Architecture Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Architecture - Article Example Architects should mix artistic designs in their work and scientific rationale and calculations to make their creations both attractive and functional. Any shortcomings between the two would cause major flaws in their profession as a whole and independent practice in particular. Because of the complicated nature of their profession, governments all over the world are regulating the architectural profession. Since any miscalculation and malpractice of architects may cause loss of lives and properties, legal codes should be implemented by the government for the regulation of the performance of their profession. Particularly in Canada, the national government has created an agency, such as the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Code, in overseeing and regulating this delicate profession. Regulation is a legal restriction implemented by government agencies by way of legislation. It attempts to "produce outcomes which might not otherwise occur, produce or prevent outcomes in different places to what might otherwise occur, or produce or prevent outcomes in different timescales than would otherwise occur (Regulation)." Based from the definition above, we can say that regulation aims to promote positive outcomes and/or prevent negative outcomes of the concerned organization or the specific group. Given this definition of regulation in the profession of architecture, I can say that the regulatory system in Ontario aims to protect the architectural profession more than the public. This does not mean, however, that the public is not addressed in the regulation policy or the rights of clients or the public is disregarded. Actually, the tone of the written policy is to protect architects, particularly the members of Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) [in Canada, every province has its own regulatory system regarding the architectural profession], from engaging into activities or situations where the image of architects will be tarnished. For example, the Provincial Government of Ontario has provided a law that will safeguard the rights of the architectural firm if the client prefers to backs out from the project. The government, under the Architects Act, require that the architect who accepts the project to write a registered letter to the architect that terminated stating that he has been engaged on the same building project for the same purpose by the same client (When a Client Changes Architects - Regulations Under the Architects Act)." This "courtesy turnover" letter actually aims to establish a professional relationship between the previous architect and the succeeding architect so that there will be a clear turnover of responsibility. As I see it, it is still the client and the public who will benefit from the regulatory system because there is a clear and unclogged communication line between the previous and the succeeding architects. Protecting the image of architects requires numerous and great responsibilities. These numerous responsibilities that architects should follow for their own protection seems to make architects in Ontario feel excessively regulated. In a news article from Ontario Building Officials Association, the Ontario Court of Justice will hear a matter concerning the arguments presented by the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) and