A Building Designer is someone who designs residential
and (usually) small commercial spaces. Designers
may specialize in a certain area, or niche market.
All designers are experienced and educated in
structural systems, code requirements, space planning,
building systems, drawing, computer aided drafting
(most), modeling, architectural graphics, environmental
control systems, physics, architectural art, specifications,
mechanical, electrical and plumbing practices,
as well as other design aspects. Some designers
have continued education and experience specific
to other areas, such as kitchen and bath, tenant
improvement, remodeling, small commercial, general
drafting, and more.
Building Designers
may create site plans, floor plans, elevations,
roof and foundation plans, details, specifications
and other requirements for a full set of working
drawings. Building Designers may sell plans.
Building Designers
have a special market, in that they design residential
and small commercial. This is what differs them
from most Architects. Since they are focused in
this area and not with all structures, building
designers tend to be very updated on municipal
codes and industry trends, as well as the latest
and most efficient building products.
AIBD members
are required to complete a certain amount of continued
education credits per year. Most members achieve
this by reading up on new products and attending
AIBD Monthly (informational) meetings.
A Building Designer
in an expert. AIBD is an association that represents
the standards, interests and well being of Building
Designers.
10
Things to Look for When Hiring a Design Professional:
1. Experience
2. An Office
3. Examples of Work
4. Reference Materials
5. Finished Projects
6. References
7. Contract
8. Professional Affiliation
9. Seals on Drawings
10. Continuing Education
10 Things You Should Know When Purchasing a Stock
Plan:
(The
comments listed below are taken from my own experience
in the design/build industry. I have seen hundreds
of construction sets by hundreds of designers/architects
across the nation. Most of these comments I've
heard from builders, framers, homeowners, stock
plan purchasers and clients as well.)
1. Stock Plans are more
than likely to be incomplete or inaccurate. They
can end up costing you thousands in unnecessary
construction costs! I not only have years of experience
in the design-build industry, but also saving
thousands in construction.
2. Stock Plans most likely will require an engineer
to stamp the drawings before you can submit for
permits. Meaning, buying a stock plan will end
up costing you more in the long run. I design
my plans around the prescriptive wall bracing
requirements of the IRC. However, some plans may
not meet these requirements; therefore "partial"
engineering may be required.
3. Most Stock Plans do not include plumbing, mechanical
or electrical drawings. I provide electrical &
mechanical coordination, but do not include plumbing
drawings. Plumbing drawings are not required for
permit submittal.
4. Stock Plans show the bare minimum. Designers
who are selling their designs as stock plans are
in the business of selling stock plans. They are
not in the business of drafting or building. Therefore,
minimal time is taken to draft construction sets.
5. Most Stock Plans do not include engineering
coordination; however a licensed engineer or architect
may be required to review and stamp drawings.
I provide redline pickups from engineers for permit
submittal.
6. Most Stock Plans are designed for esthetics
only. Cost or ease of construction is not taken
into consideration. Many vague areas in the construction
plans.
7. Stock Plans become outdated quickly. Building
Codes change every 2 years. Some stock plans can
be 10 years old designed to a code that has since
been revised.
8. Some Stock Plans include a building material
list. These lists are usually incomplete and outdated.
Material suppliers usually provide material takeoffs
when buying their product. Truss & joist manufacturer,
cabinet shops, etc.
9. Most designers of stock plans are not properly
insured. Therefore, they are not liable for their
professional services. Pay close attention
to their warranty notices and disclaimers.
10. If you decide to purchase a stock plan, do
your homework first.
OREGON 671.030 Activities not considered
as "practice of architecture."
671.030 Activities not considered as “practice
of architecture.” (1) ORS 671.010 to 671.220
do not apply to the practice of naval or landscape
architecture or of engineering by a registered
professional engineer or a person engaged in architecture
or engineering work as an employee of an architect
or registered professional engineer.
(2) ORS 671.010 to 671.220 do not prohibit:
(a) Draftsmen, clerks of the work, superintendents
and other employees of registered architects and
registered professional engineers from acting
under the instructions, control or supervision
of their employers. A draftsman, clerk, superintendent
or other employee may not use the designation
“architect,” “architectural”
or “architecture” unless licensed
under the provisions of ORS 671.010 to 671.220,
or unless a title containing the designation is
provided by rule of the State Board of Architect
Examiners.
(b) A person from making plans or specifications
for, or supervising the erection, enlargement
or alteration of, a building, or an appurtenance
thereto, if the building:
(A) Is to be used for a single family residential
dwelling or farm building; or
(B) Is a structure used in connection with or
auxiliary to a single family residential dwelling
or farm building, including but not limited to
a three-car garage, barn or shed or a shelter
used for the housing of domestic animals or livestock.
(c) A person from making plans or specifications
for, or supervising the erection, enlargement
or alteration of, a building, or an appurtenance
thereto, if the building has a ground area of
4,000 square feet or less and is not more than
20 feet in height from the top surface of lowest
flooring to the highest interior overhead finish
of the structure.
(d) A person from planning, designing, specifying
or supervising the alterations or repairs to a
building if:
(A) The structural part of the building, including
but not limited to the foundation walls, floors,
roof, footings, bearing partitions, beams, columns
and joists, is not involved;
(B) The building code classification by use or
occupancy of the building is not changed; and
(C) The building code classification by type of
construction of the building is not changed.
(e) A contractor or duly appointed superintendent
or foreman from directing the work of erecting,
enlarging or altering a building, or an appurtenance
thereto, under the supervision of a registered
architect or registered professional engineer.
(f) A person practicing marine, naval or landscape
architecture from purporting to be a marine, naval
or landscape architect if the work is confined
and limited to those classifications.
(g) A construction contractor licensed under ORS
chapter 701 from offering services constituting
the practice of architecture if:
(A) The services are appurtenant to construction
services to be provided by the contractor;
(B) The services constituting the practice of
architecture are performed by an architect or
architects registered under ORS 671.010 to 671.220;
and
(C) The offer by the construction contractor discloses
in writing that the contractor is not an architect
and identifies the registered architect or architects
who will perform the services constituting the
practice of architecture. [Amended by 1955 c.407
§2; 1957 c.408 §3; 1987 c.158 §134;
1991 c.910 §2; 2001 c.362 §1; 2003 c.763
§3]
