By: O. Newell Cheatheam, CPBD, AIBD,TIBD, RID
President – Newell’s Designs, www.newellsdesigns.com,
www.linkedin.com/in/newellcheatheam
PO Box 5254, Katy, Tx 77491.5254
281.392.3034
Thinking of having a custom home or commercial project designed? Will you use a building designer or an architect?
Both are involved in the design of custom homes and commercial buildings. But what’s the difference?
The title “building designer” can be used by anyone designing projects. There are many persons out there calling themselves building designers, but are inexperienced, just a draftsman, not certified and or not qualified to design most projects like a certified professional building designer (CPBD) or experienced architect.
But be sure that person is a “certified professional building designer” that you retain to design your project if using a building designer verses an architect. To qualify, an individual must first possess a minimum five years of educational and professional experience. As with the CPBD credential, a Professional Building Designer must subscribe to a scrupulous code of professional ethics. Equally significant, both require a commitment to professional development through a continuing education policy. National Council of Building Design Certification www.ncbdc.com, the only nationally recognized Building Design certification program, with a continuous history since the 1950′s and formed by AIBD as a self-governing body whose sole purpose was to maintain and administer the national certification examination. In addition, building designers, interior designers and the trade are urged to be a member of American Institute of Building Design (AIBD) www.aibd.org and local chapter organizations to farther their profession with peers, building industry professionals and vendors. The certification process is available to all qualified building designers, regardless of their affiliation with any association.
To be called an “architect”, you have to be registered with the Board of Architects in the state you are licensed in. To be called “certified professional building designer” CPBD you must be certified by the National Council of Building Design Certification. Both have seals for the projects they design.
“But that’s hardly even scratching the surface” says O. Newell Cheatheam, CPBD, AIBD , TIBD, RID, President of Newell’s Designs www.newellsdesigns.com, Katy, Texas is a Certified Professional Building designer, Texas registered Interior Designer, has designed over 3000 custom homes from 250 s.f. to 10,500 s.f. and numerous different types of commercial projects.
Certified Professional Building Designers are generally less expensive. Probably most architects don’t want to design a small remodeling of a custom home or commercial remodeling project, whereas Newell does. Some states limit the size of commercial projects that non-architects can design without partnering with a registered architect or registered engineer. Newell said there are overlaps between what architects do and what building designers do. There’s no simple rule. “No matter what the project, qualified certified professional building designers and good architects both produce quality work”, he says.
Architects are a little more likely to stretch the boundaries and challenge a client’s budget and sometimes go over the construction budget.
Newell said “my clients normally have a rough idea of what they want for a custom home or commercial project and in today’s market are more educated through the internet than 10 years ago. I take their ideas and design their project into something they dream about to meet their needs, but they could never have imagined themselves.”
The most important thing is know what you want from the design consultant, and choosing someone that suits your project.
And whether you choose an architect or a certified professional building designer, remember, qualifications are no guarantee of quality. Always ask to see previous examples of their work. Ask for references from previous customers. Ask to see their qualifications. Ask how long they’ve been working in the design field. Are they a member of an accredited body?
In the end, it’s like anything else, there’s no substitute for common sense.
Q: Are architects and building designers the same thing?
A: No. Architects must be tested, registered and licensed with the state licensing Board of Architects of their state. Certified Professional Building Designers are tested and
certified with the National Council of Building Design Certification. Anyone can call themselves a building designer.
Q: Will I get a better design from an architect?
A: Not necessarily. The only guarantee is a minimum level of qualifications. Architects must have a Bachelor of Architecture degree (5 years) as well as the demonstrated ability to deal with clients and satisfy their requirements. Generally this means at least a couple of years experience in an architect’s office.
Certified Professional Building designers are required to have engaged in the professional practice of building design for at least six (6) years, have accumulated industry-relevant educational credits? Such as training or courses relating to architecture or structural engineering in accredited universities, colleges, vocational or correspondence schools, or employment and on-the-job training, under the supervision of a Professional Building Designer, architect or professional engineer.
Q: Are building designers more in touch with builders and other trades?
A: Most building designers are normally more active in builders associations and with builders.
Q: How do I tell if a person is really an Architect?
A: Call the Board of Architects or local A.I.A. chapter in your state.
Q: How do I tell if a person is really accredited Certified Professional Building Designer?
A: Call the National Council of Building Design 888.726.7659, American Institute of Building Design 800-366-2423, local state organization of A.I.B. D. or visit www.ncbdc.com and or www.aibd.org.
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