Duties of an Architect

Architects have several duties by which they have to practice their profession. This includes maintaining etiquette, following architectural guidelines for buildings etc.

General Duties of an Architect

• Provide the employees and associates with a suitable working environment, compensate them fairly and facilitate their professional development.^{(( Regulation 2(1)(xix), Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989))}
• Every partner shall ensure that when an architect enters into a partnership agreement with one or more architects, the firm also complies with the provisions of the sub-regulation.^{(( Regulation 2(2), Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989))}
• Ensure that their professional activities do not conflict with their general responsibility to contribute to the quality of the environment and future welfare of society.^{(( Regulation 2(1)(i), Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989))}
• Compete fairly^{(( Regulation 2(1)(xi), Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989))} and maintain a high standard of integrity.^{(( Regulation 2(1)(viii), Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989))}

Architect’s duties towards clients

• Inform the client of the conditions of engagement and scale of charges, and agree that these conditions shall be the basis of the appointment.^{(( Regulation 2(1)(iv), Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989))}
• Not give or take discounts, commissions, gifts or other inducements for the introduction of clients or of work.^{(( Regulation 2(1)(vi), Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989))}
• Act with fairness and impartiality when administering a building contract.^{(( Regulation 2(1)(vii), Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989))}

Architect’s duties towards the profession

Some of the architect’s duties to the profession are not to:

• Sub-commission an architect’s work to another architect. However, this can happen if the client agrees to it.^{(( Regulation 2(1)(v), Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989))}
• Attempt to supercede or replace another architect.^{(( Regulation 2(1)(xiii), Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989))}
• Attempt to obtain, offer to undertake or accept a commission for which they know another architect has been selected or employed, until they have evidence that the selection, employment or agreement has been terminated. Additionally, they have to give the previous architect written notice.^{(( Regulation 2(1)(xv), Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989))}
• Advertise professional services. An architect should not allow their name to be included in advertisements or used for other publicity.^{(( Regulation 2(1)(xxv), Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989))}