Project architect
Encyclopedia
A Project Architect is a term used to define a specific role
in an Architect's office
. The Project Architect (PA) role usually indicates the individual who is responsible for overseeing the Architectural aspects of the development of the design
, production of the construction documents ("plan
s") and specifications. The position generally involves coordinating the needs of a client
, possibly and designer and technical staff, and outside consultant
s such as structural engineer
s, Mechanical Engineers, Civil Engineer
s and Landscape architect
s.
Additionally, the Project Architect may take on the additional responsibility to perform the managerial tasks related to the running of an Architectural project. On larger projects, or in large offices, a separate Project manager
may be assigned to assist in the non-technical or accounting tasks related to the delivery of the work.
The specific tasks of a project architect (PA) are usually associated with architectural design, construction materials & methods and the production of construction documents (floor plan
s, elevation
s, etc.). Other responsibilities range from client relations to zoning
and building code
management, material specifications, maintaining quality control by checking and making revisions to shop drawing
s. The PA usually works in concert with a Project Manager
(PM) who is responsible for the budget and the whole architectural design team including all consultants (engineer
s, cost estimators, interior designers, landscape architect
s).
The project architect can also assume the role of the PM in a small studio, but typically, the project architect is only responsible for the design management of a building project, assisted by interns
and other staff. The project architect is not necessarily registered as an architect, and does not often sign contracts, construction documents or payment applications, which are legally signed and sealed by the owner or a partner of the architectural office. This liability is covered by the firm, and the legal responsibility for any architectural design errors and omissions ultimately falls on the owner or partner in an architectural firm who signs the documents.
Role
A role or a social role is a set of connected behaviours, rights and obligations as conceptualised by actors in a social situation. It is an expected or free or continuously changing behaviour and may have a given individual social status or social position...
in an Architect's office
Office
An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the...
. The Project Architect (PA) role usually indicates the individual who is responsible for overseeing the Architectural aspects of the development of the design
Design
Design as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
, production of the construction documents ("plan
Plan
A plan is typically any diagram or list of steps with timing and resources, used to achieve an objective. See also strategy. It is commonly understood as a temporal set of intended actions, through which one expects to achieve a goal...
s") and specifications. The position generally involves coordinating the needs of a client
Consumer
Consumer is a broad label for any individuals or households that use goods generated within the economy. The concept of a consumer occurs in different contexts, so that the usage and significance of the term may vary.-Economics and marketing:...
, possibly and designer and technical staff, and outside consultant
Consultant
A consultant is a professional who provides professional or expert advice in a particular area such as management, accountancy, the environment, entertainment, technology, law , human resources, marketing, emergency management, food production, medicine, finance, life management, economics, public...
s such as structural engineer
Structural engineer
Structural engineers analyze, design, plan, and research structural components and structural systems to achieve design goals and ensure the safety and comfort of users or occupants...
s, Mechanical Engineers, Civil Engineer
Civil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
s and Landscape architect
Landscape architect
A landscape architect is a person involved in the planning, design and sometimes direction of a landscape, garden, or distinct space. The professional practice is known as landscape architecture....
s.
Additionally, the Project Architect may take on the additional responsibility to perform the managerial tasks related to the running of an Architectural project. On larger projects, or in large offices, a separate Project manager
Project manager
A project manager is a professional in the field of project management. Project managers can have the responsibility of the planning, execution, and closing of any project, typically relating to construction industry, architecture, computer networking, telecommunications or software...
may be assigned to assist in the non-technical or accounting tasks related to the delivery of the work.
The specific tasks of a project architect (PA) are usually associated with architectural design, construction materials & methods and the production of construction documents (floor plan
Floor plan
In architecture and building engineering, a floor plan, or floorplan, is a diagram, usually to scale, showing a view from above of the relationships between rooms, spaces and other physical features at one level of a structure....
s, elevation
Elevation
The elevation of a geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface ....
s, etc.). Other responsibilities range from client relations to zoning
Zoning
Zoning is a device of land use planning used by local governments in most developed countries. The word is derived from the practice of designating permitted uses of land based on mapped zones which separate one set of land uses from another...
and building code
Building code
A building code, or building control, is a set of rules that specify the minimum acceptable level of safety for constructed objects such as buildings and nonbuilding structures. The main purpose of building codes are to protect public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to the...
management, material specifications, maintaining quality control by checking and making revisions to shop drawing
Shop drawing
A is a drawing or set of drawings produced by the contractor, supplier, manufacturer, subcontractor, or fabricator. Shop drawings are typically required for pre-fabricated components. Examples of these include: elevators, structural steel, trusses, pre-cast, windows, appliances, cabinets, air...
s. The PA usually works in concert with a Project Manager
Project manager
A project manager is a professional in the field of project management. Project managers can have the responsibility of the planning, execution, and closing of any project, typically relating to construction industry, architecture, computer networking, telecommunications or software...
(PM) who is responsible for the budget and the whole architectural design team including all consultants (engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
s, cost estimators, interior designers, landscape architect
Landscape architect
A landscape architect is a person involved in the planning, design and sometimes direction of a landscape, garden, or distinct space. The professional practice is known as landscape architecture....
s).
The project architect can also assume the role of the PM in a small studio, but typically, the project architect is only responsible for the design management of a building project, assisted by interns
Intern Architect
An intern architect is a person who has successfully completed an accredited degree in architecture and is preparing for registration/ licensure as an architect...
and other staff. The project architect is not necessarily registered as an architect, and does not often sign contracts, construction documents or payment applications, which are legally signed and sealed by the owner or a partner of the architectural office. This liability is covered by the firm, and the legal responsibility for any architectural design errors and omissions ultimately falls on the owner or partner in an architectural firm who signs the documents.