Terms of Service

These Policies describe how Bacchus & Partners (EC) Ltd. ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and discloses your information both in our general architectural practice and when you visit our website at www.bacchusandpartners.com or email any of our team members.

By engaging with our firm, visiting our website, or expressing interest in our AI Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

Part 1: Ethical AI Use & Transparency Policy

At Bacchus & Partners, we embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a powerful tool to innovate and enhance our architectural design processes, allowing us to explore groundbreaking concepts and optimize solutions for our clients. We are committed to the responsible, ethical, and transparent use of AI, ensuring it augments human creativity and expertise, rather than replacing it, and upholds the highest standards of our profession.

This policy outlines our principles and practices for the integration of AI in our architectural work.

Our Core Principles:

1.1. Human Oversight & Accountability:

• AI as a Tool: We view AI as a sophisticated tool that assists and enhances our human architects and engineers. All final designs, calculations, plans, and decisions remain under the ultimate supervision, review, and approval of qualified human professionals.

• Responsible Control: Our licensed architects and engineers maintain "responsible control" over all work, whether partially or fully generated with AI assistance. This means we thoroughly review, verify, and take full accountability for the accuracy, safety, and compliance of all outputs.

• Continuous Learning: Our team is committed to continuous learning about AI technologies, understanding their capabilities, limitations, and ethical implications to ensure informed and responsible use.

1.2. Transparency & Explainability:

• Clarity with Clients: We will be transparent with our clients about how and when AI tools are utilized in their projects, particularly in the conceptual and exploratory phases. We will explain the role AI plays in generating ideas, optimizing designs, or performing calculations.

• Understandable Outputs: While AI may generate complex data, our human experts will interpret, validate, and present these outputs in a clear, understandable, and actionable manner, ensuring clients fully grasp the design rationale and implications.

• Documentation: We will maintain clear documentation of AI models, data inputs, and the processes used to generate significant design elements or calculations, enabling traceability and auditability where necessary.

1.3. Bias Mitigation & Fairness:

• Data Integrity: We are mindful that AI models are trained on vast datasets which may contain inherent biases. We commit to critically evaluating AI outputs for potential biases (e.g., related to accessibility, cultural relevance, or environmental impact) and actively mitigating them through human intervention and diverse design considerations.

• Inclusive Design: Our ultimate goal is to create inclusive and equitable spaces. We will use AI to explore a wider range of design possibilities, but human judgment will always prioritize designs that serve diverse needs and promote fairness.

1.4. Data Privacy & Security:

• Client Confidentiality: All client data, project information, and intellectual property remain strictly confidential. We will ensure that any AI tools utilized comply with our data privacy and security protocols, and that sensitive information is not inadvertently shared or used to train public AI models without explicit consent.

• Secure Systems: We are committed to using AI tools and platforms that meet industry standards for data security and privacy protection.

1.5. Intellectual Property & Authorship:

• Human Authorship: While AI may contribute to the ideation and development process, Bacchus & Partners' architects and engineers are the authors of the architectural designs and technical documentation. AI is a tool, not a creator.

• Respect for IP: We will respect the intellectual property rights of others when using AI tools, ensuring that our use of AI does not infringe upon existing copyrights or design patents.

1.6. Ethical Impact & Sustainability:

• Positive Societal Impact: We aim for AI-assisted designs to contribute positively to the built environment, considering sustainability, resilience, and community well-being.

• Environmental Responsibility: We will consider the environmental impact of AI technologies themselves (e.g., energy consumption for processing) and strive to use AI in ways that support our commitment to sustainable design practices.

1.7 Implementation and Review:

• Internal Guidelines: We will develop and regularly update internal guidelines and training for our team on the ethical and effective use of AI tools in architectural practice.

• Regular Review: This policy will be reviewed periodically to adapt to advancements in AI technology, evolving ethical considerations, and best practices in the architectural industry.

By adhering to this Ethical AI Use & Transparency Policy, Bacchus & Partners reaffirms its commitment to innovation, integrity, and responsible practice, ensuring that our AI-powered future remains firmly grounded in human expertise and ethical principles.

Part 2: Privacy Practices for Our Architectural Firm Operations

This section outlines our commitment to privacy regarding our clients, projects, and general business activities.

2.1. Information We Collect in Architectural Practice

In the course of providing architectural services, we collect information necessary to deliver our services effectively. This may include:

• Client Information: Names, contact details, billing information, project requirements, preferences, and any other personal or business details relevant to the project.

• Project Data: Architectural plans, drawings, specifications, models (physical and digital), surveys, photographs, site information, budget details, schedules, and communications related to specific projects.

• Consultant & Vendor Information: Contact details, service agreements, and payment information for consultants, contractors, and suppliers we engage.

• Communication Data: Records of emails, calls, meetings, and other correspondence related to projects and business operations.

2.2. How We Use Information in Architectural Practice

We use this information primarily to:

• Deliver professional architectural services, including design, documentation, and project management.

• Communicate effectively with clients, consultants, contractors, and authorities.

• Manage project finances, invoicing, and payments.

• Comply with professional standards, regulatory requirements, and legal obligations.

• Maintain project archives and business records.

• For marketing and promotional purposes, only with explicit client consent for specific project features or images.

2.3. Client and Project Confidentiality

We are committed to maintaining the strict confidentiality of all client information and project data.

• Non-Disclosure: We treat all client and project-specific information as confidential and do not disclose it to unauthorized third parties without explicit consent, unless required by law or professional duty.

• Intellectual Property: We respect and safeguard our clients' intellectual property rights concerning their projects and information shared with us.

• Client Consent: For any public display or promotional use of project images or details, we obtain explicit written consent from the client.

2.4. Secure Storage of Information

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of client and project information. These measures include:

• Access Controls: Limiting access to sensitive data to authorized personnel only.

• Data Encryption: Encrypting sensitive data where appropriate, both in transit and at rest.

• Secure Servers/Cloud Storage: Utilizing reputable and secure server infrastructure or cloud services that adhere to industry security standards.

• Regular Backups: Performing routine backups of project data to prevent loss.

• Physical Security: Protecting physical documents and storage devices.

• Employee Training: Training our staff on data protection best practices and confidentiality protocols.

2.5. Sharing Information in Architectural Practice

We may share information in the following circumstances, always striving to do so with appropriate safeguards and often with client consent:

• With Your Consent: When you provide explicit consent for us to share information (e.g., with specific consultants, contractors, or for public promotion).

• Project Collaborators: With trusted consultants (e.g., structural engineers, M&E engineers), contractors, and vendors strictly for the purpose of project execution and delivery. These parties are often bound by contractual confidentiality agreements.

• Regulatory Bodies & Authorities: As required for permit applications, regulatory compliance, or other legal obligations (e.g., building departments, planning authorities).

• Legal Requirements: When compelled by law, court order, or governmental request.

• Professional Advisors: With our professional advisors (e.g., legal counsel, accountants) as necessary for our business operations.

  
  

Part 3: General Data Protection Rights & Policies

This section applies to all data collected by Bacchus & Partners (EC) Ltd.

3.1. Data Security

The security of your data is important to us. We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your Personal Information. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

3.2. Data Retention

We retain your Personal Information only for as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, or as required by law (e.g., professional record-keeping requirements for architectural projects).

3.3. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding your personal data, including:

• The right to access: Request copies of your personal data.

• The right to rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.

• The right to erasure: Request deletion of your personal data, under certain conditions.

• The right to restrict processing: Request restriction of processing your data, under certain conditions.

• The right to object to processing: Object to our processing of your data, under certain conditions.

• The right to data portability: Request transfer of your data to another organization or directly to you, under certain conditions.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at consult@bacchusandpartners.com. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling your request.

3.4. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for anyone under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with information, please contact us.

3.5. Links to Other Sites

Our website may contain links to third-party sites. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of these sites. We advise you to review their privacy policies.

3.6. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

3.7. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• By email: architect@jomobacchus.com

• By visiting the "Contact Us" page on our website