Frequently Asked Questions
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What is an Architect?
A person or entity registered, licensed or
otherwise authorized to use the title "architect" and to practice
architecture in a province or territory.
The most basic definition of an architect is a
professional who is qualified to design and provide advice - both
aesthetic and technical - on built objects in our public and private
landscapes. But this definition barely scratches the surface of an
architect's role. Architects serve as trusted advisors, their role
is holistic, blending diverse requirements and disciplines in a
creative process, while serving the public interest and addressing
health and safety matters.
Perhaps, it would be best to describe architects as conductors who
orchestrate and take the lead in reconciling all the goals for a
building or other structure. Architects do this by providing
solutions through the use of:
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artistic
imagination and creative vision to
design spaces where their ideas and techniques-represented
through form, light, textures, materials, and colours-combine to
fulfill our aesthetic, spiritual, and cultural needs;
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practical and
technical knowledge to create
spaces that are safe, efficient, sustainable, and meet economic
needs; and
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interpersonal
skills, psychological understanding and ethical practice
to craft spaces that fulfill the complex, and sometimes
conflicting, needs of clients, users, and the community.
{RAIC Website, 2009}
2. How do Copyright requirements relate
to Architectural Services?
Payment of the architect’s fee gives you the
right to use, once and for the intended purpose only, the plans,
sketches, drawings, graphic representations, and specifications
prepared by the architect as instruments of service. However, the
copyright and ownership of both the design and these instruments of
service belong to the architect and you may not use them for any
other project, sell them or offer them for sale (or as part of a
sale of property).
Architects’ designs are protected by copyright.
{RAIC Website, 2009}
3. Do I need an Architect for my
project?
The need for
architectural services varies with each project. Architects
are skilled at a wide variety of tasks from project analysis and
intimate design details through to extensive building projects.
It is recommended for each and every project you
plan to undertake that an Architect be consulted to determine the
potential scope of services.
4. What is the benefit of engaging the
services of an Architect?
There are many benefits available
to every project that engages an Architect's services. These
benefits include an aesthetic response, an articulated solution or
improved resolution to a specific or general problem.
Architects contribute vast knowledge of design,
construction and methods to each project. The inclusion of a
professional with your project may assist you in reducing the
overall floor plan of the intended facility by 5 - 20 % though the
efforts of planning, design and functional assessment.
This reduction will provide a savings for you , the client,
throughout the lifespan of the building: lower operating and
maintenance costs, lower upgrading or rehabilitation costs based on
the overall square footage, better use of available area.
Operation and Maintenance costs over the life of a facility far
exceed the professional fees on a capital project. A savings
in this regard will remain in effect for the life of the facility.
