HOW
TO
OBTAIN THE SERVICES OF AN ARCHITECT
An
ARCHITECT
is a qualified professional to assist
you in translating your building
requirements into practical reality.
After five to seven years of
university level education and
practical training, an Architectural
Graduate seeks registration with the
Board of
Architects
(Lembaga Akitek Malaysia). Upon
completion of the required practical
experience and upon passing the
LAM-PAM 3 Examination, a graduate
Architect
joins PAM as a Corporate member and
then seeks registration as an
Architect
with LAM. A registered
Architect
is employed to seek planning and
building approvals from the relevant
authorities before a building project
can be implemented.
Architects
practice in partnerships or on their
own. No job is too small.
The
Architect
acts as your adviser and confidante
regarding your building project. His
first obligation is to look after your
interest.
As
a qualified expert in building and
environmental design, the
Architect
maintains a close relationship with
the building industry. In his job, he
coordinates the necessary engineering
and environmental service to his
design so as to achieve your
objectives. With his knowledge about
site analysis, building designs and
complex regulations, he can clarify
your requirements in respect of a
project, study possible solutions and
make a design proposal. Since the
Architect
is familiar with building construction
in terms of what materials to use,
what problems to look for on site and
which contractors to go to, he can
prepare probable costs and the
construction programme in respect of
any proposal he puts forward to you.
In this respect, he is acting as your
adviser.
The
Architect
acts as your agent when he submits
drawings to the local authorities on
your behalf for planning and building
approvals. He continues as your agent
when calling for and awarding tenders,
contract administration and in helping
to obtain Certificate of Fitness for
Occupation.
In
administering the Building Contract
on your behalf, he will still act as
your agent but will do so
impartially and with fairness to you
and the Contractor. He will still
continue to advise you on your
rights and responsibilities with
respect to the Contractor.
You
should
seek the services of an
Architect
with the right technical skills and
experience for your particular job.
Equally important, he or she must be
one whom you can get on with at a
personal level.
This
selection
deserves time and effort from you -
start by asking others to recommend an
Architect
from their own experience or if there
is a building similar to your project
which you like, find out the name of
its
Architect.
After
you have determined the firms that
are interested to discuss your
project, you might interview them to
evaluate their attitudes and
reactions to you, your project and
their abilities and experience. You
can request to see photos and
drawings of projects similar to
yours and find out the clients'
names so you can take up references.
You can inquire about his designs
and philosophy in approaching your
project.
Discuss
and
confirm your fee commitments at the
outset. Fees are a percentage of the
building cost for the normal service.
The minimum scale of fees that your
Architect
may charge is laid down by LAM and is
based on many years of experience of
the input required for projects of
varying scope and complexity. It is
not in your interest to seek to reduce
this fee as it can only result in
reduced service to the detriment of
your project.
For
more
information and details on FEES and
SCOPE OF SERVICES you are well advised
to consult the pamphlet "
Architects
(Scale of Minimum Fees) Rules 1986"
available from PAM. This pamphlet
spells out that the fees for "basic
architectural service" are based on
the value of the project with a
reducing scale as the building cost
increases. The scale stipulates the
minimum fee that an
Architect
may charge in order to be able to
provide a proper service. An
Architect
with special experience or expertise
may charge more than this minimum by
prior agreement with his client. For
services additional to the basic
"basic architectural service" fees
will be charged either on a time basis
or as an agreed lump sum.
THE
BUILDING PROCESS
The
sequences set out below are the
normal process which should ensure a
high efficiency of design and
building with maximum competition
for the construction work.
If speed
is vital, your architect will
suggest an accelerated process in
which the builder or contractor is
appointed before all the detail
drawings are completed.
1.
Inception
and Feasibility
At this
stage you will have decided to
build, and having worked out your
initial Design Brief, make sure that
the finance is available and appoint
an architect. In a
commercial organization, you will
need to make sure that only one
person has the responsibility for
liaison with the Architect.
The Architect could
also help you develop your Design
Brief that he or she will use as the
basis for initial design
investigation. If the project is
feasible, a detailed survey of the
site or existing buildings may be
required before design work proceeds
further.
Depending
on the scale and nature of the
project, the Architect may
suggest that you also appoint
structural, services engineers, and
a quantity surveyor whose fees are
supplemental.
2.
Outline
Proposals and Sketch Design of
Schematics
You will
now begin to see how your building
will look like. From a sketch design
prepared for your approval, the
design will be developed so that
approximate estimates of costs can
be worked out and planning
permission applied for. Planning
permission is sometimes known as
Development Order in certain local
authorities.
3.
Design
Development and Production
Information
The
design, no longer to be changed
without causing delays, is now
developed in great detail.
Specifications (a document that
meticulously describes the standards
to which the building must be built
and the materials to be used) and
working drawings for the builder are
prepared incorporating details of
structure, lighting, air
conditioning and other mechanical
services. At this stage, Building
Plans approvals will be sought with
other miscellaneous approvals from
the authorities.
4.
Tender
Documentation and Tender Action
A
shortlist of suitable builders will
be drawn up with your
approval.Detailed measurements of
all elements in the proposed
building are prepared by the
quantity surveyor if one is
appointed. The builders will be
invited to cost these to enable them
to submit a tender.
The
tender will be evaluated and
recommendations will be made to
yourself for decision to award. A
contract between you and the builder
can be signed. From here on, the Architect will
not only be looking after your
interest but also making sure that
the contract is fairly administered.
5.
Project Planning, Operations
on Site Completion
While
the builder works out his programme
and gets ready to start, you will
need to ensure that the site is
ready for possession. Your Architect will
advise you on insurances, signing
the contract and other day to day
matters. At stages, the Architect will
certify stage payments for the
builder based on the work completed
on site. You as his employer, are
then required to honour these
payments to the builder.
On
completion of building works, the Architect will
make sure that you understand how
the building works with assistance
of as built drawings and equipment
operating manuals. Any defects are
put right after an agreed period and
then the final accounts settled.
