Standards of Professional Practice (SPP) and Architectural Compensation

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the Philippine Standards of Professional Practice (SPP Docs 201–210), building classifications, fee structures, scopes of architectural services, and professional compensation methods.

Standards of Professional Practice (SPP)

A required document under Sec. 41 of RA 9266 outlining the operational standards, scopes of services, and professional responsibilities of architects in the Philippines.

Architect (RLA)

A Registered and Licensed Architect; a natural person under Philippine law holding a valid certificate of registration and professional identification card for the lawful practice of architecture.

Architectural Firm (AF)

A juridical person under Philippine law and jurisprudence authorized to practice architecture, registered with the DTI as a sole proprietorship, or with the SEC and PRC as a professional partnership or architectural corporation.

Direct Selection

A method of selecting an architect typically used for relatively small projects, based on personal reputation, acquaintance, or recommendations from former clients or other architects.

Comparative Selection

A method of selecting an architect conducted by committees (institutions, corporations, or public agencies) involving invitation, pre-qualification, interview, verification, evaluation, ranking, and negotiation.

Architectural Design Competition (ADC)

A selection process used for civic or monumental projects where architects submit plan/design solutions to a specific design problem and are judged on the basis of comparative excellence.

Cost of Work (CoW)

The total cost of all fixtures and accessories for architectural interiors, acoustics, lighting works, site development, civil works, and landscaping works designed, specified, or procured by Specialist Consultants.

Direct Personnel Cost

The total cost considering the hourly, daily, or monthly billing rates of the Architect, Consultants, Technical Staff, Researchers, and other project personnel directly involved in the work.

Multiplier

A factor ranging from $1.5$ to $2.5$ applied to direct personnel expenses to compensate for office overhead costs, employee benefits, contingencies, cost of money/interest, and a reasonable profit.

Project Construction Cost (PCC)

The cost of the completed building to the Owner—including structure, MEPF systems, elements attached, and materials/labor—excluding professional fees for architects, engineers, specialist consultants, and inspector salaries.

Project Development Cost

The total comprehensive cost of a development, which includes construction cost, professional fees, permits, clearances, utilities, acquisition of the project site/lot, and cost of money.

Recommended Professional Fee (RPF)

The standard reference fee for architectural services determined by building classification, project budget, delivery method, role of consultants, and defined scope of work.

Detailed Architectural and Engineering Services (DAEDS)

A project delivery arrangement where the architect provides comprehensive design services and manages all allied engineering and specialist consulting services under a single primary contract.

Detailed Architectural Services (DADS)

An arrangement where the architect provides architectural design services only while allied engineering services are contracted separately by the client; the architect is entitled to $60\%$ of the corresponding DAEDS fee.

Multiple of Direct Personnel Expenses (MDPE)

A time-based compensation method suited for non-creative work calculated using the formula: $\text{Direct Cost} = An + Cn + Tn$, $\text{Fee} = \text{Direct Cost} \times M$, and $\text{Total Cost Charged} = \text{Fee} + R$.

Value-Based Pricing

A compensation method based on the revenue or profitability outcomes of an architect's work (e.g., sales volume or gross rental percentages) achieved by maximizing occupancy and operational efficiency.

Retainer

A compensation arrangement where a client pays a stipulated amount at regular intervals to guarantee the ongoing availability and intermittent service of an architect or firm over a specified period.

Architectural Programming

An analytical problem-seeking pre-design process leading to the identification of vertical and horizontal project requirements, incorporating a space program with envisioned spatial characterizations and cost parameters.

Value Management

A pre-design technique applied in cost management to minimize the adverse effects of cost-cutting, aiming to achieve an unimpaired program and identical performance criteria at minimum cost.

Design Brief Preparation

A pre-design service wherein the architect outlines the Terms of Reference (ToR), project concepts, objectives, and scope necessary for bidding out architectural services.

Project Definition Phase

The initial regular design phase where the architect consults the owner to establish project requirements, scope of services, an architectural program, and an initial statement of probable construction cost.

Schematic Design Phase

The second regular design phase wherein conceptual design studies, initial line drawings, and a Statement of Probable Project Construction Cost (SPPCC) are prepared and submitted for owner approval.

Design Development Phase

The third regular design phase consisting of detailed drawings (plans, elevations, sections), outline specifications for materials and MEPF systems, diagrammatic layouts, and an updated SPPCC.

Contract Document Phase

The fourth regular design phase in which complete construction drawings, technical specifications, and updated cost estimates are finalized, yielding $7$ sets of documents for building permit acquisition.

Group 1: Simple

Building category for structures of the simplest character and utilization (e.g., armories, hangars, industrial plants, packaging plants, warehouses, and freight facilities) having a base DAEDS fee of $5\%$ for projects up to $\text{PHP } 50\text{ million}$.

Group 2: Moderate

Building category for structures of moderate complexity (e.g., office condominiums, malls, residential condominiums, schools, apartments, and churches) having a base DAEDS fee of $6\%$ for projects up to $\text{PHP } 50\text{ million}$.

Group 3: Exceptional

Building category for complex structures requiring exceptional technical effort (e.g., airports, hospitals, auditoriums, hotels, and laboratories) with a base DAEDS fee of $7\%$ for projects up to $\text{PHP } 50\text{ million}$.

Group 4: Residential

Building category for single-detached, single-attached, duplex, row-houses, shop-houses, and small apartments with standard professional fees set at $10\%$ of PCC for DAEDS and $6\%$ of PCC for DADS.

Group 5: Monumental

Building category for museums, memorials, mausoleums, and exposition buildings, requiring $12\%$ of PCC for DAEDS and $7.5\%$ for DADS (the only group where DADS does not follow the standard $60\%$ rule).

Group 6: Repetitive

Fee schedule applied when building designs are reused for identical structures without modification: $100\%$ of RPF for 1st building, $50\%$ for 2nd, $40\%$ for 3rd, and $30\%$ for 4th and succeeding units.

Group 7: Housing Projects

Fee schedule applied to the construction of multiple identical residential units on a single site using one set of plans, scaling downward by block unit tiers (2–10 units, 11–30 units, 31–50 units, and 51+ units).

Group 8: Extensive Detail

Classification covering projects involving extensive detail, specialized built-in elements, custom furniture, fixtures, counters, screens, and architectural interior fittings, carrying a recommended fee of $15\%$ of PCC.

Group 9: Renovation, Alterations and Additions

Classification covering retrofitting, alterations, and additions to existing structures belonging to Groups 1 to 5, compensated at $150\%$ of the standard Recommended Professional Fee (RPF).

Group 10: Expert Advice / Expert Witness

Professional consultation services compensated at a minimum of $\text{PHP } 1,000.00\text{ per hour}$ for technical advice, or $\text{PHP } 5,000.00\text{ per appearance}$ as an expert court witness.

Architectural Interiors (AI)

The detailed design and utility layout of indoor spaces (enclosed areas) to enhance visual, physical, and emotional comfort, typically compensated at $10\%$ to $15\%$ of the Cost of Work (CoW).

Site Development Planning (SDP)

The spatial layout, civil works conceptualization, and hardscape/softscape planning of exterior grounds immediately surrounding a building to unify the structure with its host site.

Comprehensive Development Planning (CDP)

An expanded multi-disciplinary service integrating physical, economic, socio-cultural, transport, and legal/administrative components into a Master Development Plan (MDP), compensated through man-months.

Forensic Architecture

A scientific study and technical investigation of the built environment to diagnose building defects, materials deterioration, code non-compliance, and failures to determine remedial solutions.

Construction Supervision Group (CSG)

A site inspection team recommended by the architect and hired by the owner to conduct full-time quality control and reporting on-site, compensated at $1\%$ to $1.5\%$ of the PCC.

Construction Manager (CM)

An individual or firm hired by the owner responsible for overall programming, coordination, quality control, cost management, and time monitoring of a project, compensated at $1\%$ to $3\%$ of the PCC.

Project Manager (PM)

The prime professional responsible for overall cost control, budgeting, scheduling, and advising across all phases of a project, traditionally compensated at $2\%$ to $5\%$ of the estimated project cost.