Safer to use a professional architect’s skills

THE Association of Consulting Architects Malaysia (ACAM) would like to remind the public of the importance of appointing registered and qualified persons or professionals when designing or renovating their homes and other types of buildings, to avoid problems with their properties during and after construction.

In many cases, property owners end up with unsafe buildings due to badly supervised construction work, poor workmanship, unsafe materials and an unstable structure and after directly appointing “designers”, workmen and contractors without certification from statutory bodies and the Construction Industry Development Board with the intention of saving money.

They also risk being fined for flouting provisions of the Street Drainage and Building Act 1974 and Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 with their numerous versions implemented by local authorities throughout different states.

According to association president Jafri Merican, unlike property developers who understand the construction approval process, many average Malaysians don’t seem to realise just how important it is to appoint a team of professional consultants headed by a fully qualified architect for their projects.

An architect is a rigorously trained professional who has the education, experience and vision to guide clients through the entire design and construction process. Architects have obtained university degrees, gone through various qualifying examinations and, more importantly, are regulated by the Board of Architects Malaysia based on the Architect’s Act 1967 before they are permitted to set up their practice. They help to work out exactly what the property owner wants to build, how to get it built and get the most out of their budget.

According to ACAM vice-president Bobby Low, the process of constructing a building is complicated. There are numerous building laws, planning and zoning laws and myriad Acts, enactments and regulations to comply with. In addition, various approvals must be obtained from local authorities before construction can begin.

According to immediate past president Jasmeet Sidhu, architects are creative individuals who are capable of seeing the big picture. They don’t just prepare drawings or sign plans for submission to the authorities, as many Malaysians tend to think.

Architects create total ambience and exciting spaces throughout the interiors and exteriors of buildings and homes while satisfying functional needs in each project they design.

Pointing out a pertinent point about the value of appointing architects, Jafri said a well-designed, strong, architectural- themed, award-winning house has a higher resale value, especially those that are energy efficient with green building ratings awarded by recognised certifying organisations. All these gains are well worth the professional fees.

ASSOCIATION OF CONSULTING ARCHITECTS MALAYSIA