Architecture for your home: What does an architect do?

Before building your dream house, a well-laid plan must be created. This is where an architect comes in extremely handy. Architects not only design buildings for aesthetic purposes, but also for functionality. Basically, they create the blueprint that builders - and any other relevant construction-related professionals - will be referring to.

We all have our own ideas about what we want our homes to look like, but we often don't consider, or know enough about, additional elements such as plumbing, electricity, safety features, measurements and other structural factors. When it comes to building a house, hiring an architect is where the production process really begins.

The blueprint: Floor plans, roof plans and everything in between

The final plan for your home consists of a variety of sections. Architects must take various aspects into account and make separate plans for the different floors and areas of the proposed house. These plans include:

• Floor plan: This is the main plan, which outlines the overall layout including room, wall, door and window locations, as well as room, door and window sizes and size of wall thickness. A plumbing and electrical layout will also be included. If the proposed house is more than one storey, multiple floor plans for each level will be required.
• Foundation plan: This plan highlights the location of water and sewage necessities, as well as chimney location. Its main purpose is to show where the house is positioned on the foundation.
• Elevation plan: This is a series of drawings of the house from different views (i.e. front, side, rear, bird's eye view), including measurements.
• Interior plan: Includes interior details such as built in cabinets. This plan is not crucial for the initial building construction, but will be needed for when you call in the carpenters.
• Roof plan: Just as the floor needs a plan, so does the roof. This plan highlights the location and size of supportive beams.
• Other plans/Construction notes: You may receive other plans from your architect depending on the package you pay for. For example, some plans will include landscaping features. All solid plans will also come with a set of construction notes from the architect.

Additional architectural factors to consider

Architects are not only useful with home design and functionality, but also a range of other elements that you may not have even thought of. Some examples include:

• Legal issues: Qualified architects are, in theory, completely in the know when it comes to building regulations and legal issues. This saves your own plans being rejected based on building standard laws.
• Environmental elements: The buzz these days is going 'green' and architects will generally have a whole bunch of energy-saving and environmentally friendly methods to share.
• Cash factor: Due to their in-depth knowledge of the construction process, architects are able to design your home with cost-effectiveness in mind.

Architects will generally work on site, alongside the builders, to ensure that their designs are carried out as planned. As with any qualified professional, architects don't come cheap; however, if you want a building expert designing and working on your house, they're the ones to contact.