The difference between geometra, architetto and ingegnere
(by cavide dampo at flickr.com)
With the start of a new renovation project, my non-Italian clients almost always ask me “what is the exact role of the geometra?”
I must admit there is a lot of misunderstanding about this term. The reason is that in most countries such a profession as听geometra does not exist.听Most clients think that a geometra can do almost everything, starting from taking care of听building permissions, to听the architectural projects and finishing with the structural:听in fact not so long ago this was almost true.
However, with changes in building regulations and the increasingly听restricting legge antisismica听(anti seismic law), the roles of geometra,听architetto听补苍诲 ingegnere听have听become more clear.
A geometra usually听starts his/her work with a听visit to the local council听(comune) registry offices and the regional land registry offices (Catasto) to obtain all documents required prior to a听sale听or renovation works.
A geometra听can also be asked to finalize small renovation projects. In this case, there is听no difference between geometra听补苍诲 architetto,听as Italian law allows both to proceed.
However, if renovations involve the creation or have the need of a structural project听(for example, creating a new opening for an extra window) the signature of a civil engineer is necessary!
The fact is that a large part of Italy is under threat of earthquakes (think of California!), so very strict anti-seismic laws have been implemented to minimize or avoid sismic damage. Even though not the whole country is at risk, the听legge antisismica听(anti seismic law) has to be applied on the whole of the territory. Because of its requirements, almost every renovation needs a structural project, which needs to be signed by a civil engineer.
In some ways,听听we could say that a geometra听can in part take over the job of an architetto,听but the ingegnere听can take over the job of an architetto听补苍诲 a听geometra.
The reality is that for听medium to large听renovation projects, as well as听new building projects, the role of a听geometra听is听limited to the initial location听survey and the visits to both local council registry offices and the Catasto.听听S/he can also be involved in the follow up of the works.
The architetto听is responsible for the architectural project and the civil engineer (l’ingegnere civile)听is responsible for the structural project.
Basically, the geometra has great limitations in the type of projects s/he can undertake. We saw that major renovations and structural renovations are not among his/her duties; a geometra, moreover,听听cannot听听be responsible for new building projects in reinforced concrete, nor听补苍诲 can s/he听be responsible for the collaudo听(approval of the structures when the building process is finished). This can only be approved by architect or engineer.
In Italy (and this is different from most of other European countries)听geometri, architetti and ingegneri are only allowed to sign off project they created or supervised, thus taking responsibility for it. Also remember that all geometri, architetti and ingegneri have to be registered on their specific albo professionale or ordine, the access to which is regulated by a state exam.听听
By Ing. Gunther Desaever
