Category: Case Study #1

As a licensed Architect you take an oath to abide by at all times. There is a lot of responsibility an Architect has, and for all the work they do, they will be held accountable.

A common issue with the owner having independent contract with the Architect and another with the contractor is disagreement and lack of communication. Because the owner has a contract with the Architect and another with the contractor, the only contract broken was between the owner and the Architect. Once the owner went around the Architect to make changes to the design of the cement, (s)he broke the contract. The contractor did not break any agreement between them and the Architect. Because of this, the Architect should immediately contact their lawyer and explain then matter. Owners are not Architect, so nor should they make decisions like them. All the owner saw was more work done and less money spent, and this is a common desire among all of us Architect or not. However, financial shortcuts in this industry usually means shortcuts in job quality and breaking  the laws.

Regardless of why or how this happened, the Architect should report this matter to the D.O.B, their lawyers and not sign the requisition before them for the job done.

I believe that the architect should report this activity to the D.O.B. As a licensed architect you will be held accountable for this issue. The superintendent of the construction should have been using the right amount of cement and is to be reported because this work goes against building codes. The architect should not sign the contractor’s requisition because this work is unacceptable. 

The architect should also check if the contractor is licensed under the state laws. If the individual is not licensed this should also be reported to ensure public safety. Since the contract has been broken between owner, contractor, and architect new changes must be made before the work can be considered acceptable and a new contract must be made between all parties. 

 

                                                                                     – Shabana Rahim

                                                                                        ARCH 4861

                                                                                        W 2:30-5:00

 

In the discrepancy of the concrete mixture, there were many problems that the architect had to face both with the owner and superintendent of construction. The architect had a required amount of cement to use within the concrete to follow building code. Though the owner went behind the architects back to decrease the cement content of the concrete to save money. The superintendent of the construction should have been using the right amount of cement but he was cheating with the owner’s knowledge. This could be dangerous for the support of the house and the architect could get in huge trouble if something was to go wrong in the future.

As a professional architect we prioritize public safety when designing a project so the architect should hold off on the signing the contractor’s requisition. The contract between the owner and the architect was broken by the owner during the construction of the house. The architect should act so that his career is not in jeopardy. The solution in the architects’ cause should be to report the problem to DOB. Also report to the construction company so that everybody is well-informed or aware of the problem.

The owner took it upon themselves to cheat the cement content of the concrete without the Architects knowledge. Thus, saving money but compromising the strength of the concrete. The Architect then making a discovery of the betrayal of ethics, and swiftly having a discussion with the owner. Only to make a conclusion that this cheating on the concrete was purposely done.

As the professional oath, taken by the Architect to protect public health, safety and welfare of others. In this case, to re-frame from the Architect being liable for the signage of the requisitions provided by the owner and contractor, they should not sign off on the concrete work. Next step, reporting to their bosses of this potential motives which is a danger to the structural system. Taking further actions by reassuring that the independent contractors company is licensed under the state laws, if not reporting of unlawful professional claims and the cheating to DOB. Also, informing lawyers that the owner was in breach of contract under the form of agreement between owner and Architect of AIA forms during the construction of the house.