PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 2: REVIEWER NI MAE

The Architect and the Profession

I. The Architecture Profession: Past and Present

1. Early Forms of Architectural Education:

o Early Filipinos could read, write, and govern themselves (Barangay).

o Ethnic builders lacked formal training, relying on master-apprentice relationships.

o Maestro de Obra: Early form of training in building, divided into two categories:

▪ Academico (theoretically trained).

▪ Practico (practically trained).

o Notable graduates: Julio Hernandez (1891), Isidro Medina (1894), Arcadio Arellano
(1894), Juan Carreon (1896).

o First formal school: Escuela Practica y Professional de Artes Oficios de Manila

(1890) established by the Spanish government.

2. Key Figures in Early Architecture:

o Felix Roxas y Arroyo: First Filipino architect, studied in London, known for
Ayuntamiento de Manila and Sto. Domingo Church, Intramuros.

II. Formation of Architectural Organizations

1. Formation of Early Organizations:

o Academia de Arquitectura y Agremensura de Filipinas (1902) → eventually

became Academia de Arquitectura, Ingenieria y Agremensura de Filipinas.

o Philippine Assembly Act 2985 (1921) regulated the practice of engineers and
architects.

o Bill No. 1850 (1938) proposed separating the law for architecture and engineering.

2. Notable Organizations:

o Philippine Architect’s Society (PAS) → later became Philippine Institute of

Architects (PIA).

o United Architects of the Philippines (UAP): Formed by merging several

architectural organizations (APGA, LPA, PIA) in 1974.

III. Important Issues and Concerns

1. Conflict Between Architects and Civil Engineers:

o Initially, both professions practiced under one law.

 o RA 544 and 545 (1950): Passed to separate the professions.

o Civil engineers who wished to practice architecture were required to take additional
qualifications.

o RA 9266 (2004): Gave architects the exclusive right to prepare, sign, and seal
architectural documents.

2. Timeline of Conflicts:

o 1977: National Building Code (PD 1096) did not clearly specify which professionals
could sign architectural documents.

o Multiple legal battles occurred between UAP and PICE (Philippine Institute of Civil
Engineers) over responsibilities in design and documentation, lasting until the 2023
Supreme Court decision.

IV. The Architect and the Law

1. Virtues of an Architect (as per Vitruvius):

o An architect should be high-minded, just, and easy to work with.

o Maintain dignity and avoid accepting gifts that could compromise integrity.

2. The Architect's Responsibilities:

o Towards Society: Architects have civic duties and contribute to public welfare by
shaping the built environment.

o Towards Clients: Architects must prioritize the interests of the client without
compromising public welfare.

o Towards Contractors: Ensuring fairness and safeguarding the interests of both the
contractor and the client.

o Towards Colleagues and Subordinates: Maintain professional respect and

responsibility towards fellow architects and those working under them.

V. The Architect’s Role in Society

1. Core Responsibilities:

o Architects are responsible for the creation and order of human environments.

o Their work spans across designing spaces that are functional, aesthetic, and
sustainable.

2. Spectrum of Architectural Services:

o Includes pre-design services, design services, construction services, post-

construction services, and design-build services.
Professional Education and Training

I. The Architect’s Education

1. General Education:

o The architect’s education is a blend of theory and practice, covering all aspects of
architectural design, technology, and construction.

o The education aims to produce graduates with competencies to practice

architecture and related fields.

o It prepares students for various professions within architecture through a structured

program.

II. Policies, Standards, and Guidelines (PSG) for the Bachelor of Science in Architecture

1. Architecture Education Policies, Standards, and Guidelines:

o Competency standards are set to define the expected outcomes for architecture
graduates.

o Focuses on outcomes-based education to ensure graduates meet minimum

competency requirements in architecture.

o Prescribes the minimum credit unit required to complete the program.

2. Authority to Operate:

o All private institutions must obtain approval from the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) before offering a Bachelor of Science in Architecture program.

o Public and local universities must also follow these standards.

3. Career Paths for BS Architecture Graduates:

o Pre-board exam roles include:

▪ Architectural drafting

▪ CADD operator

▪ Project coordinator, supervisor, or inspector

▪ Estimator, renderer, scale modeling

o Post-board exam roles for Registered and Licensed Architects (RLA) include:

▪ Architectural design and pre-design services

▪ Urban design, community architecture, and housing

▪ Construction management, building administration, and maintenance

▪ Real estate development, architectural education, research

 ▪ Restoration, architectural interiors, and expert witness services

▪ Design-build services

4. Architectural Board Exam:

o Requirements to apply:

▪ NSO/PSA Birth Certificate and Marriage Contract (for married women).

▪ Transcript of records with a scanned picture (for board examination

purposes).

▪ College diploma and valid NBI clearance.

▪ Two years of diversified training and experience post-graduation.

o Diversified Architectural Experience:

▪ Defined as two years of varied post-baccalaureate experience, which is a

pre-requisite for taking the licensure exam.

▪ This training can be done under the mentorship of an architect of the

applicant's choice.

5. Labor Code of the Philippines – Apprenticeship:

o Apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with theoretical instruction.

o An apprentice is bound by a written agreement with the employer.

o Apprenticeable occupation refers to trades that require over three months of

training, with a structured agreement outlining responsibilities between employer
and apprentice.

6. Syllabus for the Architecture Licensure Exam:

o Day 1:

▪ History and theory of architecture

▪ Principles of planning

▪ Architectural practice (30% of total score)

o Day 2:

▪ Structural design, building materials, and construction

▪ Utilities (30% of total score)

o Whole day:

▪ Architectural design and site planning (40% of total score)

Professions and Professional Life

I. Professional Ethics

1. Ethics in the Architectural Practice:

o Ethics are essential in ensuring trust and integrity in architectural practice.

o Four Ways to Consider Ethics:

1. Character-based ethics (Virtue): Focuses on personal virtues like fairness,

honesty, courage, and respect.

2. Contract-based ethics (Social Contract): Emphasizes social harmony,

cooperation, and responsibility towards others.

3. Duty-based ethics (Deontology): Acts should be performed with good

intentions, respecting duties regardless of consequences.

4. Results-based ethics (Consequentialism): The aim is to maximize good

outcomes, focusing on the greatest benefit for the largest number of people.

o Four Approaches to Ethical Issues in Practice:

▪ Character-based: Focus on individual virtues like honesty, fairness, and

respect.

▪ Duty-based: Follow ethical duties even when the outcome is uncertain.

▪ Contract-based: Value harmony and collective well-being.

▪ Results-based: Strive for decisions that result in the most good for the most
people.

II. Professional Regulation Board of Architecture (PRBoA) Resolution No. 02, Series of 2006

1. Traits of Architects:

o Architects must possess high levels of integrity, responsiveness, business acumen,

and technical ability.

o Architecture is a profession demanding not just artistic skills but also ethical
responsibility and technical competence.

2. Duties and Responsibilities:

o Architects serve as professional advisers to their clients, offering unbiased advice.

o They must act as mediators between clients and contractors, ensuring impartiality.

o Architects also have moral responsibilities towards their colleagues and the
public.

3. Relationships:
 o Public: Architects bear civic responsibilities and must promote public welfare.

o Client: Architects must always act in good faith and protect the client's interests
without sacrificing public welfare.

o Contractor: They safeguard the contractor’s and client’s interests fairly.

o Manufacturers, Dealers, and Agents: They should engage in honest technical

information exchanges with those in the construction industry.

o Colleagues and Subordinates: Architects have a moral duty to foster respect and
professionalism within their teams.

III. Architect's Credo

1. Architect's Credo:

o Every Registered and Licensed Architect (RLA) must uphold the following values:

▪ Accountability

▪ Norm of Conduct

▪ Professional Excellence

▪ Ethical Relationships

▪ Sharing of knowledge

▪ Respect for others and the profession

▪ Legacy of integrity and service

▪ Ending with “So Help Me God,” affirming commitment to these values.

IV. Architect’s Guidelines (Standards of Professional Practice - SPP)

1. Standards of Professional Practice (SPP):

o Developed to ensure high-quality service and uphold professional ethics.

o Updated in 2010 to align with RA 9266 and reviewed by PRC (PRBoA), UAP, and
IAPOA.

2. Guidelines for Compensation and Services:

o Architects must follow the outlined Modes of Compensation (MOC) and Schedule
of Fees.

o These standards cover different architectural services such as:

▪ SPP Doc. 201: Pre-Design Services

▪ SPP Doc. 202: Regular Design Services

 ▪ SPP Doc. 203: Specialized Architectural Services

▪ SPP Doc. 204-A: Fulltime Supervision Services

▪ SPP Doc. 204-B: Construction Management Services

▪ SPP Doc. 205: Post-Construction Services

▪ SPP Doc. 206: Comprehensive Architectural Services

▪ SPP Doc. 207: Design-Build Services

▪ SPP Doc. 208: Architectural Design Competition (ADC)

▪ SPP Doc. 209: Professional Architectural Consulting Services (PACS)

V. Selection of the Architect

1. Methods of Architect Selection:

o Direct Selection: Common for small projects, often based on reputation, personal
acquaintance, or recommendations.

o Comparative Selection: Committees evaluate architects based on criteria like

experience, qualifications, and interviews. The process involves:

1. Invitation

2. Pre-qualification

3. Interview

4. Verification

5. Evaluation and Ranking

6. Negotiation

o Architectural Design Competition (ADC): Used for civic or monumental projects.

Architects submit designs that are judged for excellence and innovation.
The Architect’s Services: Standards of Professional Practice (SPP)

I. Introduction to Architect’s Services

• Objective: This module covers the development of architectural firms and services, from
small to large-scale operations. It emphasizes the importance of understanding regular
services, contracts, and responsibilities.

• Purpose of SPP: Created to ensure high-quality public service, the Standards of

Professional Practice (SPP) complies with RA 9266 and has undergone several revisions, the
most recent being in 2016.

II. Overview of Methods of Compensation

• Compensation Evaluation: Determined by the architect’s skills, the type and complexity of
services, and time investment.

• Complexity of architectural and engineering services.

1. Detailed Architectural Design Services (DADS)

2. Detailed Architectural and Engineering Design Services (DAEDS)

• Types of Compensation:

1. Percentage of Project Construction Cost (PCC)

2. Lump Sum or Fixed Fee

3. Time Basis Compensation (e.g., Per Diem, Retainer)

4. Mixed Method combining several compensation models.

III. Key SPP Documents Overview

Each SPP document outlines various architectural services and phases of a project:

1. SPP 201 - Pre-Design Services:

o Activities include consultation, feasibility studies, space planning, site analysis, and
architectural programming.

o Methods of Compensation: MDPE, Lump Sum, or Fixed Fee.

2. SPP 202 - Regular Design Services:

o Begins at project inception, involves analyzing needs, creating design plans, and
overseeing project implementation.

o Phases include:

▪ Project Definition Phase: Defining project requirements.

▪ Schematic Design Phase: Conceptual design and cost estimations.

 ▪ Design Development Phase: Detailed design preparation.

▪ Contract Document Phase: Technical specifications and permit

submissions.

▪ Bidding/Negotiation Phase: Preparation of bid documents.

▪ Construction Phase: Site visits and supervision, contractor payments, and

final inspections.

3. SPP 203 - Specialized Architectural Services:

o Focus on areas such as acoustic design, site development planning, historical

conservation, and forensic architecture.

4. SPP 204-A - Full-Time Supervision Services:

o Involves daily project supervision, quality control, and coordination with

contractors. Compensation may be through PCC, MDPE, or a fixed fee.

5. SPP 204-B - Construction Management Services:

o Oversees cost control, quality management, and ensures project timelines. The
Construction Manager (CM) may be an individual or a firm.

6. SPP 205 - Post-Construction Services:

o Includes building administration and maintenance services to ensure longevity and

economic return.

7. SPP 206 - Comprehensive Architectural Services:

o Integrates all previous phases and includes full project management.

8. SPP 207 - Design-Build Services:

o Combines design and construction under a single contract with the architect
handling both roles.

9. SPP 208 - Architectural Design Competition (ADC):

o Defines principles for conducting architectural design competitions.

10. SPP 209 - Professional Architectural Consulting Services:

o Aligns with laws like RA 9266 and involves consulting on various technical aspects
of projects.

IV. Phases of an Architectural Project

The architectural project follows several phases from project definition to construction and post-
construction. The involvement of the architect is continuous, ensuring that the project meets the
owner’s needs from start to completion.
Key Takeaways:

• SPP ensures adherence to ethical and professional standards for architects.

• Compensation models vary based on the type and complexity of services.

• The architect’s role evolves from initial project conception through to post-construction
and facility management.