ARB removes Scottish architect from the Register and warns architects to ensure that they properly supervise all undertaking architectural work in their firms

ARB removes Scottish architect from the Register and warns architects to ensure that they properly supervise all undertaking architectural work in their firms (04/10/2006)

At a Hearing of the Architects Registration Board’s Professional Conduct Committee in Glasgow on 28 September 2006, architect William Duncan Paterson of Stuart Duncan Partnership, Glasgow G11 7EJ was erased from the Register of Architects.

The architectural work in this case concerned a residential property in North Ayrshire and was carried out by Mr Paterson’s partner, Mr W Jamieson, who is not an architect. The Stuart Duncan Partnership held itself out as ‘architects’ on its notepaper and Mr Paterson, as the only architect within the firm, should have supervised the work.

However, at no time did the clients see Mr Paterson, who admitted that he had no knowledge of the project. The Professional Conduct Committee heard that the work was done badly, it wasn’t completed and that this has resulted not only in distress to the client, but also additional expense and problems that are connected with bad building work.

Mr Paterson pleaded guilty to all four charges of unacceptable professional conduct, namely that:

• he failed to exercise adequate supervision of an employee and the architectural work of the practice

• he failed to record the terms of his contract in writing

• he acted in a situation which gave rise to a conflict or a potential conflict of interest, and

• he offered a service which combined consulting services with contracting services without informing the client that he could no longer act independently as an architect.

The Chairman of the Professional Conduct Committee, Peter Verdin, indicated that the failure to supervise the work was regarded as the most serious of the charges. The architect had been guilty of a clear abdication of responsibility. The Committee also felt that the case highlighted the potential dangers of acting as both consultant and contractor.

ARB will continue to keep a vigilant eye on all who hold themselves out as architects to ensure that they are registered. It will also continue to ensure that all architects adhere to professional standards of conduct and practice.