outcomes.
Conclusion
Civil engineers and architects play fundamental roles in the building and design of a structure. From commercial buildings to industrial facilities, major projects cannot get off the ground without the expertise of both.
