Architect's Roles and Responsibilities

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of the advocate architect during a project?

To hire subcontractors for different tasks

To manage the financial aspects of the project

To oversee the aesthetic design of the building

To act as the client's representative and ensure compliance (correct)

What document typically outlines the responsibilities of a consulting project manager?

Design specifications

Client-contractor agreements

The project budget

Supplementary general conditions (correct)

What is a clerk of the works primarily responsible for on a construction site?

Conducting financial audits

Ensuring regulatory compliance

Monitoring daily progress and reporting (correct)

Designing the building layout

Who typically engages consultants during a project?

The client through separate contracts Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the roles of the managing or prime consultant in relation to other consultants?

To coordinate the activities of all consultants Signup and view all the answers

What should the architect do if they determine that an RFI is unnecessary?

Provide reasons for the determination in each case. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if the contractor continues to issue unnecessary RFIs after five have been identified?

The architect will invoice the contractor for administrative costs. Signup and view all the answers

How should additional administrative costs for unnecessary RFIs be handled?

They should appear as a credit on each subsequent Certificate for Payment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Supplemental Instructions (SI)?

To provide clarifications or interpretations of contract documents. Signup and view all the answers

What must happen if an SI involves changes to the contract price or time?

A contemplated change notice or proposed change notice must be issued. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the procedure after issuing an RFI?

The response must address whether the RFI is necessary and include reasons. Signup and view all the answers

What must the architect do when an additional administrative cost is charged?

Notify the contractor and the client about the additional charges. Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary purpose of regularly scheduled site meetings?

To resolve problems and discuss relevant design and construction issues Signup and view all the answers

Who is generally responsible for preparing the minutes of the site meetings?

The architect or the general contractor, depending on the situation Signup and view all the answers

What type of general review occurs when a client requests that completed portions of a project be occupied earlier than completion?

Partial occupancy review Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reviews occurs near the end of a project when final deficiencies are completed?

Completion review Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with the minutes of the site meetings following their preparation?

They must be distributed within 48 hours of the meeting Signup and view all the answers

What do shop drawings primarily indicate?

Precise fabrication methods and dimensions Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of samples in the construction process?

To finalize selections of patterns and colours Signup and view all the answers

What should architects review before performing examinations on-site mock-ups?

Previous submittals that need acceptance Signup and view all the answers

Why might an architect request early submissions of samples from the contractor?

To ensure final design decisions are made Signup and view all the answers

What do mock-ups demonstrate?

How the system will be assembled on site Signup and view all the answers

What factor should all samples avoid impacting?

Price or delivery of the finish or material Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the architect's responsibilities during construction?

Participating in job-site meetings Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about the acceptance of mock-ups?

They establish the standard for quality and workmanship. Signup and view all the answers

What do shop drawings help coordinate?

Related trades and adjacent work Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant advantage of utilizing samples during the construction process?

They serve as quality control examples. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Architect's Roles

The advocate architect acts as the client's representative, ensuring their needs are met during planning, design, and construction. They conduct compliance evaluations.
The architect can also be a project manager, with responsibilities outlined in supplementary general conditions within agreements.
Another potential role is the clerk of the works, who provides frequent on-site monitoring and reporting.

Consultants

Consultants can be engaged by the architect or the client.
The architect coordinates these consultants regardless of who signed their contracts.

Addressing Unnecessary RFIs

To address unnecessary RFIs from the contractor, a supplemental condition can be added to the construction contract to include:
- The architect determining the reasons for deeming an RFI unnecessary and providing them.
- The architect invoicing the client for additional costs incurred due to unnecessary RFIs after a set number (e.g. five).
- The architect notifying the contractor and client of such administrative costs.
- The client reimbursing the architect for these costs.
- Charging these costs back to the contractor as a credit on subsequent Certificates for Payment, effectively adjusting the contract price.

Supplemental Instructions (SIs)

Supplemental instructions (SIs) are issued to address RFIs or issues raised on site, providing clarifications or interpretations of contract documents.
If an SI involves changes to the contract price or timeframe, a contemplated change notice or proposed change notice is issued, followed by a change order or change directive.

Shop Drawings

Shop drawings are used to ensure accurate size, quantity, location, fabrication details, construction/erection techniques, coordination with other trades, elaboration on diagrammatic information, and confirmation of options (e.g., color or finish) before final purchase, fabrication, or delivery.

Samples

Samples allow review and finalization of design intentions, such as color, texture, and pattern.
They act as control samples for quality assurance on site.

Mock-ups

Mock-ups are contractor demonstrations of a system, including assembly, showcasing the final product in situ.
Review and acceptance of mock-ups serve as quality and workmanship standards for that particular item on the entire project.

Construction Site Meetings

The architect participates in job-site meetings to:
- Communicate client expectations.
- Ensure communication between all parties.
- Exchange technical information (e.g., shop drawings).
- Field review and problem-solving.
- Discuss design and construction issues.
- Assist in making judgments and decisions.
- Review schedules and progress claims.

Meeting Minutes

Minutes are recorded for each site meeting, outlining actions required and their responsible parties.
Minutes are distributed within 48 hours.

General Reviews

Various review types include:
- Periodic General Review: Regular reviews by the architect and consultants
- On-Site or Off-Site: Reviews based on location.
- Milestone Review: Scheduled reviews around specific events (trade completion, project phase completion, etc.)
- Mock-up Review: Evaluates the assembly, functionality, and quality of multiple trades and systems.
- Partial Occupancy Review: Examination of a portion of the project for early occupancy prior to substantial performance.
- Substantial Performance Review: Review of a nearing-completion project.
- Completion Review: Review after final deficiencies are addressed.
- Warranty Review: Monitoring during or near the warranty period.

General Review Locations

General reviews are typically conducted in one of three locations:
- Construction Site: The "Place of the Work" as described in CCDC documents.
- Off-Site: Reviews conducted outside the construction site, often for prefabricated structures.
- Mock-up Location: A dedicated space for reviewing mock-ups.

Mock-up Review

Mock-up reviews are distinct from submittals because they:
- Involve multiple trades, products, and systems.
- Evaluate the sequencing and interaction of these trades and their work.
- Establish an expected quality standard for the project.
- Require the client, architect, and relevant consultants to review simultaneously at the same location.

Field Review Services of Consultants

The architect coordinates field functions for other consultants.
Consultants should submit general review reports in a standardized format.
Consultants assist in determining work completion percentage for Certificates for Payment.

Engineering Consultant Review

Engineering consultants provide information in a more diagrammatic manner than architectural drawings.
This necessitates greater interpretation by both the engineer and the subcontractor.

Certificates for Payment

For stipulated-sum contracts, the architect is responsible for issuing Certificates for Payment, indicating the amount the client owes the contractor.

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Description

Explore the various roles an architect can play in a construction project, including advocate, project manager, and clerk of works. Understand the importance of collaborating with consultants and addressing unnecessary Requests for Information (RFIs) effectively. Test your knowledge on architect responsibilities and contract management.