Architecture: An Art of Building, a Responsibility and a Design Process

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Architecture: An Art of Building, a Responsibility and a Design Process

Architecture is much more than the construction of buildings. It is an art of building that aims to design and construct structures that are aesthetically pleasing, harmonious, comfortable, useful, solid and durable. Closely related to town planning, which focuses on the development of urban areas, architecture is a field that combines creativity, technical expertise and responsibility towards the client and society.

The profession of architect aims above all to take into account and defend the interests of the client, also known as the owner, as well as those of the citizens who are consumers. As a designer, the architect plays a key role in the realization of architectural projects, translating the needs and aspirations of the client into a tangible and functional reality.

In Luxembourg, the Association of Architects and Consulting Engineers (OA) regulates the profession of architect and defines the fee rates according to the overall amount of the project and its degree of complexity. Generally, for standard buildings, a category 3 is considered, which corresponds to specific fee rates.

The architectural design process consists of several key steps, each of which plays an essential role in the realization of the project:

The architectural design process includes several key steps, each of which plays a critical role in the project's realization:

  1. Data Collection (10%): This initial phase involves the collection of various information necessary to understand the site and its constraints. Among these data, we find the cadastral extract, which provides information on the situation of the property, the content and the orientation of the land. The cadastral measurement, for its part, offers a precision on the parcel, while the topographic survey makes it possible to collect information on the relief, the topography, the developments and the existing infrastructures.

  2. Project (10%): The project stage is the opportunity for the architect to translate the client's needs and expectations into a concrete architectural vision. This involves the creation of drawings and plans that will serve as the basis for the construction of the building. The architect must take into account technical constraints, construction standards and aesthetic concerns to bring the project to life.

  3. Building Permission (20%): Before starting the work, it is necessary to obtain the required authorizations for the realization of the project. This step may involve administrative procedures with the competent authorities, who verify the project's compliance with urban planning regulations and construction standards in force.

  4. Execution project (15%): Once the authorizations are obtained, the architect develops the execution project. This involves refining the plans and technical details of the project, taking into account structural constraints, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as the choice of materials and finishes.

  5. Specifications and Bill of Materials (10%): The specifications are a detailed document that describes the technical specifications and requirements of the project. It specifies the materials to be used, the construction techniques, the expected energy performance, etc. The bill of quantities is an estimate of the quantities of materials needed to establish a detailed estimate.

  6. General Management of Project Execution, Acceptance Assistance (30%): During the construction phase, the architect acts as a conductor. He ensures the general direction of the execution of the project, making sure that the work is carried out in accordance with the plans and specifications. He coordinates the various trades, makes regular visits to the site, and makes adjustments if necessary. The architect is also present at the acceptance of the building, where he assists the owner in the final inspection and verification of the conformity of the project.

  7. Removal of reservations and accounts (4%): Once the work is completed, the architect carries out a final inspection of the building. He identifies any reservations, i.e. defects or non-conformities, and ensures that they are rectified. Finally, the architect performs the final cost accounting, verifying the expenses related to the project and ensuring that the budget has been respected.

In summary, architecture is a complex process that requires technical expertise, artistic creativity and responsibility to the client and the community. Architects play a crucial role in creating buildings that meet the functional, aesthetic and environmental needs of our society. Through their expertise, they help shape our built environment, creating harmonious, sustainable and inspiring living spaces.

Building Permits and Energy Efficiency Issues

Once the architectural project is elaborated, it is necessary to obtain a building permit. In Luxembourg, this permit is issued by the Municipal Administration, under the responsibility of the Mayor. Obtaining this permit requires the mandatory use of an architect, who will be in charge of preparing the necessary administrative documents.

The administrative documents to be provided include the cadastral extract, which provides information on the plot, and the certificate of the Order of Architects and Consulting Engineers (OAI). In addition, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is also required. These documents establish the project's compliance with current regulations.

Once the administrative documents have been gathered, it is essential to complete the graphic documents required by the municipality. These must be drawn to the required scale and include the site plan, plan views, sections and elevations. These plans make it possible to visualize precisely the final aspect of the project and to verify its conformity with the town planning rules.

When designing a building, energy efficiency is an essential aspect to consider. An energy efficient house will significantly reduce energy consumption, resulting in savings on the owner's energy bill. Here are some key elements to achieving energy efficiency in construction:

  1. Thermal envelope: A well-designed and compact thermal envelope that limits heat loss and preserves energy within the building. It is essential to exclude unheated spaces, such as garages, from this envelope.

  2. Airtightness: Airtight construction reduces uncontrolled air infiltration, which limits heat loss and improves the overall energy efficiency of the building. The "Blower Door Test" is a test used to measure the rate of airflow into the building.

  3. Controlled Mechanical Ventilation (CMV): A CMV provides controlled and efficient air exchange, allowing good indoor air quality while minimizing energy losses from ventilation.

  4. External solar protection: The use of solar protection, such as roller shutters or external blinds, allows the control of solar gain and reduces overheating in summer.

  5. Supplementary Heating: Energy efficient design can reduce reliance on traditional heating systems. Alternative solutions, such as geothermal energy, can be considered to reduce be considered to reduce heating energy consumption.

Passive House is a concept that pushes the boundaries of energy efficiency. Passive houses are designed to be extremely energy efficient, with near zero energy consumption. Key Passive House principles include energy efficient windows with solar shading, elimination of thermal bridges, excellent air sealing, generous thermal insulation and controlled ventilation with heat recovery.

It is also essential to take into account urban planning regulations when designing an architectural project. In Luxembourg, the Plan d'Aménagement Général (PAG) and the Plan d'Aménagement Particulier (PAP) define the rules and coefficients that govern construction. The COS (Coefficient of Land Use), the CUS (Coefficient of Land Use), the DL (Density of Dwellings) and the CSS (Coefficient of Ground Sealing) are all elements to be considered in order to establish the feasibility of a project.

In conclusion, obtaining a building permit is an essential step in the architectural process. It guarantees that the project complies with current regulations and allows for the consideration of energy efficiency issues. By respecting these criteria, architects contribute to the realization of sustainable, energy-efficient buildings that are harmonious in their urban environment.

Authorization: A Complex Process for the Realization of Architectural Projects

When carrying out an architectural project, it is essential to take into account the various permits required to guarantee the conformity and safety of the project. In addition to the building permit, other specific authorizations must be obtained.

Among these authorizations is the Permission de Voirie, which concerns projects located along a State road, such as a National Road or a Communal Road. This permit is issued by the Roads and Bridges Administration (APC) within the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure. It aims to ensure the coordination and safety of road works.

Another important authorization is that relating to water protection and management. This permit is issued by the Water Management Administration, which is part of the Ministry of the Interior and the Greater Region. It aims to prevent pollution risks and to ensure proper management of water resources during the implementation of a project.

When you enter the process of realizing an architectural project, the architect plays a crucial role in the coordination and supervision of the work. The architect is responsible for planning the work, being available on site to provide information to the firms, monitoring the work of the firms to ensure compliance with the plans and bid sheets, and financial control of the site, including the billing process.

Site management includes regular site meetings with all concerned parties, such as contractors, consulting engineers and representatives of the owner. These meetings are used to monitor progress, discuss issues and make important decisions. It is essential to keep a written record of all discussions and decisions made at these meetings to ensure transparency and traceability of the project.

The lifting of the reservations and the accounts constitute a final stage of the project. The acceptance of the building site is requested by the construction company, then granted by the Owner with the assistance of the architect. A contradictory report of the completion of the works is established, followed by a written notification of the possible reserves. The company then has a period of time to remove these reservations, and an official acceptance is carried out after this stage. The signature of the acceptance marks the beginning of the legal guarantee periods, such as the ten-year guarantee and the two-year guarantee.

In the event of a dispute or defects found, downgrades can be made on the final amount of the project, and a third party company can be called in to make the necessary corrections, financed by the warranty holdback. In some cases, expert arbitration may be required to resolve disputes. It is important to note that the architect has the obligation to subscribe to a professional insurance covering his possible errors.

Finally, the accounts are drawn up to establish the final invoice of the companies involved in the project. This includes the release of the holdbacks and the realization of a global final account to close the project financially.

Civil and technical engineering also play an essential role in the realization of an architectural project. The civil engineering consultant is responsible for the design and implementation of the supporting structures of the buildings, working in collaboration with the architect and the client. The stages of his work include the preliminary studies, the preliminary project, the project, the requests for authorizations, the execution project, the specifications, the direction of the execution and the assistance to the reception, as well as the lifting of the reserves and the settlements.

Similarly, the consulting engineer in technical engineering is responsible for the design and implementation of the technical installations of the buildings, such as heating, ventilation, electrical systems, etc. Working closely with the architect and the client, this independent expert ensures that the installations meet the standards and needs of the project. The various phases of his work include preliminary studies, the preliminary project, the project, the requests for authorizations, the execution project, the specifications, the direction of the execution and the assistance to the reception, as well as the lifting of the reserves and the accounts. He can also be in charge of acoustic studies to guarantee the sound comfort in the buildings.

In conclusion, the process of obtaining authorizations and the coordination between the different actors are essential elements to ensure the success of an architectural project. The respect of the regulations in force, the supervision of the construction site and the collaboration between the architect, the consulting engineers and the other stakeholders guarantee the realization of a compliant, safe and functional project.

Architecture Quiz:

  1. What is architecture?
  • a) The design and realization of artistic structures
  • b) The art of building functional structures
  • c) The design of interior spaces
  • d) The study of natural phenomena

Answer: b) The art of building functional structures

  1. Who is responsible for the regulation of the architectural profession in Luxembourg?
  • a) The Order of Architects and Consulting Engineers (OA)
  • b) The Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure
  • c) The Local Administration
  • d) The Mayor

Answer: a) The Order of Architects and Consulting Engineers (OA)

  1. What is a building permit?
  • a) An authorization required to carry out an architectural project
  • b) An energy performance certificate
  • c) A contract between the architect and the client
  • d) Professional insurance for architects

Answer: a) An authorization required to carry out an architectural project

  1. What are the key steps in the architectural design process?
  • a) Data research, project, building permit, execution project, specifications, execution management, acceptance and settlement
  • b) Planning, execution, acceptance, payment
  • c) Sketching, design, construction, decoration
  • d) Collection of materials, site preparation, construction, finishing

Answer: a) Data research, project, building permit, execution project, specifications, execution management, removal of reservations and settlement of accounts

  1. What is the "Blower Door Test"?
  • a) A test to measure the energy consumption of a building
  • b) A test to evaluate the air tightness of a building
  • c) A test to evaluate the solidity of a building's structure
  • d) A test to verify the acoustic quality of a building

Answer: b) A test to evaluate the air tightness of a building

  1. What is a passive house?
  • a) A house without electricity
  • b) An environmentally friendly house
  • c) A house with very low energy consumption
  • d) A house built with recycled materials

Answer: c) A house with very low energy consumption

  1. What authorizations are required to carry out an architectural project?
  • a) Building permit and road permission
  • b) Building permit and energy performance certificate
  • c) Building permit and certificate of compliance
  • d) The building permit and the certificate of acoustic compliance

Answer: a) Building permit and road permission

  1. Who is responsible for the coordination of work on an architectural site?
  • a) The architect
  • b) The client
  • c) The consulting civil engineer
  • d) The burgomaster

Answer: a) The architect

  1. What is a joint completion report?
  • a) A final inspection of the building by the architect
  • b) A site meeting to discuss reservations
  • c) A document detailing the defects and non-conformities
  • d) A written notification of any reservations

Answer: c) A document detailing the defects and non-conformities

  1. What professional insurance is required for architects?
  • a) Automobile and home insurance
  • b) Health and life insurance
  • c) Ten-year insurance and professional liability insurance
  • d) Travel and unemployment insurance

Answer: c) Ten-year insurance and professional liability insurance

  1. What is the role of the consulting engineer in civil engineering?
  • a) Design and build the supporting structures of buildings
  • b) Design and build the technical installations of the buildings
  • c) Supervise the work on an architectural site
  • d) Manage the administrative authorizations for a project

Answer: a) Design and build the supporting structures of buildings

  1. What is energy efficiency in construction?
  • a) Reducing the energy consumption of a building
  • b) The use of renewable energy sources
  • c) The thermal insulation of a building
  • d) The use of environmentally friendly materials

Answer: a) Reducing the energy consumption of a building

    1. Who issues building permits in Luxembourg?
  • a) The Municipal Administration
  • b) The Order of Architects and Consulting Engineers
  • c) The Administration of Roads and Bridges
  • d) The Administration of Water Management

Answer: a) The Municipal Administration

  1. What are specifications?
  • a) A document describing the technical specifications of a project
  • b) A document detailing the anticipated costs of a project
  • c) A document setting out the schedule of work
  • d) A document describing the needs and expectations of the client

Answer: a) A document describing the technical specifications of a project

  1. What is the Association of Architects and Consulting Engineers (AO)?
  • a) A professional organization regulating the architectural profession
  • b) A governmental authority in charge of urban planning
  • c) A certification body for building materials
  • d) An architectural research institute

Answer: a) A professional organization regulating the architectural profession

  1. What is the lifting of reservations?
  • a) The financial closure of an architectural project
  • b) Rectification of defects or non-conformities in a building
  • c) Verification of the conformity of the project with the urban planning regulations
  • d) The realization of the final account of the costs of a project

Answer: b) Rectification of defects or non-conformities in a building

  1. What is the role of the architect during the construction phase?
  • a) Coordinate the various trades and ensure compliance with the plans
  • b) Prepare the administrative documents necessary to obtain the authorizations
  • c) Drawing up the plans and drawings of the project
  • d) Inspecting the building and identifying reservations

Answer: a) Coordinate the various trades and ensure compliance with the plans

  1. What is architectural engineering?
  • a) Design and implementation of building services
  • b) The design and construction of the supporting structures of buildings
  • c) The study of building materials
  • d) Financial management of an architectural project

Answer: a) The design and implementation of technical installations of buildings

  1. What is the COS (Land Use Coefficient)?
  • a) The ratio between the surface area of the building and the total surface area of the lot
  • b) The ratio between the gross built surface and the surface of the lot
  • c) The ratio between the number of housing units and the lot
  • d) The ratio of the sealed floor area to the lot area

Answer: a) The ratio of the floor area to the total area of the lot

  1. What is the contradictory report on the completion of the work?
  • a) A final inspection of the building by the architect
  • b) A site meeting to discuss reservations
  • c) A document detailing the defects and non-conformities
  • d) A written notification of any reservations

Answer: c) A document detailing the defects and non-conformities