PP 112 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 2

“Administering the Regular Services of the Architect”

Course Description:
Architecture as a Profession, Ethical Norms and Office Procedures.
The course is designed to provide the students with the basic understanding of the practice of architecture pertaining to the
basic services. The architect renders within the context of professionalisms, ethical conduct and quality service delivery.

Course Objective:
At the end of the course, the student should be able:
1. Define the role of ethics and professionalism in the practice of Architecture.
2. Delineate the part played by the profession in the building industry in particular and society in general.
3. Describe and explain in the phases of implementing the basic services of the Architect.
4. Understand the need for effective organization, management and operation in delivering the architect’s services.

MIDTERMS

TOPIC 1. The Architect and the Architecture Profession

Architecture is in the family of vocations called professions, all of which share certain qualities and collectively occupy a
special position in society. Architects’ status as professionals provides them with an underlying structure for their everyday
activities.

There is a difference between Profession and an Occupation:

We also differentiate between professions and other

occupations. Expertise, training, and skill help define
those vocations that “profess” to have a specialized
territory of knowledge for practice. While many
occupations require expertise, training, and skill,
professions are based specifically on fields of higher
learning.

Such learning takes place primarily in institutions of

higher education rather than in vocational schools or on
the job. Universities introduce prospective
professionals to the body of theory or knowledge in
their field.
Definitions of Architect and Architecture:
(Derived from Republic Act No. 9266: “The Architecture Act of 2004”, Rule 1, Section 3. Definition of Terms)

ARCHITECTURE - is the art, science or profession of planning, designing and constructing buildings in their totality taking
into account their environment, in accordance with the principles of utility, strength and beauty.

ARCHITECT - means a person professionally and academically qualified, registered and licensed under R.A. No. 9266
with a Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card issued by the Professional
Regulatory Board of Architecture and the Professional Regulation Commission, and who is responsible for
advocating the fair and sustainable development, welfare and cultural expression of society’s habitat in
terms of space, forms and historical context.

GENERAL PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE:

a. the act of planning and architectural designing, structural conceptualization, specifying, supervising and giving general
administration and responsible direction to the erection, enlargement or alterations of buildings and building environments
and architectural design in engineering structures or any part thereof;

b. the scientific, aesthetic and orderly coordination of all the processes which enter into the production of a complete
building or structure performed through the medium of unbiased preliminary studies of plans, consultations, specifications,
conferences, evaluations, investigations, contract documents and oral advice and directions regardless of whether the
persons engaged in such practice are residents of the Philippines or have their principal office or place of business in this
country or another territory, and regardless of whether such persons are performing one or all these duties, or whether
such duties are performed in person or as the directing head of an office or organization performing them;

SCOPE OF THE PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE:

This encompasses the provision of professional services in connection with site, physical and planning and the design,
construction, enlargement, conservation, renovation, remodeling, restoration or alteration of a building or group of
buildings. Services may include, but are not limited to:

a. planning, architectural designing and structural conceptualization;

b. consultation, consultancy, giving oral or written advice and directions, conferences, evaluations, investigations, quality
surveys, appraisals and adjustments, architectural and operational planning, site analysis and other pre-design services;

c. schematic design, design development, contract documents and construction phases including professional
consultancies;

d. preparation of preliminary, technical, economic and financial feasibility studies of plans, models and project promotional
services;

e. preparation of architectural plans, specifications, bill of materials, cost estimates, general conditions and bidding
documents;

f. construction and project management, giving general management, administration, supervision, coordination and
responsible direction or the planning, architectural designing, construction, reconstruction, erection, enlargement or
demolition, renovation, repair, orderly removal, remodeling, alteration, preservation or restoration of buildings or structures
or complex buildings, including all their components, sites and environs, intended for private or public use;
g. the planning, architectural lay-outing and utilization of spaces within and surrounding such buildings or structures,
housing design and community architecture, architectural interiors and space planning, architectural detailing, architectural
lighting, acoustics, architectural lay-outing of mechanical, electrical, electronic, sanitary, plumbing, communications and
other utility systems, equipment and fixtures;

h. building programming, building administration, construction arbitration and architectural conservation and restoration;

i. all works which relate to the scientific, aesthetic and orderly coordination of all works and branches of the work, systems
and process necessary for the production of a complete building or structure, whether for public or private use, in order to
enhance and safeguard life, health and property and the promotion and enrichment of the quality of life, the architectural
design of engineering structures or any part thereof; and

j. all other works, projects and activities which require the professional competence of an architect, including teaching of
architectural subjects and architectural computer-aided design;

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF ARCHITECTURE:

According to Jim Childress, FAIA. (Jim is a principal of Centerbrook Architects and has won more than 60 design awards,
including the American Institute of Architects Architecture Firm Award.)

1. Thou shalt not compartmentalize: In addition to learning to design, thou should write well, spell correctly, fgure out
how to get jobs and keep clients happy, take out the trash, make a good cup of coffee, be able to build models, master
sustainability as well as the latest technological tools. Do all this and more, except … hire a good professional to
photograph your work. It will pay off in awards and in landing new jobs.

2. Don’t be disappointed when a client rejects your design: It only means another opportunity to design. In
architecture there are many solutions to the same question and designing is what you do.

3. Always exceed your client’s expectations: The corollary is: establish attainable expectations.

4. Cost counts: No matter what clients may say, or how deep their pockets, cost is foremost in the minds of them all.
Make sure there is a clear, written understanding of the expected project cost and have a plan in case the budget gets
out of whack.

5. Problems are opportunities: Show them how good you are in a pinch.

6. Bad news travels fast: An unhappy client is your worst nightmare. The corollary is: sa&sfed clients become good
friends and good references.

7. Art frst, Mammon second: Make every project an artistic success, and you will thrive. If your frst priority is making
money, you will go broke.

8. Go forth and collaborate: Architecture is a team sport. Surround yourself with talented and enjoyable people, in and
out of the offce. And, share the credit, it’s not all about you.

9. Listen: Believe it or not, people besides you have good ideas and insights. Always be empathetic. In the end it will be
your client’s building, not yours. If you want to be a star, move to Hollywood.

10. Find your inner nurture: Clients are spending a lot of money; they expect something special. Nurture everything you
do with care.