What is a Building Designer?

For many of you reading this, it might be the first time you’ve come across the term “building designer”. Don’t worry about it because most people don’t know the difference between an architect and a building designer. 

To put it simply, they perform the same basic services — they both design buildings. They often possess similar skill sets and at times even have identical qualifications. However, one key difference is that architects must be registered and licensed by a State-based architecture board. In contrast, there are many parts of Australia wherein building designers can operate without license or registration. 

Architects tend to charge more at around 7-10% of the project cost (on average). On the other hand, hiring a building designer would generally cost about 3-5% of the project cost.

Architect VS Building Designer

It would depend. A great design can come from either one of the two. Even when it comes to finances, the more affordable option will still be decided on a case-to-case basis. Although the trend is that architects are more expensive, particular building designers could cost more to hire. The best option is to keep an open mind, do your research, and choose a credible architect or building designer whose style you like and whom you can afford. 

Building Designer	Architect
No particular formal education is required; many come from design backgrounds,	Tertiary education required; must have completed a five (5) year course in architecture.
No licence requires is Western Australia, ACT, New South Wales, Southern Australia, and Northern Territory.	Required two (2) years to field experience, licence examination, and registration.
Typically charges 3 – 5% of project cost.	Typically charges 7-10% of project cost.

Both are capable of creating stylish, efficient, and functional designs. Designs from both must pass building standards and regulations.

Building Designers

Building designers can have diverse backgrounds, with most coming from an education relating to design. Some even have degrees in architecture (but remain unlicensed). Formerly known as “draftsman“, these people provide most if not all of the same services in construction and design as an architect. 

An essential distinction between building designers and architects is that there are no required qualifications, licenses, or registration to work as a building designer in many places: Western Australia, the ACT, New South Wales, Southern Australia, and Northern Territory. Building designers are not required to complete any particular tertiary education (although many come from design backgrounds), and they do not have to pass any tests to operate. 

However, not to worry because many of them design beautiful homes that are both sustainable and functional. Whatever the design will also have to keep up with the government standards of building and planning. If they could not pass those regulations, their designs would not be accepted, and their projects would not be built. In addition, states such as Victoria, Tasmania, and Queensland require building designers to be certified or hold licenses. 

With building designers, it is a good practice to look for members of different associations, such as Building Designers Australia (BDA) or the Building Designers Association of Victoria (BDAV). Aside from an increased sense of credibility, it’s likely that these organizations require continuing professional development (CPD). These building designers will likely have to keep updating themselves with the latest laws, events, and issues that may affect their practices.

Architects

Architects take five years of formal tertiary education to get a degree in architecture. They study numerous subjects in architecture and related fields, including building design’s technical and artistic aspects. After studying, they need to work for two years in the industry before taking a licensure exam and registering as architects. All of these are required for someone to refer to themselves as an architect officially. 

Architects can design both the exterior and interior of buildings. They can design different kinds of buildings, usually being the leading player in creating plans, drawings, and renders of many projects. 

Though this does not apply in every case, architects tend to have more experience and show a more significant propensity to produce higher levels of design than building designers.

Homes built by architects tend to be more expensive and desirable because they often sport unique designs that are aesthetically appealing and more energy efficient. They tend to use better materials as well. Architects may even offer a carefully advised floor plan to maximize space and optimize the use of light and ventilation. 

More often than not, however, they are more expensive to hire. They may charge differently depending on how much of the project they work on, how long you have them on the team, and what exactly they would be doing. More experienced and well-acclaimed architects tend to be more expensive to hire. 

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Email: yasir@geelongpropertyconsulting.com