Architectural Professional Practice: Ethics, Business, Legal Issues, and Contract Administration

This course is a comprehensive overview of Architectural Professional Practice. It is an introduction to the nature of the self-governing profession in Ontario, the legal and legislative context in which architects practice in Canada including its Acts and Codes (The Architecture's Act, the Planning Act, and the Ontario and National Building Codes), and the essential fiduciary relationships between professionals and others. Forms of partnerships, rules of professional conduct, the constituents of an enforceable contract, professional liability, client-architect relations and the typical challenges encountered in practice are among the essential elements to be studies. Factors affecting both the cost of construction and the ability of an architect to conduct a viable business will be presented. Students will also study the role of the architect in relation to contract administration, architectural working drawings and specifications, bidding requirements; general conditions; general requirements trade divisions; reference and source material; assembly and production; and structural, mechanical and electrical consultants.