Design role

Architects deal with local and federal jurisdictions about regulations and building codes. The architect might need to comply with local planning and zoning laws, such as required setbacks, height limitations, parking requirements, transparency requirements (windows), and land use. ome established jurisdictions require adherence to design and historic preser!ationguidelines. Architects prepare the technical documents (construction drawings and specifications), usually coordinated with and supplemented by !arious engineers, that are filed for obtaining permits (de!elopment and building permits) that require compliance with building, seismic, and rele!ant federal and local regulations. These construction drawings and specifications are also used for pricing the work, and for construction. [edit]Construction

role

Architects typically put projects to tender on behalf of their clients, ad!ise on the award of the project to a general contractor, and re!iew the progress of the work during construction. They typically re!iew subcontractor shop drawings and other submittals, prepare and issue site instructions, and pro!ide construction contract administration and "ertificates for #ayment to the contractor (see also $esign%bid% build). &n many jurisdictions, mandatory certification or assurance of the work is required. $epending on the client's needs and the jurisdiction's requirements, the spectrum of the architect's ser!ices may be e(tensi!e (detailed document preparation and construction re!iew) or less inclusi!e (such as allowing a contractor to e(ercise considerable design%build functions). )ith !ery large, comple( projects, an independent construction manager is sometimes hired to assist in design and to manage construction. &n the *nited +ingdom and other countries, a quantity sur!eyor is often part of the team to pro!ide cost consulting. [Alternate

practice and specializations

,ecent decades ha!e seen the rise of specializations within the profession. -any architects and architectural firms focus on certain project types (for e(ample, health care, retail, public housing), technological e(pertise or project deli!ery methods. ome architects specialize as building code, building en!elope, sustainable design, historic preser!ation, accessibility and other forms of specialist consultants. -any architects elect to mo!e into real estate (property) de!elopment, corporate facilities planning, project management, construction management, interior design or other related roles.