DO I NEED AN ARCHITECT FOR MY PROJECT?
The Alberta Architect Act states that a Registered Architect is not required unless:
- A residential building consists of five or more dwelling units.
- Note that a single family dwelling, duplex, triplex or quadriplex of any size does not require a Registered Architect.
- The Building is designed for public assembly.
- Buildings such as churches or community halls, schools, all institutional uses, warehouses and industrial uses, business and personal services, mercantile and other residential occupancies such as motels and hotels that exceed allowable area exemptions (300 – 500 square meters).
- Renovations to buildings or building interiors that originally required a Registered Architect.
So an Architect is not required for a SFD (Single Family Dwelling) or any residential project containing less than 5 units.
(Refer Practice Bulletin 26 – Professional Involvement on Building Projects for more detail)
ARE YOU AN ARCHITECT?
No. Global Design Studio does not have a Registered Architect on staff. Rather, our lead designer is an Architectural Technologist and holds a Diploma in Architectural Technology. If your project is of a size or designation that requires the services of a Registered Architect (as listed above) we are happy to refer you to local Architects we have a working relationship with and/or The Alberta Association of Architects.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN “ARCHITECT” AND AN “ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIST / TECHNICIAN”?
An Architect holds a Degree in Architecture and must be registered with the AAA to practice in Alberta. An Architectural Technologist / Technician holds a Diploma in Architectural Technology and does much of the same work as an Architect, but must work under the license of a Registered Architect when working on projects that require an Architect (typically non-residential or multi-residential projects).
An Architectural Technologist / Technician is fully qualified to work independently on non-commercial residential projects requiring Design & Drafting.
DO YOU PROVIDE “ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES”?
The Alberta Association of Architects asserts that only Registered Architects can use the term “Architectural Services”. However, we believe that the general public would understand the term to have a much wider scope, which often leads to confusion.
The Alberta Architects Act defines the “Practice of Architecture” as:
- (i) planning designing or giving advice on the design of or on the erection, construction or alteration of or addition to a building
- (ii) preparing plans, drawings, detail drawings, specifications or graphic representations for the design of or for the erection, construction or alteration of or addition to a building
- (iii) inspecting work or assessing the performance of work under a contract for the erection, construction or alteration of or addition to a building
Therefore, we are completely qualified, willing and capable of providing Architectural Services such as custom design and drafting for the following project types:
- (i) Any residential building consisting of less than five dwelling units.
- (ii) Buildings designed for mercantile, industrial or public assembly under specified capacity/size limitations.
- (iii) All other buildings when working in conjunction with an Architect (professional of record).