What is Architecture?

Architecture is the art, science and the business of building.

Architects create homes, office towers, schools, churches and other buildings. They are talented professionals with a flair for design, an awareness of social trends, keen business sense, solid engineering skills and an understanding of codes, standards and the law. The word 'versatile' may have been invented to describe architects!

Today's architect may be self-employed, or a member of a small, medium or large firm. Others are salaried, as employees of governments, real estate developers or large corporations.

'Clients' are the people who use the services of architects. A client may be a family, First Nation, school board, company, housing authority, government department or building contractor.

So what do architects do exactly? It all starts with a commission or contract from a client. The commission may involve the design of a single building or a group of buildings and the spaces between them.

Usually, the architect leads a team of specialists which may include structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, and others such as landscape architects and interior designers. The architect must also understand and deal with regulations, building codes and by-laws.

The architect keeps everyone on time and on budget. Technical knowledge, good people skills and no-nonsense business sense are all important to this task.

What's the bottom line? Architecture is a business. Being creative and designing something beautiful are only the first steps in making a vision come to life, and in improving the lives of citizens.

Notes
The Architect is a professional who has dedicated his or her career to the practice of architecture. To become an Architect, registered to practice in Saskatchewan, an individual has had to demonstrate successful completion of the requirements for architectural education followed by several years of experience in all aspects of practice. Like other professionals, he or she has been admitted to the profession after passing extensive examinations.

The profession of Architecture in Canada comes under the authority of the respective Province. Each Province has active legislation under which, in the public interest, the provincial Architectural Association is given authority to administer the terms of its Act. By that authority and through bylaws, the provincial Architectural Association regulates the conduct of that profession. To be allowed to practice in their profession, an Architect must be registered in the Province in which they practice, and any breach of the established ethical standard by an Architect can result in suspension or cancellation of their membership.