Ethics and the Practice of Architecture

by Wasserman, Barry; Sullivan, Patrick J.; Palermo, Gregory

• ISBN13: 9780471298229
• ISBN10: 0471298220
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-03-07
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

From theory to practicea unique, well-rounded guide to ethics for todays architect How does an architect assist a community in evaluating alternative designs? Resolve a dispute with a contractor? Take into account a projects impact on the natural environment? When it comes to questions like these, making decisions about what ought to be doneor what is the "best" or "right" solutionrequires more than sound technical knowledge and strong design talent. It demands a solid understanding of the ethical issues that lie at the heart of architectural practice. Ethics and the Practice of Architecture offers a complete, broad-based introduction to this crucial subject. First, it examines basic ethical theories and their application to architecture, and discusses different ways of identifying ethical content in architecture. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, the second part of the book surveys different professional settings and building project processes that frequently hold ethical concerns, and charts the ethical mandates that arise from them. In the final section of the book, thirty case studies explore a wide range of ethical dilemmas encountered in architectural practice, with useful guidance on how to work through them effectively. Arranged by topics that span the key phases of a project from pre-design through post-occupancy evaluation, these case studies allow a detailed look at ethical concerns in real-life situations where multiple issues are often at stake. Providing a practical framework for the exploration of ethical issues in architecture today, Ethics and the Practice of Architecture is an excellent resource for present and future architects in all areas of the field.

Author Biography

BARRY WASSERMAN, FAIA, is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Architecture at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California, and heads his own architecture, urban design, and community facilitation firm. PATRICK SULLIVAN, FAIA, is a professor in the Department of Architecture at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California, and Principal of Patrick Sullivan Associates. GREGORY PALERMO, FAIA, is Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Architecture of the College of Design at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Introduction	1	(9)
PART I: AWARENESS	10	(94)
Introduction To Awareness	11	(11)
Engaging Ethics And Architecture	11	(4)
The Event That is Architecture	15	(1)
Relationships	15	(1)
Special Knowledge	15	(1)
Architectural Processes	16	(1)
Ethical Issues Embedded In Typical Architectural Practices	16	(4)
Arriving At Ethics	20	(1)
The Organization And Focus of Part I: Awareness	21	(1)
Some Basics About Ethics	22	(9)
Initial Comments On The Nature of Ethics	22	(2)
Definitions	24	(3)
Primary Questions	26	(1)
Philosophical Context	26	(1)
Ethical Reasoning	26	(1)
Texts and Discourse of Ethics	26	(1)
Roots Of Ethics	27	(2)
The Spectrum Of Ethics	29	(2)
Meta-ethics	29	(1)
Applied Ethics and Architecture	30	(1)
The Ethical Nature of Architecture	31	(17)
Architecture's Inherently Ethical Nature	31	(1)
Ethics And Architecture	32	(3)
Definitions Of Architecture	35	(3)
Assertions Of Architecture's Ethical Nature	38	(6)
An Architectural Example And Ethical Content	44	(4)
An Architectural Example	44	(3)
Ethical Content	47	(1)
A More In-Depth Look At Ethical Concepts	48	(22)
Introduction	48	(1)
Four Principal Ethical Theories	48	(17)
Action Based Upon Consequences: Teleology and Utility	49	(5)
Acting from Moral Rules or Principles: Deontology	54	(3)
Virtue: Excellence	57	(4)
Contract Theory	61	(4)
Other Views On Ethics	65	(5)
Religious Morality	66	(1)
Relativism	66	(1)
Ethical Egoism	66	(1)
Feminist Ethics	67	(1)
Continental Philosophy	68	(2)
Businesses, Professions, And Ethical Obligations	70	(9)
What Is A Profession?	70	(1)
Duty: Service and Trust	71	(1)
The Profession Of Architecture	71	(3)
Businesses, Professions, And Ethical Obligations	74	(5)
Architects and Business Ethics	75	(1)
Architects and Professional Ethics	75	(4)
Ethics And Architectural Practices	79	(14)
The Architecture/Ethics Nexus	79	(1)
Five Framing Lenses	80	(12)
The Lens of Architecture's Purposefulness and Social Benefit	80	(2)
The Lens of Material Production	82	(3)
The Lens of Aesthetics	85	(2)
The Lens of Architecture's Rhetoric and Ideologies	87	(3)
The Lens of Praxis	90	(2)
An Application Example	92	(1)
Ethical Reasoning	93	(11)
Overview And Process	93	(2)
A Case Example: Environmental Sustainability, Ethics, And Policies That Guide Architecture	95	(7)
Definition	96	(1)
Assessment	96	(2)
Speculation and #4 Deliberation	98	(4)
Resolution	102	(1)
Reflection	102	(2)
PART II: UNDERSTANDING	104	(74)
Introduction	105	(1)
Learning Objectives	105	(1)
A Closer Look At Being An Architect	106	(21)
A Selected History of the Profession: 1850-1909	106	(2)
The Process (Education/Internship/Licensure)	108	(3)
NCARB: Ethical Standards/State Laws	111	(2)
AIA: Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct	113	(4)
Alternative Roles	117	(3)
Professional Characteristics: Leadership	120	(2)
Character/Integrity/Honesty	122	(1)
Community Responsibilities	123	(2)
Professional Development	125	(2)
A Closer Look At Making Architecture	127	(32)
Overview	127	(1)
Design	128	(3)
Architecture Delivery Processes	131	(2)
Construction Delivery Options	133	(5)
Organization Issues	138	(4)
Management Responsibilities	142	(5)
Standard of Care	147	(2)
Risk Management	149	(2)
Employers/Employees	151	(4)
Consultants	155	(1)
The Changing Client	156	(3)
A Closer Look At Doing Architecture Ethically	159	(19)
Overview	159	(1)
Professional Roles, Activities, and Ethical Issues	160	(6)
Architectural Practice Phases; Societal and Professional Ethical Considerations	166	(12)
PART III: CHOICES	178	(80)
Introduction To Choices	179	(1)
Learning Objectives	179	(1)
Making Ethical Judgments	180	(4)
Process for Ethical Reasoning	180	(2)
Learning Settings	182	(1)
Learning Exercises	182	(2)
Case Studies	184	(74)
Case Studies Organization/Matrix	184	(74)
Personal Choices	186	(2)
Public Service	188	(2)
Cultural Diversity and the Public Architect	190	(4)
The Client's House	194	(1)
Rezoning	195	(2)
The Mayor and the School Board	197	(2)
The Neighbor's House	199	(3)
The Master-Plan Study	202	(3)
Building Codes and City Projects	205	(3)
The Elusive Client	208	(2)
Employee Rights	210	(2)
Two Clients/One Project	212	(2)
The Real-Estate-Investment Project	214	(2)
Adaptive Reuse/Historic Preservation	216	(2)
Life Safety	218	(2)
The Fee Proposal	220	(2)
The Joint Venture	222	(2)
The Cash-Flow Bind	224	(3)
The Competition	227	(4)
Design Integrity	231	(2)
The Client's Project Manager	233	(3)
The University Architect	236	(4)
Design/Build	240	(2)
Building-Material Choices	242	(2)
The Building-Code Official	244	(3)
The Public-Bid Opening	247	(2)
The Private-Bid Opening	249	(1)
Construction Observation	250	(2)
Post-Occupancy Evaluation	252	(2)
Right of Confidentiality and the Public Interest	254	(4)
Epilogue	258	(1)
Appendix I: NCARB Rules of Conduct: 1998	259	(10)
Appendix II: AIA Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct: 1997	269	(6)
Appendix III: Intern Development Program Competencies and Ethical Considerations	275	(10)
Appendix IV: Architectural-Practice-Organization, Services Delivery, and Ethical Considerations	285	(8)
Notes To The Text	293	(12)
Works Cited In The Notes	305	(4)
Works Recommended For Further Study	309	(4)
Additional Architectural References	313	(4)
Additional Information About The Photographs	317	(2)
Index	319