What's the diffeence between architect and engineer?

Question

I am interested on how to build my own house.
I would like to learn more about it.
*engineer that is for building houses.
and what's the name/title of that engineer?

Answer 1

An architect has responsibility for the appearance and people aspects of buildings. She has to determine the sizes of spaces needed for people to do tasks in the building, how people get in and out, what code requirements are for people to use the building (from toilet spaces to fire escapes) and how the building looks in terms of shape, and surface treatments.
An engineer has to figure out the weight of the building and things like heating/cooling, elevators, water supply, elevators, and fire fighting equipment in the building and determine the structure that will hold it up and meet code requirements for stiffness of floors, thickness of walls, and fire resistance of the structure.
The two may work at the same time for the same firm or the architect may design first, especially smaller buildings, and an engineer then work over the plans to make them work, for example specifying a steel beam for supporting a large roof where the architect just drew a beam.
Different architects work differently, some wanting to be very close to the structure others wanting the design to look a specific way and the supports have to be worked out inside it.

Answer 2

For typical residential construction (single family dwellings), you will not need an engineer. These types of structures are not "engineered" structures. An architect will be able to handle the design for you. As previously mentioned, architects are responsible for the layout, aesthetics, and day to day functionality of the building. Most of what you actually see when you look at a building is the result of the architect (Colors, textures, facade materials, lighting, etc.). On larger buildings, structural engineers are called in to design the structural support system of the buidling. This would include joists, slabs, beams, girders, columns, lateral bracing, foundations, etc.). This is due to the fact that larger buildings (like commercial buildings) are often subjected to more complex loads. Depending on the size of the project, other engineers may be called in to help in the project. For example, a geotechnical engineer may be called in to examine the soil conditions on the building site that may affect the design of the foundation.

Back to your question, these special problems usually do not appear in buidling homes because the structure is relatively small and simple. Because of this, architects can use general rules of thumb when designing the structure without having to calculate complex structural designs.

Answer 3

First, the answer to your sub question... a civil engineer can design houses. A structural engineer typically would not be involved in something as simple, they do complex or high risk buildings. For example, in California a civil engineer can design any structure besides a hospital, public school, or building over 160' tall in LA County. Those must all be deigned by a structural engineer.

That said, if your home is simple you may not need to hire an engineer. Check your local building code. Typically if the building is "standard framing" it can be deigned by anyone. Here in CA, the Uniform Building Code (UBC) has all the tables for stud spacing, nailing requirements, etc so anyone can do it (legally). Ask your local building department (where you go to get a building permit). They will point you in the right direction.

Answer 4

A structural engineer would be the one who would specialize in understanding what materials and building methods are crucial for things like load bearing walls and the such.

Architects will come up with a better looking design, and understand design principles.

On a new project, there's usually a civil engineer, structural engineer, architect, landscape architect, geotechnical technician....there's a bunch.

Answer 5

the architect wil design and dimension the house, and engineer will handle the structura loads/requirements of the house

chances are that you only need an architect.