Types of Architects: Choosing the right one for your project

Architects are often perceived as professionals who only design and build houses. But they can actually offer a lot more than that. Architects are skilled to bring ideas from imagination to the drawing board. They are able to consider the purpose of the build, its surroundings, and possible obstacles to create a design bespoke to your requirements. 

After the design work, architects can also assist you with the planning permission so you can move towards the building stage of the project. Which makes choosing the right type of architect for your project one of the most important decisions you will make. 

The field of architecture allows architects to specialise in different areas so that their skills are best suited for different projects. We’ve listed some of the top areas architects can specialise in.

1: Commercial Architects

Commercial architects specialise in larger architectural projects for businesses or governments. They work on building projects such as multiple housing projects, retail developments, corporate offices, public libraries, hospitality/leisure buildings and mix-use developments. Commercial architects are equipped with the right knowledge to consider environmental aspects, sustainability and to create a design that combines function with style, in order to meet corporate and commercial requirements.

2: Domestic Architects

As the name suggests, these type of architects specialises in designing homes and residential properties. They work closely with homeowners to design a bespoke house or create a design for a home improvement project, such as an extension or a loft conversion. Based on the property owners requirements, domestic architects are able to design and plan a possible layout, cost of services, material requirements and also an estimated time frame for the project completion. 

3: Restoration Architects

The main job of a restoration architect is to repair, restore and maintain historic and protective properties of the land. They have the knowledge of all the legislations required to complete the project and are also able to understand the historical background of the building, in order to preserve the structure and architecture.

4: Landscape architects

The projects of landscape architects are focused on designing and developing outdoor spaces for various uses, such as parks, garden areas, college campuses etc. Landscape architects often have a lot more to consider when designing a plan. They would need to take into account factors such as the traffic flow and the size of the area, all of which would need to be aesthetically pleasing to the end-user. 

The main objective of any architect or architectural company is to bring your dream project to life. Whether you are planning on designing a new home or would like a bespoke office space for your business to flourish, all architects have the passion to deliver a successful project with the main objective of meeting the clients brief and requirements.

As a RIBA Chartered Practice, Design Studio Architects comply with strict criteria, to ensure we offer a competent and credible service no matter what type of architect you are looking for.