It Takes Two: How architects and engineers blend their talents.

• Author: Kvapil, Rachael
• Position: ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING

Architects and engineers are two related professions that frequently get lumped together. How many casual conversations have declared a building, roadway, transportation, or utility system an "architectural" or "engineering" feat, interchangeably? To some degree, both deserve credit; an architect and engineer likely worked together on any given project. However, these two fields approach a project from different perspectives and tackle specific problems to deliver a finished product with both style and substance.

The Professions Defined

"Architects usually begin a project knowing they will have to take steps backward toward the middle ground," says Bruce Hopper, senior structural engineer for Stantec in Anchorage. "Engineers begin knowing they will have to take steps forward toward that same middle ground."

Hopper describes architects as visionaries for the project who observe shapes and forms from the project environment and the culture of the end-users then creatively melds those ideas into an artistic solution. Engineers, on the other hand, work in a world with numerical limits and a library of workable solutions. He says engineers' creativity becomes apparent as they stretch those workable solutions to meet the challenges of the architectural vision.

Those key differences start with their education. Giovanna Gambardella, senior architect and architectural service manager for Stantec, says architects are regulated by the Alaska State Board of Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors. To be licensed as a professional architect in Alaska, a candidate must pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE), achieve professional experience hours through the Intern Development Program, and complete the Arctic Engineering or Northern Design class.

"There are additional certifications like LEED, WELL, and CDT," says Gambardella. "These are certifications that are tailored to various aspects of our industry and focus on certain areas of the profession. For instance, LEED certification was developed by the US Green Building Council and is recognized internationally. A LEED building means it's designed to be environmentally friendly and energy and resource efficient."

Engineers have their own path toward licensing. After acquiring a college degree from an accredited engineering program, candidates embark on four years of work experience under a registered engineer. A candidate must then pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. Jason Thoma, senior mechanical engineer for Stantec in Fairbanks, says once an engineer...