CoA | ARCHITECT’S PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

According to the Council of Architecture – Professional conduct regulations, the profession of Architecture calls for men of integrity, business capacity and artistic ability. An Architect should act as a professional advisor to his Client and his advice must be absolutely disinterested and his honesty of purpose must be above suspicion. He should maintain a high  professional standard  and conduct himself in a manner which is not derogatory to his professional character nor bring architects into disrepute.
ethics-for-architects
Here, I have briefly described what should be expected of an Architect by his clients, his profession, his associates and employees:

How is the profession of Architect governed?
What are the Architect’s professional conduct regulations as per CoA?
Is it professional for an Architect to advertise his architectural services as per CoA?
What is professional misconduct of an Architect?

 


HOW IS THE PROFESSION OF AN ARCHITECT GOVERNED?

The profession of an Architect is governed by the Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989 (as amended in 2003), which deals with professional Ethics and Etiquette, Conditions of Engagement and Scale of Charges, Architectural Competition guidelines etc. The COA has framed guidelines governing the various aspects of  architectural practice and the professional conduct required of an Architect. An Architect must  follow these guidelines in his professional conduct and any violation shall constitute a Professional Misconduct, which will attract disciplinary action as stipulated under the Architects Act, 1972.

WHAT ARE THE ARCHITECTS’ PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT REGULATIONS AS PER COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE?

A brief summary of the Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989 (as amended in 2003) is given here without the legal language which makes it so boring.

  • 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.

IS IT PROFESSIONAL FOR AN ARCHITECT TO ADVERTISE HIS SERVICES?

According to the Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989 (as amended in 2003), an Architect shall not advertise his professional service save the following exceptions:

  • 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.

WHAT IS PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT OF AN ARCHITECT?

If an Architect violates any of the COA – Professional Conduct regulations, 1989 (as amended in 2003), then it shall constitute Professional Misconduct. Any matter regarding Professional Negligence and/or Deficient Service provided by the Architect, shall be referred to the Council of Architecture, to adjudicate whether the Architect is guilty of Professional Misconduct, and will attract disciplinary action as stipulated under the Architects Act, 1972.

This post was about the Professional Conduct expected of an Architect. To understand the Professional services and scope of work rendered by an Architect, go to:

To know more about what entails to Professional misconduct by an Architect, go to:

The Council Of Architecture (CoA) in India has stipulated guidelines and regulations regarding an Architect’s profession and education. To know more, go to:

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3 thoughts on “CoA | ARCHITECT’S PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

  • September 25, 2017 at 10:22 am
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    Can you clarify:
    Can an Architect become a director of a Pvt Ltd Co and run the business of Architecture with non-architect co-directos?
    Can the same architect become a director of a construction co?
    Will these be treated as Professional Misconduct?

    Reply
  • August 27, 2010 at 3:46 am
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    Dear sir,

    After completion of my AMICE(I) ARCHITECTURE degree am i enroll my name with council of architecture? from last 15years i practicing as an architectural consultant, i have a diploma in architecture and B.E in Civil engineering.

    Reply
  • April 25, 2010 at 4:17 pm
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