Architecture Licensure Examinations: Professional Practice and Building Laws

Professional Practice and Building Laws

• Warning: In case of conflicts between a stated word and a number/amount/figure, the stated/spelled word shall prevail. If there are conflicts between two stated quantities, the higher figure shall prevail.

Liability

• In a situation where an architect refuses to make good the effects of a faulty repair job, the architect is liable for the damages.
• A concept architect has civil and administrative liability in a project.
• An architect is liable for the drawings under the law.

Foreign Practice

• A foreign architect working in the Philippines must have a Filipino partner to practice architecture in the Philippines.
• A foreign architect can put up an architectural firm in the Philippines but must register the company at DTI and SEC.
• A foreign architect can practice architecture in the Philippines with a special permit from the PRC.

Design and Compensation

• An architect is entitled to 15% of the contract price for schematic design.
• An architect is entitled to 80% of the professional fee for a project that was stopped due to lack of funds.
• An acoustics engineer's services are compensated at 10% of the total construction cost of the scope of his services.

Project Classification

• Projects are classified in determining the basis for the architect's basic fee based on factors such as floor area, degree of project complexity, and material specifications.

Code of Ethics

• An architect must not undertake construction for a fixed contract sum under a design-build service.
• An architect must not guarantee any estimates or cost of the work.
• An architect must not advise a client to forego a viable project.

Illegal Practice

• Preparing architectural plans without the necessary license is illegal practice.
• A draftsman making architectural plans without a license is guilty of illegal practice.

Registration and Licensing

• A company must register at SEC and DTI to practice architecture.
• An architect must register at PRC to practice architecture in the Philippines.
• A foreign architect must have a special permit from the PRC to practice architecture in the Philippines.

Intellectual Property

• An architect's work is covered by intellectual property rights law.
• An architect has the right to prevent the reproduction of copies of their contract documents.

Malpractice

• Malpractice of architecture shall not exceed the amount of five hundred thousand pesos.

NBC

• The National Building Code (NBC) requires a minimum ceiling height of 2.40 meters for habitable rooms with artificial ventilation.
• A building permit expires if work authorized is commenced within 12 months from the date of such permit.
• A building permit expires if work authorized is abandoned or suspended at any time after commencement for a period of 120 days.### Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Exam

Architecture Profession

• Bonifacio, Yolanda V. Tolentino, and Fuap are notable figures in the field of architecture.
• The Professional ID (PID) renewal process in PRC takes a minimum of one week.

Architectural Interior (AI) Services

• AI services involve designing interior spaces, excluding architectural lighting.
• SPP document 203.1 outlines the scope of AI services.

Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP)

• CLUP is a plan that guides the use of land in a locality, ensuring efficient use of resources.
• It is not a "common land use plan" or "comprehensive land use plain."

Government Bodies

• HLURB (Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board) is responsible for regulating subdivision and condominium development.
• MWSS (Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System) is the body to consult for water line connections in projects.

Architect's Responsibilities

• Architects are responsible for explaining technical specifications to clients and do not accept gifts from manufacturers.
• Design concept is a key factor in selecting an architect for a project.

Compensation Methods

• Multiple of Direct Personnel Expense is a method of compensation for pre-design services.
• Cost-plus and percentage of construction cost are other methods of compensation.

Building Permits

• Architects are responsible for applying for building permits for regular services.
• Building permits are invalidated if construction does not commence within one year or is suspended for more than one year.

Specialized Architectural Services

• Acoustic design, architectural lighting, and architectural programming are specialized services that architects may offer.

National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP)

• Section 302.2 of the NBCP provides for the signing and sealing of architectural documents.
• The 2004 Revised IRR of the 1977 NBCP was harmonized with Republic Act No. 9266.

Building Code Violations

• Failure to commence construction within six months, incorrect assessments, and errors in plans and specifications are grounds for non-issuance, suspension, or revocation of building permits.

Certificate of Occupancy

• A certificate of occupancy is necessary to legally occupy a building.
• A change of occupancy requires a new certificate of occupancy.

International Practice

• Foreign architects may not practice in the Philippines without proper registration and licensure.

Miscellaneous

• The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines issues certificates of height clearance for buildings near airports.
• Feng Shui is a geomancy practice that guides the design of buildings.
• The National Housing Authority (NHA) is a government agency that facilitates housing projects.

Business and Finance

• Architects should hire accountants to prepare financial obligations and know their financial stability.
• A good business is like a well-maintained car, running smoothly without trouble.

Accessibility

• A minimum of 1.50 meters is required for the "turning radius" of wheelchairs.
• Spaces for people with disabilities should be designed with a minimum of 0.80 meters.

Liability

• Architects are liable for a maximum of 6 years for misdemeanors in the practice of architecture.
• Section 29 of RA 9266 states the liability of representatives of non-registered persons.

Plans and Specifications

• The architect owns the plans, specifications, and other contract documents.
• Section 21 of RA 9266 states the ownership of plans, specifications, and other contract documents.

Enforcement

• Section 22 of RA 9266 outlines the enforcement of the act.

Construction Management

• The architect should visit the construction site at least once a week.
• A good project manager is like a good driver, keeping the project running smoothly.

Fire Code

• The Fire Code of the Philippines is enforced by the Building Officials.
• The National Building Code is enforced by the Building Officials.

Specifications

• Writing specifications is a sole function of the architect.

Corporate Practice

• Corporate practice in architecture is permitted with a minimum of 75% architects in the board of trustees.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

• The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) provides Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for architects.

Zoning

• Areas within which only certain types of buildings are permitted to be constructed based on their use or occupancy are called zones.

Construction Types

• Wood is a type of construction according to Section 401 of the National Building Code of the Philippines (NBC).

Exit Doors

• A minimum of two exit doors is required in one building.

Dispute Resolution

• Arbitration is the submission of a dispute to an impartial board made up of persons acquainted with the project.

Temporary Facilities

• The contractor is responsible for paying for temporary facilities.

Ceiling Height

• Under PD 1096, habitable rooms with artificial ventilation of more than one-storey shall have a minimum ceiling height of the first storey at 2.40 meters.

Contracts

• The General Conditions of the contract outline the rules and regulations for the project.

Penalties

• Liquidated damages are the penalties for every delay in the contract time.

Dwelling Units

• Under PD 957, the minimum dwelling unit for household units in condominium is 36 square meters.

Logbook

• A logbook is a record of construction activities.