Architectural controls is a mechanism that allows an estate to preserve the visual integrity, status and value of properties within such an estate.

 

Upon development of each estate, the developer creates a specific vision and framework for it. Architectural controls or architectural guidelines are established and a system is set in place to manage and scrutinise new houses.

 

When enough properties within the estate has been sold, the developer transfers the authority to a corporate body of the estate. The corporate body is constituted  by members/owners in the estate. The Home Owners Association takes control and forms different committees of witch one will be a democratically elected Aesthetics/Building Control Committee. This committee may decide to setup an internal office to check the submitted plans for compliance to the guides/rules. In general this process is outsources to a Architectural practice but may be performed by any legal entity.