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.

Assess your knowledge of professional practice and building laws in the Architecture Licensure Examinations. This quiz covers various aspects of the subject, including regulations and laws related to architecture in the Philippines.