Ethics Project | Samantha Mannino

Ethic's in Architecture

Ethics in architecture goes more than just the code of conduct, but also relates to the architects responsibility as leaders and visionaries who will continue to lead us into the next century and so on. The conduct for the architects relationships between society, their clients, their employees, and other professionals included in the project.

AIA CODE OF ETHICS

The rules of conduct are mandatory. If anyone is in violation of any of the rules then there is means for a disciplinary action done by the AIA.

The commentary is solely to help clarify on the general purpose of such rule. It helps people understand and elaborate on that rule.

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS ENTAILS

Following laws such as building codes, zoning codes, etc.
Ensuring that you are a license holder for your profession; such as Architect, engineers, etc.
Following the codes of professional Ethics in relation to AIA

ONE'S MORALS: Your own personal view of good behavior

LEGAL/POLITICS: Enforced rules by government and governing agencies

ETIQUETTE: Politeness, manners and professionalism

CANON I-VI

I. GENERAL OBLIGATIONS: One’s responsibility to continue studying the arts and science of architecture. In other words, keeping up with the changes in architecture as the years go on. Also, ensuring that you are designing for the public safety.

II. OBLIGATIONS TO THE PUBLIC: One’s responsibility to obey the laws of conduct that affiliate with their profession. In other words, ensuring you are not violating any laws, persuading officials in regards to said project, or falsifying information.

III. OBLIGATIONS TO THE CLIENT: One’s responsibility to maintain a professional relationship with the client. In other words, giving each client the time they deserve and not excluding clients for any bias reasoning.

IV. OBLIGATIONS TO THE PROFESSION: One’s responsibility to being held accountable for their honesty. In other words, bringing to attention if another person has been in violation of said code to file a complaint.

V. OBLIGATIONS TO THE COLLEAGUES: One’s responsibility to maintain a healthy work environment with colleagues. In other words, respecting one another and not causing people to feel discriminate against. Also, being true to your own work and not copying.

VI. OBLIGATIONS TO THE ENVIORNMENT: One's responsibility to include sustainability within their design as well as planning around the given sites environment.

Case Study : Citigroup Center

BUILDING INFORMATION

601 Lexington Avenue New York City, New York
Architects: William LeMessurier, Hugh Stubbins, and Emery Roth
Engineering Firms: LeMessurier Associates and SCI/James Ruderman
Architecture Firms: Emery Roth and Sons, Hugh Stubbins and Associates
915 feet tall skyscraper with 59 floors
Construction began in April of 1974 and completed in 1977.

LEMESSUIRIER'S BUILDING DESIGN

LeMessurier’s building design that was drawn out had chevron structural bracing that would transfer the loads to the columns placed at the mid-span of the building walls. The trusses were meant to withstand half of the gravity loads and be able to resist wind loads. The center concrete core base receives the transfer of wind shear from the diagonally braced transfer floor. When calculating the wind loads, LeMessurier determined that the winds were blowing directly against one side of the building. The original design for the load braces used welded joints. During construction, there was a decision made to save on labor and materials. The builders used bolted joints which would not be able to withstand loads from straight-on winds and quartering winds.

STUDENT SAVES NYC SKYSCRAPER

In 1978, a year after construction was completed on the Citigroup Center building, an undergraduate student from Princeton discovered the problem with the skyscraper. Diane Hartley, who was studying structural design did her own research and calculations which resulted in realizing that the Citigroup Center building was vulnerable to quartering winds. Diane Hartley’s recalculations brought to light that when adding the quartering winds that increased 40% in wind loads and 160% in the load at all connection joints.

RESOLUTION

LeMessurier knew that if he publicly announced his calculation error would risk ruining his professional reputation. Initially, he approached the architect then Citigroup. He was persuading Citigroup to make the repairs without notifying the public. The resolution, was to weld 2” steel plates over every 200 bolted joints. The repairs were done at night to keep it from the general public. Six weeks into the repairs NYC was almost hit by Hurricane Ella causing emergency evacuation. At this time, repairs were only half-finished, but luckily enough the storm veered away from NYC. Luckily, nothing happened with the storm. The danger of the building was kept quiet from the public for almost 20 years.