What is one of the responsibilities of the consultant architect (CA) to the owner?

The consultant architect (CA) has a vital role in representing the owner and providing advice throughout the project. This responsibility encompasses understanding the owner's goals, concerns, and requirements, and effectively communicating these to the project team. The CA serves as the owner's advocate, ensuring that the design aligns with their vision and that any issues that arise during construction are addressed in a manner that protects the owner's interests.

The responsibility to represent the owner involves not just communication, but also advising on various aspects of the project, such as design options, regulatory compliance, and cost implications. By fulfilling this role, the CA helps to cultivate a collaborative environment among all stakeholders, leading to a more successful outcome for the project.

In contrast, while financial authorization, prompt decisions, and approval of shop drawings are important activities within the architectural process, they do not capture the full scope of the consultant architect's advisory and representational function on behalf of the owner. Financial matters typically involve the owner or their financial representatives, while decision-making and shop drawing approvals are often shared or delegated responsibilities within the project team.