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When I was studying in Architecture school ( Interior Architecture ) I attended the same long lectures as the Architecture students did, I worked in the studio as long as they did if not longer, built and designed with the same detail and complexity. I think people in a similar situation to me would be excused in this case and allowed to call themselves interior architects, But understand there legal limitations until if they qualify as an Architect.
The best Architecture is not about the very bad built expressions of good ideas,Architecture is about ideas not the built reality. Books theory,philosophy of architecture and drawings are more important, Theory ideas and philosophy will last longer than a building does. its the idea that will survive. there is no such thing as paper architecture all architecture is about ideas whether its on paper or built. people that think about architecture will always think about ideas they are the people that matter.
In any case clearly define what you are providing a how it fits into the project in contract and by a service statement. Not all architects know what is required in high rise hotel design -vs- an architect that specializes in one story retail. That being said a good tenured practitioner would be able to design most any structure using good design practice, building codes and their own experience. I know of several services that only do architectural drafting or provide specification writing. I also suggest asking a lawyer that specializes in contract law and looking up the statutes yourself.
P.S. The suggestion of checking out the AIA guidelines is a good one which I would recommend. However the AIA does not make the law and is not a governmental agency, so check out the Board of Architectural Licensing in your state and the permitting jurisdiction of your project. The AIA is a guardian of Architectural, Landscape and Interior Design Practices and they promote professionalism and good design. They also provide documentation and edit specifications. Every state can be different in their requirements. Even the requirements for Licensing.
I love it the OLD Builder has a point. However doing something illegal is probably not the best Idea. There is a need to good builders, good architects and fast accurate CAD designers. In a large project they are serving the same master. A safe well built project that serves its intended purpose. Further more plans are drawn for the Builder. Not for the Architect.
Several institutions give out awards for good design, construction and even plans that are well organized and make it easier on the G.C. I know of a project where a change order was put in for and approved probably by the owners rep. but NOT the Architect Of Record. A small detail was change that was the suspension for a suspended walkway.
The bridge fell because of the contractors change and people died. The stamped engineered plans did not allow for a single cable suspension for a two level cat walk in a mall. There is a reason for the chain of checks and reviews from all of the different disciplines bar all other comments and that reason is Human Safety.
For instance, sometime ago I applied for a business license with architectural design as one of my offered service. The State of Washington promptly wrote me to refrain from using the word "architectural" because there is no record that I am a licensed architect. How did I feel? Of course not good because I thought that I am a very good architectural designer and even better than any of the registered architects I have worked with. Obviously, this was not the point why I received the letter. The reason will come to light as I move on to pursue my license.
Getting an architect's license is excruciatingly painful and takes years of labor. Expensive education, long years of experience and the exam studying/testing is brutal. No wonder a huge number of aspiring architects quit and give up. I believe that most of those that quit are those that complain a lot and bash licensed architects. Been there. If only they have continued and learned a very valuable and simple wisdom why there is a need for licensure. The answer is Public Safety.
Ask yourself the following questions:
1. When you have medical conditions who do you seek?
2. You have legal problems who do you look for?
3. You are building your dream house, would you hire an unbonded contractor?
4. Would you drive a car even if you do not have a drivers license?
5. Would you send your child to a school that has no credentialed teacher?
See, all of the above boils down to Public Safety. And Public Safety, in the eyes of the State, is all about RESPONSIBILITY. The State, the entity that we task to maintain civility in all of us, cannot do its function without licensing or other forms of credentials that they can use against irresponsibility. This is one way of enforcing public safety. Act irresponsibly to the detriment of the public good and the State will revoke your license/credentials. The State gets a spanking from the public if there is no measure to enforce accountability. This was the reason why the State of Washington refrained me from using the word "architectural". What they were saying was I need to prove that I have the (1) training,(2) education and (3)testing to dispense architectural design services to the public. Since I only have 2 of 3 at that time, my credential is not good enough to handle responsibilities that MAY HARM THE PUBLIC. It does not matter if I am the best designer, the best driver, the best defender of the poor around, the State still requires me to prove my claim. This should be very very clear and easy to understand. And I learn this simple wisdom or rule the hard way, not through education and work experience but through the rigorous studying and testing for the licensure exam administered by the State I wanted a license for.
Can you imagine if the status quo during the time of Wright, Mies and others still applies today. There would be MORE medical malpractices, legal lawsuits, collapsed/ugly buildings, contractors running away from contracts and accidents caused by drivers. I am certain that, if Wright & Mies (two great men who are my idols) were alive today they would be the first one to seek licensure knowing that it is the RESPONSIBLE thing to do. After all, these are intelligent and responsible men that know what they want and strive hard to get it.
I am also certain licensure in every profession will get harder and harder because society gets so complex as we march forward. Even now that I have a license I still need to study the laws of the land of other States that I want to practice architecture (currently licensed in CA and WA). To stay current in my profession, I am required to study some more every time I renew my license. Bond/insurance, too, is an important aspect of a successful architectural practice. When I was a designer, I didn't have to worry about all the challenges I ran into when I pursued and obtained my license because obviously my knowledge and skills then were limited. As a designer you need not worry when lawsuits arrive because you do not lose anything except your pride. You lose so much when you are an Architect. Looking back, I should be glad that the State allowed me to design limited in scope projects back then. What was I thinking?
Why am I responding to this thread? Because I am researching how to grow my architectural practice responsibly and I came across this article. Unfortunately despite the myriad of good things the internet has provided us, it has also given us irresponsible articles such as this thread. You will be frustrated and ran into problems if you follow and do not see the inconsistencies in this article. As this article claims, it is easy to create an architectural firm business. It is not. Architect or not.
Anyway I think the most talented building designers of the 21st century may emerge regardless of whether they completed an architecture degree or not to be honest, we will have to wait and see, But probably they will have done so. Let’s see what the history is in 2080. This is still going since 2008 amazing. I heard the British government wanted to decrease the amount of years it takes to become an architect but I think that would be insane?
@LLOYD the 21st century’s frank lloyd wright would probably be slower of the mark and not start building until a lot later this century than wright did in his 2oth century. Falling water was done 1934-1937 - so we have until 2034 -2057 even up until 2059 to find a 21st century wright to be fair. I wonder if this guy or girl will be a fully qualified architect, That creates the most genius elegant contribution to 21st century architecture. Now that will be interesting to see in 2080 – 2090. Nobody really knows how many centuries we have left maybe in 3 centuries time we will have the most amazing elegant contribution to architecture in the history of all time, done by a non-qualified architect. The qualified architects that studied for seven years might be a bit pissed, green eyed and envious. maybe they study for 10 years then who knows.