Architects create the built environment all around us, and their specialty is divided between science and art.
Where architects make drawings, models, plans and technical drawings,
Either manually and more commonly using CAD (Computer Aided Design) software.
They also meet with clients to discuss their needs,
and with other industry professionals such as designers and engineers.
At senior levels, architects may supervise work on construction projects,
but are not involved in the manual labor of construction themselves.
Engineers
Structural engineers also design buildings, but they focus more on safety than aesthetics.
They select the appropriate materials and perform calculations to ensure that the structures do not bend or bend, and that they are suitable for their intended purpose.
They may also advise on how to make improvements to existing buildings.
Engineers have a broader remit than architects,
working not only on buildings but also on things like bridges and dams.
But as with architects, they produce plans and drawings,
meet with other professionals in the field, and may participate in project management as they become more senior.
What are the main differences between architects and structural engineers?
There is a lot of overlap between the two jobs, but the most obvious difference is that structural engineers have little to do with the final appearance of a building.
This is the work of the architect, and on the other hand,
architects can have a lesser understanding of mathematics and physics.
They still need some knowledge of these matters, of course,
but in the end it is usually the engineer who figures out how to keep the building straight and safe.
While architects deal almost exclusively with buildings,
engineers deal with other types of infrastructure as well.
Details of the professions of architecture and engineering
Salary
You will likely be paid a little more as an architect than as a structural engineer.
This reflects the more difficult training required to become a licensed architect.
Education, training and experience
Admission is competitive for undergraduate courses in both architecture and structural engineering,
although requirements vary from institution to institution and country to country.
In most places, including the UK and the US, it takes at least seven years to become an architect.
This includes completing a bachelor’s level qualification and a master’s level qualification (add up to five years),
And gain two years of industry experience before taking the exam and applying for a license.
This is the longest qualification period in any profession, and can be very expensive.
To become an engineer, the paths are more varied,
with some people joining apprenticeship programs after studying and learning on the job.
Some people obtain a diploma (pre-university level) which then allows them to work as a trainee engineer.
Others choose a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in structural engineering,
including or followed by relevant professional experience.
Certificates and licenses
In the UK, professional architects must have completed the RIBA Part III exam and been licensed.
The law does not allow anyone who has obtained a degree in architecture without passing this test to call himself an architect;
Instead, they should refer to themselves as architectural designers.
The situation is similar in the United States,
where architects must pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) before entering professional practice.
Engineers in the UK must seek accreditation from the Institution of Structural Engineers.
If you have a Bachelor of Engineering, you can apply for Embedded Engineer (IEng) status;
If you have a Bachelor of Engineering in addition to a Master’s degree, you can apply for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
While both statuses are advantageous, employers often prefer a certified applicant.
In the United States, licensing requirements for structural engineers vary from state to state.
Typical work environment
Architects work mainly in offices, with occasional site visits and meetings.
In theory, they work nine to five days with occasional overtime,
but in practice the hours can be very long.
As for engineers, the typical work environment depends on the type of organization they work for.
Those who work in consulting primarily work in offices, where they focus on design,
While those who work for contractors tend to work on site and supervise construction.
Working hours are usually longer and more regular with contractors than with consultants.
Other engineering employers include central and local government and utility companies.
Salaries in Architecture and Engineering
Architects tend to earn more than engineers.
As of April 2021 in the United States, the picture is very similar.
American engineers do not earn as much as their fellow architects.
Naturally, salaries are affected by all kinds of factors such as qualifications, experience and location.
For example, licensed certified architects and engineers tend to attract higher wages than those without certification,
and those residing in cities will earn higher wages than those living in small towns.
