Professional Practice- I Prepared By: Ar.

Rujuta Pathak

Unit- 1
Role Of An Architect

The architect along with others stands in the preference line of laurels because of his creative
instincts, creation of architectural monuments out of nothing which last four centuries
unfolding past history of civilization etc. In order to select the most appropriate Architect for
a building project a client must understand the role an Architect plays in designing and
getting a building project executed. The role of an Architect as defined by some professional
organizations and the basis on which to select the most appropriate Architect, has been
suggested. But some instances of improper selection of Architects leading to tremendous
financial loss, cost over-runs and time over-runs suffered by owners, have been given.
So to bring life to the Architect’s work, he has to depend upon the client and the contractor.
This dependency on the said two persons expands his field from being an artist to becoming
an artist-administrator, involving something of a businessman and something of a lawyer.
Inspite of business element can one call architect’s profession a trade or a business?

Architects Profession is a noble creative profession and not a Trade business:

The word “Architect” is derived from the Greek word “arch” meaning “chief” and the word
“tekton” meaning “carpenter” or “builder”, and hence Architect is rightly called the master
builder. He is an artist to a major extent as his works require taste, skill, technical learning
and ability of high and rare kind along with business acumen.
Professional field with its wide wings encompasses in it various disciplines like law, medicine,
accountancy, business management etc. and architecture also finds an equally important
place in it. The Architect is a part and parcel and active member of the family of professional
brotherhood in general and does not belong to trade or business circle, inspite of the fact
that the profession of an Architect is a meeting point of art and business without which the
creative ideas of an Architect will remain on papers, as commercial enterprises and financial
expenditures open the doors to the creative instincts of an Architect.

Role of an Architect:
An Architect in private practice has to perform many different roles.
1. Creative artist & a designer.
2. A coordinator who coordinates the work of various consultants, contractors and
specialized agencies connected with a building project.
3. An educator who educates the client and the society at large, directly as well as
indirectly.
4. An environmentalist who helps to shape built environment without disturbing the
ecological balance.
Professional Practice- I Prepared By: Ar. Rujuta Pathak

5. A specialist who specializes in certain aspects of architectural profession such as

housing, industrial buildings, health services, interior design, acoustics, landscape design,
valuation, arbitration, heritage conservation, etc.
6. A researcher who is always looking for innovative ideas. He revives traditional concepts
to suit modern day requirements.

Depending upon individual temperament an Architect can decide to perform one or many of
these roles simultaneously during his career.

- As a creative artist or a designer the role of an Architect is somewhat different than that of
a painter or a sculptor. Painters and sculptors do their work with their money & labour.
They might offer their creations for sale or public viewing. An Architect may build and
design his own house once in a while but for his other creations he must have clients who
will entrust him with projects. He therefore assumes a greater responsibility; and is
expected to give his clients the best value for their money.
- The Architect has to function as an advisor and a confidant, giving his client correct and
unbiased advice .
- He also functions as a representative of his client to a limited extent. It is his duty to see
that his client’s interests are safeguarded.
- As a professional, an Architect cannot be a constructor or a builder for his client.
- He engages contractors to build the building under his personal supervision. The
contractor invest their own money, time, labour and expertise in the project. They keep
faith in the integrity of an Architect. So an Architect must ensure that as long as the
contractors do a good job by fulfilling their duties as per the contract, they should get a
reasonable profit.
- It is important that he manages a project with absolute fairness to both, his client as well
as contractors.
- An Architect requires help of several consultants while designing and executing building
projects. It is a wise policy to appoint all the consultants at the preliminary design stage
itself and continue their services till the final completion.
- Such policy ensures successful implementation of a project and eliminates the need for
compromises. Compromises can involve heavy expenditure and time over-runs.
- Prior to commencement of project and also during the progress of the construction work,
the Architect has to deal with several public officials for securing building permits, release
of controlled building material or for fulfilling statutory (required) provisions.
- While dealing with such officials the Architect must be conscious of the fact that officials
have their own duties, responsibilities and limitations. He must co-operate with them for
speedy approvals by doing his part honestly and efficiently.
- The Architect is expected to brief his client about the implications of any compromises
done while obtaining the permits or concessions. If he takes his client for granted and
makes either compromises or commitments, he can land himself in trouble.
- The role of an Architect in the context of socio-economic development of our country has
assumed importance. Owing to rapid growth of our urban settlements and rural settlements,
Professional Practice- I Prepared By: Ar. Rujuta Pathak

several factors affect the man-made environment. Nearly 75% of our urban population c
cannot afford decent houses. Weaker sections of our society cannot afford to pay even
subsidized rents.
- Architects therefore must take judicious use of available resources to ensure that the masses
get the maximum benefit of these lacking of quality or quantity of resources.
- Architects are expected to evolve innovative systems of building so that resources are
conserved and the living conditions are improved. They ought to play a crusading role of
committed professionals.

The Council Of Architecture in Architect’s Regulations, 1989 states the following, about the
role of an Architect.

- The Architect shall, if in private practice, inform his clients of the conditions of engagement
and scale of charges and agree that these conditions shall be the basis of his appointment.
- Not prepare designs in competition with other Architects for a client without payment or for
a reduced fee.
- Not attempt to obtain, offer to undertake or accept a commission for which he knows
another Architect has been selected or employed until he has evidence that the selection,
employment or agreement of the previous Architect written notice that he is so doing;
provided he makes payment of charges to each of the Architects so consulted.
Professional Practice- I Prepared By: Ar. Rujuta Pathak

The Architect does not manufacture anything, Nor Purchases any thing for its re-sale. He sales
only his DISINTERESTED SERVICES Hence Architects profession is not Trade or Bussiness.
Architecture is a Noble Profession because, like other Professions considered noble, The
Governing Factors of this Profession are:
Ethics
Code of Conduct
Public Services
The Ethics is morality in Profession in respect of
Client: He is employed by Client and is given limited powers to complete the work economically
& efficiently and safeguard the interest of client.
He assures the client about his ( a ) Skill without negligence. ( b ) To exhibit Loyalty and act in
good faith, ( c ) Full disclosures of matters about the work.
Client reposes full faith in his honesty, ability & skill. His final certificates are binding on client for
execution of work as per contract, but does not relive the contractor from defective materials &
works.
He is remunerated solely by client & is NOT supposed to accept any Discounts, Gifts, or
Commission from Contractors or Suppliers.

Calling he has adapted for: Imposes duel responsibility on Architect

He acts as an Agent of the Client.
He is a Quasi Arbitrator for Interpretation of Terms and Conditions of Contract. This is absent in
Trade or Business.
Not to assume any position which may conflict his interest in the appointment.
He has to comply with Local Rules and Regulations regarding Developments.
Not to Compete with Fellow Architects by supplanting.
He is not supposed to delegate his powers to Clark of the Works
He cannot mislead the contractor by negligent or fraudulent
This makes it clear that Architect gets the work by (a) His Works in past (b) Recommendation (c)
His Specialization (d) Social Contacts (e) Through Competitions.
Unlike Trade or Business; An Architect cannot solicit work through Advertisements or through
Touts.
Failure in observing his duties and obligations can lead an Architect to Prosecution Under
Architects Act 1972.
Council of Architecture Or Member of Association: As a Registerd Architect or as a Member of
Associations like Indian Inst. Of Architects, Architect has to obay the Rules of those organizations
to avoid Professional Misconduct
Professional Misconduct as per Law is:
Improper performance of a Lawful Act.
Performance of Unlawful Act.
Any conduct which brings bad name to profession OR Unprofessional acts though they may not
be unlawful.
Professional Brothers : An Architect should not get involved in unhealthy competition by
reduction of fees or offering other inducements to Clients. Not to supplant fellow Architect.
Even if an incomplete job is offered by Client, Unless previous Architect is not consulted and His
No Objection Letter is obtained, the work should not be taken up.
Community: The Services of Architect are important with respect to Trade or Business as
Architect originates the Designs, structures and Forms with aesthetic values.
He contributes to welfare, safety and public health.
Leaves the monuments as creations of society for generations to follow.
His contribution to designing economical habitats and low cost housing wipes out housing needs