PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

LECTURE - VI

CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

 CONTENT

ARCHITECTS’ PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT REGULATIONS 1989

REGULATIONS REGARDING WORKING OF PROJECTS

- SITE SURVEY STANDARDS
- COMPREHENSIVE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES
. SCOPE OF WORK
. SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
. PROFESSIONAL FEE
. SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT
. REIMBURSIBLE EXPENSES
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ARCHITECTS’ PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT REGULATIONS 1989, drafted by the

CoA.

1. These regulations shall be observed by all the architects either in practice

or employment. However, the provisions of the central civil servants Rules and
similar rule shall be applicable first to architects in Government service.

2. It is expected of an architect in private practice to inform the client, the

conditions of engagement and scale or charges and make the client agree
that these conditions shall be the basis of appointment.

3. Sub-commissioning of work to another architect shall not be done.

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4. Sometimes, your well-wisher or a contractor may

introduce a client to you. You shall be thankful to
him. It is natural. You can be friendly with him and
take him out to dine, to express your feelings.
However, you shall not indulge in gifting him money
or a valuable present.

5. If there is any omission and mistake on the part of an architect, people tend to say
that “Architects make mistakes, and they are like that” at large. This is derogatory,
detrimental and harmful to the image of Architects. Your behavior,
professional and otherwise should not bring Architects to disrepute.

6. Architects must always observe and uphold the Council’s conditions of

engagement, and scale of charges.
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6. This is the habit of a shrewd client: he may approach you and may ask for a
sketch plan, which he may compare with the plan or plans collected by him
from other architects. However, an architect must always refuse to work for
free!

7. If a client comes to you, unhappy with the previous architect engaged by him; then it
is your duty to inform the previous architect, that the client has approached you and
you intend to accept the work. However, always make sure that the client
provides you with the Letter of termination of contract from the previous
architect, before you sign up for the project.

Also, in such cases do not vouch for the part of the work that is not carried
under your supervision, if the work has already started on site.
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8. All partners in an architectural firm must be

registered with the Council of Architecture.

9. The architect must have a statutory Contract

Document signed with the consultants for any
of the projects that the consultants are
working on. The importance of this regulation is
realized only at the time of crisis.
For example, you are working with a structural engineer, with only verbal
understanding ; and it works well so long as the projects go smooth. But at the
time of crisis, in the absence of a written document, one would try to shift the
blame or shirk responsibilities.
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10.An architect cannot advertise his professional services like other

businessman, except for the following occasions:

(A)Only on following occasions can an Architect’s name and address be

included in the insertion in a newspaper and those are:
- Change of address of his office
- Tender notice in newspaper
- Advertisement for recruitment of staff in his office
- If there is a description or a write-up on the work of an architect with illustration
in print media

(B) Signing in a Building

As a painter signs his picture or a sculptor puts his name on the sculpture that he
creates, an architect may put his name on a permanent plaque on a
building he designed, with permission from client, on a suitable surface
displaying his name as Architect of the building.

However, the height of lettering must not be more than 10 cms

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(C) Architect can well exhibit his name outside his office.

(D) He can also exhibit his name on the work-site of a project under
construction.

(E) Name of an architect, who has designed a project is allowed to be

printed in a brochure produced by a Promoter/builder for the purpose of
advertisement of the project.

(F) An architect can as well print his name in the classified columns of
Telephone Directory or the trade/Professional Directory/website.

(G) The suppliers or manufacturers of materials used in a building may use

name of the architect of the building in an illustrated advertisement of
the said building material.
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The COA regulation 2(3) says that violation of any of

the provisions of above mentioned regulation shall
constitute a professional misconduct!
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OTHER REGULATIONS REGARDING WORKING OF PROJECTS

(1) SITE SURVEY STANDARDS

- Basis of a site plan is the site survey. Thus, it must be accurate.
- It is rightly said that “It shall be the responsibility of the client to furnish an
accurate site survey plan…”
- When the client is a government department, thy usually have such a ready .
- However, in case of a private client, is the survey is not ready for reference; the
architect must convince the client regarding the importance of a proper
survey map of the site. Following are the requirements that must be supplied in
a survey map:
- Site boundary with adjoining properties, access roads, paths,
landmarks, trees with more than 1m girth, wells, etc
- Levels and contours
- Natural drainage
- Services like overhead electric transmission line
- Site orientation
- Scale of site plan
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(2) COMPREHENSIVE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES

The Council has prescribed four separate schedules of services and

stages of fees etc. to regulate all the architectural services to be
provided by an architect to his clients.

It is mandatory for an architect to mention these according to the COA

regulations in the Contract Document / Work Agreement Document.

1. SCOPE OF WORK
2. SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
3. PROFESSIONAL FEE
4. SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT
5. REIMBURSIBLE EXPENSES
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1. SCOPE OF WORK

Part I - ARCHITECTURE :
1 Taking Client's instructions and preparation of design brief.
2 Site evaluation, analysis and impact of existing and / or proposed
development on its immediate environs.
3 Design and site development.
4 Structural design.
5 Sanitary, plumbing, drainage, water supply and sewerage design.
6 Electrical, electronic, communication systems and design.
7 Heating, ventilation and air conditioning design (HVAC) and other
mechanical systems.
8 Elevators, escalators, etc.
9 Fire detection, Fire protection and Security systems etc.
10 Periodic inspection and evaluation of Construction works.
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Part II _ ALLIED FIELDS :

11 Landscape Architecture
12 Interior Architecture
13 Architectural Conservation
14 Retrofitting of Buildings
15 Graphic Design and Signage
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1. SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
The Architect shall, after taking instructions from the Client, render the following
services:

CONCEPT DESIGN [STAGE 1] :

2.01 Ascertain Client's requirements, examine site constraints & potential ; and
prepare a design brief for Client's approval.

2.02 Prepare report on site evaluation, state of existing buildings, if any ; and analysis
and impact of existing and/ or proposed development on its immediate environs.

2.03 Prepare drawings and documents to enable the Client to get done the detailed
survey and soil investigation at the site of the project.

2.04 Furnish report on measures required to be taken to mitigate the adverse impact,
if any, of the existing and / or proposed development on its immediate environs.

2.05 Prepare conceptual designs with reference to requirements given and prepare
rough estimate of cost on area basis.
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PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND DRAWINGS [STAGE 2] :

2.06 Modify the conceptual designs incorporating required changes and
prepare the preliminary drawings, sketches, study model, etc., for the
Client's approval along with preliminary estimate of cost on area basis.

DRAWINGS FOR CLIENT'S/ STATUTORY APPROVALS [STAGE 3] :

2.07 Prepare drawings necessary for Client's/ statutory approvals and
ensure compliance with codes, standards and legislation, as applicable and
assist the Client in obtaining the statutory approvals thereof, if required.

WORKING DRAWINGS AND TENDER DOCUMENTS [STAGE 4] :

2.08 Prepare working drawings, specifications and schedule of quantities
sufficient to prepare estimate of cost and tender documents including code
of practice covering aspects like mode of measurement, method of
payments, quality control procedures on materials & works and other
conditions of contract.
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APPOINTMENT OF CONTRACTORS [STAGE 5] :

2.09 Invite, receive and analyze tenders; advise Client on appointment of
contractors.

CONSTRUCTION [STAGE 6] :
2.10 Prepare and issue working drawings and details for proper execution
of works during construction.

2.11 Approve samples of various elements and components.

2.12 Check and approve shop drawings submitted by the contractor/

vendors.

2.13 Visit the site of work, at intervals mutually agreed upon, to inspect and
evaluate the Construction Works and where necessary clarify any decision,
offer interpretation of the drawings/specifications, attend conferences and meetings
to ensure that the project proceeds generally in accordance with the conditions of
contract and keep the Client informed and render advice on actions, if required.
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2.14 In order to ensure that the work at site proceeds in accordance with
the contract documents/ drawings and to exercise time and quality controls,
the day-to-day supervision will be carried out by a Construction Manager (Clerk of
Works/ Site Supervisor or Construction Management Agency in case of a large and
complex project), who shall work under the guidance and direction of the Architect
and shall be appointed and paid by the Client.

2.15 Issue Certificate of Virtual Completion of works.

COMPLETION [STAGE 7] :

2.16 Prepare and submit completion reports and drawings for the project as
required and assist the Client in obtaining "Completion/ Occupancy
Certificate" from statutory authorities, wherever required.

2.17 Issue two sets of as built drawings including services and structures.
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3. PROFESSIONAL FEE :

3.01 In consideration of the professional services rendered by the Architect,

he shall be paid professional fee and other charges in accordance with the
Scale of Charges.

3.02 Any tax levied by law, such as Service tax, etc. contingent to
professional services rendered by the Architect, shall be payable by the
Client, over and above the gross fees charged by the Architect in relation to
the services provided.
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4. SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT

The Architect shall be paid professional fee in the following stages

consistent with the work done plus other charges and reimbursable
expenses as agreed upon :

Retainer Rs. 20M* or 5% of the total fees

On appointment/ Signing of payable, whichever is higher,
Agreement/ Acceptance of offer. adjustable at the last stage.
Stage 1 10% of the total fees payable.
On submitting conceptual designs
and rough estimate of
cost.
Stage 2 20% of the total fees payable less
On submitting the required payment already made
preliminary scheme for the at Stage 1.
Client's approval along with the
preliminary estimate of cost.
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Stage 3 30% of the total fees payable less

1.On incorporating Client's payment already made at Stages 1
suggestions and submitting and 2.
drawings for approval from the
Client/ statutory authorities, if
required.
2.Upon Client's / statutory approval 35% of the total fees payable less
necessary for commencement of payment already made at Stages1
construction, wherever applicable. to 3a.
Stage 4 45% of the total fees payable less
Upon preparation of working payment already made
drawings, specifications and at Stages1 to 3a.
schedule of quantities sufficient to
prepare estimate of cost
and preparation of tender
documents.
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Stage 6 65% of the total fees payable less

On submitting working drawings payment already made
and details required for at Stages 1 to 5.
commencement of work at site.
70% of the total fees payable less
• On completion of 20% of the payment already made
work at Stages 1 to 6a.
• On completion of 40% of the 75% of the total fees payable less
work payment already made
at Stages 1 to 6b(i).
• On completion of 60% of the 80% of the total fees payable less
work payment already made
at Stages 1 to 6b(ii).
85% of the total fees payable less
• On completion of 80% of the payment already made
work at Stages 1 to 6b(iii).
90% of the total fees payable less
• On Virtual Completion payment already made
at Stages 1 to 6b(iv).
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Stage 7 100% of the fees payable less

On submitting Completion Report payment already made at
and drawings for issuance various stages and retainer.
of completion/ occupancy
certificate by statutory
authorities, wherever required and
on issue of as built
drawings

5. REIMBURSIBLE EXPENSES:

In addition to the fees for the project, an architect can ask for
reimbursement of following expenses:

-Travel cost to site and expenses incurred on boarding and lodging (for
outstation projects 0

-For any physical and/or 3D models that have been out-sourced.