At the earliest stages of planning a building, an architect or specialized designer may be hired to translate ideas into an attractive and workable plan.

Building designers may work with residential or commercial buildings, or they may even design neighbourhoods with many different types and sizes of buildings.

ARCHITECTS will normally have 4 to 6 years of education in a university setting, with years working alongside more experienced architects until they can lead a firm or establish their own. Much like a law office, architects in leadership roles or who have their own firms will be called "principals".

An architectural firm may contribute to an energy retrofit or high-performance build by doing some the following:

• Consulting with clients on ideas, budgets and timelines for a project.
• Generating conceptual presentation drawings, 3-D models and specifications.
• Developing solutions for structural, mechanical and/or aesthetic issues on a project, with authority to 'stamp' drawings.
• Directing design technicians who develop working drawings.
• Collaborating with landscape, mechanical or structural engineers to solve problems.
• Manage projects through from concept to completion.

A DESIGNER may have training or experience similar to an architect, with special focus on areas like interiors, landscapes or high-performance assemblies. They may spend 3 to 5 years in a college or university setting, completing a diploma or certification as a Design Technician or Technologist. They may have qualifications in trades like masonry or carpentry, and may only work on small buildings or residential renovations. In most cases, a designer will not have the same authority as an architect.

A designer may perform some of the following functions:

• Generate working drawings for an architectural firm.
• Create detail drawings for specific sections of a renovation or retrofit, such as woodwork and masonry elements.
• Develop simple concept drawings for residential projects.
• Create interior or exterior finish schemes based on new or existing floor plans.

Some architects and designers will train further in programs like Net Zero Energy Housing and Passive House, taking on the role of consultant to help bring buildings to higher levels of performance. Ongoing training and professional development is a common practice for these careers.