VAISHNAVI SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING – HYDERABAD

AR22B1.4C: INTRODUCTION TO ART AND ARCHITECTURE

SEMESTER I
Reference Notes Subject Faculty:Ar.Athira S

Unit IV: Introduction to Architecture as a Profession

Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in
the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural symbols and as works of art.

"Architecture" can mean:

 A general term to describe buildings and other physical structures.

 The art and science of designing and erecting buildings and other physical structures.
 The style and method of design and construction of buildings and other physical structures.
 The practice of the architect, where architecture means the offering or rendering of professional
services in connection with the design and construction of buildings, or built environments.
 The design activity of the architect, from the macro-level (urban design, landscape architecture) to
the micro-level (construction details and furniture).
 The term "architecture" has been adopted to describe the activity of designing any kind of system,
and is commonly used in describing information technology.

In relation to buildings, architecture has to do with the planning, designing and constructing form, space and
ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, environmental, and aesthetic considerations. It requires
the creative manipulation and coordination of material, technology, light and shadow. Architecture also
encompasses the pragmatic aspects of realizing buildings and structures, including scheduling, cost estimating
and construction administration. As documentation produced by architects, typically drawings, plans and
technical specifications, architecture defines the structure and/or behavior of a building or any other kind of
system that is to be or has been constructed.

Historic treatises

The earliest surviving written work on the subject of architecture is De architectura, by the Roman architect
Vitruvius in the early 1st century AD. According to Vitruvius, a good building should satisfy the three principles
of firmitas, utilitas, venustas, which translate roughly as

 Durability – it should stand up robustly and remain in good condition.

 Utility – it should be useful and function well for the people using it.
 Beauty – it should delight people and raise their spirits.

Architect : An architect is a person trained to plan and design buildings, and oversees their construction.
Etymologically, architect derives from the Latin architectus, which derives from the Greek arkhitekton (arkhi-,
chief + tekton, builder), i.e., chief builder.

Professionally, an architect's decisions affect public safety, and thus an architect must undergo specialized
training consisting of advanced education and an internship for practical experience to earn a license to
practice architecture.

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Responsibilities of an Architect: An architect owes responsibility to the following,

a. His Client
b. His Profession
c. His designing teams
d. To the society at large

His responsibilities in a building project include,

1. An Advisor and a confidant who gives his client correct and unbiased advice.
2. Functions as a representative of his client to a limited extent.
3. Safeguard his client’s interest.
4. He can engage contractor to build building under his supervision but cannot be a constructor
or builder for his client.
5. Should be impartial and manage a project with absolute fairness to both his clients as well as
contractors.
6. Requires help of several consultants.
7. Deal with several public officials

Three main stages involving the role of an Architect in the Building Industry:

1. Stages before construction

1. Preliminary Design Stage
2. Design Development Stage
3. Planning Approval Stage
4. Tender and Construction Drawings Stage

2. Stages during construction

1. Construction Stage
2. Completion of Construction

Stage 3. Stages after construction

1. Defects Liability Period Stage

The details of each stage are elaborated as follows,

1. Stages before Construction:

1. Preliminary Design Stage: It is a concept development stage where the architect will show
client the ideas through: i. Sketches ii. Bubble diagrams

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Presentation drawings :Drawings that are used to convey basic design concepts from the design
team to the client.

2. Design Development Stage: In this stage the sketches evolve to drawings. The drawings are
refined in regards to methods and details with dimensions. The Design drawings show: i.
Access to the building and linkage. ii. The types of materials used. iii. Facilities to be provided.
iv. Traffic flow
3. Planning Approval Stage: This stage involves,
 Preparation of working drawings for authority approval.
 Drawings needed by the various professionals.
 Showing the size, quantity, location and materials.
 Putting the drawings in a proper number and sequence.
 The components of the working drawings consist of site plan, floor plans, elevations,
sections and component details like roof, flooring, staircases and etc


4. Tender and Construction Drawing Stage: This stage involves,

 Preparing architectural tender drawings.

 Giving tender drawings to quantity surveyor.
 Prepare construction drawings.
 Tender evaluation.
 Tender interview.
 Letter of award to contractor.

2)Stages during construction: During construction, an architect produces detailed drawing and
specifications of the project to be used for construction. Once completed, the construction
documents will be provided to a potential contractor.

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Roles of Architect during construction:
 Issue construction drawings:Construction drawing issued to the contractor. Assist the contractor in
constructing a building .
 Inspect the construction works :Visit the building site at intervals .Check the quantities and quality of
work done .Ensure that the project can be completed on time.
 Amending construction drawing:Revised construction drawing .Prepare Architect’s Instruction (AI)
Drawings which are required to be amend when: • Work are not done according to specification. •
Changes to existing architectural design • Additional works apart from that shown in construction
drawing.

Completion of the Construction Stage

 Certificate of Practical Completion (CPC)
 Collect final clearance from all the authorities concerned

3)Stages after construction:

Defects Liability Period (DLP) : Stage Stretches over 24 months from the date of practical completion.
Issue of Architect’s Instruction to rectify defects. Inspect the remedial works .Certificate of Making
Good Defects (CMGD) at the end of DLP.

Therefore, the architect’s role and responsibilities vary dependent on the agreement with the client. But
normally, the architect will assist the contractor to construct the project as specified in the construction.

Understanding the Client - Architect - Contractor Relationship :A successful, efficient project

considers the client's needs, their well being, and their budget. The Client, The Architect, and the
Contractor have very specific and necessary roles.

 The Client – have specific goals, expectations and a budget that is in alignment with these goals and
expectations.
 The Architect – must guide the client, propose reasonable, sustainable design solutions, and provide
accurate detailed drawings. These must meet the client's requirements as well as applicable building
codes and zoning criteria. The finalized construction documents will become the client’s contract
with the contractor.
 The Contractor – must be a responsible craftsman with expertise and the experience necessary to
manage the trades and to build the project as designed and documented.

All of the three parties must work together. They must maintain open dialogue and be able to troubleshoot as
a team in order to respond to unforeseen issues or client-initiated changes. Ultimately, the Client has two
contracts, one with the Architect and the other with the Contractor. The Architect works for the client during
the Construction Phase to observe that the construction documents are being interpreted correctly.

Changing roles of architects: Throughout ancient and medieval history, most architectural design and
construction was carried out by artisans—such as stone masons and carpenters, rising to the role of master
builder. Until modern times there was no clear distinction between architect and engineer. It is suggested that
various developments in technology and mathematics allowed the development of the professional
'gentleman' architect, separate from the hands-on craftsman. However, the development was gradual. Until
the 18th century buildings continued to be designed and set-out by craftsmen, with the exception of high
status projects. Today, in legal terms, an architect is a person, who has undertaken and completed
professional degree courses from registered colleges, and also has undertaken internship under practicing
architects. Only after the completion of these, he/she is awarded a degree in the discipline and the title of an

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architect. An architect’s roles have also undergone immense changes. There are governing bodies which
oversee and regulate education and practice of architecture as a profession. In India, this role is taken up by
the Council of Architecture.

Subject to be learnt by architecture students

 Architectural Design -Applying the knowledge gained in other subjects and to design buildings
of medium complexity e.g. Schools, Colleges, Dispensaries, Shops and Houses, etc., and present
them in graphic form.
 Building Materials and Construction -Knowledge of various methods of building
construction of medium complexity with timber, stone, bricks, concrete etc. including
foundation, walls, roofs, staircase, joinery and finishes. Knowledge of basic building materials
and their behaviour such as bricks, stones, metals, timber and finishing materials. Effects of
climate on built environment to be able to design for comfortable conditions.
 Architectural Drawing and Graphics -Ability to present in graphic form all elements of
design – Study of shades and shadows, textures, tones, colours, geometrical form, perspectives
and projections, free hand drawing and rendering.
 History of Architecture -Study of various styles of Architecture and methods of construction
through the ages in the world with emphasis on Indian Architecture.
 Workshop Practice -Ability to make building models with various materials such as card-board,
wood, plastics, plaster of paris and metals. Ability to make simple joints in timber, pipes and
other materials.
 Landscape Design -Understanding of Landscape elements like trees, shrubs, plants, water,
rocks and development of landscape planning and application in architectural design.
 Structural Mechanics and Theory of Structures – Understanding the structural concepts
and behaviour of structural elements, simple calculations for columns, beams, frames, footings,
slabs, walls in concrete, steel and timber. Study of new structural technology such as space
frames, pre-stressing, shells and understanding of the limitations and scope of these techniques.
Calculations for these techniques are not expected.
 Surveying and Levelling – Understanding of various survey and levelling instruments, carrying
out surveys of land of medium complexity and preparation of survey plans.
 Building Services and Equipment – Study of and designing for water supply, drainage,
sewage disposal, electricity supply, wiring and lighting for buildings.
 Humanities – Study of sociology, economics and culture, as applicable for design of human
settlements.
 Estimation and Costing – Systems of taking out quantities and estimating for all trades
involved in construction of medium complexity.
 Principles of Human Settlements – Man and environment, Biological and behavioural
responses to human settlements; Design for living, natural and built-environment. Ancient texts
and treatises on settlement and area planning in India. Human settlements during ancient
medieval and modern periods in India, Europe and other parts of the world. Characteristics of
human settlements built by Muslims and Hindu rulers in India.
 Building Sciences and Services – Study of Accoustics, Air-Conditioning, Heating, Cooling,
Mechanical installations, Fire-control, Water supply and Drainage system for complicated
buildings.

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 Professional Practice – The examination in professional practice is designed to assess the
knowledge, skill and maturity which fit the architect to fulfil his professional duties and his
understanding of the management of an office organisation for such as a purpose. The syllabi
should cover the following areas of study:- General principles of Indian Contract Act; Building
Contracts generally, Conditions and forms of contract, Administration of contracts, Principles of
arbitration, Indian Arbitration Act, 1940, valuation of properties, Architectural competitions;
Easements of properties; Report writing; Codes of Practice; Conditions of Engagement; Duties
and responsibilities of an architect in relation to owner, contractor, relate professional and
public; Indian Standards & Codes of Practice.
 Building Bye-laws – Study of building regulations to enable to design and prepare drawings for
submission to concerned bodies.
 Electives such as: Urban Design, Interior Design, Building Management, Landscape Design,
Urban Planning.