4 HSW Credit Hours

This course will explore the Architect’s role in the process of delivering the Built Environment. Traditionally, the Architect has been considered the “Lead Professional” responsible for the overall design and coordination of the project. But as building systems have become more complex and other professionals offer overlapping services, the status of “Lead Professional” has become increasingly more difficult to maintain. One new mode of delivery – design-build, has had a significant impact on the role of the Architect. The Contractor, who is responsible for building the project, has increasingly become more influential in shaping the project’s design. Clients have turned to the contractor to “value engineer” the Architect’s proposed solution. Other professionals are also eroding the Architect’s position, offering valuable knowledge of the market and special skills in areas like project feasibility analysis. The profession is being tested and Architects will need to understand the challenge to their role and be ready to respond.