Civil Engineer vs Architect: Who Does What?
Architects design buildings: their layout, appearance and code compliance for occupants. Civil engineers design the site and infrastructure around and under them. Most commercial projects need both, plus structural and MEP engineers.
What architects do
Licensed architects design the building itself: floor plans, building envelope, egress, accessibility, fire separations and the overall look. They often lead the design team and coordinate consultants. Architects are licensed by state boards, typically after a professional degree, experience and the Architect Registration Examination.
On houses, many owners use a residential designer or architect for the floor plans and an engineer only for elements outside prescriptive code limits.
What civil engineers do on the same project
The civil engineer designs the site: grading, stormwater, water and sewer connections, driveways, parking, fire lanes, erosion control and the permit package for site work. A structural engineer (often a civil engineering specialty) designs the frame and foundations; mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers design building systems.
The architect and civil engineer must agree on key details such as the finished floor elevation, building entrances, accessible routes from parking to the door, and where utilities enter the building. When these are coordinated early, site and building plans reach the permit office consistent with each other.
How to put the team together
For a commercial building, owners usually hire the architect first, who brings in the structural and MEP engineers; the civil engineer may be hired by the architect or directly by the owner, often early because site constraints shape the building. For a house on a simple lot you may need only a designer and a surveyor; on a difficult lot hire the civil engineer early.
Whoever leads, make sure contracts clearly assign responsibility for each part of the design so nothing falls between consultants, such as site lighting, retaining walls next to the building or the connection between the building drain and the site sewer.
Frequently asked questions
Can an architect design a site plan?
Architects often prepare site layouts, but grading, stormwater and utility design generally require a civil engineer's seal.
Do I need an architect for a house?
Many states exempt single-family homes from requiring an architect. Check your state.
Who should I hire first?
For difficult sites, the surveyor and civil engineer first. For complex buildings, the architect first.
Sources
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