 14.02.2005 - Position of Architect in the Construction Process
In the ancient times there was no clear division between the roles of Architect and Builder. In the course of time, however, the construction process was becoming more and more complex and therefore more specialized. Architects and builders have become separate professions.
Until the late eighties in Poland the Communist State remained the sole big investor. The inadequate economy resulted in devastation of space of our towns and villages. Since the wind of political change began to blow for the Eastern Europe, many architects naively believed that the creation time had come.
And yet, it soon appeared, that they would have to face the new challenges which their western colleagues since long had to encounter.
Real Estate development and building construction industry were among the first sectors of Polish economy to privatize. Architects had to meet new criteria and broaden the scope of their responsibility. Money was the key issue. Alas, only very few were really prepared to play the role of architect in the western meaning of the word.
No wonder, the foreign investors have been conservative to fully trust Polish architects. They would rather trust the general contractors. Therefore design and build scenarions have become increasingly popular in regard to larger schemes.
In the best interest of the parties, the positions of Owner, Architect and Contractor should remain properly balanced in the process. Even though they have the same goal, to complete the project, their particular interests are often far apart. |
