Interlude:

Interlude TEST on the definition of "Civil-Engineer" and "Architect" in different national education systems:

I am throwing in this interlude on wordings / definitions because I want to outline the differences of "Architect" vs. the different types of "Civil-Engineers" and some today's WWW common differences in understanding of their trades across different educational systems. In the English language the word Engineer originated in the early steam age describing the "engine's operator". The combination "Civil-Engineer" associates the operator with a wide civil operational field.

Citation WIKI definition architect (citation 2017, Nov):

>> An architect is a person who plans, designs, and reviews the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings, that have as their principal purpose human occupancy or use. << end of citation.

Kindly notice the emphasis I added. Otherwise I believe this is an absolutely correct definition.

By this definition, the limits of an architect's SOW are the provision of aforesaid services "in connection with the design of ...". Hence we shall conclude: Every Architect (or Engineer) and client partnership should be defined on an individual / case by case basis, carefully outlining the designer's SOW.

I have worked > 20 years abroad mostly on English based contracts or countries with a strong historical influence by Anglophone educational and job-training systems. With this experience I came to the conclusion that an Anglophone originated Architect is in fact a true designer in terms of providing "comprehensive services", whereas a civil engineer is more likely the construction manager in charge for realising the architect's design.

Why did I see a necessity to write these lines ??

Because in German based (or related to) educational / job training systems there is a slightly different understanding and distribution on: Who takes what role in construction related tasks? The origin for this distribution of SOW is less a definition issue but rather result of evolution with respect to "4 eyes principle" and avoiding construction permit applications "of one's own initiative" (under evaluation for an official government's "valid for construction" certificate).

Please note that the description of differences following herewith underneath are not set in stone but reflect the work load / SOW distribution as it has evolved over decades and is found in Germany today.

a) Architect: The German understanding of Architect is pretty much the same as the English one.

b) Civil Engineer: The German system knows more than 1 type of civil engineers, being:

b.1) The general "civil-engineer" who is physically executing / supervising the construction works and is specialised on methodology and economics, or today's "Construction Manager". He is far less involved into design related tasks. Typically he would work for the construction industry turning design into real existing structures.

b.2) The "civil-design-engineer" providing the executable / verified design (including all the analysis pertaining to stability, mechanical, stress, durability). Typically he would be working for an engineering company (before too the technical office of a construction contractor) verifying the design and turning this into workable shop drawings. Issues related to construction methodology (e.g. interim stages and transport issues) developed together with "general-civil-engineer" would be addressed by the "civil-design-engineer" rather than the architect.

My point here is: As per the German system the design phase is shared between Architects and Civil Engineers (4 eyes principle). Thus because it is most likely a civil engineer who will turn an architect's design into executable shop drawings. Even so the vast majority of construction permit applications [1] in Germany is originated by architects you would find less architects than civil engineers involved into structural analysis, stability and shop drawings. respective verification thereof.

My main conclusion: No matter what size of job and construction works you are up to, no matter which regional country specific codes would be applicable to your project, always make sure that you have some "4 eyes principle" applied. Best starting right from the beginning whilst still in design phase.

[1] In Germany both Architects and Civil Engineers are entitled to apply for these permits. However the question if this could be done of one's own initiative for a particular structure - it is linked to a complex catalog / definition on structure's type, size, complexity & nature. And with structural analysis mostly being performed by b.2) (see above) you would also find an Architect and a Civil Engineer working jointly on the same project's design phase. A very reliable and proven safeguard method (4 eyes principle).