Any architects out there?

[Mandy21]

My parents are having a few issues with a neighbour's proposed extension and it seems to be down to a mistake made by the architect - the plans were submitted (and approved) on the basis that there would be no change to the roof height / ridge height of the property, and in fact it is 70cm higher than the old roof (and it makes a big different to the view from my parents' house). Neighbours say it was all down to the architect. Plans have had to be re-submitted (once my parents and other neighbours complained) but the building works are more or less complete now.

Doesn't 70cm seem like a very big mistake?! The architect signs himself off as "Architectural Technologist ONC, HNC". Is this a professional architect's qualification? Any comments welcome!

No technical advice, but fwiw my parents' neighbours tried this trick years ago. They were made to rebuild.

This person is not an architect; he is an architectural technician. Architects are chartered and members of the RIBA - you need the right qualifications to get in. It is a professional body. That is why technicians are cheaper - they do not supervise building works like an architect does, and spend a lot less time training. The qualifications you mention are technicians qualifications. Architects have a degree which is equivalent to a Master's degree and a Post Qualification Certificate in Architectural Practice (PQCAP). And loads of professional insurance for when it all goes wrong .

Rhubarbgarden Thats the point - I think it all sounds a little bit suspicious - if the error hadn't have been made, I don't think the plans would have been approved. My parents live abroad too for 3 months of the year and it just so happens that all of this work was done in that 3 month period! Had they been here, they'd have noticed the fact that the roof height was changing as soon as the work started. It all points to the fact that everyone knew precisely what was happening and "an architect's mistake" seems to be a convenient excuse!

As it is now, I think the Council are worried about refusing planning permission since their planning officer apparently came out to see the extension and failed to notice that there had been a mistake on the plans submitted and the roof height was in fact increasing by 70cm. The owners have incurred a lot of expense too now (they were advised to stop building whilst the plans were re-submitted but they carried on and its almost finished now).

Dorothy - hmm, interesting that its just a technician.

Thank you for your replies.

It sounds to me like a mistake by the planning officer not the designer. It sometimes happens that whilst a drawing shows something - like a roof being level with an adjoining one - the dimensions do not agree. If the builder followed the dimension then it's easy to see what happened.

(Not that I have ever made an error like that) :)

Seven years training and education. Two degrees and RIBA Part 3. Further study and experience.

That's an Architect.

I endorse Dorothyredboots comments entirely however the designer has been honest in providing you with details of his qualifications and occupation i.e. architectural technolologist. Provided he did not refer to himself as an Architect then there is no problem.

Incidentally technologists / technicians are often very experienced and practical designers who are more than capable of this sort of project so I don't - unlike some members of my profession - "look down" on them. There is a fair degree of snobbery amongst some I'm afraid.

Most people regard anyone who designs buildings or extensions as " an architect"; probably with some justification because we are not very good at promoting ourselves. But our title is protected by law even if the function is not.

I hope the situation can be resolved without too much pain.

If hiring a Technologist look for them being a member of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists.

My Dad, a Technician, used to say Architects make it pretty, Technicians make it stand up.

Planners on the other hand are often geography graduates (that's my prejudice/bugbear). It is worryingly common for the Planning Officer not to understand the submitted drawings.

Clients have to be factored in too. It's fairly common for the Permissions to be put through by a professional, then the client goes and finds their own builder to save paying for project management. And asks for all sorts of changes on site...