FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY JUNE 2021

INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE AND FINEARTS

Professional Life
Professions and Professional Life
THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF ARCHITECTURE Resolution No. 02 Series of 2006
ADOPTION AND PROMULGATION OF THE CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT FOR REGISTERED AND LICENSED
ARCHITECTS AND FOR HOLDERS OF TEMPORARY/SPECIAL PERMITS UNDER R.A. NO. 9266, KNOWN AS "THE
ARCHITECTURE ACT OF 2004"
Traits of Architects.
The profession of Architecture calls for men and women of the highest integrity, responsiveness, business acumen,
sensibility, as well as artistic and technical ability. The Architect's honesty of purpose must be beyond reproach; he/she acts
as professional adviser to his/her Client and his/her advice must be unprejudiced; he/she is charged with the exercise of
mediation and conciliation functions between Client and Contractor and must act with entire impartiality; he/she has moral
responsibilities to his/her professional associates and subordinates; and he/she is engaged in a profession which carries
with it grave responsibilities to the public. These duties and responsibilities cannot be properly discharged unless his/her
motives, conduct, sense of moral values, sensitivity, and ability are such as to command respect and confidence.
Architects' Guidelines
ln compliance with Republic Act No. 9266, otherwise known as "The Architecture Act of 2004", the Professional Regulation
Commission through the Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture and the United Architects of the Philippines, the
integrated and accredited professional organization of architects (IAPOA), embarked on the most challenging task aimed
at reviewing and updating the 1979 Standards of Professional Practice; not only for guiding professional performance in
different settings, but also for ensuring high quality of professional services and assuring the public that the architecture
profession imposes its canons of behavior not only with respect to knowledge and skills but also with respect to integrity,
independence, and commitment to quality service.
The new updated Standards of Professional Practice (SPP) approved by the PRC on July 27 ,2010 enjoined the UAP, to
craft the Architect's Guidelines for SPP Compliances (the Architect's Guidelines), as a result, these guidelines are
promulgated to guide architects on the different applicable methods of compensation for various professional services and
determining the appropriate fees for services rendered and to serve as reference for clients in understanding the valuable
work of an architect.
The need to set the parameters on Architect's Guidelines on Methods of Compensation and Schedule of Fees is paramount
to the Architect in the practice of his profession. This will standardize the ranges for which the Client will compensate an
Architect in direct relation to the value of services that the Architect provides.
The purpose of the Architect's Guidelines is to complement the existing professional regulatory law governing the state-
regulated practice of architecture, as governed by R.A. 9266 (The Architecture Act of 2004) and its derivative regulations,
the Code of Ethical Standards, Standards of Professional Practice and other related laws, policies, rules and regulations
approved and implemented by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and/or other concerned government entities.
THE SELECTION OF THE ARCHITECT
METHODS OF SELECTION
Direct Selection is used when undertaking a relatively small project. The Client selects his Architect on the basis of:

• Reputation
• Personal or business acquaintance or recommendation of a friend
• Recommendation of the Architect’s former Client
• Recommendation of another Architect.
• Comparative Selection may be conducted by committees representing institutions, corporations or public agencies.
The selection process involves:

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1. Invitation. The Client issues an invitation which includes the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the project which
is based on the Design Brief prepared by another Architect. The selection committee established by the Client
may consist of representatives from other State-regulated professions and/or the construction industry, as well
as persons with related expertise.
2. Pre-qualification. Architects and/or PRC-registered Architectural Firms (AFs) submit information regarding
their qualification and expertise.
3. Interview. The Architect explains his methodology in translating the plan/design requirements of the proposed
project.
4. Verification. The selection committee may visit buildings designed by the Architects and check references
such as former clients and financial institutions
5. Evaluation & Ranking. The selection committee may adopt its own procedure in evaluating the entries and
recommending the most capable firm.
6. Negotiation. The Architect explains to the Client the Scope of Services and the Architect’s Fee as prescribed
under the Architect’s Guidelines.
• Architectural Design Competition (ADC) is used for civic or monumental projects. The competition may either be an
idea competition, design or design build competition. Various Architects or architectural firms (AFs) submit plan/design
solutions to a particular design problem and are judged on the basis of comparative excellence.
Professional Ethics
Ethics in the Architectural Practice
4 ways to consider ethics

• Character-based ethics (Virtue) – character and morals of architect

• Contract-based ethics (Social Contract) – focus on creation of good society. Setting of rules and conditions
• Duty-based ethics (Deontology) - All professions have a duty to those whom they serve. For architects, that duty
is not only to their client but also to the present and future of the building, past generation thru preservation, to
other matter sustainability and to underserved population
• Results-based ethics (Consequentialism) - determine the goodness of an action by looking at its consequences.

Four Approaches to Ethical Issues in Practice

Being Good Doing Good
As Individuals Character-based ethics Duty-based ethics
Fairness, courage, moderation, Treat others as ends, not means Act
good judgment, as if it were to become universal.
Faith, hope, charity, love Act with good intentions, regardless
Honesty, respect, tolerance, trust of consequences.
As a Group Contract-based ethics Results-based ethics
The good lies in social harmony and Do the greatest good for the greatest
security number.
The good comes from living close to Do what seem most useful and true.
nature Maximize benefits to all sentient
The good comes from helping the beings
least advantaged
Table 1: From R. L. Hayes The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
ARCHITECTS CREDO
Any registered and licensed architect shall recite with vigor, passion, and hope the Architect's Credo during special or
important occasion, e.g., mass oath-taking, lAPOA's affair, PRBOA's event. The Architect's Credo shall be the following:
Accountability

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INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE AND FINEARTS

I shall work with this general objective: that I am accountable to God, to mother earth, to my country , to my fellowmen and
to myself.
Norm of Conduct
I shall uphold the ideals and follow the norms and ethical conduct of this noble profession.
Professional Excellence
I shall pursue moral and professional excellence to the utmost level of integrity through industrious dedication and
meaningful application to my work that merits a reputation for quality services worthy of fair renumeration.
Ethical Relationship
I shall pledge myself to the highest standard of professionalism in the relation to clients, colleagues, industry partners and
society.
Sharing
I shall dedicate myself to the highest standard of professionalism in relation to clients, colleagues, industry partners and
society.
Respect
I shall respect the rights and works of my colleagues in the profession and confine my comments to constructive intents.
Legacy
I shall endeavor to do my duty in the protection of our common environment and the preservation of architectural heritage
for the sake of the present and future generations.
So Help me God.

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