An architect responsible for failure/delay project ?

Delays/Cost over-runs could be due to several factors.

As this discussion is limited to Architects role- my views are:

> The Architect will not issue a single new drawing or change anything just because he fancies it. If the job is in construction stage, most probably the Architects team have moved on some other new project. So issuing "new" information for an "old" project is going to cost him money. He wont issue revisions unless he had done a mistake earlier.

> theres no point in penalising the Architect. The maximum P.I Cover he will usually  have will not be more than the extent of his fees

> Was there a Project Manager involved -before the Tender was called for? Did the PM do due diligence to make sue that the info was adequate to construct?

>If the Owner had appointed a PM to safeguard his interests, (instead of relying just on the Contractor and Architect), then its the PM and not the Architect responsible for the success or failure of the project.

Disagree with Mr. Anant Gupta, as an Architect I am also facing the same problem of changing the drawing on request of the client. Even after convencing on the final design they keep on discussing the design with their friends & relative And these friends & relatives gives idea to them without understanding of the main final design. Mainly Vastu related concepts raise  in this process. This is really a bad practice in India from Client side that after freezing the design they keep on changing design till the project ends. Secondly major role for the delay in project is from contractors side, they dont have proper resources, working with unskilled labours &  using traditional method of construction.  

I would post my dis-agreement with Mr.Anant Gupta.He is looking at one side of the coin and Mr.Nair is absolutely right and I would like to add some more reasons to his agrument.An architect has nothing to do who the contractor is and what his interest is.(if Architect is unbiased) Secondly an Ideal role of the Architect is in the benefit of the project(Not the Owner neither the Contractor).He has to do what is good for the project.Thirdly an Architect is generally dependent on the supplier and the specifications of the material (this is to be approved by the Client/Client representative.)Thus incomplete drawings. Freezing and following of plans and architectural drawings is purely Client's responsibility--thus changes are because of client.Delay in issuing of drawings is mainly because of the above reasons and most importantly payment issues.....Most Architect's are under paid,anyone can ask any architect in India about his payment terms with the client..Architects and associated consultants are taken for granted and paid less than what the invoice says....Still Clients and Contractors expect full co-operation from the consultants.Majority clients do not understand what Architecture is and what pains an Architect takes for designing a project( I am talking of large scale projects),in bringing up a project which will be fruitful for the client.Failure of project is purely not an Architect's responsibility...it the responsibility of one who prepares the feasibility report of the project(If its an Architect..then yes he/she/firm can be blamed for it)

You are right here.. The changes are more in the residential sector where as commercial sector can be well controlled. I have been associated with projects with more that 500 residential units many times, cane share with you some techniques we used to follow if you wish so. My personal id is sunleo6@yahoo.com.

Dear Mr. Acharya,

I have no differences in the team work. But when it comes to cost reimbursements with regard to changes, there goes the team work away. Clients and Consultants normally believe that such re-works can be carried out by the BOQ rates ( some times very old), where as the restricted work space constraints demands for extra ordinary arrangements and cost there by. Here it is very difficult to have a win-win situation. In some cases the clients delay decision on such payments and contractor goes ahead with good faith and finally have to compromise with whatever the client decides. Here money matters not the team work… An unbiased straight forward approach will genuinely solve the issues. I am not telling it is same everywhere but majority is like that

I think architects are integrated part of the project. Any delay or cost implications there upon may be in the interest of the project & as per wish of the client. Both engineer & architect combined is a team. Hence it is wrong to blame any part as expectedly both are ethically observe their profession

Agreed Mr.Sunil. But there are Companies that are proactive by spending time for analysis. I agree that Customers make frequent demands for change. In this era of customisation, we should have well-knit systems to take care of the FEASIBLE revisions without compromising QUALITY and that affect the attempts towards OPTIMIZATION.

The three situations that are attributed to be the lapses on the Architect’s part are potentially resolvable. Architects cannot be made fully responsible for the delay in implementing a Project and for the defects as well. All the three circumstances can be attached to a penalty clause and made legally enforceable with proper documentary support.  A proactive approach with a perfect planning and co-ordination will definitely help minimizing such lapses. Here is where a strong and sturdy Project Team works effective!