JHe Service or the Architect 
by Howard H a m m i t t 
T HERE seems to be a vague idea in the minds of many 
people as to the real functions of the architect, and exactly 
what service he renders in return for his fee. What he does in 
connection with the designing of a building is generally under¬ 
stood. It is common knowledge that in his preparation for the 
profession he trains his artistic talent to a high appreciation of 
form and proportion, makes an exhaustive study of the archi¬ 
tecture of the ages and masters the technique of mechanical draw¬ 
ing; that it is his duty to translate into the design of the building 
his best appreciation of the individuality of the owner and cause 
it to represent truly in form the purpose for which it is to be 
used. But few people without building experience realize the 
nature and extent of the work aside from the matter of design 
that the architect undertakes in connection with the adminis¬ 
tration and supervision of the building operation and bow it is 
possible for him to effect an actual saving of his client's funds 
if his work in this department is successful. 
In his initial interviews with prospective clients he often en¬ 
counters most interesting situations on this account and is 
obliged to correct many strange misconceptions in regard to his 
work and methods. For example, the proprietor of a public 
garage in a thriving New York suburb who is contemplating an 
addition to his building to double its capacity says, “The new 
building will be nothing more than four walls and a roof, and I 
would hardly need an architect for that.” A young matron about 
to establish her homestead says, “I could have my house built 
from this plan I cut out of the magazine. It is almost exactly 
what I want and I would not bother with an architect; but I 
want some changes in the rooms and I do not quite like the 
exterior." A leading Fifth avenue tailor who has decided to build 
a borne in a suburb says, “I know all about building. No con¬ 
tractor can get the better of me. All I want is a set of plans 
and specifications and I can take care of the rest. Now show 
me the best house I can build for $12,000.” Cases like these come 
every day to the architect dealing with prospective builders, and 
their frequence would seem to justify a brief explanation of 
architectural service in accordance with customary practice. 
In the ordinary job there are three distinct divisions of the 
architect’s work. These are: (1) the design, (2) the working- 
drawings, specifications and details, and (3) the administration 
and supervision of construction. 
The design is embodied in what are usually termed “pre¬ 
liminary sketches,” which show the general plan of the interior 
and the form of the exterior. These are drawn to scale, but are not 
made in sufficient detail and with the accuracy necessary in actual 
working drawings. In these sketches the architect works out in def¬ 
inite form his solution of the problem based on the suggestions and 
requirements of the client. They constitute the medium through 
which a definite understanding is obtained of the size, design and 
cost of the proposed building. Here his artistic talent is brought 
into play and his ability as a designer is determined. 
Before attempting this work he studies all those characteristics 
of his client that lie can discover having a bearing on the client’s 
home life. In this he must consider the whole family as a unit 
rather than the individual, if the house is to be equally successful 
for all. In the preliminary interviews he is ever alert for indi¬ 
cations of taste and preference for special features. He will go 
over carefully with the client plans of a number of houses he 
has built and discuss the relative cost and desirability of various 
building materials. He is glad to see photographs of other houses 
that strike the client’s fancy, as these assist him in determining 
just what is desired. A study of the proposed site is also neces¬ 
sary in order to design the building to harmonize with its 
surroundings. 
If the preliminary sketches as submitted are not entirely sat¬ 
isfactory they are changed or re-drawn until they represent ex¬ 
actly what the client wants and are acceptable in every respect. 
When these sketches are approved the first step is completed. 
1 he next step is to prepare the working drawings, or plans, and 
write the specifications. The plans show the form and size of 
every part of the building. They require very careful and accu¬ 
rate work and are usually made by draftsmen under the direct 
supervision of the architect. Every detail is worked out pre¬ 
cisely to scale and leaves no feature to the discretion of a work¬ 
man. All questions of engineering, such as bearing strength of 
beams and columns, the relation between roof pitch and the roof¬ 
ing materials to be used, proper layout of heating plant, plumb¬ 
ing, lighting and structural ventilation, must be considered and 
wisely cared for. 
The specifications designate the exact kind and quality of every 
material to be used and cover all details relative to the method 
of construction and progress of the work. They constitute the 
most important part of the contract with the builder. The judg¬ 
ment and experience of the architect is tested to the fullest extent 
in writing the specifications. In this alone he can often save 
the client many times the amount of his fee. The most appro¬ 
priate material must be selected in each case, not so good as to 
cause needless extravagance or so poor as to bring after regrets 
that too great economy was exercised. The specifications must 
be complete to the last detail and cover every feature of the work, 
for two important reasons. The first is that the builder is thus 
enabled to figure very precisely the actual cost of the work. 
Nothing is left to his judgment or imagination and he is not 
obliged to allow a margin for contingencies. He can, therefore, 
estimate closely and make the lowest possible bid for the work. 
The second reason is that complete specifications 'which anticipate 
and fully cover every feature of the construction work entirelv 
eliminate all extra charges. This enables the owner to place a 
definite limit on the cost, plan up to this limit and be assured 
that the amount of the contractor’s bid will cover his entire ex¬ 
penditure. To accomplish this requires most painstaking work on 
the part of the architect, but the result is sure to be of financial 
benefit to the client and save him much annoyance. 
With the plans and specifications completed the architect takes 
up the third feature of his work, the administration and super¬ 
vision of construction. He proceeds to obtain from builders bids 
for the work. He supplies blue prints of the plans and copies of 
the specifications for this purpose and his office is used as head¬ 
quarters. His judgment and experience are again of value to the 
client in selecting the contractor to whom the work is to be en¬ 
trusted. The integrity, financial responsibility, methods, prompt¬ 
ness, efficiency and general reputation of the various bidders are 
known to the architect and his advice in this matter is sure to be 
of value. It is frequently wise to give the job on a higher bid 
than the lowest when the qualifications of the bidders are 
considered. 
When the successful bidder is determined the architect acts as 
counsel for the owner and draws up all contracts between the 
owner and the builder. He is familiar with all points of law that 
apply to such contracts and no further legal advice is necessary 
for the owner to enjoy full protection of his interests. 
Before excavation is begun it is customary for the architect to 
stake out the exact site of the building, taking advantage of the 
(Continued on page 63) 
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