The architect's decisions in writing or drawings must be consistent with what?

• A. The intent or reasonably inferable from the contract documents
• B. The personal preferences of the architect
• C. The owner's instructions
• D. The contractor's requests

Answer: (A)

Architect decisions in writing or on drawings must reflect the intent of the contract documents or what can reasonably be inferred from them. The contract documents—drawings, specifications, addenda—dictate the project scope, quality, and standards, and the architect administers the contract by interpreting those documents. Personal preferences have no bearing on decisions, and owner instructions or contractor requests only drive changes if the contract’s modification process is followed. So, the best guide for the architect is the contract documents’ stated intent or reasonable inferences from them.