307 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

Overlap would be a sharing of duties, wouldn’t it?

[Rob Randall]

^Not really. I'm thinking there's usually someone in the architect's office with some structural engineering background so that the overall design is good before it gets sent off to the professional engineer's office who really gets into the nitty gritty.

 

I was thinking of the Johnson Street Bridge as an example: conjured up by a designer but the engineers had to struggle to make it functional because more thought was put in to how it looked rather than how it worked.

 

Doesn't an architect have a little bit more technical know-how that would make the engineer's job easier?

Edited by Rob Randall, 19 October 2020 - 03:46 PM.

[Mattjvd]

Architecture in BC is a Masters-level professional degree, with Engineering strongly recommended as the undergraduate. I'd imagine most architects are also civil engineers.

[Jackerbie]

Architecture in BC is a Masters-level professional degree, with Engineering strongly recommended as the undergraduate. I'd imagine most architects are also civil engineers.

 

Engineers are very much the minority among registered architects. Most come from a design background, as architecture is usually offered at both the undergrad and graduate level.

[TallGuy]

^Not really. I'm thinking there's usually someone in the architect's office with some structural engineering background so that the overall design is good before it gets sent off to the professional engineer's office who really gets into the nitty gritty.

 

I was thinking of the Johnson Street Bridge as an example: conjured up by a designer but the engineers had to struggle to make it functional because more thought was put in to how it looked rather than how it worked.

 

Doesn't an architect have a little bit more technical know-how that would make the engineer's job easier?

No. Professionals are expected to "stay in their lane." Reviewing and approving of work in a discipline they are not fully qualified in opens up liability.

 

Architecture in BC is a Masters-level professional degree, with Engineering strongly recommended as the undergraduate. I'd imagine most architects are also civil engineers.

No. My experience was that your could switch to architecture after two years of engineering. Two years of engineering wouldn't make you an engineer. Technically, you can't refer to yourself as an engineer unless you are a registered professional engineer, even if you have completed your undergrad.

[Mattjvd]

No. Professionals are expected to "stay in their lane." Reviewing and approving of work in a discipline they are not fully qualified in opens up liability.

No. My experience was that your could switch to architecture after two years of engineering. Two years of engineering wouldn't make you an engineer. Technically, you can't refer to yourself as an engineer unless you are a registered professional engineer, even if you have completed your undergrad.

Huh, the more you know. I thought it was strictly a grad degree.

[MarkoJ]

Architecture in BC is a Masters-level professional degree, with Engineering strongly recommended as the undergraduate. I'd imagine most architects are also civil engineers.

 

I've met  more architects with undergrad arts degrees than engineering. Actually I can't think of any I've come across that are civil engineer undergrads. 

[Mike K.]

D’Ambrosio offers engineering in-house. At least I know they did engineering for Esquimalt Town Square.

[jasmineshinga]

I'm thinking there's usually someone in the architect's office with some structural engineering background so that the overall design is good before it gets sent off to the professional engineer's office who really gets into the nitty gritty.

 

I was thinking of the Johnson Street Bridge as an example: conjured up by a designer but the engineers had to struggle to make it functional because more thought was put in to how it looked rather than how it worked.

 

Doesn't an architect have a little bit more technical know-how that would make the engineer's job easier?

Not really. We can copy stuff that worked before, such as typical column spacing in parkades, but we are fully expecting it to be thrown out by an engineer and our design must flex to suit. We don't do the loading math, we have little say on the structure unless it massively impacts the design - in which case we begin the long task of getting an engineer to try something different.

[jasmineshinga]

I've met  more architects with undergrad arts degrees than engineering. Actually I can't think of any I've come across that are civil engineer undergrads. 

Heck, an Architect doesn't even need a formal education, one can register and practice through AIBC if you've been working long enough and another Architect endorses your skill.

[pontcanna]

Langford loses case, allowed building without architect

Times Colonist  8 Jul 2021 - ROXANNE EGAN-ELLIOTT

A decision by Langford’s chief building inspector to issue a building permit for an apartment complex not designed by an architect, as required by a provincial law, was “unreasonable,” B.C.’s highest court has ruled.

The B.C. Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by the City of Langford seeking to overturn an earlier B.C. Supreme Court ruling that it was unreasonable to issue a building permit without involving an architect on the project.

 

More:  https://digitaltimes...81479279410348

 

[Victoria Watcher]

just important to note that article is not about Danbrook.

I think it’s about a 6-unit building.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 08 July 2021 - 04:43 AM.

[Mike K.]

The law requires the use of an architect?

[Sparky]

^ Yes.

[pontcanna]

just important to note that article is not about Danbrook.

I think it’s about a 6-unit building.

 

Oops, I'll stick to my usual crime beat in future

[Victoria Watcher]

for certain building types.

[Mike K.]

Hmmm. The architectural institute of BC says:

Not every building or application requires an architect. The Architects Act includes a number of ”exceptions” by which certain building types and sizes are exempted from the general requirement for architects or by which certain persons (for example, designated government or armed forces personnel, or employees of architects) may be permitted to practice architecture.

- https://aibc.ca/prot...d-an-architect/

So it may have been required for this specific scenario, but it’s not required by law 100% of the time, which is implied in the article. The wording should qualify the requirement as specific to that particular project.

[Mike K.]

The bottom line is this building wasn’t designed by some kid or a guy off the street. There are many design-build services that are not licensed architectural firms, and some have architects sign off on their work, or not at all.

But an architect is also not an engineer and requires engineers to then turn their design into a workable project. I’m other words, an architect doesn’t make the build habitable nor deals with structural matters.

[spanky123]

just important to note that article is not about Danbrook.

I think it’s about a 6-unit building.

 

True although, IIRC, Langford was named as a defendant in the Danbrook One lawsuit and if there is a similar issue then a precedent has now been set by the court.

[tiger11]

Well, since this thread is revived there is a $1m building permit for alterations to Danbrook by a vancouver architect firm. So it looks like they may have found a way to rectify the issue.