If you want to build a house, who is the first person you would go to?

The most common myth about architects is that they only design houses. In reality, architects design buildings, from schools and hospitals to office towers and shopping malls. Architects also designed the interiors of buildings and the landscape around them. 

To build a house, you must hire an architect to design the plans. Once the plans are complete, you need to hire a civil engineer to handle the structural analysis and specify the materials used. Once the plans are done and the permits have been obtained, you can begin building your house. The first step in any construction project – a home, a commercial building, or a bridge – is to create an architectural plan. This plan is a two-dimensional drawing showing the proposed structure's footprint and location on the property. 

However, before the architect can begin the design process, they must first consult with a civil engineer. The civil engineer will conduct a structural analysis to determine the project's feasibility and identify potential problems.


Once the architects have the green light from the civil engineer, they can begin to create detailed plans and specifications for the project. These may include a set of drawings, called renderings, showing what the finished project will look like and a walkthrough, a three-dimensional simulation of the space. So, who do you go to first if you want to build a house? The answer is a civil engineer.