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What is a Building Designer?
Perhaps strangely this is one of the questions we are most often asked!
Of course, the simple answer is that building designers design buildings, but in fact
there is much more to what has become the profession of building design.
Building designers have “grown up” from the drafting services which served the building
industry so well in the 1970s and 1980s. These people had gained a reputation of providing
practical designs. They were known to “listen” to the client and design what the client
actually wanted.
The building designer has changed over the years. Since the 1980s they have become more
professional and organised both individually and as a group but have still maintained the
practical qualities that have always proved attractive to clients.
A building designer may be defined as any person who designs buildings for another person
or entity. They may work for builders or work directly for the consumer and most BDA
members, in fact, do both.
The Building Design Market
An RAIA report for the Australian Bureau of Statistics some years ago estimated that
architects designed 5% of housing in Australia. It was estimated that non-architect
designers, at the time, designed about 85% with the remaining 10% designed by consumers
themselves.
A more up to date estimate was put to the Productivity Commission in 2000 by the
Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia who noted that
“architects perform between 5-25% share of work in the residential market”.
The BDAA estimates that 75-80% of residential work is currently designed by building
designers. These figures appear to be consistent with the findings of other groups.
For non-residential buildings the BDAA has estimated that around 45% by number of
buildings are designed by building designers.
The RAIA reported on some of its own research to the Productivity Commission in 2000.
They found that 39% of flats and units, 57% of shops and hotels, 30% of offices and 89% of
factories and warehouses were designed by non-architects.
The fact is, that regardless of whose figures you use, building designers maintain a large
share of the market for design services.
Selecting a Building Designer
Selecting your building designer is pretty much like selecting any of the professionals that
are part of your life.
The design is probably the most important part of the building project that you are about to
embark on. Selecting the right designer may be the key to achieving a successful building
project.
The first consideration is to find someone who you can communicate with easily, who listens
to you and who will offer constructive advice which enhances what you have in mind.
Of course, it is also important to choose a designer who has the requisite skills and
knowledge to complete the project.
Selecting someone who is recommended to you by friends who have had a positive
experience is probably the best way but selecting a Building Designers Association member
through findadesigner.com.au is the next best thing.
Choosing a Building Designers Association member ensures that your designer will be kept
up to date with all the latest information and products and is encouraged to offer quality
service and good design.
In some states, members are able to become “accredited” or “chartered” by doing a little
extra. You can check out what these mean by visiting the accredited/chartered page.
If you need any more help contact any of the state contacts on the more information page.
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