RKGS 6100 VALUES ETHIC IN THE BUILT

ENVIRONMENT
Architect Code of Conduct
By Nadrahtul Aiman Binti Sufian

Professional architect should..

[1] Not misrepresent himself or herself (Taken from the Registered Architects Rules
2006, part 3)
A Registered Architect must not represent or promote himself or herself, his or her
business, or his or her professional services in a false, fraudulent, misleading, or
deceptive manner.

[2] Not create Conflict of interest (Taken from the Registered Architects Rules 2006, part
3)
A Registered Architect must disclose to clients, owners, or contractors significant
circumstances known to the Registered Architect that could be construed as creating a
conflict of interest. The Registered Architect must ensure that the conflict does not litigation
concerning the work that is the subject of the opinion.

A Professional Architect, while practicing his profession, shall not

carry on or engage in any trade or business which is inconsistent with the fitting
and proper discharge of his professional duties; or hold, assume or consciously accept
a position in any trade or business in which his interest is in conflict with his professional
duty, unless he has declared his interest to his clients in writing. (Taken from Architect Code
of Conduct, Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia)

Based on code of practice above:

Doing business is good and its part of the Sunnah. It is very fundamental. Even
the prophet was a businessman before he becomes

a prophet. Prophet

Muhammad PBUH very encourage us in doing business in an appropriate way.

In doing business, stay away from bribery and taking advantage of your position;
do not misuse your position. Do not deal with fraud and be transparent. Be fair in
all your dealings

The prophet said that: he who cheats us (Ummah) does not belong to us
As a Muslim, try to view work as a kind of worship, as it should be. Try to see
work as a form of Jihad. Work/Business will be transformed into a source of
motivation, satisfaction, self-confidence, pleasure & joyfulness.

Professional architect should..

[3] Uphold the law (Taken from the Registered Architects Rules 2006, part 3)
A Registered Architect must abide by the professional codes of ethics and
conduct
and laws in force in the countries or jurisdictions in which he or she provides
professional services. Standards related to the client.

For example, In preparing designs architect must follow building codes, zoning
law, fire regulation and other ordinances such as those requiring easy access by
people with disability.

Allah says: oh you who believe! Fulfill (your) obligations Surah Al- Maidah : 1

Based on code of practice above:

A Muslim is not to break or violate oath or promises. He will not be a true faithful
Muslim if he does so. Abide by the rules and regulations of work so long as they do not
contravene the rules and laws of Allah. Prophet Muhammad PBUH said : there is no
obedience for any man in disobeying the Creator

Other than that, Islam very emphasize on following the rules regardless what
profession we entered, for example time . Islam very stress on time, in a working
world, one must organize all the work so there is no waste of time as well as come to
work on time.

In Quran Said :
by time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done
righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to truth and
advised each other to patience surah Al Asr

In Quran verses above, Islam insists that we should use our time wisely and indirectly
it relates to working ethics in Islam.

Professional architect should..

[4] Protect the health, safety & welfare of others
The architect responsibility for health, safety and welfare of others make the
practice of architecture inherently ethical, in profession that encounter ethical
dilemmas almost continuously in the course of designing and constructing the
building.

According to Musofir,Ali (2012) most building are constructed poorly without

considering human safety and security. As a result the quality of life is impacted
in term of physical and mental health, social life, education and economic
development

Building must be safe, useful, economical, must suit the needs of people who
use them, a professional architect must consider all of this. A good grasp of ethic
also enable architect to have greater success in meeting the needs and
expectation of communities, client, co workers, consultant, contractors, and the
whole range people involve in and affected by architecture.

Based on code of practice above:

As a general rule,the Muslim should not harm other people. Ubaida Ibn As-Samid
reported: The messenger of Allah, PBUH, issued a decree: do not cause harm
and return harm

We should be particularly careful to protect those within our own community, but
the principle is not restricted only to Muslim. Rather, it applies to all humanity
and even animals.

Protecting people from harm is a virtuous deed in Islam, such that it can be a
means of great reward in the hereafter. Even a simple act such removing thorn
from the road is a good deed that leads to paradise. We have to be sure we treat
people well, refrain from harming them, and take steps to guarantee harm is
reduced from the environment and other people.

Professional architect should..

[5] Act with honesty and fairness
A Registered Architect must pursue his or her professional activities with
honesty and
fairness. (Taken from the Registered Architects Rules 2006, part 3)

Honest interplay is the only way to establish trusting relationship with co-workers
and clients. The Prophet always practice honesty while doing business. Honesty in
all business transactions is emphasized and the prophet Muhammad exhorts
Muslimd to be scrupulously honest in all dealings.

Honesty can be defined by producing imaginative and innovative design by

selecting the right material, energy efficient design , etc. and it doesnt have to be
technologically advanced.

Be honest and truthful, these are the qualities and architect should develop and
practice, it has a self-reinforcing effect. To produce an honest work, an architect
must have passion and energy .

Based on code of practice above:

Islam orders Muslim to be honest to himself and others. This order frequently
comes in noble Quran and the saying of Prophet Muhammad PBUH. As an
architect, we need to be honest, internally and externally, confidentially and
publicly, whether observed by people or not, whether we act or speaks. This
overall honestly makes us certain of our behavior, our words and action. Honesty
makes the person feel that he trusts others and is trusted by others

An adulterer will not commit adultery when he has full faith (in Allah), and a
thief will not steal when he has full faith (in Allah)

Professional architect should..

[6]A Professional Architect shall maintain a professional standard of service
and competence in areas relevant to his professional work by continually
upgrading his professional knowledge and skill. (Taken from Architect Code
of Conduct, Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia)

A Professional Architect shall ensure that his employees are competent and
adequately supervised to perform the task to the standard normally expected and
accepted by the profession, and shall not by misrepresentation, fraud or deceit
undermine the confidence of persons dealing with the Professional Architect or his
employees

Based on the architect code of practice above:

It emphasizes on how important of an architect to upgrade the skills and seek for
new knowledge. Islam emphasizes on how significant knowledge is, and how vital for
us to seek for knowledge. Strive to increase your knowledge, whether it be religious
or academic knowledge. To be an architect , they need to have the capability to
analyze and synthesize the project brief and context, consider design options and
subject them to critical appraisal , so as to produce a coherent as well resolved
design solution which require good analytical skills as well as good knowledge to
solve the problem.

In addition, the value of architecture is not restricted to technical knowledge. Rather,

it also requires cultural and ethical knowledge
Whoever seeks knowledge and assist other people to learn will get unaccountable
rewards from Allah SWT. Allah SWT will grant him high rank in this world and the
hereafter.

Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have been granted
knowledge to high rank Quran 58:11

Reference
Calancy, J . (2012) truth and honesty in architecture
Hadith from http://theislamicworkplace.com retrieved 10 October 2016
Musofer , Ali (2013) Culture, ethic & architecture
Architect Code of Conduct retrieved from
http://www.lam.gov.my/index.php/code-of-conduct/architects.html
Registered Architect Rules 2006 from
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2006/0161/latest/DLM388426.ht
ml retrieved 5 October 2016