Architect vs. Engineer: Who Do You Need First?

One of the most common mistakes we see in Nigerian construction: hiring a contractor before hiring either an architect or an engineer. The result is always the same — redesigns, structural failures, and budgets that double.

But there’s another question people get wrong: who do you hire first?

What an Architect Does

An architect designs the space. They translate your lifestyle, needs, and aesthetic preferences into a buildable plan. Their scope includes:

• Schematic design — the initial concept, massing, and spatial layout
• Design development — refining materials, proportions, and systems
• Construction documents — detailed drawings that contractors use to build
• Site supervision — ensuring the build matches the design

An architect thinks about light, air flow, circulation, privacy, and how your family actually lives. They also handle planning approvals with the FCDA and ensure your building complies with zoning regulations.

What a Structural Engineer Does

A structural engineer ensures the building stands up. Their scope includes:

• Foundation design — soil investigation analysis, foundation type selection
• Structural frame design — beams, columns, slabs, and their reinforcement details
• Load calculations — dead loads, live loads, wind loads, seismic considerations
• Material specifications — concrete grades, steel grades, connection details

In Nigeria, where soil conditions vary dramatically (laterite in Abuja, sand in Lagos, rock in Enugu), structural engineering isn’t optional. It’s the difference between a building that lasts 50 years and one that cracks in year 3.

Who Do You Need First?

Hire the architect first.

Here’s why: the architect defines the brief. They determine the building’s size, shape, height, and spatial requirements. The engineer then designs the structure to support that vision.

If you hire the engineer first, you’ll end up with a structurally sound building that doesn’t meet your needs. If you hire the architect first, you’ll have a design that can be engineered to work.

The exception: If you’re doing a renovation or extension (not a new build), the engineer may come first to assess the existing structure’s capacity.

The Ideal Sequence

1. Brief the architect — tell them what you want, how you live, and what you can spend
2. Architect produces schematic design — initial concept and layout
3. Structural engineer reviews — assesses feasibility, suggests foundation type
4. Architect refines design — incorporates engineering feedback
5. Both produce construction documents — drawings, specifications, and schedules
6. Contractor builds — using both sets of documents

This is how FURD BASE operates. We have architects and engineers working together from day one, which eliminates the costly back-and-forth that plagues most projects.

The Nigerian Reality

In practice, many builders skip the architect entirely. They hire a “site engineer” (often a civil engineering graduate) to supervise construction, and the design is done informally by the contractor.

This works for basic structures. For luxury residential or commercial projects, it’s a recipe for disaster. You’ll end up with:

• A building that doesn’t comply with FCDA regulations
• No planning approval (which means no C of O)
• Structural issues that require expensive retrofitting
• A design that doesn’t reflect your vision

What to Look For

Architect: Look for someone registered with the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON). Check their portfolio for projects similar to yours.

Structural Engineer: Look for someone registered with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). Ask about their experience with your soil type and building system.

Or hire a firm that does both. FURD BASE provides integrated architecture and engineering services, which means one team, one vision, and no finger-pointing between disciplines.

Planning a project? Contact our team for a design consultation.