Can civil engineers build and design houses and resorts?

I am not familiar with architectural engineering, however I will tell you what I know about the difference between engineering and architecture as I have experienced it.

Architects typically sub out the structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical engineering, and often they sub the civil engineering as well. As the civil engineer, we most often design the site grading, drainage, utilities, any roadway improvements, and erosion control and also handle permitting with agencies. Engineers are expected to only design within our areas of expertise, so if you have expertise in structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical engineering, and building construction, then you could do those pieces as well.

Architecture is definitely a different kind of creativity than engineering, as architects are more interested in form than function. Typically, architects come up with a creative vision, and engineers figure out how to make it real. For example, we often receive site plans from architects (generally very pretty colorful type of renderings showing the vision of the building, parking, etc.). However sometimes, we find the 3D element is missed such as the driveway may be too steep where they have it located or the building is 20’ higher than a road requiring an expensive retaining wall.