Code of Ethics for Architects – Key Vocabulary

A set of 100 vocabulary flashcards covering ethical duties, professional practice rules, and regulatory context for architects in the Philippines.

Code of Ethics for Architects

Document that sets the moral and professional standards governing Philippine architects.

Civic Responsibilities

Duties architects owe the public arising from citizenship and professional practice.

Public Safety

Protection of people from hazards through responsible architectural decisions.

Health and Well-being

Architect’s obligation to promote sanitary and wholesome environments for users.

Historic Preservation

Safeguarding and restoring culturally significant buildings and sites.

Professional Organization

Accredited body, such as UAP, that advances architects’ interests and standards.

Technical Information Exchange

Sharing of design experience and data among architects and the building industry.

Good Citizenship

Architect’s observance of laws, regulations, and community welfare.

Ethical Conduct Standards

Accepted moral rules that regulate architectural practice in the Philippines.

Self-Laudatory Publicity

Exaggerated or misleading advertising that architects must avoid.

Paid Advertisement Restriction

Rule prohibiting architects from using paid ads to unduly promote themselves.

Misleading Publicity

Any statement or image that falsely inflates an architect’s qualifications.

Professional Specialization Claims

Statements about special skills that must be factually accurate and consensus-based.

Good Faith

Trust and honesty forming the foundation of architect–client relationships.

Prospective Client Presentation

Showing past work to explain services without offering free design labor.

Free Preliminary Sketches

Uncompensated drawings that are discouraged unless agreed upon with fees.

Agreement for Compensation

Formal contract outlining services and corresponding professional charges.

Scope of Services

Exact nature and extent of tasks the architect will perform for the client.

Professional Charges

Fees assessed for architectural services rendered.

Advising Against Impractical Projects

Duty to warn clients of financially or legally unsound proposals.

Conditional Estimates

Non-guaranteed cost projections subject to market and contractor proposals.

Guarantee of Cost

Promise of a fixed price, which architects must not provide on estimates.

Aesthetic Requirements

Client’s desired visual qualities integrated into the project design.

Functional Requirements

Operational needs a building must satisfy for users and activities.

Basic Minimum Fee

Lowest professional fee allowed under the Standards of Professional Practice.

Standards of Professional Practice

Official document prescribing methods and minimum fees for architectural work.

Fixed Contract Sum Agreement

Construction contract where total price is predetermined and fixed.

Construction Services

Architect’s tasks related to executing and supervising building work.

Comprehensive Services

Integrated package covering design through construction and post-occupancy.

Design-Build Services

Arrangement where architect provides both design and construction under one contract.

Sole Professional Fee

Rule that architect’s remuneration comes only from the client, not third parties.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Requirement to inform clients of any personal or financial ties affecting advice.

Arbitration Clause

Contract provision naming arbitration as the method to resolve disputes.

Contract Documents

Drawings, specifications, and conditions forming the legal basis of construction.

Certificate of Payment

Document the architect issues confirming work progress for contractor billing.

Final Certificate of Completion

Architect’s certification that the project meets contract requirements in totality.

Technical Services from Manufacturers

Engineering aid offered by suppliers that may create client-detrimental obligations.

Market Discounts

Price reductions on materials which must be credited to the client.

Reciprocity Concern

Risk that accepting gifts may bias the architect’s professional judgment.

Professional Reputation

Public perception of an architect’s competence and ethical conduct.

Compensation for Services

Payment an architect must receive except in small civic or charity projects.

Architectural Competition Code

UAP rules governing fair conduct of design competitions.

Unauthorized Competition

Seeking work solely by lowering fees or giving donations to gain advantage.

Previous Commission Respect

Ethical requirement not to pursue projects already awarded to another architect.

Remodeling Notifications

Obligation to inform original architect before altering an existing design.

Historic Architectural Heritage

Rare historic structures architects must strive to conserve when intervening.

Malicious Injury

Deliberate actions that falsely harm another architect’s practice or name.

Doubtful Enterprise Association

Linking with businesses of questionable integrity, which architects must avoid.

Signature and Seal Misuse

Affixing credentials to documents not produced under direct supervision.

Employee Loyalty

Fostering dedication through fair conditions and respect in the workplace.

Mentorship

Guiding young professionals in the duties and ideals of architecture.

Fellowship of the Profession

Unity and cooperation among architects for collective advancement.

Civic or Charity Projects

Community-oriented work where architects may waive fees within limits.

Professional Adviser

Architect who guides competition procedures without entering as a competitor.

Juror Conflict

Situation prohibiting architects from judging competitions they influenced.

Consulting Architect

Role allowing advice on a competition project without acting as principal designer.

Endorsing Construction Materials

Prohibited paid advertisement promoting specific products.

Public Communication Media

Channels like press or TV used to present factual architectural information.

Advertising Materials Solicitation

Seeking sponsors for publications of one’s work, which is disallowed.

Client’s Best Interest

Paramount consideration guiding all architectural advice and actions.

Contractor’s Financial Disadvantage

Unfair cost burdens architects must avoid imposing through document errors.

Subordinates’ Working Conditions

Standards architects must maintain for employees’ safety and well-being.

Adequate Compensation

Fair wages architects owe their staff for competent service.

Syllabus

Outline of topics forming the basis of licensure examination questions.

Licensure Examination

Professional test assessing competence to practice architecture in the Philippines.

Professional Regulation Commission

Government agency that oversees licensure boards and examinations.

Memorandum Circular No. 8 (1992)

PRC directive adopting syllabi for licensure subjects.

Resolution No. 265 (1993)

PRC policy reinforcing syllabus adoption for exams.

Memorandum Circular 93-03

1993 PRC circular further detailing examination syllabus use.

Memorandum Circular 93-04

Follow-up PRC memo on syllabi for professional boards.

Test Question Bank

Repository of exam items derived from approved syllabi.

Board of Architecture

Regulatory body formulating policies and examination content for architects.

Council of Deans of Architectural Schools

Advisory group consulted on educational content for licensure.

United Architects of the Philippines

Accredited professional organization representing Filipino architects.

Quasi-Legislative Power

Authority of the Board to issue rules like syllabi for licensure.

Official Gazette Publication

Formal means of enacting board resolutions after 15 days of notice.

R.A. 545

Law regulating the practice and licensure of architecture in the Philippines.

Certification and Registration

Process of officially recognizing qualified architects by the PRC.

Chairman (Jose Macario B. De Leon)

Head of the Board of Architecture who signed the 1995 resolution.

Associate Commissioner

PRC official assisting the commission chairman in regulatory matters.

Client Appropriation

Budget provided by a client to meet project requirements.

Technical Aid from Contractors

Assistance architects must not accept if it creates obligations or bias.

Unbiased Professional Opinion

Objective advice untainted by gifts or conflicting interests.

Professional Standing

Architect’s level of experience and reputation reflected in fee setting.

Professional Fee Commensurate

Compensation proportionate to work complexity and architect’s stature.

Aid, Gifts, or Favors

Items architects must refuse from contractors or suppliers to stay impartial.

Exchange of Technical Information

Mutually beneficial sharing with material suppliers without compromising ethics.

Client Compensation Only

Principle that architect’s income must come exclusively from the client.

Employing Business Outside Profession

Non-architectural ventures that must not impair professional impartiality.

Professional Consensus

Collective agreement validating specialization claims or standards.

Civic and Urban Affairs

Community initiatives where architects should offer constructive service.

General Amenities

Public conveniences and environmental qualities architects help enhance.

Safety Advancement

Architect’s duty to reduce hazards through design and planning.

Commission Loss Risk

Potential forfeiture of a job when advising clients against poor projects.

Construction Phase Inspection

Architect’s review of work stages to ensure contract compliance.

Rejecting Non-conforming Work

Architect’s obligation to refuse materials or workmanship that violate documents.

Personal Supervision Requirement

Need for direct oversight before signing and sealing documents.

Professional Competition Arrangements

Conditions governing fair architectural contests under UAP rules.

Employment Termination Confirmation

Proof that previous architect’s contract ended before taking over a project.

Public Knowledge of Architects Function

Educating society about the architect’s role through accurate information.