Assignment #2 - Conext, Content, Capacity
Cuff, Ch 1.1 Architecture as a Profession, Professional Life, The Architecture Student’s
Handbook of Professional Practice Fifteenth Edition, pp 2-6
This reading works to define what professional work is and how architecture functions as
a profession. As a profession, we are mainly taught theory and the knowledge to apply theory
and ways of thinking to a design. However, the majority of technical and practical learning is
done in the working environment rather than the academic one. As a profession, architecture
requires a higher level of education which in turn means that as a profession it is comprised of
self controlled and autonomous work.
Other traits:
● Perform complex services
● Attach identity to career
● Common values
● Lifetime of learning
● Professional society members
The value of the profession is determined by society which means members must also
uphold the profession. An important distinction in the architectural profession is a shift towards a
horizontal organization where each member has various values based on their experience or
specialization within the profession,
Society's expectations of professions include:
● create /maintain standards for admission & practice
● Protect public health, safety, & welfare
● Consider the public good
● Respect public welfare over personal gain.
The key in this reading is that professionals and society dictate how the profession functions.
Key Words:
Expertise, education, judgement, knowledge, experience
Waldrep, Ch 1.6 The Career Paths of an Architect, Professional Life, The Architecture
Student’s Handbook of Professional Practice Fifteenth Edition, pp 50-56
This reading provides a basis understanding of roles within the architecture profession
as well as roles within the building industry, the arts, other forms of design, etc. Because there
are so many options to pursue it is important for emerging professionals to design their career
path to cater the sort of work they want to do. Although the traditional path of entering work as
an intern, gaining experience, and working up the ranks in a firm still exists, those entering the
workforce can choose to progress through a form of various specializations within the industry.
These forms of specialization within the industry could potentially be a good response if certain
areas begin to fail. It can also be seen in the industry that individuals that have more
responsibility generally also have more influence. Through further education and experience
professionals can enter into supplemental architectural services and other consulting. Outside
traditional private practices, individuals can work for:
● Corporations/institutes
● Government/public agencies
● Education/research agencies
Generally, it is easy to apply an architecture background into other fields because the holistic
thinking of the profession. This is especially seen within the schooling which provides a strong
liberal arts base and requires students to perform at least the bare minimum in all portions of
building design.
Key Words:
Assessing, values, interests, skills, exploration, trends
Gerou, Ch 1.3 Ethics and Professional Conduct, Professional Life, The Architecture Student’s
Handbook of Professional Practice Fifteenth Edition, pp 22-29
This chapter explains how, why, and what the ethical standards are within the
architectural profession. These ethics are rules/ standards for moral conduct within the
profession, which differ based on profession. Thes ethics are constantly tested and appear
through conflicts such as a clients demands vs. environmental issues. The two main
organizations which dictate ethical codes in architecture are NCARB and the AIA. NCARB’s
ethical code is mostly concerned with life, safety, public welfare, and issues which are legally
defined. AIA’s code contains these elements too, along with code specifying how to interact
within the profession, environmental, aesthetic ethics, etc. The AIA’s ethical code has changed
in the past and could potentially change as the industry and technology changes. AIA’s ethical
obligations address:
● General Obligations
● Obligations to the public
● Obligations to the client
● Obligations to the profession
● Obligations to colleagues.
The AIA is the responsible body for trying individuals of violation of ethical codes. The most
common ethical violations include issues revolving around:
● Attribution of credit
● Accurate qualifications
● Attainment/provision of work examples
● Basic honesty
Professionals also must clarify what should be expected of them by the client through informed
consent. Individuals also have to practice these codes of ethics from day one due to the
horizontal stratification of the profession.
Key Words:
Ethics, Canons, Admonition, Censure, Suspension, Termination
DuBois, Ch 1.4 Regulation of Professional Practice, Professional Life, The Architecture
Student’s Handbook of Professional Practice Fifteenth Edition, pp 34-41
This reading explains how the profession of architecture is regulated by NCARB and
defines how an architect needs to uphold their licensure. NCARB evolved from a lack of federal
regulation for practicing architects. This process would normally fall onto state regulation, and
although some does, NCARB is there to set “the minimum threshold of regulation necessary to
ensure the protection of the public.” (Dubois, Regulation of Professional Practice, 36).
Consistent elements in states licensing laws include:
● Established board
● Definition of architecture practice
● Entry level requirements
● Exemptions
● Define conduct
● Establish sanctions when violated
Standards are also established as to whom the term “architect” can be applied to as well as how
architectural firms can be named and represent themselves. These statues are in place to
protect the public. Traditionally licensure is obtained linearly through education, then
experience, then examination, though this has changed were many are opting to do these
elements simultaneously. Once an individual obtains a license, they must keep up with it in
many cases or start the process over. The state defines what projects need an architect and
which ones don’t. It is also an architect's responsibility to be aware of licensing laws which
revolve around related fields in the building industry. There are two common violations within the
industry which include:
● Violations by untrained & unlicensed individuals.
● Violations by trained & licensed individuals.
Key Words:
Regulation, Licensure, Registration Boards, Stamp, Architect, Qualifications, Reciprocity
Stein & Winick, The Straight and Narrow Path: Ethical Issues for Design Professionals,”
RA&MCO Insurance Services, 2006
This article explores the fact that architecture is a consumer market, so close attention to
ethical conduct is essential. Because the work is primarily done with a client, there is a standard
behavior associated with interacting with them. Since the client is seeking the architect for their
knowledge and assistance, the architect has to be sure to have the correct qualifications and
not deceive the client. As a professional, the architect is responsible for the following:
● The Public - General safety, and welfare. This responsibility always comes first
● Themselves - Constantly improve and push themselves, work with the correct
qualifications, work only in subjects which they are competent
● The Client - be competent, clearly communicate, demonstrate loyalty, discretion and
work with diligence, persuade, but never manipulate
● The Profession - work in a way to ensure confidence in the profession
With their responsibility for the public their primary concern, architects must take the “interests
of client and balance them against the interests of society...” (Stein & Winick, The Straight and
Narrow Path, 4). With this it is not only the architect to concern themselves with the safety of the
project for the occupants but also be aware of the safety implications the design poses on those
constructing the design. Finally those in the profession should concern themselves with their
colleagues by interacting in such ways which promote growth in the profession.
Key Words:
Obligations, Responsibility, Conduct, Competence, Communication,
AIA General Counsel – Ethic, “2018 Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct”
Canon I - General Obligations
● Be competent, strive to raise standards of profession, respect culture, respect human
rights, uphold public health and welfare, Be knowledgeable about all aspects of the
building industry
Canon II - Obligations to the Public
● Follow the law, Don’t bribe, don’t accept bribes, Report if clients decisions go against the
law, be aware and respectful of the environmental impact of the project
Canon III - Obligation to Clients
● Follow laws & regulations, don’t alter client’s goal, vocalize conflicts of interest, be
impartial, do not mislead client, act with discretion to keep an open/safe dialogue
Canon IV - Obligations to the Profession
● Report others that are in violation of the Code, sign only documents which you are
responsible for, don’t lie about qualifications, give credit and only take credit for what
you've done, make sure those you are working with know the Code
Canon V - Obligations to Colleagues
● Create an equal learning environment, nurture others growth, credit others with their
work, be a good boi
Canon VI - Obligations to the environment
● Work with the client to strive for and responsibly manage : energy conservation, water
use, building materials, ecosystems, climate change
Concept Diagram: Legal Dimensions of Practice
● Governing bodies create statues and uphold individuals in order to protect the
public, free market, and the profession.
● Terms set through contracts/standard of car dictate if something is under violation
of ethical or professional standards.
● Reasonable care standards are set by governing bodies, however these are
always subject to change as the industry changes.
