Building Your Dream Home in the Philippines: Why Hiring an Architect is the Smartest Decision You'll Ever Make

 One of the biggest expenditures a person can make in their lifetime is constructing a home. Making a home that is special, individual, and indicative of one's values and objectives requires not only a financial commitment but also an emotional and psychological one.

The job of an architect in designing a house extends beyond simply the design stage and includes the building stage as well. The architect is in charge of following industry standards, making sure that the design is carried out as effectively as possible, and making sure that the building is finished on schedule and within the allocated budget.

Working with an architect has several advantages, one of which is their capacity to listen to your demands and create a home that is suited to your particular tastes. They can incorporate their understanding of design and building concepts with their experience and expertise to make your idea a reality. In order to produce a design that is not only beautiful but also practical and effective, they will work with you to comprehend your way of life, the size of your family, and your particular needs.

In addition, architects can assist you in avoiding costly construction-related errors. You may save time and money by having them anticipate potential issues and offer ways to avert them. Additionally, they are able to oversee the entire construction process, ensuring that it is completed with high quality, on time, and within budget.

It is important to keep in mind that constructing a home in the Philippines might be difficult, particularly for people who are unfamiliar with the country's building norms and rules. An architect can help you navigate the procedure and make sure you follow all rules and apply for all essential permits. You'll feel more at ease knowing that your investment is not in danger of being destroyed because it does not adhere to building codes.

Moreover, hiring a professional architect guarantees that you receive the most for your money. They can suggest materials that are not only functional and affordable but also aesthetically beautiful. They may also provide you advice on how to make the best use of your available space and develop designs that are energy-efficient, which will ultimately cost you less money.

Many people may claim (especially in the Philippines) that employing an architect is an unnecessary investment and that they may design and construct their home with the help of amateurs or carpenters. This, however, can be a risky approach that results in poor building, delays, and even legal problems. Non-professionals might be able to offer less expensive prices, but they lack the education and expertise needed to guarantee that the construction is completed to the necessary standards.

ECONOMY 

Although hiring an architect may seem like an additional expense, it is actually an investment that could end up saving you money. Architects have the skills and knowledge necessary to create attractive homes that are also practical and affordable. They can suggest building materials and methods that are strong and energy-efficient, which can lead to significant power bill savings.

Additionally, architects can assist you in avoiding costly errors that could happen during the building process. These errors may cause delays, extra costs, and lowered standards. Working with an architect will help you avoid these blunders and guarantee that the building is done correctly the first time.

The cost of an architect's fees is well worth paying when you take into account the long-term cost savings and the potential risks of not hiring one.

RESALE VALUE

When compared to homes constructed by non-architects, those that are designed and built by architects have a higher after-market valuation. This is due to the fact that architects create homes that are both aesthetically beautiful and useful. They take into account the regional context, the immediate environment, as well as the homeowner's demands and preferences. As a result, the house is distinctive and sticks out in the market.

An architecturally designed home is also more enticing to prospective buyers since it reflects the homeowner's lifestyle and values. Additionally, it is more likely to be free of design defects, which may appeal to buyers seeking high-end properties more.

In short, a home that was designed by an architect has a better resale value, which can increase the return on investment.

Furthermore, architects are artists, and their projects serve as their works of art. Like any other artist, once they become recognized for their own style and identity, it might increase the value of their work. Buildings designed by renowned architects like Frank Lloyd Wright, Zaha Hadid, and Bobby Manosa have become cultural icons and draw tourists from all over the world.

Similar to this, a property that was designed by an architect may come to represent that architect's style, increasing its attractiveness and value. Working with architects gives homeowners the chance to design a one-of-a-kind house that stands alone as a piece of art.

Below should be your criteria for making the choice of a DIY, hiring a cheap substitute, or opting for the sure-shot route and more convenient. Heck, it might even give you the best experience, like having your own hair stylist or wedding planner, though it's a far more expensive undertaking.

To sum it all up, building a home in the Philippines is a big investment that needs to be done carefully. Your dream home can be realized with the assistance of an architect, and your investment will be safeguarded. From concept to construction, they may offer vital advice and support while assisting you in avoiding costly errors. Working with a trained architect who has the required knowledge and skills to realize your vision is crucial. Keep in mind that buying a home is an investment in your future and the future of your family as well as a financial one.

Top 10 Architectural Design Features for Modern Houses in the Philippines

If you want to build a modern house in the Philippines, you can choose from various design possibilities. There are numerous ways to make your modern home unique and adapted to your needs, ranging from environmentally friendly features to lavish comforts. Here are some of the most popular architectural designs for modern houses in the Philippines, focusing on sustainability and elegance. Use These Architectural Designs to Make Your Modern House in the Philippines Stand Out:

1. Solar panels are a popular choice for modern residences in the Philippines since they provide a clean and renewable source of electricity.  Installing solar panels on your home's roof allows you to generate electricity to run your appliances and lighting. Solar panels are environmentally friendly and cost-effective to lower your energy expenses and carbon footprint.
   
   
   
2. Rainwater harvesting systems in modern homes: Rainwater harvesting systems gather and store rainwater for usage in your home. This can lessen your dependency on municipal water supplies while also saving you money on your water bills. Rainwater harvesting systems are a sustainable and practical option for modern homes in the Philippines, particularly in areas prone to drought.
   
   
   
3. Green roofs are a new and environmentally friendly addition to homes in the Philippines, with various advantages. These roofs are covered in flora and plants, which provide insulation, noise reduction, and air purification. Green roofs can minimize runoff and improve the surrounding ecology by absorbing stormwater. These environmentally friendly roofs are also attractive and can be a fantastic addition to any modern home. Green roofs are not only a great way to reduce carbon emissions, but they also help to create a healthier and more vibrant environment for everyone.
   
   
   
4. Passive cooling systems in modern homes: Passive cooling systems are meant to keep your home cool without the use of air conditioning. They function by utilizing natural cooling strategies such as ventilation, insulation, and shading. Passive cooling systems are a sustainable and energy-efficient option for modern homes in the Philippines, particularly in hot and humid conditions.
   
   
   
5. Courtyard gardens in modern houses: Courtyard gardens are a prominent feature in modern residences in the Philippines. They give a peaceful and quiet outdoor spot for leisure, entertaining, or cultivating plants. Courtyard gardens can be constructed in a range of styles, ranging from formal to casual, and can be customized to your specific needs.
   
   
   
6. Rooftop gardens in modern houses: Rooftop gardens are another popular element in modern houses in the Philippines. They add to the outdoor space for relaxing, entertaining, or growing plants. Rooftop gardens are a practical and environmental option because they can help to reduce stormwater runoff and provide insulation.
   
   
   
7. Energy-efficient appliances and lighting in modern houses: Energy-efficient appliances and lighting are a sustainable and cost-effective option for modern residences in the Philippines. They consume less energy than typical appliances and lighting, which can help you save money on electricity and minimize your carbon footprint. Energy-efficient appliances and lighting are available in a variety of styles and can be customized to your specific needs.
   
   
   
8. Infinity pools in modern luxury houses: Infinity pools are a luxurious and visually attractive addition to modern residences in the Philippines. They are pools with an edge that appears to flow into the surrounding landscape, giving the appearance of infinity. Because they give a relaxing and delightful outdoor space, infinity pools are a popular choice for modern luxury houses in the Philippines.
   
   
   
9. Home theaters in modern luxury houses: Home theaters are a luxurious and entertaining amenity for modern residences in the Philippines. They are specific areas built for the best viewing and hearing experience. Because they give a handy and immersive method to view movies and TV shows, home theaters are a popular choice for modern luxury houses in the Philippines.
   
   
   
10. Technology-integrated study rooms: The pandemic has highlighted the importance of having a dedicated space for remote learning and working in the home. As a result, many modern homes in the Philippines now include technology-enhanced study rooms. These are dedicated places with cutting-edge technology and services to promote online learning and work. High-speed internet, ergonomic furniture, and high-quality audio-visual equipment may be included in technology-integrated study rooms. These qualities can aid in the creation of a pleasant and productive atmosphere for remote learning and working from home. You may ensure that you and your family have the support you need to thrive in the digital age by installing a technology-integrated study room in your modern house in the Philippines.
    
    
    

You could build a unique and individualized place that meets your needs and fits your budget by adding any or all of these architectural features to your modern house in the Philippines. There are various design possibilities to select from, whether you want a sustainable and practical home or a lavish and entertaining residence, or both. You may build the modern home of your dreams in the Philippines with careful planning and the assistance of a knowledgeable architect.

Affordable Architectural Services in the Philippines

 Are you planning a construction project in the Philippines and seeking an affordable architect? Finding high-quality services at a reasonable price can be difficult, but it is not impossible. Here are some pointers for locating relatively low-cost architectural services in the Philippines:

1. Shop around: Getting quotations from multiple architects is one of the best ways to discover economical architect services. This will give you a fair indication of the pricing range available and assist you in finding the best value for your money. Provide the same information to each architect so that you can compare quotes on a level footing.

2. Consider smaller firms: While larger businesses may have greater resources and knowledge, their costs tend to be higher. Smaller companies may be able to offer more affordable services while still generating high-quality outcomes. Inquire about the skills and qualifications of architects at smaller firms; many of them may have equal or greater experience than those at larger firms.

3. Seek architects with a wide skill set: Some architects may specialize in a specific type of project or have knowledge in specific areas, such as design and construction. You may be able to save money if you can discover an architect with a varied skill set and use them for different elements of your project. If you can locate an architect that is experienced in both building design and construction, you may be able to use them for both services rather than paying two distinct professionals.

4. Don't compromise on quality: While it's crucial to obtain reasonably priced architectural services, keep in mind that you get what you pay for. If choosing the cheapest choice implies sacrificing quality, resist the temptation. It is preferable to invest a bit more in an architect who will provide high-quality work that fulfills your requirements.

5. Negotiate: Don't be scared to haggle with your architect about the pricing. They could be willing to collaborate with you to find a solution that fits your budget. In exchange for a lesser charge, consider proposing to pay a larger deposit or committing to a longer timeline.

By following these recommendations, you may find economical architect's services in the Philippines that match both your needs and your budget. Don't be afraid to shop around and bargain - with a little effort, you may discover the ideal architect for your project at a reasonable price. Happy designing and building with your architect!

Needs and Options Review

YOUR EXCITING PROJECT

Congratulations! you are about to embark on mixed emotions of joy, excitement, anxiety, and other heightened feelings through-out your project. Now you are not sure where to start or want to start somewhere so here are your guaranteed first steps.

THE PROBLEM

It is not uncommon for people to know they want to do a building project and have thought about it quite a lot – but just don’t know how best to start.

Or worst, launch into an expensive design service without establishing a relationship or worst still, not carefully establish the groundwork for the project.

THE PROMISE

“A surgeon wouldn’t operate without proper diagnosis, so… as professionals, we don’t just draw ahead and explore ideas, there are other critical information to look at before getting excited with ideas”

The initial NEEDS AND OPTIONS REVIEW works in the same way, it will allow you to start an exploration designed to precisely understand your unique requirements and potential roadblocks, then gives:

· Findings and Recommendations
· A Plan to move forward
· A timeline and rough Cost Estimate of what to expect

THE PROCESS

We developed this process while doing some of the most problematic projects that we had over the years. The business and process of designing typically involve a number of groups and a diverse range of people. We saw an issue in these projects of people starting design and construction BEFORE they had fully done their research and homework BEFORE they had critiqued their ideas.

We think this applies to the construction industry. It always happens in residential projects. People are trying to run before they have started walking, most often because many people even without the proper education in design and construction think they know enough and unknowingly becoming arrogant in deciding to or advising others to discount proper planning and hiring professionals. Yes it seems simple, these simple minds make for sophisticated disaster.

The foundations are the most important part of the structure of any building because everything is built on top of it, it’s very expensive to change the foundation once you have started to build upwards. But it’s very easy to change them if they still just lines on paper.

So.. we spend a little more time on the research than other people who rush their clients into designing without proper investigations, diagnostics and come up with the best courses of action to do everything right at the very outset of embarking to design and later build your project.

There are Five important steps in building your project:

1. Needs and Options Review, the critical first step which this document is trying to advise you to do before anything else.
2. Schematic Design Phase
3. Detailed Architectural Design Phase
4. Construction Documents Phase
5. Construction Administration Phase

Below, I’ve outlined the first step – what the Needs and Options Review is.

NEEDS AND OPTIONS REVIEW

When considering building a new home, a high-level Needs and Options Review with your architect is the critical first step. Why?

• Obtain a licensed architect’s opinion on the feasibility of the project – one who is experienced in the type of project that you now want to work on.
• Produce an outline brief that provides the “DNA” for future work.
• Discuss the “look and feel” of a potential scheme.
• Prepare a sketch of a possible layout option.
• Provide a preliminary program of the timeline.
• Provide rough estimates ranging from bare finish to top quality finish.
• Provide options on ways to construct or get the best price quotations from contractors.
• Provide advice and assistance in applying for permits and funding requests.

A surgeon wouldn’t operate without a proper diagnosis. Prescription without a diagnostics is malpractice. My initial Needs and Options Review works the same way.

It starts a strategy designed to precisely understand your situational requirements, make expert analysis and report findings and recommendations, and a plan to move forward with rough estimates and probable timeline to consider for budgeting your scheduling decisions.

What do you get?

Phase I: Initial Project Inspection, Investigation, and Discussion  = Minimum 2,500 peso for travel costs

• Meet on-site and Discuss
• Document site investigation

Phase II: Layout Options Sketches PRICE = Minimum 2,500 peso for On-site or In-person sketches & advice

The Project Planning Workshop

Imagine your dream home - customized for your lifestyle – completed on time and on budget, without the headaches. When you are designing a custom home, every detail matters.
As a professional architect, I care about the integrity of the design and want to guide you through the process.

“If I had six hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend the first four hours sharpening the axe” ~Abraham Lincoln

The #1 Project Problem – Projects being handled by the wrong person, not properly planned and designed and going over time and over budget.

On a daily basis, we see people moving projects into designing before the research or the careful attention to one’s unique Needs and Options has even started or has been adequately defined. This is like a doctor starting to prescribe medicine without a thorough diagnosis or in our case of designing and building; we jump ahead at design or worst, to some, jumping to construction from sketches without properly looking at the most essential questions that's needed to be answered for an architect to prescribe solutions.

That is why I created the Project Planning Workshop. Now you have a simple process to help you move the Project Planning or Needs and Options Review Phase.

If you follow this tool, you will reduce project risk and improve project’s design success and do it fast. Once you have understood or have done your homework on all the key ideas below and is confident enough after that, you are ready to move to the Design Phase.

1. Building Project Roadmap
Review the roadmap and identify where you are in your journey and recognize where you are going.

2. Frequently Aked Questions & Should Ask Questions
Questions you need to know about working with an architect and going about your project.

3. Myths and Reality
Some things architects do above and beyond sketches to complete a project.

4. How to Create a Design Brief
Contact your shortlisted architects to start your design process

          5. Budgetary Estimation and Finding the right architect for you.

          Contact your personal architect to work on estimating a reasonable budget estimate. 

6. Readiness Meter
Gauge how ready you are to move to the Design Phase.

Five most essential things to know before deciding to design and build

You may or may not have the funds, time and an idea yet of what to build at this moment, now the question is "are you knowledgeable enough" and "patient enough" to take some time to do your homework or research into looking at the big picture of your dream and to take the first essential steps in order for your desires to start materializing? If you are willing to learn and become patient enough in realizing a huge undertaking and very expensive project such as your dream house then this article is for you.

Planning, designing, constructing, and managing projects is no easy tasks. A person becomes an architect by studying and training to become proficient with this expertise for at least seven (7) years and engineers take at least five (5) years with their respective professions, which is all you need to properly plan and design a successful project. The value that you get from professionals will pay off from the start of your project up to the useful life of your building. Of course, you can design it yourself and hire draftsman, then hire an experienced construction person but you'll get nowhere near the quality of what a team of professionals can achieve for your project. In every project you will need the combined expertise of at least four (4) professionals, foremost is your architect to coordinate with his/her overall vision of form and space the building's basic structure done by structural engineers, electrical by electrical engineers and plumbing by plumbing engineers. Other professionals are needed in more complex buildings beside a modest residential building.

Best Way to have Better Control and Fast-Track Your Project

If you are one of the many who are very concerned about control over how money is spent on your project and ensure proper spending, there is a way to do it. This decision however, must be made from the outset of your project and this requires you to have a licensed architect working with you, for you to reap the benefits of such a method of executing your project.

The traditional way of executing and delivering a project is through design-bid-build method where the designer or architect is a separate entity that provides the design and documentation only and a winning contractor from a bidding process to take up the construction contract. This method does not give you much of control over your project’s spending due to a separate contracting entity that will only be controlled with the terms of the contract, leaving the contractor to have more control over how to spend your money according only to agreed scope and specifications of the project.

Design-Build Method VS Traditional Design-Bid-Build Method; Project Pacing

The best method for your project if you want greater control and expedite the process of design and construction is that you must select an architect who has the capability of both designing and constructing your project and use the “design-build by administration” service of an architect. This type of service by an architect is a special type of project delivery method that only architects can provide the best outcomes. This way the client-architect collaboration replace the traditional method’s client-architect-contractor adversarial arrangement, where eliminating the third entity (contractor) made the process more simple.

To give you an idea of how this method could apply to you, let me share with you an example of one of my clients who opted for this type of service and how our arrangement was. My clients who were

How Much does Hiring an Architect Cost

"Price is what you Pay and Value is what you Get" ~ Warren Buffet

The fee that architects charge to their clients revolves around the value that they provide as a product for their professional services. The professional service of an architect is proportional to the complexity and risk of professional liability with a project.

The Professional Regulations Board of Architecture has prescribed in their memorandum for the published 2010 Standards for Professional Practice, a schedule of recommended professional fees according to project types, for example, for a residential project the recommended fee is set at 10% of the probable construction cost, however, while these are only recommended, architects are free to charge any amount that does not go far from what is recommended. Some highly reputable architects charge insane amounts of fees due to their reputation and quality of work and many beginning architects charge the lowest to the point of under-charging and hurting their businesses just to compete in price wars with lesser quality substitutes.

Many people are surprised to learn how high architects charge compared to engineers or other non-professionals (who are practicing architecture illegally under R.A.9266), they may go as far as to judge an architect as greedy and are way over their heads, this is because the very low fee or free service providers have far more inferior or non-existent service process compared to what architects provide from a project's start to it's finish. Engineers or non-architects do not value architectural design and charge as low as they can to secure the construction contract of your project, they let you do the designs on your own or get low-paid draftsmen and hide their fees on the construction part when you already have committed to handing them your money, either they sacrifice the quality of the work or underpay workers or both to profit from your project because they didn't charge for design and other preliminary requirements to get your project.

Why contracts are essential when engaging in services

A lot of people get uneasy when they see or hear about contracts, they immediately frown upon it due to the fear of the formality and daunting legal impression of it. The usual response of clients who don't want contracts between them and a professional is that they are very confident that nothing wrong will happen or that it brings tension to the discussions and the relationship. This mindset is so outdated and primitive that there are still so many, including well-educated people, who opt not to have written contracts when hiring designers and builders, this is also a reason that many people fear hiring an architect, they fear that they would be trapped in it and that architects want them to be trapped in signing one. In my experience, people who don't want to work with contracts are not serious clients or are not yet ready to engage in our professional service. In any case, as professionals, we would rather pass on a project that has no real security and good faith in a client.

People who are most likely to fail at negotiations and secure themselves from getting into bad investments are the ones who only deal with verbal agreements and are easy to trust with other people. This mindset is the most vulnerable type of people to con artists or scammers. Contracts or written agreements between two or more parties are very daunting indeed for first-timers but if you've learned anything from life, you never know what could happen when bad things happen and you won't have proof to claim anything from any deal. Dealing with design and construction services is not as simple as buying a fish in the market that you can purchase without contracts or receipts. Service providers promise things and you also promise to pay once the terms are fulfilled, hence, contracts are necessary to protect both you and the service provider in case the agreed terms are not being met a win-win arrangement.

Clients who want a service provider to work without any form of contract are usually the same people who engage in the mediocre services of unlicensed practitioners to save on cost. These unlicensed practitioners or illegal practitioners will not charge for professional liabilities and will not take on the risk because, in the eyes of the law, they don't exist as legitimate service providers. Without any form of contract that spells out specific terms for payment, manner of delivery and other important conditions, any project without it will operate in the dark with no clear understanding of expectations, responsibilities, and obligations and will inevitably result to confusions and the erosion of relationships when problems start to surface in the project. If you don't want to operate under this type of informal and insecure service arrangement and fail miserably in your project, you must recognize the practicality of having a well thought and written contract document that will not only symbolize both party's good faith in the project but will help guide a well-defined project and keep a healthy relationship with your service provider.

Now that you have realized the value of engaging architects or service providers with contracts, what do contracts contain, and how can contracts actually do you a favor?

The Architect's Basic Design Service

Often, individuals mistakenly believe the envisioned design or blueprint is a tangible, completed object that can be procured or acquired from a shelf, thereby enabling them to ascertain its alignment with their desires through tactile engagement. The undervaluation of architectural services can be attributed to a lack of awareness, misinformation, or misguided beliefs. It is important to acknowledge that architects should not be held solely responsible for this perception.

Architectural professionals typically request down payments or acceptance fees prior to commencing any formal work or sketching. However, clients often express concerns regarding the financial implications, as they may feel uncertain about the specific scope and outcome of the architect's services. These concerns are often voiced through comments such as, "What if the delivered design does not align with my preferences?" The prevalent misperception regarding design services lies in the tendency of clients to perceive them solely as finished products, rather than recognising the inherent nature of these services as a process-oriented endeavour. The focal points of discussion revolve around the notions of "service" and "process". In this context, service can be delineated as the diligent execution of tasks by a skilled professional, yielding tangible outcomes in the form of meticulously crafted drawings and estimates, whether in physical or digital format. On the other hand, the process entails a sequence of logical procedures, inherently intertwined with the element of time, necessitating a methodical approach for its successful execution.

The fundamental essence of an architect's design service centres around a meticulously structured process, wherein the architect meticulously assimilates the client's land descriptions, aspirations, preferences, yearnings, financial limitations, and other pertinent factors. These elements are meticulously scrutinized and evaluated by the architect, serving as the catalyst for initiating the imaginative journey of architectural conception. The probability of the client expressing dissatisfaction with the final outcome is minimal, as the client's active involvement will be ensured throughout the entirety of the project. At each stage, the client will have the opportunity to provide their approval or disapproval of proposed solutions, thereby addressing all desired factors and considerations. Ultimately, the objective of the design process is to engage in a cyclical exchange of feedback, ensuring that the design aligns with the client's desires. The architect, leveraging their expertise in building technology and regulations, employs various tools of illustration and communication to present a practical and cost-effective design outcome that can be deemed exemplary in its quality.

7 reasons why Architects are seen as expensive and an unnecessary cost in building projects

When embarking upon the endeavour of designing and constructing residential homes or commercial buildings, it is not uncommon to encounter individuals who suggest that engaging the services of an architect is an extraneous expenditure. These individuals may propose the alternative of employing a draughtsman, foreman, or civil engineer, or even assert their own capability (regardless of experience) to undertake the task without remuneration. They may entice you with the prospect of a "straight contract" arrangement, wherein they assume control over your financial resources and proffer a complimentary design. However, it is imperative to exercise caution, as such arrangements grant them unrestricted discretion over the allocated funds and the subsequent construction, affording them the latitude to act as they see fit.

A discerning and accountable buyer typically identifies warning signs in such a seemingly enticing arrangement, unless one places absolute trust in the individual making the offer with their entire life savings for most would-be home builders and bootstrapping business owners. The strategy employed is to provide complimentary services, such as design and other endeavours, in the initial stages, while presenting oneself as approachable and supportive, in order to cultivate a sense of confidence. This approach bears a resemblance to the deceptive scheme. Conversely, professionals levy appropriate remuneration for their services and the time invested, as legitimate enterprises entail expenses, straightforwardly speaking.

How to create a Design Brief for your architect

A design brief is a simple or complex list of things/ideas that a client wishes for his/her architect would want to know before beginning to design their new home. This might take 3 to 6 pages depending on how articulate a client would like at the outset of design, however, every excited home builder or client must understand the basics of what architecture is and how one should think of this art and science to appreciate the creation of this design brief checklist and be amazed and appreciate how their architect will approach the design and the client's collaboration in the design process.

Designing and building a house is a form of architecture where architects are famous for, most people would quickly assume that building a house is as simple as grabbing pictures and showing them to some carpenter would suffice. A wise home-builder such as yourself should know that it is far more complicated than that, first, you got to think about some principles to help guide your journey in defining your design problem.

Architects and Architecture: Myths vs Reality

What are Architects and what do Architects really do? Why are they called engineers and why they are looked down upon by many people in the industry, especially in the provinces? lots of questions, now let us start answering...

An architect’s role is a lot larger than most people realize. Architects have been described or viewed unfairly over many decades due to historical and political reality in the country, civil engineers outnumber the architects 10-fold, and civil engineers enjoy the mass perception that they do what actually architects do which is to design and build buildings.

The reality is that architects undergo design and construction training for at least 7 years before getting their license, and engineers take at least 5 years with little to no experience in the totality of building design and construction but they are allowed by many to do the architect’s work, since people in power and in public offices are engineers, hence it is evident in what buildings we have, just look around, they are considered the cheap or free design option because they are like most people, they didn’t study architecture.