The Institute of Architects of Pakistan Disaster Relief Fund requests contributions.

Donations can be directly transferred into the IAP Flood Relief Account:

=============

Fund Account No. 1005-0081-024396-02-7

Bank Al Habib

Zamzama Branch, DHA,

Karachi 75500

Pakistan

SWIFT CODE: BAHLPKKA

==============

Contributors may also ‘adopt’ a village or contribute a house – for further information, please read attached press release.

Contact:

Shahab Ghani Khan

President, Institute of Architects, Pakistan (IAP)

president@iap.com.pk

www.iap.com.pk

The UIA is grateful for the wide dissemination of the attached press release.

For more information, read or download this document:

PAkistan_EN

Author:

The President, Arch. Mark Raymond
Trinidad & Tobago Institute of Architects

————

Architects are deeply concerned about the current fragile state of the construction sector.

At the commencement of the recent boom, the last administration initiated projects and engaged the construction sector only to peremptorily drop it in favour of foreign consultants and contractors. Through a mystifying array of agencies and practices, massive and often poorly conceived projects were awarded to these foreign contractors and consultants as part of a reckless and largely uncoordinated strategy conceived without any consultation or coherent plan. The fiasco that followed and the opposition with which these initiatives were met culminated with the tin-pot “war” that former Prime Minster Patrick Manning declared on the construction sector in March of this year. It is hard to conceive of a more wasteful or destructive mode of physical development and planning.

The period will go down in history as one characterised by a flagrant and arrogant abuse by the State of its powers, monumental squandering of the public purse and the unprecedented deliberate and malicious marginalisation of an essential national resource in the form of the construction sector. We are now experiencing the legacy of this “policy”—if the reckless expenditure of billions of dollars on such grandiose projects can be termed a policy. It is a legacy which has left architects, engineers, surveyors, contractors, manufacturers and suppliers decimated. The impact of this contempt for and deliberate undermining of the sector has been compounded by the deterioration of the economy and this together with widespread global economic uncertainty has resulted in a dramatic slow down with particularly devastating consequences.

Whilst this is a sector in which seasoned stakeholders plan and allow for the peaks and troughs that inevitably characterise the economics of physical development, the current predicament is perilous as the numerous businesses, professionals and workers employed in the sector—and many of whom are owed significant and long outstanding sums by the State—struggle daily to keep afloat. The livelihoods of around seventy thousand people employed in a previously vibrant and dynamic sector are under serious and imminent threat. This is not a short term issue. The construction sector is a significant asset that we cannot afford to neglect because of past blunders or economic expediency. The sector is looking to the Government to enter into dialogue, take decisive action and to address the dire predicament as a matter of urgency.

It is widely recognised that the current administration has a great deal of clearing up to do, State owned agencies and special purpose entities have generated large and conspicuous holes in the economy. It is also understood that large scale construction projects are unlikely to be on the agenda in the immediate future. However, if growth cannot be immediately assured, in its attempt to get the economy back on track, the Government must move to at least stimulate activity—if only to ensure short to medium term sustainability and avoid the complete collapse and depletion of a valuable national resource and asset. The Government needs to demonstrate good governance, generate confidence, encourage investment and work with construction sector organisations to address means of ensuring the sustainability of the sector. This needs to be done as a matter of urgency.

There are a number of ways in which the government might consider advancing this:

• Active consultation with all construction sector stakeholders.
• Prompt implementation of best practice procurement policy.
• Economic stimulus plan to generate activity in construction sector.
• Settle the substantial debts owed to architects, consultant teams and contractors, who have invested heavily in the process of development and who have been left out to dry.

Mikey Joseph—president of the Contractor’s Association recently revealed the amount of money owed to the construction sector by Government as being in the region of $ 1.6 billion. Included in this staggering figure is money owed to architects and other professional consultants—to be paid for work completed is not an unreasonable expectation. In the Uff report, in which the appalling and shameful performance of Udecott was so painfully exposed, Professor Uff’s commission was also invited to comment on the local construction sector. The report makes patently made clear the satisfaction of the Commission with the capability of the sector to perform at a high level. It is of course accepted that the sector is not without its flaws and as with all sectors of society, any new thrust whether directed towards growth or sustainability can and must incorporate responsive and continuous reform and improvement to maintain and improve standards.

The construction capability which the Uff report affirms however remains intact and available to serve the interests of national development. Debts must be promptly settled and through consultation, informed dialogue and creative thinking the means of achieving sustainable development collectively pursued.

Mark Raymond
President—Trinidad & Tobago Institute of Architects

Uff ‘s report was handed over to President George Maxwell Richards at the Winsure Building, Richmond Street, Port-of-Spain, at 11.30 am.

The submission of the report is the culmination of the inquiry process which began in April 2008 when Diego Martin West MP Dr Keith Rowley was sacked as Trade and Industry Minister after he raised concerns over Udecott. Rowley, as well as several organizations including the Chambers of Commerce, the Joint Consultative Council for the Construction Industry, the Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Architects and others — called for a commission of inquiry into Udecott, however, this was initially resisted by Prime Minister Patrick Manning. Prime Minister Patrick Manning later agreed to an inquiry but expanded its terms of reference to cover the construction industry in Trinidad and Tobago.

Lawyers have stated yesterday that while inquiry reports are normally tabled in Parliament, there is no stipulation that this is the only way in which they are to be made public. The Commission of Inquiry Act is silent on what is to happen to a report after it is handed in to the President, leaving the manner of dissemination of the report open to the State.

The inquiry had a budgeted cost of about $20 million according to Budget documents tabled last year and the hearings saw unprecedented levels of public interest which were broadcast live and covered extensively by the media. An internet website was also set up for members of the public to access information in relation to the proceedings.

The inquiry has been dogged by concerns over the failure of Udecott lawyers to disclose documents in their entity and to meet deadlines set out by the commissions. Wrangling between lawyers representing parties including those of Dr. Rowley, extended the inquiry.

Udecott lawyers, led by British QC Andrew Goddard, also launched lawsuits against the proceedings during hearings one of which challenged the proceedings on the basis of apparent bias of the commissioners. The challenge was thrown out this month by Justice Mira Dean-Armorer who also ruled that she had no basis to stay the commission from submitting a final report to President Maxwell Richards.

Udecott chairman Calder Hart resigned his position at Udecott on March 6 some days after documents linking him to Malaysian firm Sunway Construction Caribbean Limited emerged, after being obtained by the Congress of the People (COP). On the same day of his resignation, Caldar Hart left the country and it is assumed that he may be in the UK presently, however efforts by law officers to contact him have failed.

During the hearings, questions about the practices at the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) also emerged with key staff at the HDC resigning during the proceedings. In the final analysis, it seemed that the evidence about the projects themselves and in particular the testimony of Canadian born John Calder Hart, generated the most public concerns.

During the inquiry, it was also discovered that the inquiry had not been gazetted by the relevant authorities under the terms of the Commission of Inquiry Act. Professor John Uff insisted that notwithstanding the error, the inquiry was valid under the common-law. Government then tabled legislation to overcome this oversight.

The Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Architects hopes that the Report on the Commission of Inquiry into the Construction Sector can be made public without further delay.

Newsday report

TT Guardian report

Trinidad Express report

Port-au-Prince (24 March 2010) – Three quarters of the 1.3 million homeless people in the Haitian quake zone have now received emergency-shelter materials (tarpaulins, tents and toolkits) ten weeks after the disaster that left much of the south of the country in ruins.

The number of people reached by what is now a total of more than 50 agencies distributing shelter-relief materials under cluster coordination is 976,775 – just past the 75 per cent mark.

The shelter cluster, which is coordinated by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), is on course to reach 100 per cent coverage by 1 May – the original target date and the start of the peak month of the Haitian rainy season.

“We’ve been reaching very nearly 100,000 people a week on average since the quake,” said Gregg McDonald, leader of the IFRC cluster-coordination team.

“However, shelter relief did not really begin in Haiti until after the search and rescue phase was over.

“If we average the response from the beginning of the third week after the disaster, the cluster has been reaching more than 122,000 people a week.”

After Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar, where the estimated total in need of shelter relief was 2.4 million people, the 50 per cent coverage mark was reached after 12 weeks, at an average of just over 100,000 people a week, according to new data compiled by the shelter cluster.

Shelter agencies reached an average of 75,000 people a week with emergency relief after the earthquake in Padang, Indonesia, last year, including the search and rescue phase.

After the 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake in Indonesia, shelter-relief coverage averaged 98,900 a week, also including the search and rescue phase.

“The challenges in Haiti have been huge,” McDonald adds. “Loss of key government agencies, shortage of transport, rubble in the streets, security issues.

“Against that backdrop, this is a considerable achievement, and a reflection of the way agencies involved have pulled together.”

Emergency-shelter distribution is just one part of the drive to help quake-affected people survive the looming rainy season. Measures being pursued by other clusters as part of the wider disaster-preparedness effort in Haiti include:

• Structural assessment of houses that may be safe to return to
• Relocation of displaced people to safe sites away from flood zones
• Clearance of municipal drains in Port-au-Prince
• Improved drainage and flood-resistant sanitation in existing camps.

“It’s exactly because the rainy season is fast approaching that agencies continue to deliver emergency shelter as quickly as possible,” said McDonald. “We’re determined to get to full coverage before 1 May, if not sooner.”

“The rains are going to have a massive impact, and things are going to get worse before they get better.”

“Everyone involved in this response needs to do their utmost to make sure people are as prepared as they can be for what is going to be a very tough rainy season.”

Several agencies working with the shelter cluster have now developed prototype “transitional” houses – small, mainly wood-frame structures that can be built cheaply and easily, and potentially in large numbers.

But of the few sites identified by the Haitian government for potential resettlement, none is yet available for building.

The link to this press release is http://www.ifrc.org/Docs/News/pr10/2010.asp

For more information on shelter coordination in Haiti see www.shelterhaiti.org

AIA Best Practices – Winning Proposals

Download the Water PDF here

The National Academy for the Performing Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (NAPA) has been shrouded in controversy from conception to opening with different constituencies weighing in on its merits and flaws. Artist/activist Rubadiri Victor attempts to analyse NAPA through its construction process, as a building, and as a facility which should have held the Dreams and Aspirations of a Legacy-rich cultural community. He finds it compromised in its facilities as both an Academy and a National Performing Arts Centre but attempts to unearth the opportunity it holds as a phenomenon.

The Sorrowful Tour
On Sunday 17th January 2010 4 generations of theatre and dance practitioners gathered at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) for a seminar entitled The Way Forward- part of this exercise involved a tour of the NAPA facility for the first time by the stakeholders who are supposed to be its most important tenants. What followed was one of the saddest journeys that many of us have ever embarked on. What should have been a tour full of wonder and joy upon revelation instead was more like the sorrow of a 2nd generation Jew visiting a concentration camp.

During the tour one could hear the muttering of disbelief, the exclamations of horror, and sometimes peals of laughter on the unveiling of each room. One could see- particularly in elder practitioners- the almost teary eyed resignation as they shook their heads in disbelief. The words on everyone’s lips were, “How could they get it so wrong!!!” None of us had ever been consulted or listened to for the entire construction process and this abomination was the sad result. We had for years received the reports of deficient specs in NAPA, but it was nothing compared to actually seeing it. Hundreds of millions of dollars spent on un-useable spaces.

Because of this I am now prepared to concede that it may be more feasible to give the entire NAPA facility over to being a hotel and that another site be sought to construct a proper School for the Arts and a National Performing Arts Centre. NAPA is completely unsuited for either function and will cost too much to convert it into such. There are precedents for hotels with Performing Arts stages attached to them- ala Las Vegas- and probably this is what NAPA is best used for. It is completely unfit as an Academy and a Performing Arts Centre. That is the tragedy we are faced with.

The tragedy and hidden history of NAPA

Dear Mrs. President, Dear Mr. Président,

The International Union of Architects Professional Practice Commission has prepared both a Policy and Guideline on Ethics and Conduct, as part of the “UIA Accord on Recommended International Standards of Professionalism in Architectural Practice”.  Over the past several years that document has been reviewed and will be reissued in the future.  During that review process the Commission has discussed the extent of responsibility that rests on architects when they practice as professionals.  With the construction process becoming more complex and given the extent of the impact design has on the environment, communities, clients, users, and citizens, the PPC asked a drafting panel to propose broad perspectives on Architect Responsibility.  The intent of the documents prepared is to suggest that it can be implied that our ethical responsibilities might exceed that which can be captured finitely in a Code of Ethics.

A document was presented to the PPC for consideration at our meeting in Marrakesh, Morocco in 2008.  A second paper prepared for the meeting in New Delhi, India in 2009 resulted in the PPC requesting approval of the UIA Council for distribution of these papers as catalysts for ethical considerations related to architecture.

The two documents attached to this cover letter are forwarded for discussion and consideration by your member-section.  They are not part of the UIA Accord, nor will they be in the future.  They are to stimulate thinking on the subject of practice and how it impacts our world at so many levels and in so many diverse ways.  Perhaps through the process of discussing these issues related to design and practice, a better world for all peoples will result.  Please consider the ethics of architecture and its principles of practice.

Sincerely,
Doug Steidl
Co-Director, Secretary

UNION INTERNATIONALE DES ARCHITECTES – U.I.A.
Tour Maine Montparnasse
33 avenue du Maine
BP 158
75755 Paris cedex 15
Tel : 33 1 45 24 72 45
Fax : 33 1 45 24 02 78
p.liberato@uia-architectes.org
uia@uia-architectes.org
www.uia-architectes.org

UIA Professional Practice Commission – New Delhi

UIA Professional Practice Commission – Marrakesh

The Association of Siamese Architects (ASA) will welcome architects from around the world, from 28 to 30 April  2010, to a UIA international forum in Bangkok. The theme, ‘Equilibrium’, will look at the dynamism of the various forms of architectural practice that reach harmonious and balanced solutions thanks, notably, to the integration of the past and the extrapolation to the future. Speakers are expected from all over the world.
UIA Bureau members will participate in the forum and meet in Bangkok on 29 and 30 April 2010.

Anyone interested in attending, from any region, is most welcome.

Contact
uiaforum@asa.or.th

http://www.uiaforum2010bangkok.com

Letter to Presidents

Dear Members,

We have been updating the website to keep you informed about what EA have been doing in Haiti.

As you know Haiti isn’t in our region and therefore we cannot act as the EA lead agency.

The immediate construction assessment has been undertaken by Patrick Coulombel and a team of 6 (including 2 Canadians) in Haiti.  The EA team is still undertaking further assessments and securing buildings but is also writing up a strategy for working with Haitian engineers/architects, reporting on the next phase of planning and reconstruction and seeking international funding.

EAA’s role in this case is therefore to raise funds for the reconstruction program, undertake research and to inform those architects/engineers/International Relations volunteers interested in joining the EA International team in Haiti in solidarity with the Haitian architects/engineers group. Please go to www.emergencyarchitects.org.au for more details.

If every member of the National Institutes of Architects in UIA put just $10 toward the effort we could raise $15,000,000 toward reconstruction.  Every dollar goes a long way in such a poor country so please consider a donation.  Please consider having a function at the office, sending a bucket around your workplace, community or pub, or make a donation now through EAA’s Haiti appeal on Westpac’s secure Our Community website.

We will list all donors (if you agree to be acknowledged) on our website and update you as the reconstruction and planning program as it evolves.

You may have noticed that EAA no longer sends out monthly newsletters- check out our news page on the website which is regularly updated , or follow us on twitter!

Kind Regards

Andrea Nield
President – Emergency Architects Australia

The Haitian National Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM Haïti), participates in the local Representations of the International Association of Art Reviewer (AICA Haïti), the International Council of Archives (ICA Haïti) and the National Haitian cooperation Commission with UNESCO (CNHCU) to express its deep sympathy to all Haitian and foreign families established in Haiti, particularly to the Community of institutions, professionals, collectors and possessors of cultural furniture heritage.

The Haitian National Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM Haïti), AICA Haïti, ICA Haïti and CNHCU are keen to focus the attention of the authorities and of all local, national and international organisations intervening in the clearing of debris of public or private buildings, collapsed or threatening to collapse, before any demolition to urgently remove all items belonging to the cultural heritage, for instance : archive documents, artistic production in general, libraries and literary works, broadcasting documents, etc.

At the initiative of ICOM Haiti, a crisis cell, « Heritage in Danger », has been established beside the Official Commission in charge of evaluation and reconstruction of buildings, in order to coordinate the rescue actions of cultural furniture heritage. This cell is formed by:

• ICOM Haiti represented by its president, architect for Monuments, Joseph Harold GASPARD ; president, architect for Monuments,
• ICA Haiti represented by Mr. Jean Wilfrid BERTRAND, General Director of National Archives of Haiti ;
• AICA Haiti represented by its president Mr. Michel Philippe LEREBOURS, History of Art PhD and Curator of the Haitian Art Museum of St Pierre’s College ;
• The Haitian National Commission of Cooperation with UNESCO (CNHCU) represented by its Permanent Secretary Mr. Jean COULANGES ;
• The Historical Park of the Sugar Cane represented by Mrs Michaëlle SAINT-NATUS and;
• Mr. Lewis A. CLORMEUS, sociologist, specialist of cultural intangible heritage and collector.

The secretariat of the « Heritage in Danger » cell is under the responsibility of Mr. Lewis A. CLORMEUS and is based at:

No 7, Impasse Jeanty (Bois Verna),

Telephones (509) 22 45 1019 / (509) 29 45 1019.

Contacts:
1) Joseph Harold GASPARD,
Telephone: (509) 34 46 2888
E -ma i l s : i c o m . h a i t i _ 0 1 @ y a h o o . c o m ,
haroldgaspard@yahoo.ca
haroldgaspard@yahoo.ca
2) Lewis A. CLORMEUS,
Telephone: (509) 34 57 3659
E-mails: lclormeus@yahoo.fr
2) Jean Wilfrid BERTRAND,
Telephones : (509) 34 58 5528 / 35580329
E-mail : bertrandlouissaint@yahoo.fr
Port-au-Prince, le 25 January 2010

The forum has been mainly facilitated as part of the TTIA’s communication initiative to provide suitable media that can assist the Institute and its members reach relatively swift agreement and conclusion on matters of serious concern to the Institute and that can be made confidential (closed discussions) at any time and according to permissions set up by the moderators.

The system should be made accessible and will be open for registration of members and invited parties on Monday 2nd November 2009. TTIA members and invited persons will be able to set up their own user accounts and passwords.

To know more about phpBB, please visit the website at: http://www.phpbb.com/about/

Dear Members and Friends of TTTI

The Sunday Guardian carried a headline to an article which quoted me on the current Commission of Enquiry impasse which read:
‘Hart, Warner slam Government’. For those of you who may have been disturbed by the headline, please see the full text of what I said:

‘The Enquiry has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous. What promised to be the most professional and transparent enquiry ever held in the country has degenerated into a farce. It has cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars and damaged our reputation by confirming how Third World we are.

I find it passing strange that, whereas Thursday’s Cabinet Meeting directed the Line Ministers to have TSTT and PTSC withdraw petitions before the Industrial Court to have the CWU and TIWU de-certified, Cabinet did not direct UDeCOTT’s Line Minister to instruct UDeCOTT to withdraw its legal challenges to the Enquiry, despite calls by many persons to do so. The message is clear: ‘ Different strokes for different folks’.

The implications for the country of Justice Dean-Armorer’s decision are very serious. We must now wait several more months for the Commissioners’ expected recommendations on the reform of Public Sector Procurement while billions of dollars continue to be spent on mega-projects that are experiencing time and cost overruns without the checks and balances that minimize corruption. We must also wait for their recommendations on the reform of the construction sector.

Persons in Public Life against whom serious allegations were made at the Enquiry, some of which the Commissioners might recommend for further investigation, will continue in their posts and have delayed the opportunity to clear their name or to be held accountable for their actions.

The losers will be the people of Trinidad and Tobago who may never know the truth of the charges and counter-charges made at the Enquiry after spending so much money on the Enquiry and the related Court cases. The message to persons at both ends of the social ladder will be clear: ‘ You can do what you want because no one is ever held accountable in T&T’.

Civil Society should take note and send back its own message:’ Enough is enough’.

(End)

Regards,
Victor Hart
TTTI Chairman.

Thursday 29th October 2009

The official website of the Board of Architecture of Trinidad and Tobago (BoATT) has been unofficially launched as of Wednesday 28th October 2009.

The Board of Architecture of Trinidad and Tobago is a body corporate established under Section 3 of Act No 19 of 1992, cited as the Architecture Profession Act, 1992. The Architecture Profession Act No. 19 of 1992 is an Act representing the registration of Architects in Trinidad and Tobago and otherwise regulating the practice of Architecture.

Main Objectives – Protection of Title and Licensing of Architects

In keeping with the Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Architects’ (TTIA) Corporate Plan over several years (see ‘Lobby’, Objective (iii) ) and in consideration of the International Union of Architects (UIA) Accord on Registration, Licensing and Certification, the BoATT is presently working on the improvement of the Architecture Profession Act No. 19 of 1992 of Trinidad and Tobago. The main objectives of BoATT is the protection of the use of the title of ‘architect’ and also the implementation of the licensing of architects in Trinidad and Tobago.

Registration of (Qualified) Architects in Trinidad and Tobago

The Register of Registered Architects is gazetted each year and is a compilation of all persons registered and therefore qualified to practice architecture in Trinidad and Tobago. The Register is also published in the TTIA Architects’ Diary, which goes on sale each year from October/November for diaries of the following year.

Visit BoATT’s website to get updates on the Register of Registered Architects here.

Establishment of Board
(Section 3 – (1) and (2) of The Architecture Profession Act of 1992)

3.
(1)   There is established a Board of Architecture that is a body corporate.

(2)   The Board shall be appointed by the Minister and shall consist of.-

(a) four registered architects nominated by and holding membership in the Institute of Architects of Trinidad and Tobago;

(b) a public officer who is registered or is eligible to be registered as a registered architect;

(c) two persons appointed to represent the public interest.

Chairman of the Board
(Section 3 (3) of The Architecture Profession Act of 1992)

(3) A Chairman shall be appointed by the Board from among its members.

Chairman of the Board June 2007 to June 2010:

Arch. Joseph Yearwood – MTTIA, BoATT Registered Architect -

Contact email: chair@boa-tt.org

Registrar/Secretary
(Section 10 of The Architecture Profession Act of 1992)

10.

(1) The Board shall appoint a registered architect Registrar/Secretary to perform the functions of Registrar/Secretary.

Registrar/Secretary June 2007 to June 2010:

Arch. Cheryl Alleyne-Adams – MTTIA, BoATT Registered Architect -

Contact email: sregistrar@boa-tt.org

Contact the BoATT:

The RIBA wrote to its members to offer up an explanation why it has removed the percentage fee graph from the 2010 version of the Client’s Guide to Engaging an Architect which will take effect on November 2nd 2009 with the issue of the new guide. The guide will supposedly still contain “concise written advice” about how practices calculate fees and structure payment options, including resource-based methods.

The RIBA issued compulsory fee scales until 1982 when they were re-branded “recommended scales” in response to changes in competition law. These in turn were scrapped in 1992 and replaced by the graphs.

But the institute now believes even these are outdated and unworkable and could damage practices.

Jane Duncan, RIBA vice president of practice, acknowledged it would be a controversial decision but said the graph in the 2009 version of the Client’s Guide showed fee percentages lower than 1971.

In a letter to members she wrote:

Dear member

You may have heard that Practice Committee has been successful in its recommendation to have the fee survey graph removed from the RIBA Client’s Guide to Engaging an Architect. I realise that this issue has been controversial in the past and wanted to take some time to air the issues in advance of the publication of the new guide on 2nd November.

Since the mandatory fee scale was removed, architects and their clients – often but not exclusively at the lower end of the survey scale – felt it appropriate to rely upon or negotiate on the basis of published generic fee scales to determine what fees should apply to projects, without working out the real costs and proper fee for a particular job. The 1996 ‘indicative fee scales’ that I recently unearthed in my filing drawer was used by many offices as an easy guide to fee charging without recourse to the type of client, the level of complexity of the project, the stages of work or the output required. This was certainly a quick and easy route to setting out a fee proposal.

Today the process is far more complex and varied, and yet graphs and charts have continued to be included, culminating in the 2009 version of the Client’s Guide with its simplistic graph showing fee percentages lower than 1971!

One has only to look at the Schedule of Architect’s Services in any RIBA form of Appointment to see that a line on a graph just can no longer be used for fee calculations – it will be fair to neither architect nor client. Indeed the recent graph showed fees which if applied to a full services project would have left most architects seriously out of pocket. I fail to see how any practice could resource a £250k mid range project for less than 7% or £17,500.00 unless their hourly charge out rate is about £30.00.

How many clients actually like to employ an architect on a percentage basis anyway? I have heard too many times to mention, how it must encourage architects to design more expensive buildings as the fees will then rise proportionately.

These days I find that percentages have gone out of the window in favour of reviewing the specific content of a project, and agreement is easily reached for either hourly paid work or lump sums, re-visited at each stage of the project.

This year of course it’s been a very competitive market. Instead of just offering to slash fees to meet apparent competition, we have instead listed the specific services which we will carry out for the offered reduced fee, and then provided a list of those ‘extra’ services which the client may wish to procure later.

This has been quite a successful strategy, and is after all what builders have been doing forever to win tenders. Canny clients know this and prefer to pay sensible fees based upon a clear understanding of what they actually need from their architect at any stage in the programme. Can we educate our clients to see this?

Of course it means a completely different approach to the appointment contract with a lot of thought put into a fee bid and its presentation. We now need to rely upon our knowledge of our costs, and also sound out the competition. For the former we have had to grow up as a business, and keep very good job records, time sheets, and resource plans for every project.

For the latter we need as much information as we can get about what our competitors are doing. We have found that the RIBA business benchmarking process has been a great help both in making us review our own charging and strategy, and also being able to see what others are doing.

I have never been tempted to pay for a benchmarking service, but now there’s one offered free by the Chartered Practice scheme – and it’s really good. I recommend that you do it.  For further information, just send an email to benchmarking@inst.riba.org

If you have any pressing issues that I can assist with please let me know.
With kind regards

Jane Duncan RIBA – VP Practice

Comments from observers have included interesting viewpoint already tainted with some controversy:

Author: Nats 26 October, 2009

The RIBA needs to be doing more to get a standard fee level agreed between architectural practices in this country, this process shouldn’t involve clients at all. Until the government makes architectural involvement on all planning applications compulsory (as is the case in Spain) we will continue to lose work to cowboys and will never be paid what we deserve in comparison to other similar professionals. If it was possible to make a comparison between the importance and authority of different professionals considering their respective fees earned, architects would surely come out bottom of the pile. Mostly we are thought of as purely ‘day dreamers’ by the majority of people we work for and with, and until that changes we will always be paid badly.

Read more or search for further comments here at BD Online.

In an address to the Association of Commonwealth Societies of Architects in the Caribbean (ACSAC) on 9 October 2009 at Hotel Normandie, Port of Spain, Trinidad, the Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute (TTTI) addressed transparency and accountability in the Trinidad & Tobago construction industry amidst rising tensions and concerns regarding the ongoing Commission of Enquiry into the Construction Industry.

The TTTI used the terms of reference of the Commission of Enquiry mandating the Commissioners to make recommendations to ensure that there be free and fair competition and full participation and access for all citizens in the public procurement process: Term 2 (iii); and, Integrity and transparency in the public procurement practice: Term 2 (iv). The Institute expressed that the ‘playing field’ for architects in T&T had been far from level in recent years and that this has appeared to have taken away much of the joy and satisfaction of working in the construction sector.

Further, the TTIA stated that the situation had also diverted the energy of participants from concentrating on delivering creative designs and projects that are completed within time and budget to wasting valuable time in worrying about bias and nepotism in the award of contracts, what deals are being struck behind closed doors, and in fighting for their collections of payments for services rendered when others appear to be receiving favoured treatment. More alarming, the government appears to be waging a battle against local consultants, including architects, and contractors while it promotes foreign firms and claims to be ‘bringing the construction sector into the twenty-first century’ without meaningful consultation with all stakeholders.

All of this seems to the TTTI to have changed how persons feel about working in the construction sector and might even be inhibiting young people from entering it. It referred to the rumors abounding in the industry that working on government of Trinidad and Tobago (GOTT) projects has now led to constant battle and the need to seek legal advice on routine matters with an ever present concern in protecting one’s back.

The TTTI also made reference to three submissions to the Commission of Enquiry. Firstly, the Institute underscored the need for procurement reform to ensure that public money was spent with transparency and accountability and that value was obtained. It recommended the early implementation of the White Paper on the Reform of the Public Sector Procurement Regime and it explained to the Commissioners the importance of transparency in procurement and how and where corruption occurs in the procurement process. It also made recommendations on anti-corruption strategies and tools that could be introduced into the local construction sector to promote transparency and accountability and thereby reduce corruption.

The TTTI also stressed to the Commissioners the importance of information disclosure and it requested a ‘Right to Know’ policy regarding public sector projects – whether they are wholly or partly publicly-owned, publicly financed or publicly guaranteed.

In making an indirect (no-name) reference to one of GOTT’s agencies having hidden information from the commissioners with the explanation that this move was to protect commercial confidentiality, the TTTI felt that the reasons given for confidentiality ought to be carefully examined because they may not always be valid.  It said that claims of necessary commercial confidentiality may (consciously or unconsciously) be a guise for concealing corrupt dealings. In any case, it felt that even if concerns about commercial confidentiality may be genuine, it was very important that they did not override the public’s right to know.

In closing, the TTI recommended three tools of strategy to the Commission of Enquiry – Transparency International’s Integrity Pact, the Global Infrastructure Anti-Corruption Centre’s Project Anti- Corruption System (PACS) and the UK Anti-Corruption Forum (ACF). Also of particular interest are the papers – ‘Transparency in Public Sector Construction Projects’ and ‘Preventing Corruption – Guidance for Professional Bodies‘.

The TTTI concluded that, given the fact that the ethics of the architectural profession are enshrined in the Act governing the practice of Architecture, architects are well placed by that mandate and their training to be bulwarks against corruption in construction procurement. Proper training is essential because trained personnel are the best ‘tools’ to promote transparency and thereby reduce corruption in the construction sector. The training enables them to be alert to the dangers of corruption and to identify warning signs at an early stage. Therefore, in addition to architects, all project staff with responsibility for or involvement in project identification and design brief development, tendering, project management, claims evaluation, certification and/or payment should be trained to identify corruption and to be aware of the risks of corruption. Not only are these key persons a vital line of defense against corruption, they are themselves exposed and vulnerable to corrupt acts and should become adept at recognizing the danger signals so as to avoid entrapment and having to defend their reputations.

TTTI has offered some of the answers to the problems described and is willing to work with those interested in promoting transparency and accountability in the construction sector. It urged the architects, construction industry professionals and others to get involved with the work of the TTTI by either making a donation or becoming a member. Individual and corporate membership options are available.

Contact the TTTI
TTTI E-mail: admin@transparency.or.tt

TTTI website: www.transparency.org.tt

Download Documents

Read the address to the Commission of Enquiry.

ACSAC Address

Become a Member of the TTTI (Individual or Corporate)

http://www.transparency.org.tt/get-involved.htm

Visit Transparency International

www.transparency.org.

Arch. Turton spoke at a seminar in the Architects Amphitheater to commemorate World Day of Architecture 2009 at the Building and Interiors Trade Show (BITS) at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya, Tunapuna, on Saturday. In his speech, Turton made it clear that the Uff Commission of Inquiry (into the Construction Industry) must be allowed to conclude its work.

See short transcript of article as follows:

Architects call for slower approach to construction

Trinidad Guardian – NADALEEN SINGH
Published: 12 Oct 2009

Architects are calling on the Government to adapt “a slower and balanced approach” towards construction in the country. The call was made by President of Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Architects (TTIA) Gary Turton. He was speaking at a seminar to commemorate World Day of Architects 2009 at the Building and Interiors Trade Show (BITS) at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya, Tunapuna, on Saturday. Turton said the TTIA and others in the industry had told the Government about its accelerated plan to construct buildings in T&T through the Joint Consultative Council.

…. “I believe the public needs to be completely satisfied that there’s been no wrongdoing by certain state agencies,” he said. “If there has been, the perpetrators should be penalised.

Read more..

BITS (Building & Interiors Trade Show) and SIREN (Health Safety Security and Environment – the HSSE Show) will begin on Thursday at 12.30 p.m. and run until 7.30 p.m. each day until Sunday at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya.

The “two shows under one roof” will feature an array of exhibition booths with the latest innovative products and services available for the Building and HSSE industries, along with a host of seminars and workshops which will be of tremendous interest to everyone.

Special attention will be paid to the three foreign architects sponsored by BITS and the Trinidad & Tobago Institute of Architects (TTIA) who will make presentations in the Architects Amphitheatre on Saturday afternoon.

The Johns Hopkins Hospital leads a large delegation of health-care professionals who will facilitate group meetings to discuss topics ranging from “Heart Failure” to “Preventing Diabetes” and “Abdominal Trauma”.

There will also be a host of similar presentations from highly-qualified individuals on Safety, Security and the Environment.  A few special surprises will be in store for general visitors to the one-hundred-plus exhibition booths as well, so BITS & SIREN 2009 is the place to be this Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons!

BITS & SIREN 2009 CALENDAR:

Thursday October 8th 2009 – 12:30PM to 7:30PM

Friday October 9th 2009 – 12:30PM to 7:30PM

Saturday October 10th 2009 – 12:30PM to 7:30PM

Sunday October 11th 2009 – 12:30PM to 7:30PM

ARCHITECTURE LECTURES BITS & SIREN 2009

Date and Time: Saturday October 10th 2009 – 4:00PM to 6:00PM

Location: Architects Amphitheater

Lecturers:

• Enrique Laranaga  (Venezuela)
• Marcos Barinas-Uribe (Dominican Republic)
• Andres Mignucci Giannoni – (Puerto Rico)

To this end, the TTIA will be launching a campaign designed to communicate with the public of Trinidad and Tobago. The TTIA appreciates the support of all those able to contribute to its concerted efforts.

To learn more about us, please visit our website at: http://www.ttia-architects.org

The evening will feature a continuous slide show of a variety of images submitted by member architects that relate to Architecture and Design in Trinidad and Tobago.

Contributors to the inaugural event included students, graphic designers, furniture designers, interior designers, photographers, architects and architectural firms. It is a great opportunity to network with others in the architectural and design community.

TTIA Secretariat at 1.868.624.8842

A number of issues affecting architectural practice will be discussed including the following:

• professional practice – fees, conditions of engagement, registration
• caribbean single market economy – reciprocity, mutual recognition agreements
• institutional strengthening – single regional professional practice examination
• continuing professional development
• education – caribbean school of architecture, university of guyana
• acsac – organisation and management

If any TTIA members are interested in learning about, participating in or assisting in ACSAC activities or would simply like to observe and attend they are most welcome to.
Please contact ACSAC Chairman, Mark Raymond  <mark@markraymond.com> if you are interested.

October 6th 2009

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, through the Continuing Engineering Education Centre (CEEC) will be hosting a workshop on the 19th and 20th November, 2009 from 8.30am – 4.30pm at the Faculty of Engineering, UWI, St. Augustine.

The focus of the workshop/training programme will be on the Building Information Modeling (BIM) Software for Architects – Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2010.

This is especially important now, given the international industry adoption of this technology and what this means for design productivity and quality enhancement, and project cost minimization.

The workshop/training programme is to be delivered by Mr. Ricardo Cedeno, who is a BIM and Revit® expert working with Autodesk® in Miami.

Should you have any questions/comments, please feel free to contact:

Kevin Awai,
Projects/Training Officer,
Engineering Institute,
Continuing Engineering Education Centre
Block 1,
Faculty of Engineering,

The University of the West Indies,

St. Augustine.

Trinidad and Tobago

Tel: (868) 662-6267, (868) 662-2002 ext. 2175

Fax: 662-6267, 662-4414

e-mail: ceec@eng.uwi.tt, enginst@eng.uwi.tt

website: http://www.eng.uwi.tt/depts/ei/

The cost of attending the seminar is not expected to exceed TT $2,800.00 (US $467.00) per person.

‘Early bird’ and/or ‘group’ discounts shall be made available upon registration.

The package includes all workshop materials, lunch, refreshments and a certificate of participation.

Please indicate the number of persons you are likely to send to the seminar. Feel free to contact us for further details

about the seminar and the distinguished presenter, Mr. Cedeno.

Would you be shocked to learn that a LEED building may or may not be energy or water efficient?  Don’t be.

It all comes down to an understanding of what LEED is….

These strategies “aim at performance” but we’re not talking about actual performance.  A LEED building may actually perform, which means it may actually use water and energy efficiently, but such is not required for LEED certification.  We’re not mincing words here, either.  There’s a big difference between certification and actual performance.

You have to pay close attention, but it’s still hard to catch the difference.  For example, the description of LEED on the USGBC’s home page says LEED is a “voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.”  Wait, “high performance” and “sustainable?”  Doesn’t the word “performance” mean that a building actually performs?  Meaning it actually uses less water and energy?  And doesn’t sustainable mean to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs?

read more

This free quick guide takes an in-depth look at the formulas and techniques you’ll need to use to ensure your buildings are meeting basic acoustical criteria. Learn more about the balance of highs and lows, even dispersion, clarity and more!

Click here to download!