The 'A' word
An update from CIAT's Technical Standards Taskforce on their recent work surrounding the word "Architect" and its relationship with Architectural Technology professionals.
The relationship between Architectural Technology professionals and the word "Architect" is an interesting one. As members and affiliates will know, the term "Architect" is a protected title within the UK via the Architects Act:
"A person shall not practise or carry on business under any name, style or title containing the word "architect" unless he is a [ARB] registered person"
However, outside of the UK, "architect" is not restricted by statute and is often used more broadly to describe the function performed. For example, within Standards, such as ISO 6707-2, an international standard for construction vocabulary, it defines an architect as:
"architect - person who designs buildings and superintends the carrying out of building works Note 1 to entry: In certain countries, there are limitations on the use of the title "architect"
This means that, for some standards which have been adopted by BSI within the UK, there are references to "architect" which are intended to extend beyond the limitations of UK regulation.
To help clarify this, Gareth Sewell FCIAT and Dan Rossiter FCIAT, Vice-President Technical met with representatives from RIBA and BSI to agree a foreword that can be used on such standards. This foreword states:
"The UK committee notes that this standard uses the term 'architect' to mean 'person who designs buildings and superintends the carrying out of building works', as defined in Subclause 3.8.24 of BS ISO 6707-2:2017 Buildings and civil engineering works — Vocabulary — Part 2: Contract and communication terms, and advises users that this includes professionals beyond those protected by the Architects Act. As such, professionals such as chartered architectural technologists are covered by the term 'architect' in this standard."
To date, the term "Architect" has only been identified within informative parts of a standard such as its examples. However, it is hoped that having a pre-agreed foreword will reduce any ambiguity around the intention behind the use of the term within international and European standards that BSI adopt.
As such we hope that this will empower members to:
- use British Standard which use the term "architect" without concern;
- highlight these facts should a challenge occur; and
- inform the Technical Department at CIAT (technical@ciat.global) should you identify a British Standard which does use the term "Architect" without this foreword in place.
As the global membership qualifying body for Architectural Technology, with Chartered Architectural Technologists able to undertake the design and management of all project types, we are keen to ensure that national good practice accurately reflects our ability to perform these functions.
This article appears on the CIAT news and blog site as 'The "A" word' dated April 6, 2023. The article was written by Dan Rossiter FCIAT and CIAT Vice-President technical.
--CIAT
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- ARB code of conduct.
- Architects Registration Board.
- Architect.
- Architectural design.
- Architectural education.
- Architectural technician.
- Architectural technologist - delineation of roles.
- Chartered architectural technologist.
- Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists
- Chartered Institute of Building.
- CIAT responds to the architects' regulation review.
- Construction industry institutes and associations.
- Professional indemnity insurance.
- Professional Qualifications Bill.
- Review of regulation of architects: call for evidence.
- RIBA.
- The Architects Act.
- The history of the architectural profession.
- What is a Chartered Practice?
Featured articles and news
Awe-inspiring medieval great barns.
Registered building inspectors
Building types and conflicts of interest updates explaineed.
Engineering services still struggle with labour shortages
According to latest quarterly services survey of the sector.
Infrastructure that connect the physical and digital domains.
Harnessing robotics and AI in challenging environments
The key to nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering.
BSRIA announces Lisa Ashworth as new CEO
Tasked with furthering BSRIA’s impressive growth ambitions.
Public buildings get half a million energy efficiency boost
£557 million to switch to cleaner heating and save on energy.
CIOB launches pre-election manifesto
Outlining potential future policies for the next government.
Grenfell Tower Inquiry announcement
Phase 2 hearings come to a close and the final report due in September.
Progress from Parts L, F and O: A whitepaper, one year on.
A replicated study to understand the opinion of practitioners.
ECA announces new president 2024
Electrical engineer and business leader Stuart Smith.
A distinct type of countryside that should be celebrated.
Should Part O be extended to existing buildings?
EAC brands heatwave adaptation a missed opportunity.
Definition of Statutory in workplace and facilities management
Established by IWFM, BESA, CIBSE and BSRIA.
Tackling the transition from traditional heating systems
59% lack the necessary information and confidence to switch.
The general election and the construction industry
As PM, Rishi Sunak announces July 4 date for an election.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.