There are several fields of specialization in Architecture, but for the sake of this discussion, we will look at those areas which relate to the designing and building of residential and commercial buildings: Residential Architecture: while there are many distinct subfields of residential architecture, the focus here is on the design and planning of homes and apartments. The area of design and planning includes such things as building regulations (the codes and laws which govern the construction of residential buildings), aesthetics (how the structure looks), transportation considerations (building size and number of rooms, their access and exits, where they should go), accessibility considerations (which materials are used to build houses, and what methods and equipment are used to build them) and budgeting.
Commercial Architecture: the area of planning and designing commercial buildings, which include office buildings and retail buildings. There are many sub-fields of commercial architecture, and the focus here is on the actual construction of a commercial building, including the design, planning, construction and maintenance of the building. Here, the sub-fields are finance and economics, construction, marketing, management and planning.
University Examination: architecture can take place as part of an undergraduate course, but there are also specialized universities and institutions that offer a university examination as a requirement for admission into their professional programs. These university exams can be taken individually, or they can be taken as part of a program leading to a degree.
Professional Architecture Companies: although there are several professional organizations that specialize in this field, there are also many companies that specialize in the hiring of architects, designers and other specialists. These companies provide a wide range of services, ranging from planning and design to the actual construction of buildings. Some specialize in the building of industrial and commercial buildings. Others are specialized in residential and commercial architecture.
Engineering Services: there are some specializations that cover both engineering and architectural services. One of these, for example, is architectural engineering services, which concentrates on the creation of a structure, usually of a skyscraper, in the design and construction of the building. The most important areas of expertise in this area are electrical and civil systems, mechanical systems, construction design, floor plans and the use of various types of materials. The design process of the structure and its functionality is studied, and a plan of construction is drawn up.
There are many companies that specialize in both design and construction. There are also architectural design and construction firms, which offer general design and construction services for the construction of residential and commercial structures, and in particular, have experience in the design and installation of complex systems like plumbing and fire protection systems.
The demand for experienced architects and engineers is rising, especially in these days when the construction of many new buildings is taking place. In order to attract top quality, qualified architects, it is important to work with a reputable company that offers both design and construction, and has experience in both fields. The best firms offer both design and construction services, which ensure that you will get the best results from your investment.
