01

ADMINISTERING THE REGULAR

SERVICES OF THE ARCHITECT:
prepared by:
AR. JASPER CUETO
Professional Practice 2
 50

The Professional
Life
Professional Practice 2

Module 3
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The Professional Life

Role of Professional Bodies

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From the UIA Accord:

Architects, whether self-employed or employees are

generally controlled by a regulating body in charge
of ensuring that laws, decrees, and professional
standards are applied and observed by all members
ROLE OF of the profession.
PROFESSIONAL
In many countries, professional bodies have also
BODIES
been established for the advancement of
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architecture, for the promotion of knowledge, and to

protect the public interest by ensuring that their
members perform to a known standard.
 53 From the UIA Accord:

Before defining what an architect’s professional

body should be it is necessary to recall the context
of globalization and the guiding principles of the
General Agreement on Trade Services (GATS). The
ROLE OF fundamental objectives of GATS are the same as
those of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO)
PROFESSIONAL
objectives for goods - to ensure the balance of world
BODIES trade through the liberalization of markets and to
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build the process of liberalization on solid

foundations.
 54

PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY
BOARD OF ARCHITECTURE

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for

architects in the Philippines is a requirement for the
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renewal of the Professional Identification Card (PIC)

by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
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INTEGRATED & ACCREDITED

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION
OF ARCHITECTS

RA 9266 mandated the integration of the architecture

profession into one national organization.
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When RA 9266 took effect in 2004, the United

Architects of the Philippines (UAP) was the existing
duly accredited organization & remains so until today.
 RA 9266 Section 41 mandated the adoption &
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promulgation of Standards of Professional Practice (SPP).
The SPP is a document that defines all aspects of
professional service, prescribes minimum basic fees, and
establishes the rights and obligations of both the Architect
and the client.
The SPP replaced the 1979 UAP Documents 201 through
PROFESSIONAL 210.
PRACTICE OF 1. SPP 201: Pre-Design Services
ARCHITECTURE IN 2. SPP 202: Regular Design Services
3. SPP 203: Specialized Architectural Services
THE PHILIPPINES
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4. SPP 204a: Full-Time Supervision Services

5. SPP 204b: Construction Management Services
6. SPP 205: Post Construction Services
7. SPP 206: Comprehensive Architectural Services
8. SPP 207: Design-Build Services
9. SPP 208: Architectural Design Competition
10. SPP 209: Professional Architectural Consulting Services
 57
The Professional Life

Professional Ethics
Professional Practice 2
 58
Professional responsibility is the area of practice that
encompasses the duties of architects to act in a
professional manner, obey the law, avoid conflicts of
interest, and put the interests of clients ahead of their own
interests.

From the UIA Accord:

A code of ethics and conduct establishes a
PROFESSIONAL
professional standard of behavior that guides
ETHICS architects in the conduct of their practices. Architects
should observe and follow the code of ethics and
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conduct for each jurisdiction in which they practice.

Rules of ethics and conduct have as their primary
object the protection of the public, caring for the less
powerful and the general social welfare, as well as the
advancement of the interests of the profession of
architecture.
 59 I shall work with this general objective – that my
duty is not only to myself, but also to my Country
and God.

I shall uphold the ideals and follow the norms of

conduct of a noble profession and endlessly
endeavour to further its just end.

THE ARCHITECT’S I shall humbly seek success not through the measure
of solicited personal publicity, but by industrious
CODE OF ETHICS application to my work, strive to merit a reputation
for quality of service and for fair dealing.
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I shall ask from all, fair remuneration for my services

while expecting and asking no profits from any other
source.

I shall hold the interest of my Client over and above

any self-interest for financial returns.
 60
I shall exercise my professional prerogatives always
with impartiality and disinterestedness.

I shall avoid any private business investments or

venture which may tend to influence my professional
judgment to the detriment of the trust placed upon
me.

I shall inspire by my behaviour the loyalty of my

THE ARCHITECT’S associates and subordinates and take upon me the
mentorship of aspirants to the profession.
CODE OF ETHICS
I shall confine my criticisms and praises within
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constructive and inspirational limits and never resort

to these means to further malicious motives.

I shall dedicate myself to the pursuit of creative

endeavour towards the goal of enlightened Art and
Science, generously sharing with colleagues, friends
and strangers alike the benefits of my experience and
experiments.
 The professional of Architecture calls for men of the highest
61 integrity, judgment, business capacity and artistic and
technical ability.

An Architect’s honesty of purpose must be above suspicion; he

acts as professional adviser to his client and his advice must
be unprejudiced; he is charged with he exercise of judicial
functions as between client and contractor and must act with
entire impartiality; he has moral responsibilities to his
professional associates and subordinates; and he is engaged
CODE OF ETHICAL in a profession which carries with it grave responsibilities to
the public.
CONDUCT
These duties and responsibilities cannot be properly
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discharged unless his motives, conduct, sense of moral values

and ability are such as to command respect and confidence.

In order to promote the highest standards of ethical conduct in

the practice of Architecture, the United Architects of the
Philippines, with the approval of the Board of Architecture and
the Professional Regulation Commission, has codified and
formulated the following principles for adoption and
compliance of the Architect.
 62 5 PRINCIPLES OF CODE OF ETHICAL CONNDUCT:

1. THE ARCHITECT’S RESPONSIBILITIES IN

RELATION TO THE PEOPLE

2. THE ARCHITECT’S RESPONSIBILITIES IN

RELATION TO HIS CLIENT

CODE OF ETHICAL 3. THE ARCHITECT’S RESPONSIBILITIES IN

CONDUCT RELATION TO THE CONTRACTOR
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4. THE ARCHITECT’S RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE

RELATION TO MANUFACTURERS, DEALERS,
AND AGENTS

5. THE ARCHITECT’S RESPONSIBILITIES IN

RELATION TO HIS COLLEAGUES AND
SUBORDINATES
 63
CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT:
THE ARCHITECT’S RESPONSIBILITIES
IN RELATION TO THE PEOPLE

1 STATEMENT: The Architect is engaged in a profession

which carries with it civic responsibilities towards the public,
whether such responsibilities are the natural outcome of good
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citizenship or of his professional pursuit or whether they

partake of informative and educational matters or of his
normal, good public relations.
 64 1-a: Civic and Urban Responsibility
The Architect shall seek opportunities to be of constructive
service in civic and urban affairs and to the best of his ability
advance the safety, health and well-being of the people and
the community as well as the promotion, restoration or
preservation of the general amenities and examples of
historic and architectural heritage of the nation.

THE ARCHITECT’S 1-b: Promote the Profession

RESPONSIBILITIES The Architect shall promote the interest of his professional
organization and do his full part of the work to enhance the
IN RELATION TO objectives and services of the organization. He should share
THE PEOPLE in the interchange of technical information and experience
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with the other design professions and the building industry.

1-c: Follow the Law and Ethical Standards

The Architect as a good citizen shall abide and observe the
laws and regulations of the government and comply with
the standards of ethical conduct and practice of the
profession in the Philippines. He shall at no time act in a
manner detrimental to the best interest of the profession.
 1-d Avoid Paid Self-Promotion
65
The Architect shall not use paid advertisement nor use self-
laudatory, exaggerated or misleading, publicity. However the
presentation of factual materials, verbal or visual of the aims,
standards and progress of the profession through literature or
by industrious application of his work and services which tend
to dignify the professional or advance public knowledge of the
Architect’s function in society may be presented through any
public communication media.
THE ARCHITECT’S
RESPONSIBILITIES 1-e: No Solicitation for Publication Costs
The Architect shall not solicit nor permit to solicit in his name,
IN RELATION TO advertisements or other support towards the cost of any
publication presenting his work. He should refrain from taking
THE PEOPLE
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part in paid advertisement endorsing any materials of

construction or building equipment.

1-f: Truthful Advertising

The Architect shall not mislead the public through
advertisements, signs or printed matter citing his professional
specializations unless such qualifications are well known facts
or sanctioned by professional consensus and years of
experience.
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CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT:
THE ARCHITECT’S RESPONSIBILITIES
IN RELATION TO HIS CLIENT

2 STATEMENT: The Architect’ s relation to his client is

dependent upon good faith. To insure the continued existence
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of such state of good relationship, the Architect’s position

carries with it certain moral obligations to his Client and to
himself.
 67
2-a : Introducing Services Professionally
The Architect may introduce to a prospective Client the
professional services he is able to perform provided it is
limited to presentation of examples of his professional
experience and does not entail the offering of free
preliminary sketches or other services without the benefit
of an agreement with the Client for legitimate
compensation.
THE ARCHITECT’S
RESPONSIBILITIES 2-b: Clear Scope and Fees
The Architect shall acquaint or ascertain from the Client at
IN RELATION TO the very inception of their business relationship, the exact
HIS CLIENT nature and scope of his services and the corresponding
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professional charges.

2-c: Advising on Project Feasibility

The Architect shall advice a Client against proceeding with
any project whose practicability may be questionable due
to financial legal or arresting or exigent conditions, even if
such advice may mean the loss of a prospective
commission to the Architect.
 68 2-d : Honesty in Cost Estimates
The Architect shall explain the conditional character of
estimates other than estimates submitted in the form of
actual proposals by contractors and in no case shall be
guarantee any estimates or cost of the work in order to
secure a commission.

2-e: Balancing Client and Public Interests

THE ARCHITECT’S The Architect shall consider the needs and stipulation of his
RESPONSIBILITIES Client and the effects of his work upon the life and well-
being of the public and the community as a whole and to
IN RELATION TO endeavour to meet the aesthetic and functional
HIS CLIENT requirements of the project commensurate with the Client’s
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appropriation.

2-f: Fair Professional Fees

The Architect shall charge his Client for services rendered,
professional fee commensurate with the work involved and
with his professional standing and experience based upon
the Basic Minimum Fee prescribed under the “Standards of
Professional Practice” of the “Architect’s National Code”.
 69
2-g: No Fixed-Price Construction Contracts
The Architect shall not undertake, under a fixed contract
sum agreement, the construction of any project based on
plans prepared by him. He may in certain cases,
undertake the construction of a project even when the
plans were prepared by him provided it is undertaken in
conformity with the condition set forth under sections
THE ARCHITECT’S covering “Constructing Services”, “Comprehensive
RESPONSIBILITIES Services” or “Design-Build Services” of the document on
IN RELATION TO “STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE”.
HIS CLIENT
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2-h: Compensation Solely from Clients

The Architect shall be compensated for his services
solely through his professional fee charged directly to
the Client. He shall not accept nor ask for any other
returns in whatever form from any interested source
other than the Client.
 70 2-i :Transparency in Financial Interests
The Architect shall be free in his investments and business
relations outside of his professional from any financial or
personal interests which tend to weaken and discredit his
standing as an unprejudiced and honest adviser, free to act in
his Client’s best interests. If the Architect has any business
interest which will relate to, or affect the interest of his Client,
he should inform his Client of such condition or situation.
THE ARCHITECT’S
2-j: Arbitration in Agreements
RESPONSIBILITIES The Architect shall include in his agreement with the Client a
IN RELATION TO clause providing for arbitration as a method for settlement of
disputes.
HIS CLIENT
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2-k: Timely Professional Work

shall carry out his/her professional work without undue delay
and within an agreed reasonable time limit.

2-l: Ongoing Client Communication

shall keep the Client informed at all times of the progress of
the work undertaken on the Client's behalf and of any issue
that may affect project quality and cost.
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CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT:
THE ARCHITECT’S RESPONSIBILITIES
IN RELATION TO THE CONTRACTOR

3 STATEMENT: The Contractor depends upon the

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Architect to safeguard fairly his interests as well as those

of the client.
 72 3-a: Clarity in Contract Documents
The Architect shall give the Contractor every reasonable
and to enable him to fully understand the contents of the
Contract Documents by furnishing clear, definite and
consistent information in all pertinent contract documents
to avoid unnecessary mistakes that may involve extra
costs to the Contractor.
THE ARCHITECT’S 3-b: Fairness in Correcting Errors
RESPONSIBILITIES The Architect shall not knowingly call upon the contractor
to correct or remedy oversights or error in the Contract
IN RELATION TO Documents to the Contractor’s financial disadvantage.
THE CONTRACTOR
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3-c: Immediate Rejection of Nonconforming Work

The Architect shall immediately upon his personal
knowledge and inspection, reject or condemn materials,
equipment or workmanship which are not in conformity
with the Contract Documents in order not to cause
unnecessary delay and additional expense o the
Contractor.
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3-d: No Acceptance of Favors or Gifts

The Architect shall not, et any time or circumstance,
accept free engineering services, or receive any
substantial aid, gifts, commissions, or favours from any
Contractor or sub-contractor which will tend to place
THE ARCHITECT’S him under any kind of moral obligation,
RESPONSIBILITIES
3-e: Timely Inspection and Payment Certification
IN RELATION TO The Architect shall upon request by the Contractor
THE CONTRACTOR
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promptly inspect each phase of the work completed and

if found according to the terms of the Contractor
Documents issue the corresponding Certificates of
Payment and the Final Certificate of Completion,
respectively, to the Contractor.
 CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT:
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THE ARCHITECT’S
RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE RELATION
TO MANUFACTURERS, DEALERS,
AND AGENTS

4 STATEMENT: An exchange of technical information

between Architects and those who supply and handle
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building materials or equipment is necessary and

therefore encouraged and commended. However,
 75

4-a: Avoiding Compromised Technical Services

The Architect shall not avail or make use of engineering
of other technical services offered by the manufacturer,
or suppliers of building materials or equipment which
may be accompanied by an obligation detrimental the
best interest of the Client or which may adversely affect
THE ARCHITECT’S the Architect’s professional opinion.
RESPONSIBILITIES IN
THE RELATION TO 4-b: No Acceptance of Gifts or Commissions
The Architect shall not at any time receive commissions,
MANUFACTURERS, discounts, fees, gifts or favours from agents or firms
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DEALERS, AND handling building materials or equipment which may

AGENTS place him in a reciprocal frame of mind. He may
however, accept market discounts which shall be
credited to the Client.
 CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT:
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THE ARCHITECT’S
RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO
HIS COLLEAGUES AND
SUBORDINATES

5 STATEMENT: The Architect has moral responsibilities

towards his profession, hi colleagues and his subordinates.
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The Architect has moral responsibilities towards his

profession, his colleagues and his subordinates.
 77
5-a: Professional Service Agreement
The Architect shall not render professional services
without a professional service agreement. He/she shall
neither offer nor provide preliminary services on a
conditional basis prior to definite agreement with the
Client for the commission of the project.

THE ARCHITECT’S 5-b: Adherence to Minimum Fees

RESPONSIBILITIES IN The Architect shall abide by the Basic Minimum Fee
RELATION TO HIS prescribed under the "Standards of Professional
Practice". He/she shall not use donation of professional
COLLEAGUES AND
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services as a device for obtaining competitive advantage

SUBORDINATES except for worthy civic or religious projects. Neither shall
he/she submit solicited or unsolicited sketches or
drawings in competition with other Architects unless
such competitive arrangements are conducted
substantially under the terms of me Architectural
Competition Code.
 78 5-c: Competition Ethics
The Architect shall not, in any case, enter as competitor in
any Architectural Competition when he/she has direct
involvement in the formulation of the Program thereof, or
when he/she has been engaged to act as Professional
Adviser or Juror for such competition. Neither shall the
Architect accept and act as professional adviser or juror in
any architectural competition when he/she has had any
THE ARCHITECT’S information or has reviewed or assisted in the preparation
RESPONSIBILITIES IN of such competition. Nor shall be retained as a
RELATION TO HIS professional adviser in a competition, accept employment
as an Architect for the competition project, except as
COLLEAGUES AND
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Consulting Architect.
SUBORDINATES
5-d: Respect for Existing Commitments
The Architect shall not, under any circumstances or
through any means, solicit any project already known to
him/her as previously committed to another Architect,
whether such a commitment is still in the process of
negotiation or has already been definitely agreed upon.
 79 5-e: Notification of Prior Employment
The Architect shall not undertake a commission for which he/she
knows that another Architect has been previously employed
unless he/she notifies me other Architect of the fact in writing
and has conclusively determined that the original employment
has been terminated and duly compensated for.

5-f: Notification for Renovation Projects

The Architect shall not undertake a commission for additions,
THE ARCHITECT’S rehabilitation, or remodeling of any erected structure undertaken
RESPONSIBILITIES IN previously by another Architect without duly notifying him of the
contemplated project even when the Client/Owner is no longer
RELATION TO HIS the same. When the greater mass, area, or design of the original
COLLEAGUES AND structure is substantially maintained, the new Architect should
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limit his/her advertisement or claim only to the extent of the

SUBORDINATES specific work he/she has done to me structure. Whenever the
nature of work involved examples of our architectural heritage,
theArchitect must look at all possibilities of restoration.

5-g: Professional Courtesy

The Architect shall not maliciously, or unfairly criticize, or
discredit another Architect or the latter's work.
 5-h: Association with Ethical Enterprises
80
The Architect shall refrain from associating himself/herself with,
or allowing the use of his/her name by any enterprise that may
negatively affect himself/herself or the architectural profession.

5-i: Supervision of Work

The Architect shall not affix his/her signature and seal to any
plans or professional documents prepared by other persons or
entities and not done under his/her direct personal supervision.
THE ARCHITECT’S
5-j: Support for Employees
RESPONSIBILITIES IN The Architect shall provide employees and subordinates with a
RELATION TO HIS suitable work environment, compensate them fairly, and
facilitate their professional advancement. He/she shall tutor and
COLLEAGUES AND
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mentor the young aspirants towards the ideals, functions, duties,

SUBORDINATES and responsibilities leading to the ethical practice of the
architectural profession.

5-k: Sharing Knowledge

The Architect shall unselfishly give his/her share in the transfer
of technical knowledge and experience to his/her colleagues and
young aspirants and do his/her part in fostering unity in the
furtherance of the profession.
 81 5-l: Commitment to Professional Organizations
The Architect shall unselfishly give his/her time and effort to
the advancement of the profession thru his/her active and
personal commitment and involvement with the Integrated
and Accredited Professional Organization of Architects
(IAPOA) and in undertaking specific advocacy work to
ultimately benefit the architectural profession.

THE ARCHITECT’S 5-m: Efficient Practice Management

The Architect shall ensure that the conduct of his/her
RESPONSIBILITIES IN professional practice abides by appropriate and effective
RELATION TO HIS internal procedures, including monitoring and review
processes, as well as sufficient qualified and supervised
COLLEAGUES AND
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staff to enable the firm to function efficiently.

SUBORDINATES
5-n: Respect for Intellectual Property
The Architect shall neither appropriate the intellectual
property of, nor unduly take advantage of the ideas of
another architect without express authority from the
originating architect.
 82

5-o: Building a Reputation on Merit

The Architect shall build his/her professional reputation
on the merits of his/her own service and performance
and shall strive to continuously update his/her
professional know-how. He/she shall recognize and give
credit to others for professional work performed.
THE ARCHITECT’S
5-p: Fee Proposals as Independent Consultants
RESPONSIBILITIES IN The Architect shall not, when offering services as an
RELATION TO HIS independent consultant, quote a fee without first
COLLEAGUES AND receiving an official invitation for him/her to do so. The
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Architect must have sufficient information on the nature

SUBORDINATES and scope of the project to enable him/her to prepare a
fee proposal clearly indicating the services covered by
the fee in order to protect the Client and the public from
under-resourcing or under-pricing by some
unscrupulous parties.
 83 5-q: Clear Terms of Agreement
The Architect shall not undertake professional work
unless the parties shall have clearly agreed in writing to
the terms of the architectural commission, to wit:
scope of work,
delineation of responsibilities,
any limitation of responsibilities,
fee or method of calculating it,
THE ARCHITECT’S mode of alternative dispute resolution, and
RESPONSIBILITIES IN any provision for termination
RELATION TO HIS 5-r: Raising Standards in the Profession
COLLEAGUES AND
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The Architect shall continue to raise the standards of

SUBORDINATES aesthetic excellence, functional logic, architectural
education, research, training, and practice.

5-s: Promoting Allied Arts

The Architect shall, as appropriate, promote the allied arts
and contribute to the knowledge and capability of the
construction industry.
 84 5-t: Reporting Violations
If the AArchitect possesses substantial information which
leads to reasonable belief that another Architect has
committed a violation of this Code, shall file a formal
complaint with the designated body.

5-u: Confidentiality of Materials

If the Architect is leaving his/her Architect-Employer shall
THE ARCHITECT’S not, without the permission of the latter, take with him/her
RESPONSIBILITIES IN designs, drawings, data, or other relevant materials even if
personally performed by him/her. On the other hand, the
RELATION TO HIS Architect-Employer shall not unreasonably withhold such
COLLEAGUES AND
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permission, except when some confidentiality of any such

SUBORDINATES documents must be reasonably protected.

5-v: Non-Discrimination
The Architect shall not discriminate on grounds of race,
national origin, age, gender, marital status, religion, or any
disability which would hinder the performance of his/her
professional work.
 85

THANK YOU!
Professional Practice 2

PREPARED BY:
AR. JASPER CUETO