Chapter 1.3 Professional Conduct and Ethics

Flashcards on key vocabulary terms related to professional conduct and ethics in architecture.

Code

A set of rules or systematic collection of statutes or body of laws arranged to avoid inconsistency and overlap; standard of moral behavior.

Complaint

Formal written accusation or statement of grievance.

Discipline

Order maintained among members of a profession; control exercised over members of an organization; chastisement.

Ethics

Moral principles upon which rules of conduct are based.

Architectural Practice

Distinguishes professional practice from a business through higher standards of responsibility to the public, meeting standards of professionalism, integrity, and competence, and abiding by codes of conduct and ethics.

Ethics

Regulations which govern professional actions in the field (codes of conduct) and the principles which guide actions (codes of ethics).

Hippocratic Oath

A first iteration of establishing professional ethics.

Code of Conduct (Hippocratic Oath)

Do no harm; maintain patient/client confidentiality; pass this knowledge on to the next generation.

Architects Responsibilities

Responsibilities to the public and to the environment, to clients (integrity, confidentiality and impartiality), to fellow professionals, and to the next generation through internship, mentoring, and the transfer of the body of knowledge.

Taking an Oath

A promise to uphold the profession’s standards of conduct through adherence to an architects act and its regulations and bylaws.

Jurisdictional Authorities

Rules about competence and ethical conduct consolidated into a discrete publication for easy reference and understanding.

International Union of Architects (UIA)

Developed recommended guidelines for international standards of professionalism in architectural practice, focusing on ethics and conduct.

General Obligations

Requirements to achieve and maintain competency.

Obligations to the Public

Requirements to ensure that professional affairs respect social standards and the environment.

Obligations to the Client

Requirements to ensure proper professional service and judgement.

Obligations to the Profession

Requirements to uphold and respect the dignity of the profession.

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)

Sets standards, including standards of professional conduct for architects.

NCARB Model Rules of Conduct

Competence, conflict of interest, full disclosure, compliance with laws, and signing and sealing documents.

American Institute of Architects (AIA) Code of Ethics

Canons (broad principles), ethical standards (specific goals), and rules of conduct (rules arising from the canons and ethical Standards).

Codes of Conduct in Architectural Practice

Evolve and adjust to changing societal standards and expectations.

Provincial or Territorial Legislatures

Permit the profession to be self-governing.

Provincial or Territorial Associations of Architecture

Undertake the creation and administration of bylaws, codes of ethics and professional conduct.

Provincial or Territorial Architects Act Authority

Set eligibility criteria for becoming an architect, set conduct regulations, require continuing education, investigate misconduct allegations, and administer disciplinary action.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

May be reprimanded or fined, or have their license temporarily suspended or permanently revoked.

Ethical Regulations or Codes of Ethics

Rules that assist in maintaining the public trust in the integrity of the profession.

Regulations Regarding Competency

Rules that ensure the proper provision of architectural services to the public.

Administrative Rules and Regulations

Rules that assist in the efficient operation of the provincial or territorial association.

Rules of Conduct

Regulate the way an architect relates to others, based on moral customs.

Provincial and Territorial Associations of Architects

Established procedures for addressing complaints and administering disciplinary procedures.

Publication of Disciplinary Actions

Reinforces the prevailing ethical standard, demonstrates the profession's mandate, deters unprofessional conduct, and provides continuing education.

Common Contravention of Professional Conduct

Failure to comply with annual continuing professional development requirements.

Codes of Conduct and Responsibilities

Evolve and adjust to changing societal standards and expectations.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Growing expectations on the part of citizens’ groups and consumers for corporations to act beyond the bottom line into a larger arena of ethical action.

Social Clauses

Focused on labor, support for local social enterprises, and access issues; may also consider the supply chain of materials.

Social Procurement Aim

Goal is to encourage fair competition and provide better value for money, focusing on quality criteria, as well as the innovative nature of the offers.