Description
Please read the event and answer all question, and literally no plagiarism or your work if you done it.
Review the event involving the late William J. LeMessurier of Cambridge, Massachusetts, one of the most highly regarded structural engineers and designers in the world. He served as the structural consultant to an architect Hugh Stubbins, Jr. for the design of a new headquarters building of Citicorp in New York city. The building was completed in 1978, and the 59-story Citicorp Center is still one of the most dramatic and interesting skyscrapers in the city.
Complete the assignment by answering the following questions:
- What lesson learned from this event from ethical perspective?
- If you were in his position:
- What would you have done if you determined that the revised probability of failure was higher than for the original design, but still within the range of permitted by code?
- What would you have done if your insurance carrier, the building owner, or the city, had said to "keep quite"?
- Who should pay for the repair?
Explanation & Answer
Attached.
Ethics in Architectural Practice – Outline
I. Introduction
II. Ethics in Architectural Practice
III. Designing of the Citicorp Center in New York City
IV. Lessons learned
A. Questioning one’s decision
B. Reviewing changes
C. Perception
V. Acting as an architect
VI. Insurance companies influence
VII. Repairs
Running head: ETHICS IN ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE
Ethics in Architectural Practice
Name
Institution
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ETHICS IN ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE
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Ethics in Architectural Practice
Architectural practice can be rewarding. However, architectural practice requires the
inclusion of attention to different business and legal issues just like any other profession.
Most architects face various challenges in their practice as they deal with myriads of
requirements as well as complexities. However, most professionals in the architectural field
often overlook ethics in practice. The engagement in sound practices in any activity serves as
a means of fulfilling an individual's ethical obligation. Complexities arise when the business
or activity an individual engages in does not address an individual's ethical responsibilities or
situations that entails ethical obligations dictating the choices an individual takes that differs
from what the business or activity wants (Vardaro, 2013). In architectural practice, architects
face such challenges in the identification of issues as well as the formulation of the crucial yet
difficult decisions that may serve as defining the individual's practice.
The designing process, as well as the outcome of the Citicorp Center in New York
City, is one of the compelling structures and well recognized within the city. The structure
provides an excellent means for examining the consideration and balancing of business, legal,
and ethical responsibilities (Vardaro, 2013). Engineer William LeMessurier was at the center
of the development of the structure with his designs of the giant columns creating a design
marvel. However, the designs had elements that could be catastrophic. Even though the
designs were not disastrous at the time, it raises questions regarding ethical issues in practice.
Engineer William capitalized on good fortune in his designs thus avoiding a devastating end
to his career but instead a continued rise in his stature among the architectural community.
Engineer William's story is one that presents one with several ideas and demonstrations
regarding the need for proper communication as well as delegating and supervising during
the designing and construction process (Vardaro, 2013). There is also the maintenance of
emphasis on the need to balance the profession, legal, and ethical obligations in practice.
The events of the development of Citicorp presents one with some lessons from an
ethical perspective. The first lesson is that of questioning one's decisions. LeMessurier
considered other individuals' perspective particularly those of his students (Vardaro, 2013).
His intellectual curiosity, as well as inquisitive nature, contribute to his prevention to
complete disregard of the student's inquiry. Student's questioning of the designs contributed
to LeMessurier questioning his firm's design as he considered the safety of the people. Ethical
perspective requires the consideration of other people other than oneself....
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