ISSUES OF PRACTICE: DIVERSITY

Diversity in architecture
Architectural profession is not just about gender but about including a range of ethnicities, abilities,
sexualities, economic backgrounds and ages. Historically, the architectural domain has been
predominantly white and male but the industry now realizes that creating a more diverse profession is
hugely important for a number of reasons. In a future edition, we will cover gender diversity but, in
this part of the series, we focus on ethnicity.

Why we need diversity?

Greater diversity would create a built environment that more effectively represents and caters for the
multicultural population of our country. It can also aid architecture’s crucial role in communicating our
national identity overseas while honouring Treaty of Waitangi obligations at home, and helping to repair
the damage of colonisation and to show respect to our indigenous Māori culture.

ISSUES OF PRACTICE: CODE OF ETHICS

Code of Ethics

A code of ethics is a guide of principles designed to help professionals conduct business honestly and
with integrity. A code of ethics document may outline the mission and values of the business or
organization, how professionals are supposed to approach problems, the ethical principles based on
the organization's core values, and the standards to which the professional is held.

A code of ethics also referred to as an "ethical code," may encompass areas such as business ethics, a
code of professional practice and an employee code of conduct.

Understanding a Code of Ethics

Business ethics refers to how ethical principles guide a business's operations. Common issues that fall
under the umbrella of business ethics include employer-employee relations, discrimination,
environmental issues, bribery and insider trading, and social responsibility. While many laws exist to
set basic ethical standards within the business community. Relation to the ethics, in the field of
architecture we also need to know the code and standard of each country especially in Asia. Because
it is also a way of respect to their culture when the local architects makes home for them.

Code - A published body of rules & regulations for building practices, materials, installations designed
to protect the heath, welfare and safety of the public . Codes, ie. a building code, established by
municipal, state or federal authority usually have the power of the law.

Standard - A document prepared by a recognized standard-setting organization, such as, American

Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), that prescribes methods
and materials for the safe use and consistent performance of specific technologies; usually a procedure
that has been developed by consensus of the interested parties.