Standards of Professional Practice: Definitions

• Standards of Professional Practice includes Annex A & SPP DOC 1 - SPP DOC 2

General Definitions

• State refers to the National Government of the Republic of the Philippines.
• Standards of Professional Practice (SPP) documents is required under Sec. 41 of R.A. No. 9266 (The Architecture Act of 2004) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
• Commission refers to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
• Board refers to the Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture (PRBOA).
• Architect refers to a Registered and Licensed Architect (RLA).
• Architectural Firm (AF) means a juridical person (sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation) duly registered with the DTI or SEC and PRC.
• Professionals (RLPs) are Registered and Licensed Professionals other than Architects
• Client/Owner/Project Proponent may be used interchangeably for some of succeeding SPP.
• Contractor and General Contractor shall also mean Constructor or Builder

Acronyms

• ADR: Alternative Dispute Resolution
• AF: Architectural Firm
• ADC: Architectural Design Competition
• Aicc: Architect in charge of construction
• Aor: Architect-of-record
• BPO: Business Process Outsourcing
• CA: Consulting Architect
• CEC: Code of Ethical Conduct
• DoLE: Department of Labor and Employment
• DTI: Department of Trade and Industry
• FPCA: Filipino Professional Consulting Architects
• IAPOA: Integrated and Accredited Professional Organization of Architects
• KPO: Knowledge Process Outsourcing
• MoP: Manual of Procedure
• PACS: Professional Architectural Consulting Services
• PCA: Professional Consulting Architect
• PRC: Professional Regulation Commission
• PRBoA: Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture
• SEC: Securities and Exchange Commission
• RLA: Registered and Licensed Architect
• SPP: Standards of Professional Practice
• TSP: Temporary/Special Permit

General Notes on the Selection of the Architect

• There are many ways by which a client can engage the services of an architect
• The most appropriate method of selecting an architect will depend on the type and complexity of the project.
• The scope of services will depend on the method by which the architect is selected.

Methods of Selection: Direct Selection

• Selection is used when undertaking a relatively small project.
• Reputation, personal or business acquaintance or recommendation of a friend, Architect's former Client, or another Architect are all ways the Client selects his architect based on

Methods of Selection: Comparative Selection

• The selection process involves invitation, pre-qualification, interview, verification, evaluation & ranking, and negotiation.
• Comparative Selection may be conducted by committees representing institutions, corporations or public agencies

Methods of Selection: Architectural Design Competition (ADC)

• Used for civic or monumental projects.
• The competition may be either be an idea competition, design or design build competition.
• Architects or architectural firms (AFs) submit plan/design solutions to a particular design problem and are judged on the basis of comparative excellence.
• Open to all PRC-registered and licensed Architects (RLAs) or Architectural Firms (AFs)
• ADC's can be expensive and/or time-consuming
• May discourage qualified firms from participating
• Risk of clients seeking free services under the guise of competition.
• There is a procedure to being conducted with the assistance of the integrated and accredited professional organization of architects (IAPOA).
• Must be done in accordance with the Architect's Guidelines.

Participants in the ADC

• Sponsor or Client—a natural or juridical person.
• Competitors are Filipino/ Philippine-Registered and Licensed Architects (RLA) and IAPOA members in good standing.
• A foreign architect as a competitor must be registered in his/her country of origin and must secure a Temporary Special Permit (TSP) from the Commission (PRC), a work permit form the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and must work in collaboration with a local/Filipino counterpart RLA who will assume the requisite professional responsibilities and civil liabilities, in the case of a design or design-build competition.
• Professional Adviser are Philippine-Registered and Licensed Architects (RLAs) who are IAPOA members in good standing.
• Jury must composed of at least five (5) members who are known for their integrity, objectivity, impartiality and honesty.

SPP Document 201

• Architects must adapt to evolving client demands, new standards, technology, and laws.
• Early involvement of the Architect benefits the client through objective analysis and optimized project planning.

Pre-Design Services

• Covers a broad line of architectural services ranging from initial problem identification to activities that would allow the Architect to initially conceptualize an array of architectural and allied solutions.
• Nominally include consultation, pre-feasibility studies, feasibility studies, site selection and analysis, site utilization and land-use studies, architectural research, architectural programming, space planning, space management studies, value management, design brief preparation, promotional services and other related activities.

Manner of Providing Services

• After the initial client interaction, the Architect submits a proposal outlining of Work, Manner of Payment, Owner's Responsibilities, and Other Conditions of Services.
• The Architect can render services as an individual Architect, Architect's Own Staff, or, By Association, Consultation or Networking

Methods of Compensation

• Multiple Direct Personnel Expense (MDPE)
• Professional Fee Plus Expenses
• Lump Sum or Fixed Fee
• Per Diem, Honorarium Plus Reimbursable Expenses
• Mixed Methods of Compensation

Multiple of Direct Personnel Expenses Formula

• The total cost of service charged to the Client is FEE + R, where:
  • Fee= Direct Cost x M
  • Direct Cost= AN + CN +TN
    • A - Architect's rate / hour
    • C - Consultant rate / hour
    • T - Technical staff rate / hour
    • N - Number of hours spent by the Architects Consultant & Techstaff
    • M - Multiplier ranges from 1.5 to 2.5
    • R - Reimbursable expenses

SPP Document 202

• The guidelines apply to both individual architects and group practices, provided they comply with R.A. No. 9266 regulations.
• Foreign architects working on Philippine projects must collaborate with a locally licensed architect and obtain the necessary permits.
• ΒΡΟ/ΚΡΟ firms registered in the Philippines can't offer architectural services for local projects unless they comply with R.A. No. 9266 and related rules.
• Architectural outputs can vary based on the project's needs and the architect's expertise.
• Architects act as advisors, turning client needs into designs,
• Services span from initial requirements analysis to project supervision and conclude with the project handover.

Scope of Services: Project Definition Phase

• The project requirements are defined.
• The Architect consults with the Owner to confirm the project's framework, gathers relevant data, refines space requirements into an architectural program, and provides an initial cost estimate.

Scope of Services: Schematic Design Phase

• Involves preparing schematic design studies and conceptual plans.
• The Architect evaluates the project's program, schedule, budget, and site, proposes delivery methods, creates initial design drawings, and provides a cost estimate (Statement of the Probable Project Construction Cost) for the Owner's approval.

Scope of Services: Design Development Phase

• The Architect develops Design Development documents (e.g., plans, elevations, sections), outline specifications detailing project size and materials, system layouts, and an updated cost estimate (Statement of the Probable Project Construction Cost) for the Owner.

Scope of Services: Contract Document Phase

• The Architect prepares the complete Contract Documents consisting of detailed designs and construction drawings, prepares Technical Specifications and submits to the Owner seven (7) sets of all construction drawings and technical specifications for the building permit.

Scope of Services: Bidding or Negotiation Phase

• The Architect prepares Bid Documents, assists the Owner in selecting contractors, and manages the bidding process.
• They provide bid sets, ensure intellectual property rights are respected, organize pre-bid conferences, answer bidder inquiries, and analyze bids for awarding the contract.

Scope of Services: Construction Phase

• The Architect resolves claims, prepares change orders, and conducts periodic site visits to monitor progress and quality.
• They report defects, issue Certificates for Payment based on work progress, and determine completion dates.
• Full-time site supervision, if needed, requires separate arrangements and fees.

Manner of Providing Services

• The Architect may enter into contract with the Owner as Lead Professional in two ways: a single contract with sub-consultancy agreements for other professionals, or separate contracts with each professional.
• Each professional retains their own responsibilities and liabilities.
• Architectural work is categorized by complexity and creative skill needed to meet client requirements within technical, functional, economic, and aesthetic limits.
• The Architect's Guidelines outline fair charges based on these classifications.
• Group 1 SIMPLE, Group 2 MODERATE, Group 3 EXEPTIONAL, Group 4 RESIDENTIAL, Group 5 MONUMENTAL, Group 6 REPETITIVE, Group 7 HOUSING, Group 8 EXTENSIVE DETAILING, and Group 9 ALTERATIONS/RENOVATION.

Methods of Compensation (DOC 202)

• Percentage of Project Construction Cost (PCC)
• Multiple Direct Personnel Expense (MDPE)
• Professional Fee Plus Expenses
• Lump Sum or Fixed Fee
• Per Diem, Honorarium Plus Reimbursable Expenses
• Mixed Methods of Compensation

Owner's Responsibilities

• Provide project requirements and designate a representative if needed.
• Review and decide on documents from the Architect promptly.
• Issue orders to contractors only through the Architect.
• Supply or arrange certified site surveys and related data, as required, at the Owner's expense.
• Pay for architectural, engineering, and other required services, including specialty systems and reimbursable expenses like taxes (excluding income tax).
• Arrange and pay for legal, auditing, insurance, and other relevant services.
• Notify the Architect of anything that might impede project success.

Other Conditions on Services

• Conditions for the Architect's Fee
• Other Services
• Scale Models, 3D Models and Walk-Thru Presentations
• Per Diem and Traveling Expenses
• Extra Sets of Contract Documents
• Change/s Ordered by the Owner
• Work Suspended or Abandoned
• Different Periods of Construction
• Services of Specialist Consultants
• Separate Services
• Fulltime Construction Supervision
• Estimates
• Government Taxes and Services
• Cost Records
• Design and Placement of Signs
• Project Construction Cost (PCC)
• Project Development Cost