What is a Building Designer?

Read: 4 mins.

What is a Building Designer? I was recently at a construction conference; a trade show of-sorts for construction professionals. There I was assumed to be an Interior Designer, Architect, and Home Designer. And I suppose you could spout off as many titles as you like; Architect, Home Designer, House or Home Designer, Interior Designer, or just plain old Designer. 

#allthingsdesign

But all those titles, I am not.

You might be thinking, it’s just a title. But it’s more than a title. It’s a type of service and experience that you, as homeowner undergoing a new home or renovation, will receive. And it’s important to know before beginning.

So the best way to explain what something is, is to explain what it is not. First things first, a Building Designer is not an Architect. Nor are they everything else listed above - Home, House, or Interior Designers. 

What is the official title?

Since we’re on the talk of titles, you can call us “Building Designer” or “Architectural Designer” depending on where you are located around the world. In many countries, Canada included, the term “Architectural Designer” and the derivatives of architecture are legally reserved for registered Architects. 

Many are also loosely known as "Residential Designer" or worse "Home Designer", since they focus mainly on residential design and renovations. However, since both are extremely vague titles, other professions have misconstrued or even misused them (I’m looking at you Interior Decorators and Home Stagers). Tip for professionals: Don’t use either.

Also, don’t get this confused with Interior Designers. While most Architects and some Building Designers do provide some level of this service, most do not and typically hire or contract out Interior Designers to work with them on the interior construction details and finishings. 

Whether it’s Architectural Designer or Building Designer, we’ll continue with “Designer” in this article. 

What does a Designer do?

This type of designer is a person that is involved in the design of the building itself.

Emphasis on the work BUILDING. You know - blueprints, construction drawings, or what we call them loosely today, plans. Specifically architectural plans. They are the plans that contractors and all the sub-trades will work off of.

Little known fact, Designers make up a large contingent of the individuals working in the procurement of custom homes and renovations, and in some cases commercial buildings. In most cases, for residential design you are not required to hire an Architect.

Between Architects and Designers, Designers tend to be the more cost effective choice. They are typically a single Designer or a small team. They work with you to expand on your vision and turn it into a reality on paper while having the knowledge of design and construction, and bylaws and budget restraints. They also work closely with Contractors, Project Managers, Engineers, Interior Designers, City Officials, and anyone else that is a part of your project. They see it through to the end of the build and are there if you need them. 

They can be the right fit for you and your project, so long as you find a reputable person to work with. 

If you’re not interested in any of that and just looking for a simple, cheap plan while cutting all ties at permit approval, then perhaps a draftsperson is just the right person for you.

But if that sounds like someone you’d want to work with, feel free to reach out to me, a fellow Building Designer, and get the conversation started. And if you have any more questions about my job and what it entails, pease leave a comment below, send me an email, or DM me on Instagram.

“Recognizing the need is the primary condition for design” - Charles Eames