What is the difference between an Architect and a Draughtsperson?

The titles used by design professionals can be confusing because they do mean quite different types of training and levels of service. Below is a breakdown of the three common titles.

Architect:

Architecture is a protected occupation. In New Zealand you can’t legally call yourself an architect unless you’re registered by the New Zealand Registered Architects Board. It takes five years of study, and three-plus years of professional experience before you can apply to register to be an architect. The registration process then takes the form of a panel interview where the interviewee presents several case studies of their work and they are asked questions on all topics that extend far beyond design and technical detailing including contracts, ethics, and NZ building law. Only once the board is satisfied can the applicant assume the title ‘architect’. They must then continue to attend professional development training and undergo a competency review every 5 years.

The architect will be at your side for the duration of the project starting from understanding your brief and any constraints of the project (for example planning or budgetary), preparing a concept design to suit your budget and brief, developing the design, drawing technical details, applying for resource and building consent, helping to select a builder and observing the build to ensure that the build progresses as per the plans. Most architects will also design your interiors such as kitchens and bathrooms and help with selecting all materials, fixtures and finishes.

Draughtsperson:

A draughtsperson (also known as ‘architectural technician’) has most often obtained a diploma in architectural technology. They generally have a lot of technical understanding, know the NZ building code and other NZ regulations and can prepare detailed drawings. If they have their LBP certificate, they can apply for building consent.

The advantage of a draughtsperson is that their fees are lower so if your project is small (like a deck, or minor renovation) and does not need much design input, it may suit you to hire a draughtsperson.

Architectural Designer:

This is a tricky one because this is not a protected title. Some architectural designers will have studied for 5 years and worked in the industry for a long time but have just not quite completed their architectural registration with the NZRAB. This means they can provide a level of service similar to an architect. Some architectural designers are ex-builders who have put down the tools and therefore have a lot of practical knowledge. And then there are others with no training at all!

It is very important to ask some questions on training, experience and background before engaging an architectural designer and assess their suitability for your project based on their individual experience level.

Who should I engage for my project?

Whether an architect, architectural designer or draughts-person is right for your project depends on the size and complexity of the project. If your project is small and simple, like a deck addition or minor renovation then a draughtsperson might be right for you. If your project requires a site specific response, some design consideration, and the construction cost will be over $400,000, then generally, your project will suit engaging a designer or architect.

Expect that the designer, engineer, planner and council fees are likely to be around 15% of the construction value of a new home and 20% of the construction value of an alteration and addition. This cost is spread out over 1-2 years as it includes interiors and contract observation.

Because design fees are often the first costs incurred on a project, they seem like a lot. However, if a project is well planned, managed and detailed in the early stages, this easily pays itself back in 100 different ways during the life of the project. As a ballpark, it can easily cost $7,000 per week to have your builder on-site, which means the cost of any delays or mistakes on-site hugely outweigh fees to plan ahead and limit this risk.

Great design is in the details that have been carefully considered. A clever design will maximise your space to suit your brief and a talented designer will be able to save you money spent on things like structural steel or ongoing maintenance.

If you engage SBA to design your home, expect:

- A bespoke home that suits your needs and engages with the site

- Step by step guidance at every stage of your project maximising quality and efficiency, leveraging relationships and minimising risks

- Reduced stress and help with making all the required decisions in a timely manner - The process should be fun!

- Someone in your corner to assist with delays, cost over-runs, contractual difficulties or difficult approvals processes.

- To recover the money spent in fees through clever design, mitigating risks and saving time during construction.