Architects Office: The architect can start his profession when he accepts his his first job. This practice starts with that job. Normally architect architect has a choice to join a big company company or to to start his own practice. practice. He has following options 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)
To buy inherit practice To work in a firm and climb the ladder of promotion To the stage of becoming principal or partner of the firm To win a competition and start his own practice To make partnership with other architects by making Design Group and start practice.
Architectural Practice Practice in particular area or city: New architectural architectural flourishes in a growing city. city. The city can be main city or a second city or a small town or or a group of village. The advantage advantage of working in a single city is preference of local clients, understanding with local authority, fast government approvals, good personal service. Local clients always prefer local local architect architect for their project. project. Even an architect is selected selected for specialized work like layout planning or elevations, local architect is selected for day to day work and overall handling of the project. Therefore if any architect decides to work in a particul particular ar area, he will be more famous in that area and settle in this practice very fast. Architectural Practice in specialized areas: In today’s information technology world, specialized knowledge is the power. Therefore architects having specialized speciali zed knowledge will be given preference. Clients will select specialists like Hospitals, Elevation Treatment, Acoustics, Building Permissions, Hotels, IT Parks, Malls and Retail Shops, Interior Design, Office Interiors, Residential Towers, High Rise Buildings, Slum Redevelopment Projects etc. Architect Archite ct should always keep options open to accept the job of any kind and prepare a study data and convert into presentation data for particular job. This technique will take them to make the specialization in more than one subject. Architect joining big office: He has following followi ng advantages: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Pleasant atmosphere location High salary High standards for design and its presentation Sufficient time available for research Able to handle big projects within short time
In this case his name will be known along with the company and may not have separate name brand identity. Architect working on his own: He will be having following advantages: 1.
The main advantage of working on your own is the brand name. Architect creates his own brand name which pays him at the maturity.
2.
He has to give attention to marketing, marketin g, quality control, design, supervision, supervisio n, staff management.
3.
He should select his assistants very carefully carefull y because on them his complete practice is standing. He will be having no stress if the staff management is done properly.
4.
He will be sharing his own profits and he is very flexible to make the strategies to increase the practice, to change the practice in different trades, to attempt for a new job or stop the practice and retire.
How to secure the clientage: The client usually expects that one who undertakes his work or design should have complete knowledge and skills to implement the proper execution of the work. There is always an advantage for a brand name and the brand name can be created by writing articles in the newspaper, contesting for competitions, attending seminars, contributing to technical journals and conferences. He can secure the clientage in the following ways: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Through social contacts Through acquaintances By recommendation from his past clients, provided they are satisfied with his services. By specialization in certain fields like cinema planning, hotels, acoustics. By goodwill of the firm By suggesting a scheme to government or local authority for development of particular area without any obligation. To write a introduction letter to prospective clients. To register on panel of Banks and other Institutes where they require Architects and Interior Designer for doing their works.
Office and its management: Architects office has following departments: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Administration Project Management HVAC Design Department Drawings Department Presentation Department Liaisioning Department, Interior Design Department
1.
Administration Department handles general organization from meetings, telephoning, emails, faxes preparation of all documentation and communication. It has sub departments of accounts which handles preparation of bills and collection of payment. It monitors expense and taxes.
2.
Project Department contains of qualified and experienced engineers to see that the project is in progress and will be completed successfully as per drawings and specifications.
3.
HVAC Department handles complete designing of HVAC and coordination with main design team. This team also designs fire fighting, acoustical and other specialized services.
4.
Design Team: This team does research and evolves concepts and prepares conceptual drawings for the project. These drawings is basic language of company evolving its understanding towards design, mission towards architecture and contribution towards profession and society. Therefore this is flagship department of the firm. This department is the brain of the firm.
5.
Drawing Department: This department contains of Draftsmen, Senior Architect. They prepare drawing as per ISO standards and supply to the Project Management team or Design Team. Also they supply drawings to Liaisioning Department and Presentation Department. They maintain the drawings as per numbering system and denominations. Also they maintain revision of drawings. They issue number of printouts required by site, client or government authorities and keep record of it. This record they supply to Accounts Department along with day to day work. This department also does working drawings and detailed drawings required on site.
6.
Presentation Department: This department creates presentation on slide shows, power point. They prepare views and walkthroughs on Revit along with presentation. They have full-fledged Draftsmen Department to prepare acrylic or paper models of the building. They have experienced graphic designers, artists’ expert in presentation.
7.
Liaisioning Department: This department is taking complete information about local byelaws regarding local authorities and other special authorities. Local authorities are like BMC, CIDCO, Nagarpalika, MHADA, Repair Board, Collector, Gram Panchayat and special authorities like MOEF for CRZ, Helipad permissions, Civil Aviation Department, Ventilation Department, Gardening Department. They take the drawings from Drawing Department, show them to local authorities along with the necessary documents duly signed with Architect and Owner. They get it amended from Drawing Department from time to time, complying all the requirements and get permissions like Commencement Certificate, Occupancy Certificate or Building Completion Certificate. They have to also deal with various departments like Fire Department, Inspector of Factories, Food and Drug Administration, Explosive Department for their NOCs.
Interior Design Department: This department has experienced and junior interior designers. They design interior spaces from start to finish. They have full fledged presentation department to make visualize the clients about interior spaces. The successful interior design department has sample charts of materials and their current prices and budgets ready with them. They have complete skilled workmen backup ready with them to complete the project. Also they have various data backup ready with them like lighting to tapestry complete.
Council of Architecture or Member of an Institute: As a registered architect or member of a recognized institute he is to obey all rules and regulations of those bodies so as to avoid professional misconduct. The professional misconduct may be defined as under: 1)
It is shown that an architect in pursuit of his profession has done something with regard to it, which would be reasonably regarded as disgraceful or dishonorable by his professional brothers of good repute and competency, then it will be said that the architect has been guilty of infamous conduct in professional respect. Misconduct includes: a) b) c) d)
Improper performance of lawful act. Performance of unlawful act. Any conduct which brings reproach to architectural profession. Unprofessional acts though they may not be unlawful.
Very few business or trades have such professional bodies which control the conduct of businessman or traders. Professional Brothers: He has a duty to his professional brothers inasmuch as he should not exhibit a spirit of unhealthy competition by reduction of fees or offering other inducements to clients; not to supplant his fellow brothers. Even if a client leaves one architect and approaches another for incomplete job at any stage, the latter architect cannot undertake the job unless the former one issues his no objection certificate which feature is absent in trade and business. Community: As compared to trade or business, his services to the community are immense in as much as he (i) originates the designs of structures as well as creates forms with aesthetic effects; (ii) is one of the main contributors in public health, safety and welfare; (iii) leaves his monuments for the guidance of future generations; (iv) Designs low cost housing for economically weaker section of the society and thus offers his helping hand in wiping out social tears of the downtrodden. All the above aspects clearly justify that the profession of an architect is a noble creative profession and not a trade or business.
