Residential architecture refers to the architecture of houses, condominiums, villas, apartment complexes, and other residences. It entails both exterior architecture and interior architecture, or interior design. Besides constructing new residences, these architects may also remodel or renovate existing homes, which is especially the case for the new ''green architecture'' that involves environmentally friendly retrofitting. They also frequently design additions to homes, such as new floors, wings, and balconies.
Residential architects consult with clients on the desired appearance and features of their new home. Though these architects’ designs bear their unique styles, they have to submit them to their clients for final approval. They must also collaborate with contractors, engineers, and other architects such as interior designers. While they mainly work in office settings, they regularly visit construction sites to ensure the proper construction of their designs.
The clientele of residential architects ranges from individuals to commercial clients who want housing projects. They are often employed by universities and other educational institutions to design dormitory halls. In addition, they are hired by government officials to design public housing projects or governmental mansions.
Residential architects may either be self-employed or work in architecture firms. Occasionally these firms solely consist of residential architects. Many successful architecture firms are now international in scope.
Residential architecture hinges largely on the clients’ needs and wants. For instance, a newly married couple may want a small two-bedroom house, while a family of four may wish for a larger house with sufficient bedrooms, bathrooms, and a backyard. Residential architects also consult with their clients on recreational rooms. For instance, an artist may want a private studio, while a business executive may want a private office.
Architects also strive to work within the budgets of their clients. Their designs may be more economical or more expensive depending on the given client’s income. With their clients’ consent, these architects will draft a schedule of the building process and often work overtime to make sure deadlines are met, as construction is often delayed by weather and other factors.
Residential architects are well-versed in the safest foundations and construction materials for certain types of buildings and will apply the optimal types to the residence in question. They are also knowledgeable about household utilities costs, and will often design a house to minimize those costs as much as possible.
After the initial consultation with their clients, residential architects proceed to draw up blueprints of the desired residence. They interpret the blueprints for both their clients and the contractors who build the house. After the blueprints are decided on, the architects will contact various contractors and choose the bid that is most suitable for their client. Once the contractor begins construction, these architects regularly travel to the construction site to supervise each phase of the construction.
Architects work equally closely with clients, contractors, and interior designers on the interior architecture of the project. Interior design involves the layout of floors and rooms, stairways, built-in furniture, as well as additional structures such as fireplaces and light fixtures. Interior design is not the same as interior decorating. Interior design demands the more technical work of laying out floor plans and ensuring residential stability. Furthermore, interior designers must be licensed by their states in order to practice, because they must be knowledgeable about building safety codes. Conversely, interior decorators select artwork, color schemes, furniture, and other beautifying additions to the house that do not involve its structure. Interior decorators, moreover, do not have to be licensed in order to practice.
There are extensive educational requirements for both architects and interior designers. These requirements typically demand at least a five-year undergraduate program with a degree in architecture. Many colleges have an architectural program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is required by many states in order to become a licensed architect. After undergraduate education, many universities have a three- or four-year master of architecture program for those who want to continue their studies.
After the completion of their architectural programs, would-be architects then undergo practical training through an internship or apprenticeship, working alongside a licensed architect. After this training, the aspiring architect then takes the Architect Registration Exam (ARE) and receives licensing upon passing it.
Newly licensed residential architects with about five years of experience make about $51,000 per year. That salary typically doubles after another ten years, with some architects earning $100,000 per year. High-earning architecture firms may pay as much as $200,000 annually to seasoned, productive architects. The job growth for residential architects is faster than the average for all occupations, with a rate of 18% job growth expected between 2006 and 2016, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This job growth reflects the fact that more people are opting to become homeowners rather than rent or lease apartments. Moreover, ''green'' architecture is claiming much job growth as more people decide to build energy-efficient homes or retrofit existing homes.
Interior designer jobs are projected to grow by 19% between 2006 and 2016. This growth owes itself to the new wave of homeowners, household technologies, and even popular home improvement television shows. As with architecture, job growth will be concentrated in ''green design.'' Therefore, interior designers who have licenses and green-design training will claim most of these new jobs.
