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What is the Role of an Architect?

An architect has an important role to play in the process of constructing residential and commercial buildings. The role of an architect can differ depending upon the scope of the project and the desires of the developer and owners. It is important that an architect’s job duties and responsibilities are clearly defined at the start of the project so all parties have an understanding of what the architect will do throughout the process.

A Las Vegas real estate lawyer can help you to negotiate and enter into a contact with an architect for your project. Your attorney can also assist you if problems develop with the project that the architect may be responsible for.  Call Pintar Albiston, LLP today to speak with a member of our legal team and to learn more about how we can assist you in achieving a successful real estate development project.

The Role of an Architect

At the most basic level, the job of an architect is to design the buildings in which people live, work and spend their time. An architect must:

  • Understand the needs of the owner/developer of the project and the needs of people who will be utilizing the building.
  • Ensure buildings are designed that can be constructed in a real-world setting.
  • Focus on the safety and functionality of a finished project, as well as the aesthetics of the building or structure.
  • Design with efficiency and cost-effectiveness in mind.

Architects create blue prints that are used by builders and contractors to construct finished building projects. Architects may work alone or with structural engineers during the design phase to ensure that the building will be structurally sound and able to withstand storms  and other potential hazards.  In some cases, architects will build three-dimensional models to provide a representation of what a finished building project will look like. Architects also use Computer Assisted Design (CAD) to create virtual models of buildings and structures.

What Does an Architect Do Throughout the Building Process?

The specific job of an architect can differ depending upon the needs of the developer or owner who has hired the professional. In some cases, owners or developers will use stock building plans. These are blue prints that have already been created by an architect and that are published and available for purchase, generally for much less than the cost of a one-of-a-kind design. When stock blue prints are used, an architect may be consulted only to make minor changes and the architect will play a very small role. In other circumstances, an architect is brought in on the ground floor of a project and asked to design a building that meets the specific needs of the owner or developer.

An architect’s job may be finished after the design is done, but often architects are responsible for overseeing a project and ensuring that the building is constructed according to the specifications in the blue print.  The architect has much more potential risk and exposure when his job duties extend to overseeing the actual construction.

It is important that architects, owners and developers understand the scope of an architect’s responsibility on a particular project. The Las Vegas real estate lawyers at Pintar Albiston, LLP can help you to create a contractual agreement or to resolve disputes that arise during the design or construction phase. Call or contact us online today  to speak with a Las Vegas real estate lawyer and learn more.