Difference Between Architect and Engineer

An engineer is a person whose job involves designing and building engines, machines, roads, bridges etc while an architect designs buildings only. An engineer can further specialize in chemical engineering, civil, electrical, lighting, mechanical, software, sound, industrial, structural, aeronautical etc. All these streams of engineering have their specific requirements and focus of study and training.

An architect also supervises the construction of any building that he has designed. The word is derived from Latin and Greek roots that technically mean ‘chief builder’. An architect must focus mainly on the aesthetics when designing buildings but, on the side, he has to keep in mind things like safety and practical utility of the building. An architect must also be acquainted with the local laws so that he does not include structures in his plan that are not legally permissible. For example, there are laws about the distance of walls from the construction area, the actual area that has been constructed upon on a plot of land, whether a swimming pool can be permitted or not, what are the requirements for a basement etc.

An architect should also be aware about what clearances are required for the map of the building before construction has to begin.

An engineer’s work is based on a far larger canvas. He will help the architect in the practical implementation of design when it comes to a building but he can also be specializing in other specific aspects of the entire process. So the architect is limited to the layouts only. An engineer will be more adept at explaining and calculating exactly what material will be required, how it will need to be fixed etc.

Both architects and engineers work for governments around the world but when it comes to armies, engineers have a special role to play. They have to be concerned not only with the construction of building but also with how best can structures like bridges, buildings etc can be destroyed in enemy territory if required.

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