If you are designing you own house, you need to know what residential architects do. Residential architecture is a branch of architecture that centers on the design of residential properties that can range from houses to condominiums and apartments. Residential architects are the professionals who are responsible for designing and executing such projects.
Most residential architects will create custom designs for clients who wish to have unique homes. Having a custom home will give you the opportunity to freely construct a building that will perfectly match your personality and lifestyle. It may be cost more than purchasing a generic home, but everyone wishes to live in their dream homes, and working with residential architects to do a one-of-a-kind design is the surest way to achieve that dream. Other residential architects, however, those who build apartments and townhouses, will usually stick to generic or standard designs.
Typically, a residential architect will start a project by first meeting with the client in order to determine his or her design vision, budget, and style. The architect will draft blueprints to present his proposals. A residential architect should always keep abreast with current architectural trends for merging style with function, so make sure his proposal reflects that knowledge.
When employing the services of a residential architect, expect him to guide your all throughout the project, from drafting the design to the complete construction of the property. They must work closely with you in order to make sure that all your expectations are met. They’re like fashion designers, but instead of making clothes, they build houses… and just the same way you would like clothing to fit you perfectly, you also want a home that fits your lifestyle well.
Aside from aesthetics, a residential architect must also incorporate safety guidelines, and building codes, into the design. Floor plans must include designs for plumbing, electrical, cooling and heating systems for the property.
A good residential architect will supervise and oversee a project from start to completion. They must also interact with contractors, builders, and interior designers.
The trend nowadays is building greener homes and more and more residential architects are jumping into the bandwagon. Green homes are designed in such a way that promotes energy conservation. For instance, green homes during the hot summer months will not require frequent use of air conditioners. The ventilation of the home will be maximized through the construction of the home. Residential architects will also research on the best and most eco-friendly construction materials to use for building.
Residential architects often begin their careers by first studying general architecture courses and later, specializing in residential structures. Their education will include studying the art and history of architecture, along with training on how to draft, how to interact with contractors and engineers, and how to negotiate with clients in terms of fulfilling their needs. In order for residential architects to legally practice in the US, they must pass a licensing exam.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, residential architects have competitive salaries. About 20 percent of residential architects are self-employed. This gives them the opportunity to carefully choose which projects to work on, and it mans that when choosing residential architects, you should be prepared to pay a bit more for the architect’s services than you would pay for stock floor plans.