PROFFESIONAL PRACTISE AND ETHICS

ASSIGNMENT -2

1.ROLE OF AN ARCHITECT IN SOCIETY:

Defiantly the bottom line of an architect’s role in society is to respond with the surrounds
environment in a positive manner while rendering his/clients needs. The trend in present days is that
one who designs is different from the one who is getting it built to the one who is going to use. It’s a
difficult job for him to satisfy the needs of all those people while keeping the effective environment
of the place/ space intact.

As architects, we can have a significant role in improving the well-being of communities by being
involved with nonprofit organizations. We can raise public awareness of critical social and
environmental issues. One may argue that we chose the field of architecture because we have a
calling to take a role in influencing the built environment beyond our practice. An architectural
education facilitates the development of critical thinking abilities, which can be applied to solving
problems and addressing situations beyond design. Our social responsibility is not limited to needs
related to the built environment or environmental issues. Our critical thinking abilities can also be
valuable in designing an organization or setting strategic goals and implementation plans.

1.ADVISOR

 Using the best of his knowledge and experiences he should advice the client.

 His advice must be only in the Interest of his client.

2. GENERAL MANAGER
 He Is entrusted with financial undertakings

 He has to co ordinate with many agencies I.e j general manager -His honesty of
purpose must be above suspicion

3. AUDITOR
 He has to certify bills payments & fees to the contractors and other consultant
 He has to work as an auditor
 He must be selfless& impartial

4. SUPERVISOR
 Architect must frequently visit work under construction irrespective of the distance
 He has to inspect site, either work has been carried out as per conditions and
specification of the contract
 The owner or the client completely rely on the architect in this aspect

5. UMPIRE

 He has to work like an umpire in case of dispute between the owner & the contractor
 He must act will entire impartiality

6. SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS
  He has the moral responsibility towards the society

 His behavior in the society reflects upon the architectural fraternity as a whole
7. EDUCATOR

 He shall educate directly or indirectly, his clients and the society to improve quality of
Irving and environment
 these are the moral and legal expectations of an architect

2. ROLE OF COA:

The Council of Architecture (COA) has been constituted by the Government of India under the
provisions of the Architects Act, 1972, enacted by the Parliament of India, which came into force on
1st September, 1972. The Act provides for registration of Architects, standards of education,
recognized qualifications and standards of practice to be complied with by the practicing architects.
The Council of Architecture is charged with the responsibility to regulate the education and practice
of profession throughout India besides maintaining the register of architects. For this purpose, the
Government of India has framed Rules and Council of Architecture has framed Regulations as
provided for in the Architects Act, with the approval of Government of India.

THE COA PRESCRIBES THE MINIMUM STANDARDS OF ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION - required for
granting recognized qualifications by colleges or institutions in India. The standards of architectural
education in India are governed by Council of Architecture (Minimum Standards of Architectural
Education) Regulations, 1983, which prescribes the eligibility for admission, course duration,
standards of staff & accommodation, course content, examination etc. The Council has the power to
require from time to time, information on the courses of study and examinations conducted by the
recognized architectural colleges and institutions and oversees that the standards are maintained
periodically, by way of conducting inspections through Committees of Experts.

THE COA RECOMMENDS RECOGNITION OF ARCHITECTURAL INSTITUTIONS IN INDIA - The Council

appoints inspectors to inspect any Institution where Architectural Education is imparted, for the
purpose of recommending to the Central Government recognition of Architectural Qualifications
granted by the Institution.

THE COA CAN ALSO MAKE A REPRESENTATION TO THE GOVERNMENT TO WITHDRAW THE
RECOGNITION GRANTED TO A INSTITUTION - if it appears to the Council that the courses of study
and examination or the staff, equipment, training and other facilities provided do not conform to the
standards prescribed by the Council.

THE PROFESSION OF AN ARCHITECT IS GOVERNED BY THE COA - Architects (Professional Conduct)

Regulations, 1989 (as amended in 2003) which deals with professional ethics and etiquette,
professional conduct, conditions of engagement and scale of charges, architectural competition
guidelines etc. An Architect is required to observe professional conduct as stipulated in the
Regulations, and any violation shall constitute Professional Misconduct, which will attract
disciplinary action as stipulated under section 30 of the Architects Act, 1972.

THE COA HAS THE POWER TO MAKE REGULATIONS - The Council with the approval of the Central
Government can make new regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of the Architects Act.
THE COA APPOINTS OTHER OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES AS IT DEEMS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT
ITS FUNCTIONS - The Council fixes the pay and allowances of its officers and employees.

THE COA CONTROLS AND MANAGES A FUND - which consists of the fees received and the money
received from the Central Government. All expenses incurred by the Council are paid out from this
Fund.

3.ROLL OF IIA:

• The institute has a major role in promoting the profession of architects by uniting and organizing in
fellowship the architects of India to promote aesthetic, scientific and practical efficiency of the
profession.

• It encourages the science and the art of planning and building the standards of architectural
education, training and practice, by making grants to Technical Institutions, or by paying or assisting
to pay the fees and expenses of students or by providing and giving scholarships, prizes or other
rewards to such students, or by any or all such methods.

 It devises and imposes the means for testing the qualifications of the candidates for admission to
membership of the Institute, by examination in theory and in practice, or by any other tests, or
to arrange with any technical Institute or Institutions for the imposition of any such tests.

• It looks into all factors affecting the practice of architecture and it initiates and watches over
measures affecting, or likely to affect, the practice of Architecture, and to procure such changes of,
and amendments in the law relating to or affecting the practice of Architecture.

 It holds conferences or meetings for the discussion of, and the exchange of news and matters
affecting or relating to architecture, the reading of papers and the delivery of lectures, and hold
congresses or exhibitions (either jointly with any other body or Institution or otherwise) for the
exposition of any matters affecting or relating to the theory or practice of Architecture or any
allied subject; and to award medals, certificates, prizes or diplomas in connection therewith

• It co-ordinates the activities of the building industry and of the Profession of Architecture, and too
amalgamate or combine or act temporarily or otherwise, in conjunction with any other body or
bodies, Institution or Institutions, having like or similar objects.

• It purchases, leases, rents, holds and disposes of any land or property, and any building or hall and
erects any such building or buildings to be used as place of meeting for the members of the institute,
or as a college, school or reading room or library for the advancement of the object of the institute,
and provides accommodation for any meeting, conference, exhibition or congress, whether
promoted wholly or partly by the Institute or which, in the opinion of the Council, may conduce to or
assist in the carrying on with the objects of the Institute or tend to do so

 It acquires by purchasing , donation, request or otherwise a library and collection of models,

drawings, designs or other materials, and to maintain, extend and improve the same.

• It formulates and notifies the law and practice relating to Architecture to members and the public,
and to compile, collect, collate, revise, print and publish statistics, professional records or periodicals
relating to any of the objects of the Institute;
It ensures the advancement of the living standards of our people through their improved
environment and to make the profession of ever increasing service to Society.

• It constitutes various classes of members including Honorary Fellows who are influential and
experienced people directly or indirectly from the field.

4.CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ARCHITECTS:

■ An Architect shall apply his skill to the creative, responsible and economic development of the
country and contribute to the quality of the environment and future welfare of society.

■ He shall promote the advancement of Architecture, standards of Architectural Education and

Architectural practice.

■ An Architect shall provide professional services of a high standard, to the best of his ability.

■ He shall uphold and inform his Client of the COA - Conditions of Engagement and Scale of Charges
and agree that these conditions shall be the basis of appointment

■ He shall not sub-commission to another Architect the work for which he has been commissioned
without the prior agreement of his client

■ He shall not give or take discounts, commissions or other inducements for the introduction of
Clients or of work.

■ He shall compete fairly with other Architects and not prepare designs for a Client without
payment or for a reduced fee.

■ He shall not supplant or attempt to supplant another Architect.

■ He shall not attempt to obtain, offer to undertake or accept a project for which he knows another
Architect has been selected or commissioned, unless he has evidence that the selection or
agreement has been terminated and he has given the previous architect written notice that he is
accepting the project.

■ He shall act with fairness and impartiality when administering a building contract.

■ He shall not have or take as partner in his firm any person who is disqualified for registration or
whose name has been removed from the register.

■ If an Architect practices as a partner in a partnership firm or is in-charge to a company registered

under the companies Act, 1956, he shall ensure that such firm or company, complies with the
Architects professional conduct regulation.

■ He shall recognize and respect the professional contribution of his employees, his associates and
provide them with suitable working environment, compensate them fairly and facilitate their
professional development.
■ He shall recognize and respect the professional contribution of his Consultants and enter into
agreement with them defining their scope of work, responsibilities, functions, fees and mode of
payment.

■ He shall comply with the Council's guidelines for Architectural Competitions.

■ He may exhibit his name outside his office or on a building for which he is or was an Architect.

■ He may allow his name to appear in advertisements inserted in the press by suppliers or
manufacturers of materials used in a building he has designed.

■ He may allow his name and address to be published in advertisements in connection with calling
of tenders or staff requirements, etc.

■ He may allow his name to appear in brochures prepared by clients for the purpose of advertising
or promoting projects for which he has been commissioned.

■ He may allow his name to be associated with illustrations and descriptions of his work in the press
or other public media.

■ He may produce or publish brochures describing his experience capabilities for distribution to
potential clients whom he can identify by name and position.

■ He may allow his name to appear in the classified columns of the trade/professional directory
and/or telephone directory.

■ He may publish a notice of change of address on three occasions and correspondents may be
informed by post.

5.INTENT AND OBJECTIVES OF ARCHITECTS ACT 1972:

 The main purpose of the architects act, 1972 as given in the preamble is to provide for the
registration of architects and for matters connected therewith. It has already come into
force and extends to the whole India. It contains 45 sections along with one schedule.
 The Act provides for registration of Architects, standards of education, recognized
qualifications and standards of practice to be complied with by the practicing architects.   
 If any person falsely claims to be registered or misuses title and style of architect, such acts
tantamount to committing of a criminal offence, which is punishable under section 36 or 37
(2) of the Architects Act, 1972. 
 The main purpose of the architects act, 1972 as given in the preamble is to provide for the
registration of architects and for matters connected therewith. It has already come into
force and extends to the whole India. It contains 45 sections along with one schedule.