ACCORD ON PROFESSIONALISM IN ARCHITECTURE BETWEEN

ACCORD ON PROFESSIONALISM IN
ARCHITECTURE BETWEEN El COLEGIO DE
ARQUITECTOS DE COSTA RICA AND THE
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
INTRODUCTION
Members of the architectural profession in Costa
Rica and the United States of America are dedicated
to the assurance and improvement of high standards
of professionalism, integrity, and competence, and
thereby bring to society special skills and a profound
sense of stewardship essential to the development
and protection of the built environment in both
country’s societies and cultures.
OBJECTIVES
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and
El Colegio de Arquitectos de Costa Rica share
the common objectives to: organize and unite
in fellowship the members of the architectural
profession in Costa Rica and the United States of
America; promote the aesthetic, scientific, social and
technical effectiveness of the profession; advance
the standards of architectural education, training,
and practice; provide leadership in the building
industry and the profession of architecture to insure
the advancement of the living standards of people
through their improved environment; and make the
profession of ever-increasing service to society.
PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONALISM
Both The American Institute of Architects and El
Colegio de Arquitectos de Costa Rica acknowledge
and affirm the basic principles of professionalism
contained in the “Accord on Recommended
International Standards of Professionalism in
Architectural Practice,” adopted by the International
Union of Architects (UIA) in June 1999 in Beijing,
China:
- Expertise: Members of the professional societies
possess a systematic body of knowledge, skills, and
theory developed through education, graduate and
post-graduate training, and experience.
- Autonomy: Members of the professional societies
provide objective expert advice to the client and/or
users. Architects are charged to uphold the ideal that
learned and uncompromised professional judgment
should take precedence over any other motive in the
pursuit of the art and science of architecture
- Commitment: Members of the professional societies
bring a high level of selfless dedication to the work
done on behalf of their clients and society
- Accountability:
Members of the professional
societies are aware of their responsibility for the
independent and, if necessary, critical advice
provided to their clients and for the effects of their
work on society and the environment.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
Both professional societies advocate that, in the
interest of public health, safety, quality of life,
responsibility to protect natural resources and the
environment, they should promote, establish, and
maintain professional standards related to:
- Education: Members of the professional societies
participate in the assessment of curricula and content
of university studies in architecture to assure the
necessary fit between initial professional education
and needs of the profession, as well as the ongoing
education/professional development of interns and
architects.
- Registration: Members of the profession participate
in or control the establishment of standards for the
examinations for registration of architects, according
to each country’s legislation.
§ Discipline: Members of the professional societies
should establish standards of ethics and professional
conduct for implementation by their members and
through which members may be disciplined if found
guilty of a breach.
BI-LATERAL COOPERATION / AGENDA
Both professional societies pledge to work together
in close cooperation, in appropriate time and under
appropriate conditions, toward the goals of interrecognition of standards in education, examination,
registration and continuing education.
In order to attain the objectives stated in this Accord,
the professional societies agree, when possible and
as appropriate, to the following agenda:
- The mutual exchange of information on education,
thematic and technical training, examinations,
registration, continuing professional development
in the discipline of architecture. As well as the
reciprocal exchange of observers, delegations, and
the possibility of exchange of experts and lecturers
when required.
- The mutual exchange of students, teachers, and
professionals, and the promotion of cooperation in
architectural practice between architects of the two
countries.
- The continuing collaboration in joint research
projects that can promote technical, theoretical
innovation, professional practice and the role of
architects in common issues, such as sustainability.
This Accord is effective for six years from the date of
signature and can be continued or revised by mutual
agreement.
Arq. Marianela Jiménez Calderón
Presidente 2012-2014
Colegio de Arquitectos de Costa Rica - CACR
San José, Costa Rica
Arq. Mickey Jacob, FAIA
President 2013
American Institute of Architects - AIA
Washington, District of Columbia
United States of America
* What you have read is a summary from the
Agreement AIA and the Collage of Architects of Costa
Rica
2013-2019 Work Plan
Costa Rica Headquarters
BACKGROUND
On June 22, 2013, the Colegio de Arquitectos de
Costa Rica and The American Institute of Architects
subscribed the “Agreement on Professionalism
in Architecture between the CACR and the AIA.”
In that document both professional associations
committed to working together in close cooperation
in favor of the goals of mutual recognition of the
education, test, registration, and continuous
education standards. In acknowledgement of the
growing globalization of the architectural practices,
this agreement will facilitate the mutual access to
the practice of architecture.
This agreement does not operate on the bylaws or
national legislation in force in both institutions.
Main Objective of the Costa Rica Headquarters:
To promote the aesthetic, scientific, social, and
technical efficacy of the profession, to promote the
education standards, training, and architectural
practice, to foster leadership in the construction
industry and the architectural profession in order
to encourage the advancement of the quality of life
of the peoples by improving the environment and
ensuring that the profession constantly provides
better quality services to society.
Strategic Guidelines:
•Development of technical training programs,
including virtual education as a tool to support the
update of knowledge in the area of architecture.
•Bilateral exchange of observers, delegations,
and speakers, as well as students, professionals,
and teachers, as required, for the promotion and
cooperation of the architectural practice among the
countries’ professionals.
•Exchange of teaching and educational materials,
and others, developed by architecture organizations
for educational, technical training, and professional
development purposes.
•Bilateral capacity building between the CACR
and the AIA to implement architecture programs,
projects, and activities of interest to their affiliate
international members, with the support of guild
and academic activities, in order to contribute to the
social and economic development of the countries.
•Collaboration in joint research projects that
promote technical innovation, theory, professional
practice, and the role of architects in matters of
common interest such as the sustainability of
architecture.
•Support to the actions related to accreditation,
certification, validation, and licensing carried out by
each organization within their competence.
• Mutual dissemination of the actions undertaken by
both organizations.