When you’re planning a home renovation, extension or brand new build you’re likely to come across a few different job titles – architect, building designer, draftsperson, interior designer. It’s easy to get confused about who does what and which professional you actually need for your particular project.
Here’s an of each role, and what they have to offer…
Architect
The term ‘architect’ is actually protected by law in Australia – that’s why you won’t see just anyone calling themselves an architect. Only the people who are registered with the NSW Architects Registration Board (or the equivalent in other states) are allowed to use that title. This is similar to how only certain people can call themselves a doctor or a lawyer. It’s all about making sure that the people who use that title are qualified and professional.
Architects do a minimum of five years at uni plus a fair bit of practical experience before they get registered. They can work on all sorts of projects – from tiny houses to big commercial developments.
Building Designer
Building designers specialise in the design and documentation of buildings. Most of them focus on residential projects, but some of them can take a crack at bigger jobs too. There may be some rules about the size and scope of the projects they can do, but generally they’re well suited to handling most residential work – new homes, renovations and extensions.
A lot of building designers are part of professional associations like the Building Designers Association, where they set standards for training and practice.
Draftsperson
A draftsperson used to work for an architect, turning their design ideas into actual drawings. A lot of the time you’ll see them described as an ‘architectural draftsperson’ or they might offer ‘architectural drafting services‘. Nowadays a lot of draftspersons work for themselves, preparing construction documentation and working drawings for residential projects. They’re good at producing the technical plans that you need to get council approval and get your project underway.
Interior Designer
Interior designers are all about the internal spaces of buildings – they work with colours, furniture, fixtures and finishes. It really depends on the individual – how they work, what they specialise in and what kind of projects they take on.
Some interior designers are all about the aesthetic side of things – they get to focus on the look and feel. Others will be involved in planning the layout and working out how the internal spaces fit together – even though that doesn’t involve changing the structure of the building.
Which Professional Do I Need?
For most residential projects in Sydney – whether it’s a new home, renovation or extension – you’re likely to need a building designer or a draftsperson. They can give you everything you need from that initial design concept through to getting council approval and getting the plans ready to send to the builder.
The key is finding a professional who understands your project and can help you navigate the whole process from design right through to build.
At Plan Shop, our team includes registered architects and experienced draftspersons who work together to deliver integrated design and drafting services – and we stay on site throughout construction to make sure the build matches the plans.