How to Choose an Architect

How to Find an Architect

Sources

You can find an architect in a number of ways, including:

• Use the Architecture Canada Electronic Directory. 
• Request and review a copy of the directory, if available, which is produced by some of the provincial architectural associations. Such directories contain summary information on how to find every practising architect or practice in the province.

The directory may also include the following information:

• a firm’s principals;
• year of establishment;
• profile of completed projects;
• staffing;
• and significant commissions and awards
• Visit architects’ websites

Ask provincial associations for a list of practising architects or their firms which meet certain broad criteria related to your project. As well, you may be able to visit the offices of various firms to review portfolios of their work. Use your own experience to nominate architects that have served you well in the past. Ask for recommendations from other organizations or persons who may have had similar projects. Advertise in a local or province-wide publication, such as the provincial association’s newsletter or website. If you choose to advertise, you can use the suggested wording shown in the sample advertisement in the next section. The provincial association may also be able to help you prepare an advertisement. You will find the process easier if you keep the list of potential architects to a manageable number. For a small project, two architects may be sufficient; ten or more may be appropriate for a large, complicated assignment.You can use a variety of methods and sources to find an architect for your project.

Architects Statement of Qualifications

The Mountainville Regional School Board is seeking the services of an architect for the design of a 15-classroom addition to Mountainville High School.

The construction budget is $1,250,000. Interested architects should submit the following information ONLY:

1. Name, size, and description of firm.
2. Location of office.
3. Résumé of members of the firm who would be available for the assignment.
4. Previous experience with similar work. This is NOT a request for a proposal.

An architect will be selected following submission of proposals, interviews, and evaluations.

Contact: Mr. Harry Dault c/o Mountainville Regional School Board Mountainville, BC V7V 1M8

Telephone: (604) 925-3457

Fax: (604) 925-3455

Advertisements should include the following information:name of the client’s organization; name of the project; a brief description of the project, including size and value; and contact person: name, address, phone.

Methods

Selecting an architect is one of the most important decisions you will make when undertaking a project. You may use one of the following selection methods:Qualifications-based selection (QBS) (sometimes called “quality-based selection”) is one of the most common methods of selecting the right architect for the project. In particular, institutions, corporations or public agencies (sometimes represented by a committee) use this method. QBS is a system that chooses an architect on the basis of professional qualifications and competence. This procedure will provide your project with the best-qualified architect with whom you can develop a professional relationship. Such a relationship is very important for the kind of in-depth discussion which allows the architect and the engineers to deal effectively with issues on your behalf.

To achieve an objective comparison, QBS uses predetermined, value-based criteria that may include such factors as:the architect’s history and capability to perform required services; related experience such as past performance on similar types of projects; familiarity with local geography and facilities; experience and skills in project management; and design approach/methodology. The process compares two or more architects. The client (or committee members, if applicable) makes a selection based upon their judgement of which architect is most likely to handle the project successfully. Other criteria include: reputation; rapport; technical competence; commitment to the client’s interests; and the client’s desire for imagination and ingenuity. Direct selection is most often used by an individual who has a relatively small project. The client selects an architect on the basis of reputation, personal acquaintance or the recommendation of a friend, former client or another architect. Sometimes, institutions maintain a roster of architects, and they select a different practice for each project by using a rotation system.

Architectural design competitions are sometimes used to select both an architect and a design for both public and private projects. In this method, architects submit solutions to a particular problem and are judged on the comparative excellence of their submissions. The successful architect is usually awarded the commission for the actual project. Competitions may be “open” (to all architects) or “limited” (by invitation to a restricted number of architects).

If you are considering a design competition, you may be required to obtain written approval from the provincial association where the project will be located. Architects are permitted to compete only when they are assured that the competition will be held in accordance with established rules. The Architectural Competitions guidelines provide recognized procedures which ensure equal treatment for competitors, provisions for different types of competitions as well as advice about process, schedule, and likely costs. The provincial association can help you develop acceptable terms and conditions.

Client- Architect Agreements

It’s in your best interests as a client to have a definite understanding with the architect about your respective obligations, responsibilities, and expectations. This understanding is most effectively accomplished by a thorough review of: the scope of the services to be provided by the architect; the projected time period for the work to be completed; the amount of the architect’s fees; and the method of payment for the architect’s services. When you and the architect have fully discussed and agreed upon these items, a written contract outlining all of these factors should be prepared.

Agreements based on recognized standards are preferred, and the use of the Canadian Standard Form of Agreement Between Client and Architect: Document Six (RAIC 2002) is recommended. For those projects where only limited services are to be provided or when the full standard form is not practical, the recommended alternative is the Canadian Standard Form of Agreement Between Client and Architect—Abbreviated Version: Document Seven (RAIC 2005).

The agreements set out the services to be provided by the architect. They also identify your responsibility as the client to provide the following information: the requirements for the project under consideration; physical specifications (such as spatial and functional relationships); legal services; site aspects (such as surveys, subsurface investigation reports, etc.); and the schedule for payment of fees. You can obtain copies of these agreement forms through the provincial association.

Note: These documents are written for provinces with common law; they must be adapted for use in Québec (or the standard documents prepared in Québec may be used).The use of the Canadian Standard Form of Agreement Between Client and Architect: Document Six (RAIC 2006) is recommended.

Traditionally, architectural services included design, preparation of construction documents, and construction administration. Currently, architects also provide a wide variety of services including problem-solving, feasibility studies, facility management, and architectural programming. An Appendix to this document summarizes some of the services provided by an architect.

Whether the building type is simple or complex, the architectural service must be conceived and coordinated as an integrated whole, with strict attention paid to quality, time, and cost. All services should be defined in the agreement. The scope of services will vary with: the nature and complexity of the individual project; your planning and development capabilities; the project’s particular requirements; and circumstances not foreseen at the time of the initial agreement. Identification and valuation of the architect’s services is important to the success of the project.

The services of a structural engineer, mechanical engineer, and electrical engineer—which are often essential services—are usually managed and coordinated by the architect.

Hiring these sub-consultants can be done in one of two ways: Traditionally, the architect—acting as a prime consultant—hires engineering sub-consultants and is responsible for the design of the entire project including work carried out by these sub-consultants. Today, the client sometimes hires these engineering professionals directly and needs the architect to coordinate their services; such arrangements should be discussed with the architect in further detail. In either case, it is important for the success of your project that the architect—who is uniquely trained and experienced in this regard—be responsible for the overall management of sub-consultants throughout the entire project. This enables the architect to produce well-integrated results by coordinating both the design and administration of the project.

As the property owner, you are responsible for providing information about the property (or project site). Thus, you are responsible for directly hiring the investigative and design services of specialist sub-consultants such as land surveyors, geotechnical engineers, environmental analysts, hydrologists, and civil engineers. Your architect is entitled to rely on their input. You are also responsible for providing legal and insurance services as well as paying for translation, arbitration, and expert witness services should the need arise.

Sometimes the services of other specialist sub-consultants are necessary, depending on building conditions and other factors. These services might include advice in fields such as:market analysis; financial feasibility; functional programming; cost control and energy budgets; acoustics; food services; interior design; graphic design; and landscape architecture. Sub-consultants bring special expertise to the project.

An architect’s fees are made up of two elements: fees for architectural services (the major component); and reimbursable expenses for out-of-pocket expenses (such as travel and communications, and reproduction of contract documents). After you and the architect reach agreement on the extent and nature of services to be provided for the project, the architect’s fees can be determined in several ways, including: lump sum (fixed fee); time basis (hourly or per diem rates); and percentage (of construction cost). Combinations of these methods may also apply for:different aspects of service on the same project; limited services; or the evolving nature and scope of services during the life of a project. Frequently, the client pays a retainer to the architect upon signing of the agreement. Usually, the amount of the retainer is based on a percentage of the total amount of the architect’s fees.

For more complete information regarding payment methods and recommended rates, you should refer to the provincial association’s recommended schedule or tariff of fees. That document, including specific scales of fees, is updated from time to time. Confirm that you are consulting the current edition.

Appropriate fees ensure appropriate 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.

A construction project is a major undertaking involving the collaborative efforts of a number of professionals. Finding, selecting, and engaging the right architect for your project is critical to its functional, aesthetic, and financial success. Your architect provides advice and design solutions, oversees the process, handles the unexpected, and brings value to a project by taking care of your interests and ensuring a quality product. Building rapport with your architect is an important element of the process. In the final analysis, you should choose an architect whose work you admire, whose expertise you trust, and with whom you feel most comfortable.Your building project is important to you, so take the time to choose an architect who can help you realize your dream.