What are the types of consultants who work on architectural projects
On most projects led by an architect, there are a number of supporting players involved in the design, documentation and delivery of projects - a cast of thousands in some cases. To me, being an architect feels a bit like being a conductor of an orchestra. We as lead consultant are coordinating a core team of specialist consultants who each play their part. Specialist consultants are design professionals with particular training and expertise. Whenever we meet a new client, we try to highlight the types of consultants needed to assist in the in the delivery of your project.
Our office prefers to work with secondary consultants, that is, consultants that are engaged by our clients direct, but coordinated by our office. This means we as lead consultant are responsible for coordinating their work and generally leading the consultant team throughout the project, and our clients would pay their fees direct. Our office has a group of consultants that we use depending on the size and complexity of the project, but perhaps you have your own you would like us to work with.
Members of the Consultant Team
Or as we like to say, The Orchestra to be conducted by us as architect and lead consultant. The following is by no means comprehensive, but the number and type of consultants needed depends on the scale, complexity and type of the project.
Building Surveyor
They are mandatory for most projects to issue the Building Permit prior to construction. It is illegal to build a new project without a Building Permit. Building Surveyors are qualified to assess your project against the National Construction Code (NCC) in terms of meeting minimum compliance for Health, Safety, Amenity and Sustainability.
Land Surveyor
They are responsible for providing accurate drawings of the existing conditions of the subject site including the title boundary, location of buildings, trees, contours, land features and other physical things. A Feature Land Survey and Title Reestablishment drawing is required to confirm the Title Boundary of your site to determine their relationship to existing walls and/or fences (often fences are not located exactly on the Title Boundary).
Quantity Surveyor
They are independent experts on building cost and provide costing estimates based on the design drawings with reference to the current economic market conditions for materials, labour and professional services costs. Quantity Surveyors are very useful to be engaged to provide cost estimates at the end of each design and documentation phase.
Planning Consultant
They provide advice from the Pre-Design / Feasibility Phases until Planning Approval has been granted, on matters relating to council planning requirements, policy and overlays that apply to the site. They can provide supporting reports to accompany Planning Application Submissions, as well as attend meetings with Council (in conjunction with your Architect).
Geotechnical Engineer
They are responsible for carrying out a soil test to deterime it’s classification. Their test will feed in directly to any work carried out by the Structural Engineer to design the building’s foundations.
Structural Engineer
They are responsible for the design, documentation and certification of the proposed structural system for the project, including footings, floors, walls and roof framing. The certification of the structural design is usually required for obtaining a Building Permit.
Civil Engineer
They are responsible for the design, documentation and certification of the proposed rainwater and stormwater drainage system of the project.
Landscape Architect
They are responsible for the design and documentation of soft and hard landscaping, including outdoor furniture, ground covers, plant and tree selections.
Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) Consultant
They provide design advice during the Design and Documentation phases on items such as energy usage, air and heat modelling, water retention and re-use. ESD Consultants are required to provide an independent energy report during the Building Permit process to meet the statutory minimum energy performance for new builds and alterations with regards to the new glazing specified and how well this will likely perform.
Heritage Advisory Consultant
They may be required to provide a heritage impact statement or similar supporting information to accompany a Planning Permit Application if your existing site (and buildings) have significant local heritage values, or falls within a Heritage Planning Overlay.
Passive House Consultant
They are similar to an ESD Consultant, and popular on projects based in cooler climates. They provide design advice to ensure that the proposal uses the Passive House methodology to moderate the internal air temperature and air ‘freshness’ of a building. To achieve this it often relies on specifying high performance insulation and glazing, air-tightness in construction, as well as sophisticated heat recovery devices.
Building Services Engineer
They are responsible for the design, documentation and certification of the proposed Building Services, which can include water supply and reticulation, gas, mechanical heating, cooling and ventilation. They are also involved with the design and documentation of ESD systems including rainwater harvesting, solar panels and heat capture and storage.
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Every project is different, and the types of consultants required depend on the complexity, location, size of project and specific brief and functional requirements. Your architect will be responsible for ‘conducting the orchestra’ by briefing and coordinating their work as lead consultant. If a particular skill set is outside of their range, they will also let you know if they need assistance from a suitably qualified consultant to add to their orchestra….!
Redmond Hamlett is a Director (Project Architect) of WHDA. You can get in touch with Redmond on 03 7020 5784.