RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURAL PROCEDURES

Where architectural professionals with registration with SACAP are employed, in a standard service the architect is appointed to fulfil the obligations provided for as architectural professional, principal consultant and principal agent, described as a ‘Full Service’. Partial and/ or additional services may be agreed.
Where architectural professionals with registration with SACAP of other than architect are employed, the service to be rendered, and functions to be fulfilled are informed by the ‘Identification of Work for Architectural Professionals’, as separately determined by SACAP, and such appointment may include the ‘Full Service’ .Partial and additional services may be agreed.

The essential functions of each work stage relevant to the service are identified herein as: –

Stage 1: Inception

Receive, appraise and report on the client’s requirements with regard to:

• the client’s brief
• the site and rights and constraints
• budgetary constraints
• the need for consultants
• project programme
• methods of contracting

Stage 2: Concept and viability (concept design)

Prepare an initial design and advise on:

• the intended space provisions and planning relationships
• proposed materials and intended building services
• the technical and functional characteristics of the design
• Check for conformity of the concept with the rights to the use of the land
• Review the anticipated costs of the project
• Review the project programme

Stage 3: Design development

• Confirm the scope and complexity
• Review the design and consult with local and statutory authorities
• Develop the design, construction system, materials and components
• Incorporate and co-ordinate all services and the work of consultants
• Review the design, costing and programme with the consultants

Stage 4: Documentation and procurement

4.1 Prepare documentation sufficient for local authority submission:

• co-ordinate technical documentation with the consultants and complete primary co-ordination
• prepare specifications for the works
• review the costing and programme with the consultants
• obtain the client’s authority and submit documents for approval

4.2 Complete construction documentation and proceed to call for tenders:

• obtain the client’s authority to prepare documents to procure offers for the execution of the works
• obtain offers for the execution of the works
• evaluate offers and recommend on the award of the building contract
• prepare the contract documentation (and arrange the signing of the building contract)

Stage 5: Construction

• Administer the Building Contract
• Give possession of the site to the contractor
• Issue construction documentation
• Initiate and/or check sub-contract design and documentation as appropriate
• Inspect the works for conformity to the contract documentation
• Administer and perform the duties and obligations assigned to the principal agent in the JBCC building agreements, or fulfil the obligations provided for in other forms of contract
• Issue the certificate of practical completion
• Assist the client to obtain the occupation certificate

Stage 6: Close out

• Facilitate the project close-out including the preparation of the necessary documentation to effect completion, handover and operation of the project
• After the contractor’s obligations with respect to the building contract are fulfilled, the architectural professional shall issue the certificates related to contract completion
• Provide the client with as-built drawings and relevant technical and contractual undertakings by the contractor and sub-contractors

1.2 Partial services and Additional services

The Architectural Profession Act provides for the appointment of various architectural professionals to fulfil each or any stage of a standard service or parts thereof.
Partial and additional services may be agreed upon, the options most regularly utilized are:-

1. appointed as an architectural professional and principal consultant (not as principal agent)

2. appointed as design architectural professional (design only)
3. appointed as an architectural professional of record (design by others, can be a principal agent)
4. appointed as principal agent only
5. appointed as an architectural professional to work stage 4.1 (documentation to achieve approval only)
6. appointed to perform additional services

1.2.1 ADDITIONAL SERVICES

The following services are additional to the standard services and rank for additional fees. These
services may be added individually or in varying combinations and shall be provided by prior
agreement between the client and the architectural professional:

Special design services

• The preparation of special designs within or in relation to the facilities which are contemplated in this service, which may include:
• Rational design by other consultants – participate in the preparation of rational designs
• Town planning and/or urban design including participation in the application for the establishment and/or amendment of regional and local town planning and urban design schemes and the amendment of title conditions, negotiations with interest groups and authorities
• Master planning – defining and planning the layout of future development of buildings and/or services on the same site
• Landscape design – participation in landscape planning and construction
• Interior design – the design of interiors and the selection of furnishings fixtures and special finishes
• Liaison with special designers and specialist consultants
• Purpose-made items – the design and documentation of purpose-made items
• Promotional material and artwork – participation in the preparation of promotional material
• Plant operation and production layouts – participation in the definition of plant operation layouts

Special management services

• Elaboration of architectural professionals’ services including inter alia: the preparation of broad project parameters, project scope statements, project milestones, budget and cash flow forecasts, tender enquiry documentation, contractor and supplier selection, adjudication and tender awards, progress status monitoring, variations management, quality management, communication management, payment processing and final account closeouts
• Cost and valuation services – participation in the administration of costs and payments where a quantity surveyor has not been appointed
• Special inspections – more intensive inspections and assessment of the works than the norm to assess compliance with specifications

Special studies

• Preparation of the client’s brief – assist the client in the preparation of his requirements about the purpose, scope, use of and operation of the project
• Site selection – research the suitability and location of a site for a proposed project
• Feasibility studies – participation in technical and/or economic feasibility studies
• Environmental studies – participation in environmental studies
• Energy analysis studies and planning
• Energy studies – participation in energy studies
• Market surveys – participation in market surveys
• Traffic studies – participation in traffic flow studies

Work on existing premises

• Surveys and inspections – inspect, survey, measure and prepare documentation of existing premises, with other consultants as needed
• Restorations and renovations – services in connection with work on existing buildings
• Heritage buildings – services in connection with work on heritage buildings

Other Services

• Participation in litigation and dispute resolution (where a concurrent service is rendered)
• Mutually agreed additional service

For more info on fees and structures please visit the Architectural Professional Fees Guideline: Architectural Profession Act: Professional fees guideline (www.gov.za)