• The Architects Code

• Roles & Responsibilities - yours and mine

• Mission Statement

• Code of Ethics

Roles and Responsibilities

My responsibilities as an architect:

• To adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct laid out by the ARB.

• To provide sound clear advice at the outset of the project about: the design/development potential; approximate building costs; the need for various statutory consents; project programming and likely time scales; the need to engage the services of other professional consultants and specialists.

• To respond as accurately and appropriately as possible to the client’s brief and to advise generally on pertinent aspects of the client’s brief.

• To develop and to produce design schemes which I consider to be viable in terms of ‘build-ability’ and in terms of local authority guidelines, planning strictures, building legislation and budget.

• To develop the design to detail and to produce all necessary detailed construction drawings, diagrams, specifications and schedules etc to enable the building contractor to carry out the works to a satisfactory standard.

• To seek ‘Planning Consent’ and ‘Building Regulations Approval’ at the appropriate stages to the project.

• To pay attention to the health and safety matters and have sensible regard for the end users of schemes.

• To pay attention to the rights and amenities of adjoining owners.

• To advise the client on the ‘Party Wall’ matters and where necessary to work with party wall surveyors to reach the appropriate agreements with adjoining owners.

• To work closely with building contractors and do so in a spirit of helpfulness and co-operation. To assist the building contractor to achieve satisfactory results. To guide and advise building contractors and specialist sub-contractors as and when necessary.

• To advise the client on matters relating to building contracts and building procedures.

• To oversee the construction contract and to monitor the work in terms of quality, progress and costs as closely as is reasonably possible.

• To inform the client of any significant developments or variations as the building contract progresses, in order to alert the client to any aspects of the project, which may be at variance to the agreed scheme, and the agreed scope of work.

• To keep a watching brief over matters relating to costs and cost variations and to keep the client informed as much as it is reasonably possible during the course of the building contract.

• To inspect the building at the completion of the project and to draw up schedules of outstanding works, incomplete items and building defects; and to instruct the builders accordingly in order that all building work is satisfactorily completed.

• To monitor any latent defects for a period after completion of either three months, six months or one year period (depending on the nature, scale and complexity of the contract).

• To pay attention to environmental and sustainable issues and where possible to incorporate energy saving technologies into the design specification.

Your responsibilities as my client:

Architects often end up helping clients to clarify their own enjoyment of their homes or their own business goals. Nothing happenes from a design perspective until there is a thorough understanding of this. Getting to those answers requires intelligent questions that set the foundation for the design decisions. There is a lot of investigating, guiding, analysing, suggesting, giving options, anticipating, to be done so a client needs to be honest about their goals.

• To provide as clear a brief as possible to the architects.

• To set out clearly your objectives and aspirations, your budget and your contingency.

• To provide information that is relevant to the proposed building project and which may have a bearing on the project.

• To try and avoid, as much as is reasonably possible, any changes in the design brief or any late requests for additional work. If and when such changes and late requests are instructed, to understand that this will lead to additional costs (over and above the budgeted costs) in both the contract value, and in professional fees.

• To always give clear instructions to the architects and not to give instructions directly to builders; the chain of command is as follows: Client instructs the architect: Architect instructs the builder: Builder carries out the work

• To settle all invoices, payment certificates and fee accounts promptly and within the agreed time periods, and to have prearranged the financial resources so that the monies are in place to meet the contractual obligations.

For further information please go to the RIBA document Explaining an Architect's Services.

MISSION STATEMENT

Professionalism lies at the heart of architectural practice, underpinning the trust placed in architects by clients, colleagues, and the wider public. Professionalism is about more than technical competence – it encompasses a commitment to ethical decision-making, accountability, and the responsible exercise of professional judgement. The Architects Code is a positive statement of what professionalism and ethics mean for an architect. The Standards explain to members of the public the behaviours they can expect from architects. By meeting them, architects will uphold trust and confidence in the profession.

The Six Standards:

1.      Architects must be honest and act with integrity

2.      Architects must act in the public interest and in a way that supports the environment and prevents harm to others

3.      Architects must be competent to carry out the work they do

4.      Architects must carry out their work effectively, exercising skill and diligence

5.      Architects must communicate effectively and collaborate with others

6.      Architects must treat others with respect

See the details of this code here:

https://arb.org.uk/architect-information/architects-code-standards-of-conduct-and-practice/?dm_i=4ZCL,12FIX,1J6Y5P,50ICD,1

CODE OF ETHICS

As a modern, functionalist, practical architect, I assess the difference between cost and value (the balance between finance, enjoyment and usefulness); I interact rather than instruct to create projects that endure. A low consumer, I aim to conserve resources, lower energy use and recycle materials; staying smart and creative while doing this for both individuals and communities.

Although my guiding principles cannot address every issue or provide answers to every dilemma, they define the spirit in which I do business and guide daily conduct.

Not every project should be pursued just because it can be.

I commit to providing services without discrimination with appropriate respect for the Individual. I comply with laws, rules and regulations. I am responsible for preventing violations of law, where applicable, and take action against possible violations.

I give preferences to suppliers who are local, have individual ownership and who may be from underrepresented populations, where this is relevant. I consider accepting projects from clients including volunteer groups and charities where I believe that my contribution could have community benefit; my early advice to such groups is always pro bono.

At any one time, at least 75% of my clients are local to me; either within my county (Monmouthshire) or within Gloucestershire (I'm half a mile from that border) or Herefordshire (I am 2 miles from that border). The majority of recent projects are located within the areas outlined above, or have not required travel.

I make independent fee proposals entirely aside from any competition. I do not offer or solicit improper payments or gratuities in connection with the services I offer. I do not engage in unauthorized use, copying, distribution or alteration of intellectual property belonging to others. I will not disclose any material nonpublic information.

I avoid any relationship or activity that might impair, or even appear to impair, the ability to make objective and fair decisions when providing my services and commit to competing solely on merit and avoiding actions that create the appearance of favoritism or that may adversely affect impartiality and fair dealing.

All disclosures made in financial reports and public documents are full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable. No business goal of any kind is ever an excuse for misrepresenting facts or falsifying records.

I do no other active marketing than maintaining an up-to-date web site. All appointments are via recommendation or website assessment, with transparency about what I do and how I work and with relationships based on trust and integrity. When proposing fees there are no hidden costs. I do not send marketing emails.

I create, retain and dispose of practice records as part of the normal course of business in compliance with the ARB Code of Conduct and the requirements of my professional Indemnity insurance, as well as all regulatory and legal requirements. Records are true and accurate.