What Are the Different Types of Architects?

Interested in architecture? Maybe you're considering becoming an architect yourself and you want to find out about the different specializations you can pursue.

If so, you're in the right place. In this article, we'll talk about what architects are, what they do, and some of the many different types of architects out there.

What Is an Architect?

An architect is a building designer. Architects are involved in the planning and building of homes, buildings, bridges, roads, and more.

Basically, if something requires building or construction work, an architect is going to be needed to plan and oversee this work.

Architects receive in-depth training in building design, engineering, safety, and laws and regulations regarding building. Their training prepares them to draft building plans and design various structures.

What Does an Architect Do?

Architects have a variety of job roles and duties. These can vary depending on the architect's particular area of expertise.

Some architects focus more on a building's design, while others focus on the technical aspects of making the designs a reality. These architects typically work together.

Other architects perform both design and technical duties and may work independently or on a smaller team.

Regardless of specialization, many architects perform tasks such as:

• meeting with clients to discuss building plans
• hiring construction professionals and negotiating contracts
• creating blueprints and written instructions
• touring construction sites and material facilities
• scouting potential building sites and finding new clients

What Are Some Different Types of Architects?

Different types of architects work on different types of projects. Let's take a look at some of the more common types of architects and their specializations.

Commercial Architect

Commercial architects design various types of public, or commercial buildings. This can include department stores, restaurants, malls, schools, corporate offices, and other company facilities.

The goal for commercial architects is to create buildings that are free-flowing and easy to navigate. These buildings must be designed to hold many people at once safely.

Commercial architects must have a strong understanding of safety regulations and building codes.

Residential Architect

Residential architects are the opposite of commercial architects; they specialize in private residences such as houses, duplexes, and apartment buildings.

Many residential architects work for private individuals or families looking to build their own home. The architect helps these individuals or families make their dream home a reality.

Residential architects must have good interpersonal skills and a strong working knowledge of safety regulations. They should also have an artistic side.

Urban Architect

Urban architects, also called urban designers, are responsible for the layout and design of neighborhoods, towns, and cities.

Much of their work involves developing urban areas already in existence, but sometimes they build entirely new communities.

They often work together with other types of architects and gather feedback from people in their communities to ensure the area is developed safely and according to resident preferences.

Landscape Architect

Landscape architects are in charge of designing various outdoor spaces. They may create botanical gardens, university campuses, parks, and more.

Landscape architects don't just work with building materials; they also use natural materials such as trees, shrubs, flowers, and ponds.

Their job is to design these natural areas in such a way as to add to the local community without disturbing traffic or residential areas.

Interior Architect

Interior architects are also known as interior designers. Whereas commercial and residential architects design buildings, interior architects design individual rooms within those buildings.

Interior architects focus on smaller details such as colors, fabrics, and furniture. They create floor plans to determine where doors, windows, and walls will go.

Interior architects must have a good understanding of human behavior and aesthetic preferences.

Extreme Architect

Extreme architects have specialized knowledge in designing buildings and other structures to withstand harsh environmental factors.

For example, they may design houses that are structurally sound against hurricanes, earthquakes, or frigid winter conditions.

The need for extreme architects has been rising as more parts of the world are designated as extreme zones.

Historic Preservation Architect

Historic preservation architects focus on preserving old buildings that have architectural or historical significance.

They inspect these buildings to determine their value. Then they plan and oversee renovations that will preserve the building's original design but will also help it last longer.

Historic preservation architects are often educated in both architecture and history.

Lighting Architect

Lighting architects specialize in light and the role it plays in both indoor and outdoor spaces. They study natural and artificial lights to determine appropriate lighting level in structures.

Too little light can cause people to stumble, but too much light can be uncomfortable on the eyes. What's more, specific light colors can have different effects on the eyes and the brain.

Lighting architects aim to produce just the right amount and hues of light for each structure or building they work on. They may design artificial lighting systems or windows and skylights to let in sunlight.

Restoration Architect

Restoration architects are similar to historical preservation architects. They are tasked with preserving historically significant buildings and structures.

However, restoration architects take things a step further: they spend much of their time restoring old structures that would otherwise have to be torn down.

This requires a knowledge of the styles of architecture originally used to build the structure and a strong understanding of historical context.

Green Design Architect

Green design architects are also called sustainable design architects. They specialize in designing and creating eco-friendly buildings and structures.

Green design architects are environmentally conscious, continually searching for new and better ways to save energy and use renewable and sustainable resources.

With this in mind, they must have a strong knowledge regarding these resources, as well as the effects and uses of sunlight, aerodynamics, and material properties.

Explore Career Options for Architects

As you can see, there are many different kinds of architects. If you are interested in pursuing architecture as a career, spend some time thinking about the various fields before deciding on a specialization.