This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Project Practitioners and Residential Knowledge Community .
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August Caringi AIA
Clinton Township MI
As you all know with few exceptions most housing is produced and sold to the buying public by builders, developers and realtors. The usual scenario is to build a group of "models" through which the public can visually experience the finished product and after choosing various "options" a price tag is established and buying terms are arranged. Architects or designers are involved somewhere in the process but are usually uknown. So, the reality is that for most housing licensed architects are not needed or even required. Here in Michigan a licensed architect is only required in houses over 3500SF and if you go by the letter of the law that's 3500 SF of "habitable space" (space used for living, sleeping, eating, or cooking). The actual area is much larger
It is true that "residential designers" can and do provide the drafting service to produce housing designs for builders and developers. The final designs are directed by the builders, developers and realtors who are responding to the marketplace demands and affordability. It seems obvious that the highly trained licensed architects have to be content with the rare "high design" residential project (if they can get one) or the more complex commercial, institutional and industrial projects where architects and engineers are critical requirements.
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