Civil Engineers vs. Architects

            Very recently, I was asked what a civil engineer is and what they do. To the best of my knowledge I explained that civil engineers plan, design and supervise construction of multiple aspects of the world’s infrastructure, such as high ways, buildings, water resources, bridges, railways and so on. 

              The same person, curiously questioned what the difference was between a civil engineer and an architect. To be honest, I didn’t know how to answer that question. I was set on finding out. With a quick surf of the web, I found many others asking the same question. Much of what I found was relieving, considering they are marginally different, but different none the less. While some of the job descriptions overlap, there are differences between the two. 

               Architects mainly focus on the design and functionality of the development work, including the aesthetics of the structure. While engineers focus on the structural elements of the design, ensuring the building, bridge, or any type of structure can endure extreme and normal conditions. 

                Long story short, civil engineers have a broader field because they work on a multitude of different buildings with architects but they also branch out to bridges, railways and water systems, which architects are not involved. There is no question they are similar, but to summarize, civil engineers handle the structural aspects while the architect’s main objective is to focus on the design and aesthetic of the design and development work.