Diversified Architectural Experience

There has been so much talk with regards to the requirement for diversified architectural experience before one can take the board exams.

At present, the two years diversified experience is counted AFTER graduating from college, meaning five years (or more?) of BS Architecture and another two years of work training. This requirement is as per the IRR of RA 9266 which defines "diversified architectural experience" as a POST-baccalaureate, pre-licensure experience of two (2) years required of a graduate of architecture prior to taking the licensure examination; consisting of a variation of experiences in the different phases of architectural service.

Sec. 13 of RA9266 provides the qualifications of applicant for examination. Paragraph (c) states that "he/she is a holder of a degree of Bachelor of Science in Architecture conferred by a school, college, cademy or institute, duly recognized and /or accredited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and IN ADDITION has a specific record of at least two (2) years or equivalent of diversified architectural experience duly certified by a registered/licensed architect; Provided, however, that an applicant holding a Master's Degree in Architecture from a school, college, university, or institute recognized by the government shall be credited one (1) year in his/her practical experience." (Note: the law did not define diversified architectural experience)

The IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulations) of RA 9266 was promulgated by the Board of Architecture in Resolution No.2 Series of 2004 under then BOA Chair Ar. Eugene Gan and members Ar. Fernando Santos and Ar. Miguel Caluza.

This is in accordance with Sec. 41 of RA 9266 Final Provisions: Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within 60 days after the effectivity of this Act, the Board, subject to the approval of the Commission and in coordination with the integrated and accredited professional organization shall adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations, Code f Ethical Conduct and Standards of Professional Practice, to carry out the provisions of this Act and which shall be effective fifteen (15)days following their publication oin the Official Gazette or in two major daily newspaper of national circulation."

Generally, rules and regulations are imperative because Congress cannot conceivably provide all necessary details in the enforcement of a particular law. Note that the IRR is just an administrative act to interpret the law which is RA9266 and since the construction of a statute by those administering it is not binding on their successors, the BOA can revoke the IRR and formulate a new one in accord with Sec. 41 of RA9266 (note italics in red).

The question now is whether the two years diversified experience is to be counted after graduation or can start counting the moment the applicant starts getting work training even during college.

What is your interpretation of the phrase "IN ADDITION" of Sec. 14 of RA9266?

Please post your comments.

TAO Pilipinas' YP Design Challenge

TAO Pilipinas is very pleased to inform evrybody about the launch of the YP Design Challenge, a design ideas competition for young professionals and students that aims to generate ideas and design solutions for sustainable community development in urban poor settlements.

The YP Design Challenge is comprised of three design challenges, working around themes of sustainable community development. Each category has its own set of competition guidelines, judging criteria and prizes. Participants may choose to join in any or all of the following design challenge categories:
Design Challenge 1: Sustainable Shelter
Design Challenge 2: Trash Transformation
Design Challenge 3: Portable Playground

For partners in the academe, TAO Pilipinas is encouraging architecture/id, planning and engineering schools in Metro Manila to consider the design challenges in this competition as student design plate/project requirements for a semester. The competition is seen as a vehicle for the students to directly deal with sustainability issues in their academic design assignments and offers design educators an opportunity to orient and guide the students on important ideas on sustainability in their design studios.

The YP Design Challenge Launch will be on June 06, 2008 (Friday) at ISO-Ateneo (1:30pm). During the launch, the competition rules and guidelines will be introdced as well as its website, www.ypdesignchallenge.tao-pilipinas.org. (This website can already be accessed for more information about the competition.)