PAM PRACTICE NOTE - PN 2024-2 - Architect’s Statutory Obligation - Notes on Architects Act 1967 (Act 117) - Overview

Oct 28, 2026

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PAM PRACTICE NOTE PN 2024-2 explains the statutory obligations of registered architects under the Architects Act 1967 (Act 117), linking the Board’s rule-making authority to the currently operating rules, including the Architects (Amendment) Rules 2015 and Architects (Scale of Minimum Fees) Rules 2010. It outlines the Act’s arrangement of sections across board functions and registration matters, then focuses on how architectural consultancy services are defined and delivered, emphasizing the role of the Client Brief, site appraisal, statutory compliance, timelines, budgets, and contractual clarity to prevent costly changes and disputes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Overview

Architect registration and basic services linkage

Client Brief and its purpose

Client Brief components

Objectives and requirements

Site conditions and legal status

Statutory compliance and timelines

Budget and project financing

Initial actions after receiving the Client Brief

Site visit and appraisal duties

Understanding obligations and responsibilities

Need for comprehensive client-architect agreement

PAM PRACTICE NOTE ARCHITECT’S STATUTORY OBLIGATION UNDER THE ARCHITECTS ACT 1967 (ACT 117) a publication of MARCH 2024 SERIAL NO: PN 2024-2 TAG: LEGISLATION, FEES & SERVICES PAM PRACTICE NOTE PN 2024-2 ARCHITECT’S STATUTORY OBLIGATION Notes: N1 The sections of the Architects Act 1967 are outlined below. The Architects Act empowers the Board to make Rules under Section 35 of the Act (marked in red), with the approval of the Minister. The current rules in operation: Architects (Amendment) Rules 2015 Architects (Scale of Minimum Fees) Rules 2010 Act 117 ARCHITECTS ACT 1967 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS Incorporating amendments up to February 2015 (Sec) PART I: PRELIMINARY 1. Short title, commencement and application. 2. Interpretation. (Sec) PART II: BOARD OF ARCHITECTS MALAYSIA 3. Establishment of Board of Architects Malaysia. 4. Functions of the Board. (Sec) PART III: REGISTRATION OF ARCHITECTS 5. Register of Architects, etc.. 6. Appointment and duties of Registrar. 7. Restrictions on unregistered persons. 7A. Architectural consultancy practice. 7B. A body corporate providing a combination of services comprising architectural consultancyservices, professional engineering services or quantity surveying services. 8. Entitlement. 9. (Repealed by Act A1480) . 10. Qualifications for registration of Architects, etc. 10A. Registration of foreign architects. 11. (Repealed) . 12. Application for registration of Architects, etc. 13. Certificate of registration of Architects, etc. 14. Notification of change of address of Architects, etc. (Sec) PART IV: CANCELLATION, REMOVAL, REINSTATEMENT, ETC 15. (Repealed) . 15A. Powers to investigate and appointment of Disciplinary Committee. 15B. (Repealed) . 16. Removal from Register of Architects, etc. 17. Reinstatement into Register of Architects, etc. 18. Certificates of registration of Architects, [etc. to](etc. to) be returned. (Sec) PART V: SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO BUILDING DRAUGHTSMEN 19. (Omitted) . 20. Restrictions on unregistered building draughtsmen. 21. Register of Building Draughtsmen. 22. Registration. 23. Notification of change of address of Building Draughtsmen. Practice Note: Architect’s Statutory Obligation (i) OVERVIEW Architects are generally assumed to only create aesthetic designs for new projects, renovations and redevelopments in the built environment on the call of an individual client, institution, or corporation. A professional Architect is required to be registered with Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) in accordance with the ARCHITECTS’ ACT 1967 (ACT 117)N1 to perform architectural consultancy services. The Architect’s scope of work is defined in the ARCHITECTS (SCALE OF MINIMUM FEES) RULES 2010 pursuant to the ARCHITECTS ACT 1967. The ARCHITECTS (SCALE OF MINIMUM FEES) RULES 2010 is the threshold for architectural consultancy Basic Services to be provided by a registered Architect for functional and timely completion of the built project for the Client, building users and the public. Basic Services of an Architect commence from the process of establishing the Client requirements recorded in the Client Brief for design and then project implementation to achieve timely completion of a functional, safe, secure and sustainable premises required for the project. The Client Brief is the basis fora Conceptual Design to compute an appropriate development cost which includes statutory contributions, consultants’ professional fees and estimated construction costs for Client approval. The Architect then proceeds with the full tenure of the architectural consultancy services with the consultant team. Aesthetics for a building is the design hallmark of the Architect. (ii) CLIENT BRIEF The Client Brief records the Client’s objectives and requirements to be achieved upon completion of the building and its surroundings. A comprehensive and well thought-out Client Brief prevents u

FAQs

What legal framework governs an architect’s statutory obligations in this practice note?

The practice note ties architect obligations to the Architects Act 1967 (Act 117), and references the Board’s authority to make rules under Section 35 with ministerial approval.

What are the “Basic Services” of a registered architect based on?

Basic Services are described as the threshold services under the Architects (Scale of Minimum Fees) Rules 2010, covering activities from establishing client requirements through design and project implementation for timely completion.

What should be included in a Client Brief, and why is it important?

The Client Brief records objectives and requirements, site and landscape conditions, legal status documents, statutory requirements, timescales, budget, and project financing. A comprehensive Client Brief helps prevent unnecessary changes during implementation and reduces costly resolutions for mistakes.

Oct 28, 2026

Upload by Oliver