Why You Should Use a Professional Building Designer

Building a home incurs the greatest financial burden most people will face in a lifetime and few envision how complex the process is until they are tangled in a jungle of restrictive covenant, building codes, zoning ordinances, design options, vendor and contractor choices and so on. Yet, most states do not have a licensing requirement for residential building designers. When a new home or addition is in your future, a specialist in the discipline of residential design is your best choice to secure design services from a qualified, experienced source-a professional member of the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD).

Since 1950, AIBD has provided building designers with educational resources, and has developed nationwide design standards and a code of ethics for the building design profession. Today, AIBD is a nationally recognized association with professional and associate members in 46 states and throughout Canada. Its chartered state societies are active in their respective legislative arenas and work to promote public awareness of the building design profession.

AIBD is also meeting the challenge of the future by educating members about new and improved bu9lding materials and 21st century technology that will impact how we live in the future. In response to the ever changing needs of the design profession, the AIBD Board of Directors has recently established the National Council of Building Designer Certification (NCBDC), and has charged its leadership with overseeing the Designer Certification Program. For those who have chosen the profession building design, there is no greater evidence of competency than achieving the status of Certified Professional Building Designer (CPBD). Application for this credential is available to building designers--both professional members of AIBD and non-AIBD members--who qualify.

Alternately, the credential of Professional Building Designer is the highest classification level which a professional member of the AIBD can attain. To qualify, an individual must first possess a minimum of five years of education and professional design experience. As with the CPBD credential, a Professional Building Designer must subscribe to a scrupulous code of professional ethics. Equally significant, both require a commitment to professional development through a continuing education policy.

RESIDENTIAL DESIGN SPECIALISTS

Everyone enjoys talking about a new home or addition they're planning, and most people have definite ideas about what they like. But there's much more to designing a living environment than simply arranging rooms. The first step to successful design begins with the ability to listen to a client. A building designer will visualize space within a proposed design, then explore that space with the client to make sure it meets the desired expectations. Not only are there aesthetic issues form, scale and balance but also, structural design and code requirements which the building designer must consider.

As a design evolves, a building designer will make you aware of state-of-the-art products and materials that may be appropriate for your home. They can accompany you on visits to manufacturer showrooms, offering advice on how to stay within a budget by exploring alternate design solutions, if necessary.

Some building designers offer a menu of services beyond planning and design. Project administration is one example. And if engineering or interior design services are required, a building designer can coordinate those services, too.

It's easy to see how a residential design specialist can be your best ally as your set out to make your dream of a new home or addition became a reality. The following should help you more clearly understand the process of choosing and working with a professional member of AIBD.

How To Find the Right Building Designer

Your Role on the Design Team

Working with Your Building Designer