Architect conducting Architect Duties and Additional Services on the job site.

Architect Duties and Additional Services

AD: Join the movement towards a more sustainable, food secure future with Food Forest Abundance today.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) contract document B101 outlines the responsibilities of the architect in a construction project. The document provides a comprehensive guide to the duties and additional services that an architect may provide to ensure the success of a construction project. The architect’s role in project completion is crucial and includes conducting inspections, issuing certificates of substantial and final completion, and ensuring the work complies with the contract documents. The B101 document also outlines additional services that the architect may provide, including programming, multiple preliminary designs, measured drawings, existing facilities surveys, site evaluation and planning, building information modeling, civil engineering, landscape design, architectural interior design, and many others. These services are listed with their descriptions, type, and corresponding AIA Document Reference (if applicable) in a table, providing a comprehensive overview of the services offered in the field of architecture.

Architect reviewing a submittals document.

Submittals: An Overview of Their Importance in Construction

AD: Join the movement towards a more sustainable, food secure future with Food Forest Abundance today.

Submittals are a staple of the construction process. They typically consist of product data, shop drawings, or physical samples that show the contractor’s detailed plans for what they plan to install and how they plan to do it. Submittals are typically prepared by subcontractors, vendors or suppliers, not always the contractor themselves. The purpose of submittal review by the architect is twofold: to finalize details of certain portions of the work that are beyond the scope of the design intent drawings and for the contractor to submit drawings to the architect, demonstrating their understanding of the contract documents. The submittal schedule is the first item covered in the section of the contract documents that deals with submittals. The architect’s responsibilities related to submittals are covered in the contract documents. It’s important for the contractor to include adequate time for review by the architect as well as their consultants, if applicable.

Construction mockup of pool.

Types and Purpose of Construction Mockups

Construction mockups are physical or virtual models of a building or structure that are used during the design and construction phases. These models are used to test the design, check the structural integrity, and validate the final product before the actual construction begins. This blog post discusses the different types of construction mockups such as Performance Mockup (PMU), Structural Mockup and Design Mockup. It also covers the purpose of these mockups and the contract documents that are relevant to them. By building a mockup, architects, engineers, and contractors can identify any potential issues before the actual construction begins, which can save time and money in the long run. This post will give you an understanding of the importance and benefits of construction mockups in the construction industry.

Architect on a construction site in a tropical environment

The Architect’s Role in Construction Observation

Construction observation is a critical part of the architectural process, as it ensures that a project is built according to the design and specifications provided by the architect. During construction, the architect’s primary role is to ensure that the project is built according to the design and specifications provided. This includes monitoring the work of the contractor to ensure that it meets the requirements outlined in the contract documents. Additionally, the architect is responsible for verifying that the contractor has the necessary performance and labor/material bonds, as well as acceptable insurance. In addition to the primary responsibilities outlined above, architects also have several other responsibilities during construction. This includes monitoring conformance to sustainability requirements, as well as verifying the issuance of a certificate of occupancy by the building official.

AD: Strategize your path to self-reliance in a Food Forest Consultation with experts from Food Forest Abundance.