NEW ERA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Department of Civil Engineering

CE Laws, Contracts, Specs and Ethics

Reaction Paper

“Architects Vs. Engineers”

(Resolution of Former Merceditas Guttierrez)

Name: Abad, Khryzelle Mae D. Section: 5CE-1 W 1:00-4:00pm

Course/Year: BSCE - 5th Year Instructor: Engr. Roger A. De Sesto
It has been a well-debated topic to whoever has a more complicated job or which one is better:
architects or civil engineers.

In this article, ​The PRBoA sues Former DPWH Secretary Ebdane, et. al. for Violations of
Anti-Graft Laws Relative to the Implementation and Enforcement of Republic Act No. 9266 and
of P.D. No. 1096 and their IRRs. In this complaint, they have ​noted that engineers have been
“acting as architects, and such action transgresses professional delineation of their respective
practices. A case in point is the signing of engineers of architectural plans when securing
building permits in clear violation of the National Building Code.”

As an aspiring civil engineer, our field involves building and structural design, which means that
infrastructures are too familiar to us – something that architects and civil engineers have in
common. Which is why sometimes I question myself, why can’t we, engineers, can’t do works
like those of the architects?

What architects essentially do is control and innovate the overall aesthetics of a building or
structure. Civil engineers on the other hand are the liable persons in construction. Armed with
technical knowledge and planning, we have to find ways to make them work considering all
aspects of feasibility and safety. We make sure that what the architects want in printed plans will
be built according to their specifications, using all possible building methods and
practices.Engineers make sure that every aspect, every material, every dimensions, every
locations and basically every detail that is seen on the blueprint must reflect what is seen on the
actual project. Having known these, we could say that Architects only focus on the design of a
structure. Engineers on the other hand, can design a structure, build a structure not only in terms
of knowledge from the classroom, but based on experiences that we encounter in the field.
Having said these, we can conclude that engineers are taught in school to solve problems using
their chosen functional specialties. ​Where as, architects coordinate in all of the details from all
trades into their drawings and make sure the wh​ole building is assembled properly. ​On a lighter
note, we can actually say that Architects are most likely the ‘Engineers’ who can’t do math.

But this doesn’t mean that we need to discredit all the hard work and sacrifices of our Architects.
They spent years on College, took numerous exams as we did and shared the same level of
sufferings we had experienced. We should still always abide by the law and be responsible
individuals who can make a compromise and always be the bigger person. It is really not
necessary that cases like this should reach the Court. Engineers and Architects would make a
good team together. Sometimes, it is not the Engineer’s fault if his/her client asks him to sign
plans for cheaper rates because the client has the last say whether he wants to hire an Architect or
just stick with the Engineer. It is still a matter of perspectives. We should respect one another to
avoid conflicting such as these matters.