When should an architect be used?

Verified 11 June 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Generally speaking, the use of the architect is obligatory to develop the plans for the building permit. In some cases, this appeal shall not be not required for individuals and farmers who build or modify their buildings for their own use. On the other hand, the architect is mandatory for legal persons.

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Application for a building permit by an individual

The obligation to use an architect depends on the type of work. The change of destination of a room or building may also require the assistance of an architect.

This is a new construction

The obligation to use an architect depends on the floor area construction.

The floor area is more than 150 m²

The use of an architect is obligatory for the construction of a building, such as a detached house and whose floor area is greater than 150 m².

The floor area is less than 150 m²

The use of an architect is not not obligatory for the construction of a building, such as a detached house and whose floor area is less than or equal to 150 m².

This is an expansion of an existing construction

The obligation to use an architect depends on the floor area construction after work.

The floor area of the construction will be more than 150 m² after the work

The use of an architect is obligatory for the expansion of an existing construction if the floor area after work exceeds 150 m².

The floor area of the construction will be less than 150 m² after the work

The use of an architect is not not obligatory for the expansion of an existing construction if the floor area after work is less than or equal to 150 m².

This is a greenhouse

The individual is required to use an architect to expand an existing greenhouse if its dimensions after work exceed one of the following limits:

  • 4 m height of right foot (right vertical upright)
  • 2,000 m² of floor area
  • 2,000 m² right-of-way
This is a change of destination

The building permit is required for the change of purpose of a building's premises which is accompanied by the change load-bearing structures or the building's façade.

The obligation to use an architect depends on the area of the building or the premises:

The floor area of the building or premises is more than 150 m²

The use of an architect is obligatory if the floor area of the building or premises is more than 150 m².

The floor area of the building or premises is less than 150 m²

The use of an architect is not not obligatory if the floor area of the building or premises is less than or equal to 150 m2.

Application for a building permit by a farmer

The requirement to use an architect depends on the type of construction project. The farmer may be a natural person or a legal person.

This is a new construction

The requirement to use an architect depends on the type of construction project:

This is an agricultural building

The obligation to use an architect depends on the floor area building.

The floor area or footprint is more than 800 m²

The farmer has the obligation to use an architect for construction for agricultural use where the floor area or the right of way on the ground exceeds 800 m². The same is true of farm equipment co-operatives.

The floor area or footprint is less than 800 m²

The farmer does not not the obligation use an architect for construction for agricultural use, including both the floor area and the right of way on the ground are less than or equal to 800 m². The same is true of farm equipment co-operatives.

This is a greenhouse

The farmer is required to use an architect to construct a greenhouse if its dimensions exceed one of the following limits:

  • 4 m height of right foot (right vertical upright)
  • 2,000 m² of floor area
  • 2,000 m² right-of-way

The same is true of farm equipment co-operatives.

This is an expansion of an existing construction

The obligation to use an architect depends on the type of construction:

This is an agricultural building

The obligation to use an architect depends on the floor area and theground right-of-way of the building after the work.

The floor area or footprint will be more than 800 m² after work

The farmer is required to use an architect to expand an existing farm construction if the floor area or footprint after work exceeds 800 m². The same is true of farm equipment co-operatives.

The floor area or footprint will be less than 800 m² after work

The farm operator is not required to use an architect to expand an existing farm construction if the floor area and footprint after work is less than or equal to 800 m².

This is a greenhouse

The farmer is required to use an architect to expand an existing greenhouse if the dimensions after work exceed one of the following limits:

  • 4 m height of right foot (right vertical upright)
  • 2,000 m² of floor area
  • 2,000 m² right-of-way

The same is true of farm equipment co-operatives.

Application for a building permit by a legal person

One legal person must use the services of an architect to establish their architectural project whatever the construction or works project.

FYI  

The use of an architect is never mandatory for projects subject to preliminary declaration of works.

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