THE ARCHITECT

Evening Star, Issue 19760, 10 January 1928, Page 2

THE ARCHITECT

WHAT IS HIS BUSINESS? What is an architect? There is a consensus of opinion that the public (meaning all persons who are not architects or builders) do not understand the architect at all, and therein lie the trouble and vicissitudes incidental to the practice of architecture.

Is it a science, business, art, craft, profession, or what is it? The members of the profession are divided a menu themselves; some arc calling for statutory registration, for which a Hill is now before Parliament, while others are set against it. .Architects habitually assert that, among other things, architecture is a profession no less than medicine and law. - They defend their charges by comparing, those of the doctor and lawyer, and endeavor to prove that those of the architect are no larger when, actually, they arc very much smaller on the average, because the "fees 1 of the doctor and the lawyer are practically net, while those of the architect do not include payments for assistance’, supplies, and travelling expenses.

How can the public be expected to adjudge the propriety of a fee when that public has no standard by which to gauge it, and when there are so many charlatans competing for business by offering their services at reduced fees?

Like .any other art, business, or profession, the practice of architecture may be said to be a product of evolution. Its very diversification makes it difficult to formulate a satisfactory definition of the word “ architect.’’ There are many good definitions cf the “ideal” architect. The dictionary defines him as “ one who plans and designs buildings, and superintends their erection; a contriver nr maker.” Fergussou, writing in 1860, declared that “architecture is nothing more or less than the art of ornamental and ornamented construction.”

In the early times the architect was, no doubt, of two rather distinct types —the one a chief artisan or graduate craftsman, whose ambition or superior intelligence made him a leader of his fellows; the other an artist or dilettante, who, either as a professional or amateur, interposed between the chief artisan and his feudal lord or employer, (lie “owner.” These two characters, either of them more or less architects, have continued in varying states through all the ages ami even down to the present day; for we often find the prospective "builder, “the owner,” dealing directly with his contractor, expecting the latter to furnish such drawings as are necessary for the work, without recourse being'made to an architect.

Just prior to the Renaissance the “artist-architect” had almost uisappeared, and the “architect” v'as in the ascendancy. What artistic ability and aspiration existed dnriig that time was in the keeping of the monastic orders, which had, as we know, practically a monopoly of all book learning. Then came the Renaissance and the appropriation of the title “ arclj.tcct ” to the exclusive use of the man ol learning and artistic instincts, and the relegation of the master craftsman lo the .second place.

In tracing the evolution of the practice of architecture during the last 500 years wo see a considerable change in the relation between the'architect and the “ owner.” Gradually the function of the architect gained added importance. The owner began xo consider the architect more in the light of a building spy than a superintendent.

What is the attitude of the public towards an architect to-day? The public engaging the services of an architect for the first time appear to care little how the drawings are prepared so long as they obtain them cheaply. If it be a woman requiring a house built, and one of the kind who knows everything that is required, then she will inform the architect that she only requires rough sketches, as she can carry out the work herself. She understands painting and decoration, and the general construction will be carried out by the builder. A few years later the same woman will be heard to say: “I know the house isn’t just what it should be, although I had it all worked out exactly as I wanted it; but the architect simply spoilt it.” The functions of an architect comprise the evolving of a schematic problem, executing preliminary sketches,' preparing working drawings in detail, writing a specification of the materials to be used and the manner in which the work shall be carried out, drawing up a contract, giving advice on legal matters appertaining to building, superintending the work, arbitrating disputes pertaining to the building, ascertaining the amount of payments due to the builder from time to time and issuing certificates for the payments, and at the completion of the Work inspecting and adjusting the accounts of the builder before final pay-