Professionalism

Question 1

What distinguishes a professional organisation from a normal ‘trade body’?

Answer 1

Agreed body of knowledge, barriers to entry, a code of ethics, promoting the public interest, mutual recognition from other professionals

Question 2

What are the major differences between the RIBA and the ARB?

Answer 2

RIBA - A membership organisation, governed by bye-laws, scope defined, method of payment or amount

ARB - A statutory body, powers come from Architects Act 1997, protects title and the customer

Question 3

What are the main requirements for a professional services contract?

Answer 3

ARB standard 4.4: in writing, parties stated, scope defined, method of payment or amount termination. dispute resolution and complaints procedure

Question 4

How does the RIBA require an architect to maintain his/ her competence?

Answer 4

Mandatory CPD: reference to CPD curriculum. H&S in particular and 35 hours minimum

Question 5

What actions should you take if you consider that you have a conflict of interest?

Answer 5

Declare potential conflict, either withdraw or obtain agreement from parties

Question 6

What is an Architect’s responsibility with regard to honest promotion of services as per the ARB Code of Practice? Identify 3.

Answer 6

• The architect should not take on work if they don’t have the necessary skills or resources to fulfil the requirements of the project
• An individual should not claim to be an Architect if they are not registered with the ARB
• An architect should not lay claim to work they did not carry out/ is the copyright of others

Question 7

List a minimum of five items which should be included within a Letter of Agreement

Answer 7

• Parties to the agreement
• named Employer and named Consultant/Architect-Fees-Scope of services
• Dispute resolution-Program/timeline in which the work will be carried out
• An introduction to the RIBA work stages
• Inform the client of all necessary Insurances that need to be in place on their part, and those of the architect

Question 8

Give two reasons why an architect can be struck off the ARB register

Answer 8

• For carrying out architectural services without a contract in place
• For not having appropriate insurance in place

Question 9

The RIBA Code of Professional Conduct has three Principles. Name them.

Answer 9

Integrity
Competence
Relationships

Question 10

What legislation (other than ARB/RIBA professional codes of conduct) does a formal appointment have to comply with?

Answer 10

Unfair Contract Terms Act

Employment Right Act

Question 11

What is the basic tool used for recording the amount of time individuals spend on each commission? Describe its benefits.

Answer 11

The tool is Timesheets. It provides a productivity factor for each employee, informs the calculation for charge-out rates, and allows for a practice to be aware of resources for each project.

Question 12

ARB. The Architects Code, Standard 2 requires you to maintain competence. Give your understanding of this clause and how do you comply with this requirement and how much time do you have to spend in achieving this?

Answer 12

Competence is when you have expertise through acquiring skill, knowledge and understand their application in services to clients and society. You comply by to the ARB Standard by being competent when carrying out the professional task you undertake, supervise others undertaking that work, and your responsibilities. To remain competent you are expected to keep your knowledge and skills relevant and up to date. One way of achieving this is through Continuous Professional Development (CPD), where RIBA requires 35 hours per year.

Question 13

Is membership of the RIBA mandatory to enable you to call yourself a Chartered Architect’?
How is an architect who is not a member of the RIBA described?

Answer 13

Yes

For a person to be called an ‘Architect’ they must be registered under ARB

Question 14

What is an Architect’s responsibility with regard to honest promotion of services as per the ARB Code of Practice? Identify 3.

Answer 14

An architect must honestly promote services;

1. Provide services honestly–have the required knowledge to take on a job
2. Honest business –competent financial management of business
3. Make clear to the ARB if you find another ‘architect’ not following the standard

Question 15

List a minimum of five items which should be included within a Letter of Agreement.

Answer 15

Under the ARB Standard Code of Conduction Standard 4.4 a written agreement should include the following:

1. Parties involved
2. Scope of Services
3. Fee(payment)
4. Responsibility–who does what?
5. Dispute Resolution
6. Complaint’s Handling Procedure
7. Insurance Arrangement
8. Termination
9. ARB registration and standards of code

Question 16

Give two reasons why an architect can be struck off the ARB register.

Answer 16

1. An architect can be struck of if accused of a criminal offence ( building without permission in a Conservation Area.)
2. Incompetent and irresponsible management of business ( does not have PI insurance when taking on a job for a client. This puts the client at risk) An architect registered under the ARB, must follow the standards of the ARB Code of Conduct for the profession, if it is found that he/she does not, this could be a valid reason to be struck off.

Question 17

The RIBA Code of Professional Conduct has three Principles. Name them.

Answer 17

Integrity – uphold the reputation of the profession
Relationships – client and employment relationships are correctly managed
Competence – competent skills and services provided, continue to gain knowledge (CPD requirements)

Question 18

What is the Architects Code of Conduct?

Answer 18

Section 13 of the Architects Act 1997 (“the Act”) requires the Architects Registration Board (“the Board”) to issue a Code laying down the standards of professional conduct and practice expected of persons registered as architects under the Act.

Question 19

What are the 12 standards of the ARB architects code: standards of professional conduct and practice?

Answer 19

1. Be honest and act with integrity
2. Be competent
3. Promote your service honestly and responsibly
4. Manage your business competently
5. Consider the wider impact of your work
6. Carry out your work faithfully and conscientiously
7. Be trustworthy and look after your clients’ money properly
8. Have appropriate insurance arrangements
9. Maintain the reputation of architects
10. Deal with disputes or complaints appropriately
11. Co-operate with regulatory requirements and investigations
12. Have respect for others

Question 20

RIBA CPD, What are the ten mandatory subjects?

Answer 20

• Architecture for social purpose (new topic)
• Health, safety and wellbeing
• Business, clients and services
• Legal, regulatory and statutory compliance
• Procurement and contracts (same title as previous curriculum)
• Sustainable architecture
• Inclusive environments
• Places, planning and communities
• Building conservation and heritage
• Design, construction and technology

Question 21

ARB Standard 9

Maintaining the reputation of architects - describe the 5 clauses

Answer 21

9.1 You should ensure that your professional finances are managed responsibly.

9.2 You are expected to conduct yourself in a way which does not bring either
yourself or the profession into disrepute. If you find yourself in a position
where you know that you have fallen short of these standards, or that your
conduct could reflect badly on the profession, you are expected to report
the matter to ARB. You should notify the Registrar within 28 days if, for
example, you:
• are convicted of a criminal offence;
• are made the subject of a court order disqualifying you from acting as a
company director;
• are made the subject of a Bankruptcy Order, Debt Relief Order or
Bankruptcy Restriction Order;
• have given a director disqualification undertaking or Bankruptcy
Restriction undertaking;
• are a director of a company which is wound up or placed in
administration or a CVA (other than for amalgamation or reconstruction
purposes);
• make an accommodation with creditors (including a voluntary
arrangement);
• fail to pay a judgment debt.

9.3 In appropriate circumstances, you should report to ARB and/or other
public authority another architect whose conduct falls significantly short of
the expected standards. If you are in doubt as to whether such a report is
required, you should consult ARB for guidance.

9.4 Standard 9.3 may not apply to the contents of privileged information given
to you when acting as an arbitrator, adjudicator, mediator, conciliator or
expert witness.

9.5 You should not enter into any agreement the terms of which would prevent
any party from reporting an apparent breach of the Code to ARB.

Question 22

Outline the definition of ‘Competence’ in architectural practice

Answer 22

Knowledge, Understanding and Skill - and the commitment to apply these for those who might reasonably be expected to use or enjoy the product of the service.

A state of expertise expressed and observable in performance achieved through the acquisition of knowledge, understanding and skill, and their application in practice, the exercise of which satisfies the requirements of task job and role. Professional competence is characterised by the desire and commitment of practitioners to provide competent services to clients and society.