Why Hire an Architect?

Just like a professional doctor who understands how the human body works inside and out,  professional architects understand how a building works inside and out. 

Let's use a residential house as an example.  Most people's understanding about houses are limited only to what they see and experienced during their lifetime living on one.... houses have triangular roofs; houses have living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens and bedrooms; houses have doors and windows. But to an architect, houses are more than that.  More than the usual elements seen in a normal house, professional architects also consider the type of materials to be used, the type of construction methodology to be implemented on various situations, the type of heating or cooling systems to be used to heat or cool an area, the most efficient solution to utilize natural lighting and ventilation, the best design solution that best compliments the users' lifestyle, and much much more.

Architects have a good understanding on building materials and construction.  They also have a good understanding on the intangible factors such as natural lighting and ventilation, building and construction laws, human psychology involving building design and details and good economics on building construction.

This is just the big picture and there are a lot more reasons and situations why one should get the services of a professional architect.  The point of all that has been said is that architects are called professionals for a reason and that they are there to give one the confidence to know that their house or structure has been carefully studied to meet all the factors involved and is very fit for human conditions.

This is just my 2 cents.  If you need more information, below are other related links on the subject.

• Why Hire an Architect - AIA Wisconsin
• Why Hire an Architect - AIA DC Washington
• Why Hire an Architect - AIA New Hampshire