CoA | ARCHITECT’S RESPONSIBILITIES

What are the Architect’s responsibilities during the building construction?
What are the client’s responsibilities during the building construction?
What does ownership of copyright mean with regard to architectural drawings?
How is an agreement between an Architect and client terminated?
How are disputes between an Architect and client resolved?
What is indemnification?

 

WHAT ARE THE ARCHITECT’S RESPONSIBILITIES DURING THE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION?

The Architect’s responsibilities and services to be rendered at every Stage of the Project have been enumerated in Schedule of Services. In addition, the Architect has some more responsibilities that should be mentioned:

• Progress of work in office: The Architect shall keep the Client informed about the progress of work in his office.
• Consultants: The Architect shall appoint specialized Consultants, in consultation with the Client, if necessary.
• Co-ordination with consultants: The Architect shall be responsible for the direction and integration of the Consultants work. However, the Consultants shall be responsible for the calculations, detailed design and periodic inspection of the work entrusted to them.
• Drawings: The Architect will supply to the Client, free of cost, upto six sets of drawings at different stages.
• Alterations: The Architect shall not make any deviations, alterations or omissions from the approved drawings, involving financial implications, without the prior consent of the Client.
• Revisions: Any revision in the drawings, tenders, once approved, required to be made by the Client shall be compensated on mutually agreed terms as additional services rendered.
• No change shall be made at site from the approved drawings and specifications, without the consent of the Architect
• Extra services: Any professional services to be rendered by the Architect at the instance of the Client, after the completion of the project shall be compensated on mutually agreed terms.

The complexity of an Architect’s Brain, by Isabel Barros.

WHAT ARE THE CLIENTS RESPONSIBILITIES DURING THE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION?

• The Client shall discharge all his obligations connected with the project and engagement of the Architect as follows:
• The Client shall provide detailed requirements of the project.
• The Client shall provide property ownership documents.
• The Client shall provide a Site Plan showing boundaries, contours, existing features and structures, roads, and existing utility lines. In case this information is not readily available, the Client shall arrange for the survey of the property for getting the necessary information.
• The Client shall furnish or pay for reports on the soil condition and test as required by the Architect.
• The Client shall pay all the fees, levies and expenses in respect of statutory bodies.
• The Client shall honour the Architect’s bills within one month of submission.

WHAT DOES OWNERSHIP OF COPYRIGHT MEAN WITH REGARD TO ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS?

Architectural Design is an intellectual property of the Architect. The drawings, specifications, documents and models are the property of the Architect, whether the project for which they are made, is executed or not. The Client can retain copies of the drawings, specifications, models and other documents for his information and use in connection with the project. These cannot be used for any other project by the Client or the Architect or any other person except for the repetition.

HOW IS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN AN ARCHITECT AND CLIENT TERMINATED?

The Agreement between the Client and the Architect may be terminated by either one giving the other, a written notice of not less than 30 days, in case one of them fails to substantially perform his responsibilities, (so long as the failure is not caused by the one initiating the termination). In the event the Client has terminated the agreement, he has the right to appoint another Architect to complete the work, after paying the previous architect.

HOW ARE DISPUTES BETWEEN THE CLIENT AND THE ARCHITECT RESOLVED?

All disputes which may arise between the Client and the Architect shall be referred to the Council of Architecture for arbitration. The Arbitrator shall be appointed by the President, Council of Architecture and the decision and award of the Arbitrator shall be final and binding on the Architect and Client.

WHAT IS INDEMNIFICATION?

In the event that a claim or suit is brought against the Architect by a third party for damages arising from personal injury or property damage caused wholly by the Client or anyone for whose acts the Client may be responsible, then the Client shall indemnify the Architect and fully reimburse any loss or expenses, including Attorney’s fee which the Architect may incur.

This post was about the Responsibilities expected of an Architect as well as the Client. As part of his responsibilities, the Client is expected to pay the Architect the professional fees in accordance to the Agreement. To know more about the  the Professional fees  that an Architect can charge, go to:

• CoA | Architect’s Professional Charges

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

• An Architect’s Educational Qualifications
• An Architect’s Services and Responsibilities
• An Architect’s Charges
• An Architect’s Conduct
• Registration of an Architect with the CoA
• Architectural Competitions

Related Posts: 

•  Council Of Architecture (CoA)

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