Architects create designs for new projects, alterations and redevelopments. They use their specialist construction knowledge and high level drawing skills to design buildings that are functional, safe, sustainable and aesthetically pleasing.Architects stay involved throughout the construction process, adapting their plans according to budget constraints, environmental factors or client needs. As such, they operate as part of an overall project team; they work closely with a range of construction professionals from quantity surveyors to building services engineers.Typical work activities include:creating building designs and highly detailed drawings both by hand and by using specialist computer-aided design (CAD) applicationsliaising with construction professionals about the feasibility of potential projectsworking around constraining factors such as town planning legislation, environmental impact and project budgetworking closely with a team of other professionals such as building service engineers, construction managers, quantity surveyors and architectural technologistsapplying for planning permission and advice from governmental new build and legal departmentswriting and presenting reports, proposals, applications and contractschoosing the materials to be used and specifying the requirements for the projectadapting plans according to circumstances and resolving any problems that may arise during constructionmaking sure the project is running according to schedule and budgetplaying a part in project and team managementtravelling regularly to building sites, proposed locations and client meetingsFor the most part an architect’s working day will be office based. However, site visits and meetings with clients are frequent, so travel can figure prominently.