ARCHITECTS’ DUTIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1019, 9 July 1930, Page 8

ARCHITECTS’ DUTIES

CARE AND KNOWLEDGE OBLIGATIONS TO CLIENTS The particular duties which devolve upon an architect in carrying out his obligations to his employer, were dealt with thoroughly by Mr. W. H. Cocker, 8.A., in a public lecture last evening. His subject was. “The Legal Responsibility of an Architect to his Client-” “The extent of the obligation to clients, in the performance of duty, is determined in general principles of law,” he said. “The law requires that there be reasonable skill and care, a* shown in the general practice and knowledge of architects, who are bound to keep abreast of the times.” In particularising general Mr. Cocker said that in drawing plans and specifications reasonable care must be exercised, they must be in accordance with the art and science of architecture, and they must be capable of being t rvied out by the contractor. It was sometimes the habit of peopL to make unkind remarks about the roughness with which an architect made his estimates. The architect should be as fair and careful in that respect as in others. “The drawing up of contracts must be done with the fullest information and instructions from clients. representations may be made to the tenderer beyond the authority and instructions of the employer, and must be taken to protect clients against a contract with potentially insolvent tenderers.” he continued. IMPORTANCE OF SUPERVISION “Supervision of work is one of the most important obligations to t client. The architect must know t contract thoroughly, and must be an to see it carried out according to tn« exact terms of contract. Some . expect an architect to be on the ’ * all the time, and if anything wrong they think he is liable. ever, the amount of supervision _ ” quired depends upon the nature of • work, nnd 10 the point to which work is being carried out at any pa ticular time.” , r The provision of authority to orce “extras” was remarked upon o> speaker. He showed that. ac £°*' to the law. a very comprefcem authority was bestowed UIK l n architect. About three out of c • four arguments between employer architect, lie claimed, arose out o • question of extras. In the_ eei .1 contract, the authority for extras then be provided for.