ArmInfo. In Armenia, the Union of Architects will be transformed into the Chamber of Architects. Corresponding amendments to the law "On Architectural Activities" and a package of accompanying laws were made by the Armenian Parliament at the meeting on September 13.
According to Narek Sargsyan, Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Development, the package presented in the first reading was adopted by the National Assembly of the previous convocation, but did not manage to pass all three readings. Now the document in the updated form is again presented in the first reading. The document stipulates that as a result of the reorganization, the Chamber of Architects will receive a number of additional functions.
Thus, the Chamber will be called upon to protect the professional interests of specialists. Members of the Chamber must have the appropriate length of service, having passed the necessary examinations. In addition, the architects will have to periodically take refresher courses in such specialties as the history of world architecture, the history of Armenian architecture, the history of modern architecture, engineering structures, architectural typology, architectural principles, etc. The bill provides for the maintenance of the Register of Architects by the Chamber, ensuring their protection, applying measures of responsibility for various types of offenses, including violation of ethical standards.
The bill provides for the use of two types of architects - those who hold a diploma and those who hold the title of architect. In the second case, it is expected that the architect will be granted a license by the Chamber. Architects will take exams, and get licenses for the appropriate classes - from 1 to 4. Prior to the adoption of the current law, the architects did not bear any responsibility. The Chamber will have mechanisms for reparation to third parties. The Chamber will also engage in the protection of the interests of architects from the dictates of developers. She will be responsible for the activities of the architect, and make decisions on the provision or denial of his license. Activities of the Chamber will be carried out on a voluntary basis. The executive body of the Chamber will be the Council. In the future, as Sarkisian noted, the Chamber will also deal with issues related to insurance of architectural activities. As noted by the speaker, the need to adopt the document is also linked to national security and environmental protection.