₦airaland Forum

saydfact:
There is an everyday argument on WHO SHOULD SUPERVISE A BUILDING PROJECT; The Architect, Builder or Civil/Structural Engineer?

Well, before we go into details, I'm sure we all agree the Mechanical Engineer shouldn't be responsible for task of ensuring 'Your Design' comes out as expected - conducive and beautiful (Aesthetics). LoL

Lets define the 3 professions we're considering (in alphabetical order)

A. Architect
According to the English dictionary:

* Architect [n.]: A person skilled in the art of building; one who understands architecture, or makes it his occupation to form plans and designs of buildings, and to superintend the artificers employed.

Lets further look at the meaning of 'SUPERINTEND':

* Superintend [v. t.]: To have or exercise the charge and oversight of; to oversee with the power of direction; to take care of with authority; to supervise; as, an officer superintends the building of a ship or the construction of a fort.

We'll stop here for now, while we get the definition of B & C from the same dictionary.

B. Builder
* Builder [n.]: One who builds; one whose occupation is to build, as a carpenter, a shipwright, or a mason.

this definition in my opinion wasn't fair or deep enough so I looked further down:

* Builder; constructor: someone who contracts for and supervises construction (as of a building)
* Homebuilder; home-builder; housebuilder; house-builder: someone who builds houses as a business

This definitions, almost limits the builder to a business man, (that's not my conclusion) - that's what the dictionary thinks.
we'll also come back to argue this, while we look at the last definition 'C' below.

C. Civil/Structural Engineer

* Structural: affecting or involved in structure or construction (ex.: the structural details of a house such as beams and joists and rafters; not ornamental elements; structural damage)

* Civil engineer: an engineer trained to design and construct and maintain public works (roads or bridges or harbors etc.)

* Civil engineering: the branch of engineering concerned with the design and construction of such public works as dams or bridges

Lets summarize the 3 definition on here; The first mentioned structures but noted that these does not include ornamental elements eg pop designs, tiling etc while the other two (from civil) were silent about buildings. The first conclusion we can draw from this definition is that the Civil Engineer is solely responsible for supervising structures like bridges, roads, dams and he has no competition in those area.

Verdict: The dictionary thinks the Architect is the more appropriate person to supervise the building BUT WE WOULD NOT CONCLUDE HERE.


LETS LOOK AT WIKI DEFINITIONS NOW:

* An architect is someone 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. Etymologically, architect derives from the Latin architectus, which derives from the Greek (arkhi-, chief + tekton, builder), i.e., chief builder

Like in the dictionary definitions; wiki gives so much power to the Architect calling him 'CHIEF' -

* Structural engineering is mainly a sub-division of civil engineering where structural engineers are trained to understand, predict, and calculate the stability, strength and rigidity of built structures for buildings and non-building structures, to develop designs and integrate their design with that of other designers, and to supervise construction of projects on site.

* Builder may refer to:

- Construction worker who specializes in building work
- Carpenter, a skilled craftsman who works with wood
- General contractor, that specializes in building work

Off-course wiki didn't rule out the engineer as a supervisor on site - we can only argue that the website seems to have placed him under a 'chief' - perhaps not, AND except we're biased IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE that the builder is the least recognized among the three. (No dis-respect meant please)


LETS LOOK AT LOGIC / COMMON REASONING:

Starting with C, B then A.

I'M SURE WE ALL AGREE THAT THE CIVIL/STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS ARE INVOLVED IN DESIGN OF THE STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS EG COLUMNS, BEAMS AND SLAB - BASICALLY HE DESIGNS & RECOMMEND ON ALL STEEL WORKS....If we all agree on the above, then 'my question is; SHOULD THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEER BE INVOLVED IN ANY BUILDING THAT DOESN'T HAVE HAVE HIS DESIGN INPUT?

Lets support our claims with the Nigeria Approval Process - When seeking approval for a bungalow, all you're required to submit is an Architectural Plan - You would not be required to submit a structural design / calculation sheet until you start going up with a storey on another.

This means; The only person involved in all types of building (emphasis on BUILDING) is the Architect....


WHO UNDERSTANDS THE BUILDING MORE:

A. The person who designed it OR
B. The person who recommended what strength is required to make it stand
C. The person who only received series of drawings and required to build / supervise it

I'll leave every man to his conclusion here.


ACTUAL PRACTICE:

For those of us working with multi-national company, expatriates or dealing with big organizations have you ever noticed that the PROJECT MANAGERS are always Architects?

This is because of the single rule that Architects are the head of the construction team - I'm yet to come across a Project Managed by an Engineering firm or where the NO1 man on site is the Engineer.

Maybe I've just been on the wrong types of projects - which includes Factories, Warehouses, Mega Stores, Luxury apartment etc.

Could this be a co-incidence?


SO; MY QUESTION STILL IS "WHO SHOULD SUPERVISE A BUILDING PROJECT" well, I'm not ruling out the importance of both the Architect & Engineers especially on very complex structures.


Written and shared by 'SaydFact' on www.nairaland.com and www.palmchatnow.com

thanks so much for this analysis but I have a question, I read your previous post on cost of materials, workmanship etc which is for 3bedroom does it mean if I'm building 2 detachable flats of 3 bedroom each the money will be double or will it remain the same as it is. Please I need your advise. Thank you.

HsLBroker:
quote me next, now you need to submit your survey plan here and mark it confidential, or state the the perimeter of your land and the area you are building on, also the type of building

. Ok thanks in advance

Can you please share your thoughts on this forum possibly might be useful for another person in need. Thank you.

Hello, please I need urgent help can anyone please help with present cost of building materials in Ibadan. My contractor wants to kill me o.
Cement, sand, blocks, granite etc, no of blocks for foundation, no of days for foundation, workmanship etc.

Thank you.