FAMOUS INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTS

WELL KNOWN ARCHITECTS INTERNATIONALLY
The biographies of most of the renowned Architects, almost all are of the Modern Movement, are given below:

 Adolf Loos
Albert Kahn
Aldo Rossi
Alvar Aalto
Alvaro Siza
Antonio Gaudi
Carlo Scarpa
Eliel Saarinen
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Owen Gehry
Fumihiko Maki
Gottfried Boehm
Henry Hobson Richardson
Charles Ormond Eames
Christopher Wren
Ieoh Ming Pei
James Stirling
Kenzo Tange
Kevin Roche

Le Corbusier
Louis Henry Sullivan
Louis Isadore Kahn
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Luis Barragan
Marcel Breuer
Mario Botta
Michael Graves
Oscar Niemeyer
Paolo Soleri
Renzo Piano
Richard Meier
Robert Venturi
Tadao Ando

Also Read about:
at No comments:

ARCHITECT | STAGES OF PAYMENT

The Architect shall be paid Professional fees in the following Stages, consistent with the work done:

 CLIENTS BRIEF:
On appointment and signing of Agreement: Rs 20,000/- or 5% of total fees payable, adjustable at the last stage, based on the Rough estimate of cost.

 CONCEPT DESIGN:
On submitting Conceptual designs and Rough estimate: 10% of total fees payable, based on the Rough estimate of Cost.

PRELIMINARY DRAWINGS :
On submitting the required Preliminary Scheme for the Client’s approval along with the Preliminary Estimate of cost : 20% of total fees payable, less payment already made, based on Preliminary estimate of cost

 DRAWINGS FOR CLIENTS / STATUTORY APPROVALS:
On incorporating Clients suggestions and submitting drawings for approval from the Client/Statutory Bodies: 35% of total fees payable, less payment already made, based on Preliminary estimate of cost.

 WORKING DRAWINGS AND TENDER DOCUMENTS :
On preparation of working drawings, specifications, schedule of quantities, estimate, and tender documents: 45% of total fees payable, less payment already made, based on Preliminary estimate of cost.

 APPOINTMENT OF CONTRACTORS :
On inviting, receiving and analyzing tenders and advising the Client on appointment of Contractors: 55% of the total fees payable, less payment already made, based on accepted Tender cost.


 CONSTRUCTION:
On submitting Working Drawings and details required for commencement of Work at site: 65% of total fees payable, less payment already made, based on accepted Tender cost.

 On completion of 20% of work at site: 70% of total fees payable, less payment already made, based on accepted Tender cost.

 On completion of 40% of work at site: 75% of total fees payable, less payment already made, based on accepted Tender cost.

 On completion of 60% of work at site: 80% of total fees payable, less payment already made, based on accepted Tender cost.

 On completion of 80% of work at site: 85% of total fees payable, less payment already made, based on accepted Tender cost.

 On Virtual Completion of work at site: 90% of total fees payable, less payment already made, based on accepted Tender cost.

COMPLETION :
On submitting Completion Report and drawings for the project required in obtaining Completion / Occupation Certificate from Statutory Authorities and on issue of as-built drawings: 100% of total fees payable, less Retainer & payment already made, based on Actual total cost.

 Also Read about:





at No comments:

SELECTING AN ARCHITECT

Building a house is an important event in everyone's life. You may be unsure about how the design of your house should be, how to choose the right materials and how to use the available space wisely. A professional Architect can help answer those questions for you and can guide you through the design and construction process.
  • He will design your house with minimum wastage of space and with proper flow and utilization of spaces.
  • He can save your money by helping you select the materials which are suitable to your budget.
  • The Architect also helps you find a reputable Contractor and
  • He can coordinate with other Consultants so as to make the process of construction smooth and orderly, leaving you with not much to worry about.
So you can see that there are lots of benefits in hiring an Architect. However, to choose a good professional is not an easy task, especially if it is your first time.

 CHOOSING AN ARCHITECT-

 Choosing your Architect should be done with care. Your relationship will be a lengthy one involving big sums of money, and for most people possibly the biggest investment they will ever make. So it is important that you choose the right Architect, one you can trust. Here are some points to consider when choosing an Architect.

 REFERENCES

 As a starting point, you should consult your friends and acquaintances who have some experience in hiring Architects. They can give you some good advice about experienced and reputable Architects in your area. Try to make use of the services of an Architect who has most experience in Residential Architecture, as this is certainly a specialist field and an Architect in the Commercial field will not have the same finesse in the design of a house.

PROXIMITY TO YOUR SITE

As an experienced Architect myself, I highly recommend that you look for an Architect near your site, as it will definitely prompt him to visit your site more number of times. I personally rate Site Visits as more important than fancy detailed drawings, especially for house construction, since there are lots of decisions that can be made at site and any mistakes will be noticed earlier and can be corrected before it is too late.

 QUALIFICATION:
  • Make sure that he is a qualified Architect- registered with the Council of Architecture, India. Ask for his Registration Number. There are lots of people listed as Architects, who are not qualified Architects - many are civil engineers or Interior designers or draftsmen or people who have not completed the Architecture Course successfully.
  • When you hire an Architect, you want more than someone who has done a drawing course and who can prepare drawings. You want someone to advise you on all technical aspects and compliance with regulations. You want to benefit from an Architect's training and experience in problem solving and lateral thinking which enables them to see a new solution to a problem. 
  • You also want to make sure that the project is designed correctly from the start and as per your needs with creativity. Finally you need someone to supervise the job during construction and verify the Contractors bills by someone qualified to do that as well as carrying professional liability for their work, and not someone providing you with just plans.

EXPERIENCE:
  • And then of course, look for an experienced Architect as there are lots of things, like- the comfortable sizes of rooms, right proportion, efficient placement of fixtures in toilets, good arrangement of furniture in a room – that only an Architect who has had experience in real life will know. These things cannot be taught through education but are learned from mistakes and actual experience.
  • Ask for their portfolio so that you can see photos of projects they've completed. A good selection of photos is a good indication of an Architect's experience.
  • The next stage is to see a building they've completed, so you can see the quality of the finish.(It may not be possible for the Architect to take you inside the projects as people will be living there and it is an inconvenience to them.)
DOES HE LISTEN?

Try to establish whether he is going to listen to your needs. The only way for an Architect to get a project right is to listen closely to the Client's needs. If possible try and find someone who listens to your ideas and requirements with care and whom you can trust and feel comfortable with.

PERSONALITY

 The whole process of Building is stressful. Assess whether you will be able to work with the Architect on a personal level over a period of several months. It's a good idea to talk to more than one Architect before making up your mind. To have the best result, you should meet and interview at least 3 professionals If possible, you should also take references from some of their former Clients so that you can know more about them. The more information you have about the Architects, the better your choice will be.

NEGOTIATING FEES:
  • When you have selected an Architect, you should negotiate with him in advance about the fees charged. You can consult your friends or other experienced people about the fees charged on similar projects so that you will be more confident when negotiating.
  • You can request to fix a lump sum fees so that you do not have to worry about the fees increasing in case there is some variation in the total project cost, by the end of the construction. 
  • After all agreements have been made, you must keep the Contract and any relevant documents, safely for future references.
  • After you have hired an Architect, you should keep good communication with him. You have to make sure that he understands what you want and expect about the house. If there is something you don't understand during the process, ask him for a thorough explanation. Everything has to be thoroughly understood between you and your Architect because you have to work together for a long time.
Also Read about:
at No comments:

FIRST MEETING WITH THE ARCHITECT

After selecting an Architect (see 'Choosing an Architect'), it is advisable to be well prepared when you go for the first meeting with him, as it will enable the Architect to understand your requirements and ideas better. Here are a few tips on how to be well prepared before the first meeting:
PROJECT BRIEF -

 Ideally, formulate your project brief before meeting with your Architect.
  • Wish list: To formulate the Project Brief, first get all the decision makers together. Include everyone - husbands, wives or even children with an interest in the building. Write down your complete wish list.
  • Ideas: You should have some ideas about what you would like in your house. You can visit some finished houses or you can consult professional magazines, catalogs and architecture books to get ideas and to show the Architect what you like and dislike.
  • Budget:  You need to be very clear about your budget and any constraints that may exist.
  • Future:  Also you need to be clear about any future plans. This will enable the Architect to assess your project realistically and design for future expansion.
  • Priorities: Your initial brief should contain information regarding general priorities e.g. better natural light, more play room, the number and sizes of the rooms, the overall size and theme of the structure, features you would like to have and key functional or special inter-relationships of  spaces etc. This will make it easier for the Architect to understand what you have in mind.
  • Once the actual project begins, go back to your project brief at regular intervals. so as to not lose sight of your original goals (and budget).

REALISTIC ABOUT BUDGET:

 Be realistic and honest about your budget from the start. The relationship between you and your Architect should be one of mutual trust. If you are not clear or dishonest about your budget, it might only lengthen the design process to get to a viable solution, thus costing you more in Architects' fees or you might end up with a house design that is beyond your budget limits and a project that you may not be able to complete.


 STYLE OF THE HOUSE:
  • Try not to impress any specific style or theme according to the latest trends, for your house. These themes are often short lived in property markets and you might have difficulty or not get the best resale value when it comes to the selling of the house. A good style is one that is unique but has longevity and remains contemporary.
  • A good Architect will not try to enforce his own tastes in design, but instead try to get a good feel of your taste and guide you to a realistic building solution.
THE FIRST MEETING:
  • Professional credentials: When consulting your Architect for the first time, ask for professional credentials, recent references and project photos. There are lots of so called 'Architects' who are not even registered with the Council of Architecture (India) as they do not have a valid architectural degree or have not successfully completed the architectural degree or have been removed from the Register of Architects for professional misconduct.
  • Project brief: Have your project brief ready. Explain exactly what it is you want and don't hold back. If you have pictures or photographs of what you like and dislike, bring them as there will be less chance of misunderstandings. Pictures speak more than a 1000 words. It also helps the Architect to figure out whether they are feasible within the budget. No matter how good your project brief is, an experienced professional will pick up the details that you've and so be prepared for detailed questions about your project brief.
  • Open mind: The first session with the Architect will largely consist of discussion and questions about your requirements and ideas of you house and site and your priorities and preferences. During this session the Architect might present you with suggestions, ideas or solutions that might not sound pleasing to you at first, but might make sense later on in the planning stage. So try to keep an open mind.
  • Information: Find out as much as you can in the consultation phase about possible causes of over runs.
  • Good communication:  is necessary for a smooth project conclusion. If you feel the Architect will not listen to and respond to your concerns, explain what's going on and keep you updated, then it might not be a good idea to engage him for your project

NEGOTIATING FEES:
  • When negotiating fees with your Architect, you might have a choice to use only a part of his service or a 'full service'. If your budget does not allow the full services of the Architect, he might be willing to provide you with advice and ideas for a reduced fee. The services of an Architect are not rigid and most will be willing to taper services to suit you needs or budget.
  • However do not try to bargain too much with the Architect, as he might reduce the fees just to get the project, but later show less interest in your project or may not be very co-operative.
Also Read about:

at No comments:

ARCHITECT'S SCALE OF FEES

An Architect in India charges professional fees in accordance with the guidelines prescribed by the Council of Architecture (CoA), India. The CoA has fixed the Scale of charges depending on the type of Project and the complexity involved in its design. The fees are computed as a percentage of the Actual Cost of the project and indicate the minimum fees that an Architect must charge. However, nowadays many Architects agree to fix the fees as a lump-sum figure at the beginning itself. 

Here is the Scale of Charges for your reference:

 TYPE OF PROJECT
HOUSING
  • Individual / Independent House – 7.5% on the cost of works assigned.
  • Single Block Housing and Sites upto 0.5 hectares – 5.0% on the cost of works assigned.
  • Sites more than 0.5 hectares and upto 2.5 hectares – 3.5% on the cost of works assigned.
  • Sites more than 2.5 hectares and upto 5 hectares – 2.5% on the cost of works assigned.
  • Sites more than 5 hectares – 2.0% on the cost of works assigned.

ALL PROJECTS OTHER THAN HOUSING – 5.0% on the cost of works assigned.

REPETITION OF BUILDING IN SAME CAMPUS –  2.5% on the cost of works assigned.

REPETITION OF BUILDING ELSEWHERE –  3.5% on the cost of works assigned.

SITE DEVELOPMENT –  2.5% on the cost of works assigned.

ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION,RETROFITTING, ADDITIONS, ALTERATIONS -  7.5% on the cost of works assigned.

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE, SIGNAGE, GRAPHIC DESIGN – 7.5% on the cost of works assigned.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE – 7.5% on the cost of works assigned.

URBAN DESIGN – 1.0% on the cost of works assigned.

ADVISORY CONSULTANCY CHARGES
Rs 10,000/- per day for outstation project
Rs 4,000/- per day for local project.

Also Read about:
at No comments:

ARCHITECT'S PROFESSIONAL FEES IN INDIA

An Architect in India is paid Professional Fees in accordance with the stipulations laid down by the Council of Architecture (CoA), India. This has been briefly explained here.

MINIMUM SCALE OF CHARGES-
The Council of Architecture, India, has prescribed the mandatory minimum Scale of Professional Charges under the Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989, in order to make the Client fully aware of the fees chargeable by an Architect. In consideration of the Comprehensive Professional Services rendered by the Architect, he shall be paid professional fees for the following reasons:
  • The efforts involved in preparing designs,
  • The cost involved in making drawings and other documents,
  • The cost of supervision in terms of time of the Architect,
  • The fees paid to the different Consultants appointed by the Architect, and
  • Adequate compensation for responsibilities undertaken by the Architect.

FEE STRUCTURE
  • Percentage- The fees payable to the Architect shall be computed as a percentage ( see Scale of Charges) of the Actual Cost of the project works, as on completion. The Actual cost of the project shall be the actual cost of the completed building work as calculated on the accepted tenders, including the cost of Structural, Sanitary, Plumbing and Electrical work, Sanitary and Electrical fittings and fixtures, lifts, escalators and all items on which the Architect has rendered professional services, but shall exclude the cost of the Client’s site office, cost of land and cost of supervisory staff at the site.
  • Negotiating Fees- The percentage fees listed in the Scale of Charges is the minimum payable for the Architect’s services. However, depending on the complexity of the project, the Architect is free to quote higher fees. For works costing upto Rs 15 Lakhs, the professional fees may be negotiable between the Architect and the Client. For projects of social importance like social housing, slum upgradation etc, the Architect’s fees are negotiable between the Architect and Client.
  • Lump-Sum Fees - The fees can be made Lump-Sum Fees, if it is the intention and desire of the Architect and Client that the fees be frozen at the time of award of the Contract.
  • 'Only Design' Fees -Roughly speaking, an Architect's work is broken into 3 stages. The first stage is design and planning. The second stage is detailed working drawings, tender drawing and tendering. The third stage is construction administration and supervision. So if a Client wants only designs and planning only, the fee should be approximately one third of the full service fee.
  • If the Client wants only the design and working drawings necessary for his Contractor to construct (and does not require the Architect's supervision), then the fees will be approximately half of the full service fee.
  • Consultants' Fees - The Consultants appointed by the Architect shall be paid by him, and their fees shall be calculated in accordance with the Conditions of Engagement and Scale of Fees prescribed by their respective professional Institutions recognized by the Government of India.
Note:It is not advisable to bargain with the Architect to quote lesser fees and/or furnish partial or incomplete service as it will be detrimental to the project and not in the interest of the Client.

DEDUCTIONS
  • No deductions shall be made from the fees of the Architect on account of penalty, liquidated damages, part rates or other sums withheld from payment or recovered from the Contractor or Suppliers.
  • If an Architect's professional services are curtailed after the  preliminary drawings have been prepared by the Architect, the Client is obliged to pay at least 20% of the fee for the remaining stage(s) of the curtailed work / services.

SERVICE TAX
Any tax levied by law, such as Service Tax, etc shall be payable by the Client, over and above the gross fee charged by the Architect.

REIMBURSIBLE EXPENSES
In addition to the fee payable, the Client will reimburse the Architect towards actual expenses of the following:
  • Return air fare or first class A.C. train fare for any out-station visits made by the Architect or his professional staff and first class train fare for non-professional staff to the site or such other place, in connection with the execution of work and performance of duties referred to in the agreement.
  • Actual lodging and boarding and local transport costs.
  • Cost of Presentation Drawings, Perspectives, models, computer simulation etc., if required by the Client.
Also Read about:









at 1 comment:

LIST OF ARCHITECTS IN INDIA

When attempting any building project the appointment of an Architect, will without a doubt be the best investment you will make. The expertise of a good and skilled Architect will: free you from concern; provide you with value for money, give a creative vision towards the Project, save you a lot in construction cost and definitely increase the value of the proposed property, when it comes to the resale of it.

Choosing your Architect should be done with care as your relationship will be a lengthy one involving big sums of money. If possible try and find someone who listens to your ideas and requirements with care and whom you can trust and feel comfortable with.In addition, look for an Architect who works or lives near your house, or near the construction site as it will encourage the Architect to make more site visits. I believe one of the most important aspects of the services of an Architect, are the site visits he makes. A lot of important decisions and corrections are made at site, which ultimately will decide the final, finished building. In fact I rate site visits as more important than some fancy, extremely detailed drawings which the illiterate workers at site may not even be able to fathom.


 Click on the city you live in and then look for an Architect by keying in the pin code of the area in which your site is located.
AHMEDABAD
ANKOLA
AURANGABAD
BANGALORE
BELGAUM
BHOPAL
BHUBANESHWAR
MYSORE
NAGPUR
NASHIK
NOIDA
PANCHKULA
PATNA
PUNE
SANGLI
SECUNDERABAD
SOLAPUR
SURAT
THANE
TRIVANDRUM
VADODARA

Also Read about:
at 1 comment:

ARCHITECT'S SCOPE OF SERVICES

SERVICES RENDERED BY AN ARCHITECT IN INDIA: Once the Client has appointed an Architect, he can expect the following Services from an Architect in India.

CLIENT'S BRIEF:
  • Client's requirements: The Architect ascertains the Client’s requirements of the project, appearance, financial budget and time frame.
  • Site visit:  He visits the Site and examines the site constraints, potential and the surrounding environment.
  • Building codes: He examines the Codes, Legislation and standards as they affect the project.
  • Conditions of Engagement and Scale of Charges:  He acquaints the Client with the Conditions of Engagement and Scale of Charges as prescribed by the Council of Architecture.
  • Agreement: The Client engages the Architect and both effectively enter an agreement by signing a standard Letter of Appointment.

CONCEPT DESIGN
  • Site evaluation:  The Architect prepares a report on site evaluation, state of existing buildings, if any; and analysis and impact of proposed development on the immediate environment.
  • Site Survey:  He obtains from the Client or gets a detailed topographical survey of the site, prepared at the expense. This survey shall include all the necessary data related to the existing structure, existing public utility lines, trees, pavements, roads, restrictions, easements and boundaries.
  • Soil test:  He obtains from the Client or gets soil tests, site borings or such other tests on sub-soil conditions done at the Clients expense.
  • Conceptual design: He prepares conceptual designs to explain his understanding of the Client’s requirements.
  • Rough estimate: He prepares a rough estimate of the cost of the project on the basis of the area. Under no circumstance does the Architect guarantee such estimate of cost.

PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND DRAWING
  • Incorporate changes:  The Architect modifies the conceptual designs incorporating required changes.
  • Preliminary drawings: He prepares the preliminary drawings, sketches, study model etc., for the Client’s approval.
  • Estimate:  He prepares a preliminary estimate of cost on the basis of the area.
DRAWINGS FOR CLIENTS / STATUTORY APPROVALS
  • Incorporate more changes: The Architect incorporates any more suggestions of the Client.
  • Prepares sanction drawings: He then prepares drawings necessary for approval from the Client / statutory authorities.
  • Compliance with codes: He ensures compliance with codes, standards and legislation as applicable.
WORKING DRAWINGS AND TENDER DOCUMENTS
  • Consultants: The Architect involves Engineering Consultants like Structural, Electrical, Sanitary and Plumbing consultants in the project at this stage.
  • Provide Information: The Architect provides the Consultants with all the necessary information to allow them to perform their specialist work.
  • Working drawings:  He prepares Working Drawings, Specifications and Schedule of Quantities sufficient to prepare an Estimate of Cost (in consultation with his consultants).
  • Type of Contract:  He advises the Client and gets approval on the form of Contract and method of placing the Contract.
  • List of Contractors: He prepares a short list of suitable Contractors with appropriate justification.
  • Tender drawings: He prepares Tender drawings including large scale details and Tender documents including mode of measurement, method of payments, quality control procedures and other Conditions of Contract, to describe the whole project adequately for the purpose of placing the main Contract.


APPOINTMENT OF CONTRACTORS
  • Invite Tenders:  The Architect invites, receives and analyses Tenders.
  • Appointment of Contractor: He advises the Client on the appointment of the Contractor.
CONSTRUCTION
  • Construction drawings: The Architect prepares Construction Working Drawings, and details for the proper execution of works during construction.
  • Copies: He issues sufficient copies of working drawings, schedules, specifications, Bill of Quantities and other contract documents to the Contractors for the proper execution of works.
  • Works Progress Schedule:  He approves the Works Progress Schedule prepared by the Contractors.
  • Samples:  He approves samples of various elements and components.
  • Approves shop drawings: He checks and approves shop drawings submitted by the Contractors and Vendors
  • Site supervisor:  He advises the Client to appoint and pay a Construction Manager or Clerk of Works or Site Supervisor, (who shall work under the guidance of the Architect), for the day-to-day supervision at site, in order to ensure that the work at site proceeds in accordance with the contract documents and drawings.
  • Meetings: He attends conferences, meetings to ensure that the project proceeds generally in accordance with the conditions of contract.
  • Site visit:  He visits the site at intervals mutually agreed upon, to inspect and evaluate the construction work and keeps the client informed on the quality and progress of work. Where necessary, he clarifies any decision and offers interpretation of the drawings and specifications at site.
  • Quality check:  He shall ensure that the drawings are being correctly interpreted at site, and the finishing is of acceptable quality. In case of adverse certification, the payments of the Contractor shall be with-held until the defects have been rectified.
  • Advice: He advises the Client if the Contract time is likely to be varied, or if the total authorized expenditure is likely to be exceeded.
  • Checks bills:  The Architect checks the Contractors applications for payment (Bills) with the help of the site engineers and issues Certificates authorizing payment.
  • Certificate: He issues Certificate of Virtual Completion of works.
COMPLETION
  • Completion drawings: The Architect prepares and submits completion reports and drawings for the project as required.
  • Occupation certificate:  He assists the Client in obtaining Completion or Occupation Certificate from the Statutory Authorities wherever required.
  • As-built drawings:  He issues two sets of as-built drawings including services and structures.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ARCHITECT DURING CONSTRUCTION: The Architect’s responsibilities and services rendered at every Stage of the Project have been enumerated above. In addition, the Architect has some more responsibilities that should be mentioned:
  • Keep client informed:  The Architect shall keep the Client informed about the progress of work in his Office.
  • Appoint consultants: The Architect shall appoint specialized Consultants, in consultation with the Client, if necessary.
  • Co-ordination with consultants: The Architect shall be responsible for the direction and integration of the Consultants work. However, the Consultants shall be responsible for the calculations, detailed design and periodic inspection of the work entrusted to them.
  • No deviations from drawings: The Architect shall not make any deviations, alterations or omissions from the approved drawings, involving financial implications, without the prior consent of the Client.
  • No change without architect's approval: No change shall be made at site from the approved drawings and specifications, without the consent of the Architect.
Also Read about:
at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Featured Post

VAASTU SHASTRA GUIDELINES FOR DESIGNING A HOUSE

VAASTU SHASTRA FOR INTERIORS OF A HOUSE :  Vaastu Shastra lays down guidelines on the 'design of the Interior of a House'  so th...