Short answers, pulled from the story.
Architectural engineering, also known as building engineering, is the discipline that deals with the engineering and construction of buildings. It covers environmental, structural, mechanical, electrical, computational, embeddable, and other research domains, and it focuses on the technical and structural aspects of buildings.
Architectural engineers specialize in the technical and structural aspects of a building, ensuring it is safe, efficient, and sustainable, with education focused on structural integrity, mechanical systems, and energy efficiency. Architects emphasize the aesthetic, functional, and spatial elements, with education centered on design theory, history, and artistic aspects, and they oversee construction to ensure the design is implemented correctly.
Architectural engineering became recognized as a distinct engineering discipline in the United States with the establishment of a specific architectural engineering NCEES Professional Engineering registration examination in the 1990s, first offered in April 2003. Formal education in the field developed in the late 19th century and became widespread by the mid-20th century.
The subdisciplines of architectural engineering include mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP), structural engineering, sustainable engineering, building envelope engineering, fire protection engineering, and acoustical engineering. These cover building systems such as HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, electrical, lighting, architectural acoustics, and structural systems.
In mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work, mechanical engineers design and oversee heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, and rainwater systems, while electrical engineers handle electric power distribution, telecommunication, fire alarm, signalization, lightning protection, control systems, and lighting. This work is called MEP in the United States and building services engineering in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
The term architectural engineer varies widely by country. In Korean and Arabic the word architect translates literally as architectural engineer, in Italy the ingegnere edile is entitled to practice architecture, and in Germany, Austria, Iran, and most Arab countries architecture graduates receive an engineering degree called the Diplom-Ingenieur. In Japan a first-class architect serves as both architect and building engineer, while larger buildings require a licensed structural design first-class architect.