Any architect , Architectural Institution or COA is welcome to comment on the data provided and discussion done on each of the points covered in this article. Back Ground After series of setbacks in three high courts and ultimately in Supreme Court against Civil Engineers rendering Architectural services Council of Architecture (COA) has Proposed Amendments to Architect Act 1972 If the proposed amendments to the Act are passed in the Parliament below discussed services will be completely in domain of architects . In view of this a reality check has been made against the claim of architects in major construction domains. (1) Submission and Reporting of Survey Reports It is well Known fact that Survey is undeniably field of engineers. The Revised Modern Survey of India was carried out under the leadership of a civil engineer- R.D Khosla. The entire survey work throughout India from smallest to largest irrigation projects is carried out by civil engineers. All the large government and public works project survey has been carried out and successfully executed by civil engineers. The private firms, institutions which carry out survey works are either owned or headed by civil engineers. The modern survey methods have been successfully introduced by civil engineers only. As per the data available to me there is not a single survey firm in India which is headed and run by an architect or any single architect whose main profession is surveying. Hence authority to submission and reporting of Surveying can not be claimed by architects. (2) Geotechnical investigation Reports Submission The Geotechnical subject is studied , researched and practiced by Civil engineers. 100 % of contribution to geotechnical engineering including Code Preparation , research , adoption of new techniques , analysis and design tools are developed , owned and executed by civil engineers. Currently Indian construction industry is following primary 124 Nos. IS codes. In none of this an architect is involved. None of the architectural institution has separate department , post graduation in geotechnical engineering . For example how can an architect comment and submit secant piles driven for double basement in urban area ? What knowledge has he got except to act as middle man. All the geotechnical service providing companies , laboratories either headed or run by civil engineers . None of such company , service provider is an architect. (3) Sanction Plans and Services Yes , in this domain architects are active and well versed in by- laws and rendering their services quiet diligently. Many times they have their own ways which civil engineers accept without much tussle. But architects are available in big cities only. District and taluk centres does not have architects. For this a mutual understanding between civil engineers and architects can be worked out. (4) Quantity survey and Estimation This can be done both by architects and civil engineers. Many times during project preparation stage entire data including type of foundation , size of structural members , below ground structural aspects are provided by civil engineers. 95% of construction work Specifications , nearly 100 % of Scheduled rates are prepared by civil engineers. In such a situation how can one claim exclusive rights. (5) Submission of Structural Calculations and Drawings through Architect. This is most dangerous risk architects want to take on themselves. Before going into details let one question be asked. By submitting the structural calculations does architect own the responsibility for any failures or show his fingers to the civil engineer, structural consultant . If not then why middle man is required. Further Details Sums up like this for a glance. Cement & concrete –144 IS codes. Fire safety –34 IS codes Structural safety –5 IS codes Special Structures- 12 IS codes Earth Quake Engineering – 12 IS codes Foundation Engineering – 124 IS codes Prefabrication- 14 IS codes Steel Structures – 111 IS codes No architect is involved in preparation of the above codes. The codes covering materials and other subjects is kept away from discussion. The subjects covered above are exclusively studied , researched and practiced by civil engineers. Civil engineers are actively engaged in development and adaptation of the above. No technical paper , research has been produced by any architect or seminars held by architectural bodies on the above subjects itself is the proof that they do not belong to this field. Also, The mix design has been done by civil engineers only. All the RMC plants either directly or indirectly run by civil engineers , all the design for complicated form work has been done and executed by civil engineers. The codes are being constantly revised incorporating newer analysis techniques, design methods and stringer provisions. Forth coming IS – 456 is proposing Concrete grades beyond M60 – how an architect can assure that ? When the newer seismic provisions provided in codes are proving to be nightmare to regular practicing structural consultants how can an architect never studied them can certify a building for safety and stability. (6) Design and Submission of PHE drawings Can any architect prepare PHE calculations by himself and prepare drawings , specifications for execution ? If not do not claim rights over them. (7) Tendering and Selection of Contractors This can be done both by civil engineers and architects- but caveat is that most of the specifications are written by civil engineers. (8) Selection of Supervisor and PMC after Architects approval PMC covers all aspects of construction. Therefore any PMC employs architects , civil engineers , electrical & HVAC engineers, fire fighting experts etc., How can an architect who is dependent so much on others can select and recommend a PMC. Who is preventing an architects to practice PMC services by employing experts in various fields as others are doing now. (9) Approval of construction methodology Why architect so knowledgeable is eager to APPROVE methodologies prepared by others. Let architects prepare themselves as they claim they are experts in it . (10 Billing and Certification of Contractors bills How an architect is superior to a civil engineer in this aspect has to be convinced by COA only. (11) Issue of Safety certificate By issuing the safety certificate does architect own the responsibility for any failures or show his fingers to other consultants . If not then why middle man is required. (12) Issue of completion certificates, etc., This can be anybody either architect or civil engineer whoever owns the responsibility of completing the project . The above are a few points which provides the role of architects and civil engineers . This is not against architects- as they belong to us. COA has real issues to fight along with civil engineers. COA has urgently to take up the issue of fake pseudoscientific Vastu experts wo riding architects in urban areas to hell. I have supported architects in my book ವಾಸ್ತು ಎಂಬ ವ್ಯಾಧಿ ( English Version : Vastu- Obsolete, Fraudulent and Discriminative. First generation architects have severe restriction for practice due to some charts in the COA. That shall be the main concentration which benefits architects. It is time for civil engineering associations to create complete data base of all individuals , companies , institutions. This is urgent need of the hour for further powerful presentation.