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 covenants, building codes, zoning ordinances, design options, vendor and contractor choices and so on. A professional member of the American Institute of Building Design can guide you through this maze. They are specialists in the discipline of residential building design. From planning and design, through construction, to eventual occupancy, a professional building designer can help your dreams become reality in ways you never thought possible.
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, associate, and affiliate members in 47 states and throughout Canada, as well as in Europe, Asia, and Australia. AIBD California is active in legislative arenas and works to promote public awareness of the building design profession.
Our members consist of professional building designers and architects who have, for the most part, chosen residential design as the focus of their practice. State laws regulate the practice of architecture and these laws vary somewhat from state to state. In many states, such as California and Montana, residential and some light commercial design is mostly exempt from these laws and does not require the services of a licensed architect. In other states, such as Nevada and Hawaii, building designers are not exempt and their practice in such states are limited or not allowed. AIBD members know that the individual planning a new home or home improvement expects services with the highest professional and ethical standards and we are dedicated to providing this specialized service. AIBD is meeting the challenge of the future by educating our members about new and improved building materials and methods of construction, and how the principles of classical architecture can be used in today’s designs to create a timeless and enduring appeal.
To qualify as a professional member of AIBD an individual must meet specific educational and professional design experience requirements, and submit their work for extensive peer review. All professional members of AIBD must also maintain their education by complying with the requirements of the continuing education policy.
AIBD also recognizes the National Council of Building Designer Certification (NCBDC) and its certification program for professional building designers and encourages its members to attain this respected qualification. For those who have chosen the building design profession there is no greater evidence of competency than achieving the status of Certified Professional Building Designer (CPBD). NCBDC certification is available to both members and non-members of AIBD and is attained by meeting the eligibility requirements and then passing an extensive examination covering such topics as architectural history, structural systems, building systems and materials, project administration, problem solving and professional ethics.
Be it a new home, addition or renovation, thorough planning and good design go hand in hand. The American Institute of Building Design exists for that reason. We strive to promote national unity in the design profession; to improve design educational standards and methods; and to increase public awareness of the building design profession. Why not secure the services of a qualified, experienced specialist for your next building project: a professional building designer who is a member of the American Institute of Building Design.
-Reprinted with permission of the American Institute of Building Design ©2006. Further information can be found at www.aibd.org, and www.ncbdc.com.