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It is considered Reconstruction if the proposal meets any of the following.

1. The new gross floor area of the house is increased by more than 50%
2. The existing structural elements that are removed, replaced, or added are more than 50% of the existing
3. The removal or replacement of the existing external facade walls with new walls amounts to 50% or more of the current ones
4. Addition of a new floor to the building

As the changes are significant, a household shelter will be required to be put in for landed residential houses. In some instances, we may be able to apply for a waiver for the household shelter. Contact us for a discussion.

Additions & Alterations (A&A) are minor changes to existing properties or buildings such as extending the rear or side of the house or building. Such changes are minimal when there is:

1. Less than 50% increase in floor area.
2. Less than 50% change in the existing structure.
3. Less than 50% change in the existing building facade.
   
   

If the proposal exceeds the criteria above in any item, it will be considered a Reconstruction.

A registered architect is also known as a Qualified Person (QP) and is required in matters concerning compliance issues and approvals from the building authorities.

In Singapore, an architect needs to have on average 5 years of formal education in Architecture and minimum 2 years of relevant experience in an architectural practice. He/she must demonstrate their working experience through maintaining a log book of their daily work and submit a case study of one of their projects. Only when it is deemed that they have sufficient practical experience can they sit for an exam testing both regulatory and contractual knowledge. The final stage is an interview before they are allowed to be registered with the Board of Architects Singapore (BOA) as a registered architect.

An architect’s scope of work can consist of design ideation, space planning, drafting of plans, selection of materials, authority submissions & approvals, calling tender for contractors, project management, inspections. Basically the overall supervision of the entire process from start of design through to completion.

An architect is commonly viewed as the leader of a construction project, leading a team of consultants and making sure the construction stages and details are being adhered to as depicted in the original design by the contractor or builder.

A registered architect (QP) has to be engaged when a property owner or tenant wants to carry out building works which require submission and approval from the relevant authorities such as URA, BCA, SCDF or LTA to name a few.