Architect or civil engineer - Who is the right choice and when?

@11ant Can you briefly explain to us why the architect is the better choice? The background is: The civil engineering offices we have contacted so far have all offered a free initial consultation (about 1 - 2 hours) to discuss our requirements.

I already did that: because the architect chose a career path during his studies in which he does not specialize in halls or structures, but primarily in residential buildings. Feel free to take advantage of such an initial consultation. The "chemistry" might be right.

only a standard email was returned each time with general statements such as: "Medium to high standard - 3200 - 3500 euros per m²." For anything further, phase 1 of the services would already have to be "booked." Getting a feel for different architects and initial construction cost estimates can already become quite costly....

I have already written various things here about architects and construction cost statements. A note that an architecture firm only wants to deal with better paid construction projects is a valuable statement. I recommend keeping architects up to and including phase 8 of the services, but to take phases 1 and 2 as a "first tranche" (I call it Module A). Where I explain that, I am not allowed to link here. But you may look under "Information" in my profile, where I am also reachable for newbies via PM, then I will gladly tell you.

I was just saying that I attribute better drawing skills to an architect

I would say that draftsmen are in their element there. However, and I’m sure that’s what you mean, architects are good contacts (or should be) when it comes to creative design planning. I would also trust a civil engineer with a straightforward and symmetrical city villa. When it comes to "nice" architecture, where you want to stand out (externally) from the crowd, you go to the architect. Of course, there are also engineers who have a penchant for details and the necessary intuition, but I wouldn’t expect that.

I would say that draftsmen are in their element here.

I suspect that the "drawing skills" here rather refer to freehand sketching of building compositions. This is, to put it kindly, not really the core competence of draftsmen; they rather convert such things into "proper" technical drawings. In this sense, I then trust the engineer more when it comes to scribbling technical detail connections.

Thank you very much for the many answers.
Briefly summarized for me: In case of doubt, the architect is the better option for residential buildings, but if the "chemistry" with the structural engineer is right, you are not making a serious mistake.
Can we leave it at that?
Then I have understood it. :)

Ultimately, you can get a weak architect versus a clever civil engineer, there is no guarantee. A special house would, in my opinion, rather speak for an architect, but ultimately the parameters price, chemistry, etc. also play a major role.