Architects design a variety of structures including homes, apartment buildings, schools, libraries, and commercial buildings. Some architects are universal specialists working on projects of various types and sizes, while others are specialists in health care, education, or the workplace. Some architects specialize in cultural heritage, others are involved in community work, designing bridges or public transport networks and public open spaces. No matter where or what they are working on, architects are interested in the way buildings integrate into the environment they sit in.

It is a skill set that goes beyond design and aesthetics. An architect is also a technical specialist, well-informed of new technology, skilled in problem-solving, and trained to undertake the administrative aspects of the building process.