Construction Observation
Construction Observation
The architect visits the site at intervals appropriate to the stage of construction to become familiar with progress and quality of the work. This is observation - not supervision, not continuous inspection. The contractor alone controls means, methods, techniques, sequences, and procedures and is solely responsible for the site safety program. Recall AIA A201 Article 4: the architect "endeavors to guard the owner against defects and deficiencies" but does not guarantee the contractor's performance.
Powers the architect has: reject nonconforming work, require testing and special inspections, interpret the drawings, issue field reports and supplemental instructions, and require the contractor to correct deficient work. Powers the architect does not have: directing subcontractors (always route through the contractor), stopping the work, ordering the workforce, or changing the contract sum without a written modification.
Field reports should be factual, dated, distributed to owner and contractor, and describe observed conditions objectively - no editorializing and no language that accepts responsibility. Photographs supplement, never replace, the written record. If the architect observes a known safety issue, A201 requires prompt written report to owner and contractor; the architect still does not direct abatement. Differing or concealed site conditions require written notice, documentation, and an owner determination before work proceeds.
Traps: "observe" and "inspect" are not synonyms on this exam; the architect is not a "clerk of the works"; a contractor's failure to follow a shop-drawing review comment remains the contractor's responsibility.
Rule of thumb: See it, write it, send it - don't fix it. Unsafe scaffolding observed: photograph it, describe it in a dated field report, send to owner and contractor the same day, log who was notified - and do not instruct the workers yourself.