Reasons for Engaging an Architect
By engaging an architect, anyone contemplating building assures himself of good building, economy, and an efficient building operation.
I Good building means sound planning for convenience and comfort to meet the special desires and specific working and living needs of the architect's client, the Owner; distinctive design; safe construction; and well-selected equipment for occupants' health and comfort. The architect can also secure the necessary approval of zoning authorities and building officials.
II Economy results from skilled planning of the building and of the building operation, and wise selection of materials and appliances. An architect is guided by his client's budget, and he may also advise concerning financing.
III An efficient building operation is possible only with carefully prepared drawings, specifications, and contracts; and competent and unbiased general administration of the construction. An architect also advises regarding the selection of contractors, prepares their contracts, and guards his client against losses resulting from lien laws and other causes.
IV To accomplish these objectives, an architect must have had years of education, and intensive training and experience in his highly specialized profession. He frequently uses the services of specialists in structural design, air conditioning, sanitary engineers, electrical engineers, acoustics, interior design, landscape architecture, etc.; collaborating in their decisions, and coordinating their work. Leading professionals also use state of the art computer technology such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and other Computer-Aided Design (CAD) applications to guarantee job excellence.
V The architect is his client's professional adviser and agent, from start to finish of a building operation. He may be prepared by special arrangement, to accept any reasonable degree of responsibility his client may wish to delegate. In any case, the architect sees to it that his client gets what he pays for. In brief, the architect represents the client's (and only the client's) interests. He has no commercial interest in any particular form of construction, or specific materials or appliances.
VI Payments for architectural services are only a small fraction of the total cost of a building. An architect may save for his client a sum much larger than his total compensation; even more often his contribution to the work enhances its value many times more than the amount of his charges.
Architectural service does not cost-- it pays.