The role of the drafter and the architect is not too far from each other. Although both fields have various more specific sub branches, such as a software architect and a civil drafter for the other, it may only be the architectural drafter who possesses some roles that are closest to the licensed architect.
The drafter can put into consideration the architectural and structural features of a certain establishment, which includes the material used whether the building will make use of bricks, or plain tiles. The architect, on the other hand, will determine if the draft from the drafter is feasible. He determines if the establishment can actually stand up or if it is safe to erect it using the right knowledge and calculations. He can tell whether a particular design or draft from the drafter will need some additional support or building reinforcements or not. He also makes sure that all details of a certain establishment are sound from the holding capacity of the flooring to the strength of the steel or wooden braces that support the roofing.
If the drafter is involved in the superficial and the more basic design, the architect is engaged in the engineered design. In this connection, he also supervises the construction of any structure that he has designed. The drafter can draw everything he wants, as far as his knowledge and imagination can lead him but he can not always tell if the pillar that he adds to his sketch can hold four more floors above it or not. Similarly, he cannot surely say if a certain stairway length can be built unsupported by or not.
Conversely, the architect can also start the actual drawing plan and he can just turn it over to the drafter later for further modification, especially with regard to details. After doing this, the drafter then returns the draft to the architect.
Some drawings from the drafter may require the approval of an architect after it was evaluated by the city engineer. This happens if the drafter’s blueprints seem to require further evaluation from the architect’s end in terms of the need for additional steel braces and the installation of extra support pillars in the sketch. If an architect has already designed your draft, the need for a drafter is not always a necessity unless the owner of the establishment to be built would want a drafter to improve the look and design of some other aspects.
Summary :
1.The drafter is not necessarily a licensed practitioner whereas the architect is a certified and licensed professional.
2.The drafter pays more attention to aesthetics and the overall superficial look of a certain building or establishment whereas the architect is more into public safety. He takes into account the stability of the structure and many similar aspects.
3.The drafter is into the basic and more superficial design whereas the architect is looking into the engineered design.